By Chaffee Citizens Advocacy
Marjo Curgus was introduced as the Interim Director of Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) a paid position ($103,500 annual salary) which she took on July 18, 2024. Marjo Curgus simultaneously served as the Vice Chair (she now is the Chair) of the Chaffee County Planning and Zoning Commission and headed some of the P & Z meetings for public comment prior to approving the LUC rewrite. Due to Ms. Curgus being the Interim Chief Executive Officer of CHA and at the same time being the Vice-Chair of the County P & Z Commission she should have recused herself from any vote or discussion on the LUC rewrite and if she didn’t recuse herself, the Commissioners’ had the fiduciary duty to recuse her. Per paragraph 3.1.1 of Chaffee County Procedures-Conflict of Interest and County Boards states the following is deemed a conflict if “The Official or Employee represents (directly or indirectly) the Applicant or direct competitor of the Applicant in any aspect of its business as an owner, employee, director, officer, agent or consultant for pay or commission. The representation is not limited to the matter being considered by the Official or Employee.” Ms. Curgus voted to forward the LUC rewrite to the Commissioners. The Commissioners’ didn’t recuse her (or even mention the conflict) and they approved the LUC rewrite on November 19, 2024. In reviewing the Land Use Code that was adopted per the Dedication Requirements of Chapter 4.5 which ensures “that land development, including subdivision is served by appropriate supporting infrastructure and the land required for that infrastructure is dedicated to the County”…it appears that CHA and Chaffee Housing Trust (CHT) are excluded per Section 4.5.2.2 B, “Exceptions to requirements of this Division” includes Affordable housing development that includes units …. “3b) Owned by Chaffee Housing Authority or Chaffee Housing Trust.” Wearing her Planning Commission hat, Marjo ran the meeting which approved the revised LUC which contained a specific section of great financial benefit to CHA where Marjo serves as the highly paid Executive Director. Textbook conflict of interest and it was ignored by all
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