High Country Advocate Staff Report
CAÑON CITY — Fremont County commissioners announced a major win this week, securing a $695,000 state grant to replace all five aging HVAC units at the county’s judicial building. The grant, awarded by the Colorado Courthouse Facility Cash Fund Commission, covers half the estimated $1.3 million project cost, with the county providing the remaining 50% match.
Commission Chairman Kevin Grantham, who presented the grant request alongside Facilities Director Randy Toler, emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting that the 28-year-old systems are reaching their end of life. “One of our HVAC units on the roof already failed, and the parts needed to repair it are not readily available,” Grantham said, warning that a failure in the remaining units could be critical during temperature extremes. Competition for the state funding was intense, with the commission allocating only $3 million to the fund while facing $6.5 million in requests from across Colorado. Commissioner Dwayne McFall, who sits on the state commission but recused himself from the county’s application, called the successful award “a good thing for the community”.
Budget and Revenue Show Conservative Forecasting
Budget and Finance Officer Shawn Sutton delivered a financial report showcasing conservative budgeting practices despite uneven revenue totals compared to the prior year. Sutton pointed out that the county remains ahead of budget in every single category. Retail sales tax through September, for instance, totaled $7.14 million, running $40,733 ahead of 2024 and $841,252 above budget. Lodging tax showed particular strength, with $344,502 collected through September, landing $89,502 ahead of budget.
The one significant dip was in Auto Use Tax collections, which are down $212,786 from 2024. Sutton and County Clerk Justin Grantham explained that this reflects “unusual large vehicle sales” in 2023 and 2024 that were not expected to recur. Despite the decline, collections in this category remain $206,988 ahead of budget. Commissioner Debbie Bell praised the finance team, noting, “We’re behind last year in several places and yet we’re still ahead of budget in every single category,” calling it a “really nice job of budgeting and forecasting”.
Impaired Driving Awareness and Public Safety
Commissioners proclaimed December 2025 as Impaired Driving Awareness Month following a detailed presentation by Michelle Boscia of the Fremont County Department of Public Health and Environment. Boscia presented sobering findings from a community data walk, which included the statistic that four of nine motor vehicle fatalities in Fremont County in 2023—44.4%—involved alcohol. Local law enforcement made 348 DUI arrests that year, comprising 22% of total arrests.
The top community priorities identified in the data walk included expanding transportation alternatives, instituting youth education programs, and modifying downtown parking regulations to allow overnight parking. Chairman Grantham strongly underscored the central goal of the campaign, stating the challenge is to “Normalize being sober,” given that impairment is often “glorified on TV… it’s expected of you when you’re in high school and when you’re in college. Changing that paradigm is going to take a lot work”. The prevention grant is currently in its third year and aims to establish a Fremont County DUI Task Force in partnership with El Paso County and other regional bodies.
Infrastructure and Routine Business
The Commission unanimously approved the transfer of the Iron Mountain Gravel Pit operation to Colorado Quarries. Company representative Jodi Schreiber assured the board that while they plan to expand the site from 9.2 acres to 46.89 acres on BLM land, this is an economic factor meant to give “longevity for the pit itself” and does not necessarily mean increased output or more trucks.
In infrastructure updates, the Road and Bridge staff completed repairs to Bridge 17-230 in Phantom Canyon ahead of schedule, reopening the road on November 19. Meanwhile, the multi-million dollar taxiway rehabilitation project at Fremont County Airport neared completion, funded primarily by FAA grants. Commissioner Bell described the final asphalt day as “impressive,” with “probably 20” trucks lined up to finish the work that evening.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included $3.88 million in bills and the approval of the Pathfinder Park Event Center fee schedule for 2027. The new schedule includes moderate rate increases for auditorium rentals and adds fees such as a $100 kitchen closet access fee. For volunteer boards, Amanda Fouche was reappointed to the Fair Board and Emily Eggleston to the Heritage Commission.
Response to Social Media Criticism
Commissioners scheduled a special meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday, December 16 to finalize the 2026 budget. This scheduling prompted an extended, vigorous response to what Chairman Grantham called “nonsense being spewed on certain parts of social media” regarding county spending.
“Please feel free to come and ask any one of us the details of the budget,” Grantham urged, stressing, “Don’t rely on people that don’t know anything and haven’t asked these questions”. Commissioner Bell added that the persistent spread of misinformation “hurts our employees” and “hurts the people of Fremont County”. County Clerk Grantham reiterated that elected officials must be prepared to justify every expense to the commission, inviting residents to seek clarity from any official on their budget decisions.
The Fremont County Commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Tuesdays at 615 Macon Ave., Room LL3, Cañon City.
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