The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously overturned a staff decision and removed a wildlife habitat designation from Gordon Sloat’s 40-acre property near Buena Vista during their January 6 meeting in Salida. Commissioners PT Wood, Gina Lucrezi, and David Armstrong also approved Root Policy Research to conduct the county’s housing needs assessment and adopted nine strategic priority pillars for 2026.
Property Owner Wins Wildlife Habitat Appeal
Commissioners changed Sloat’s property designation from “Disturbed Highest Quality Habitat” to “other habitat,” allowing him to proceed with subdivision plans without restrictive wildlife mitigation requirements that would have mandated clustering and conservation measures.
The property on County Road 384 was designated highest quality habitat based on Colorado Parks and Wildlife data showing it falls within severe winter range and migration corridors for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. Planner Rose Reuling said staff denied Sloat’s request on November 20, finding a wildlife ecologist’s August site visit showing “only limited evidence of fresh use” during summer insufficient to overturn winter range designations.
Sloat, who has lived on adjacent property for nearly 30 years, testified elk have not been on the property for at least 15 years. Attorney Gwendolyn Allen argued Glen View subdivision with approximately 90 lots to the west and Oro Vista subdivision with approximately 87 lots to the south prevent wildlife migration. She noted the Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas declined a conservation easement 22 years ago, “citing the surrounding developments as a barrier to wildlife movement.”
Joe Cooper testified in support of Sloat’s appeal, telling commissioners “You’re about to destroy this man’s life and take away his retirement. Please be considerate of private property owners and find out all the information and investigate it personally before this decision.”
Miles Cottom, director of planning, explained the Planning for Wildlife Map was created in late 2018 by a coalition including wildlife professionals from U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife at the landscape level, not parcel-by-parcel.
Commissioners discussed balancing wildlife protection with property rights in developed areas and emphasized the need to ensure wildlife maps reflect actual conditions. Allen commended commissioners for creating a land use code allowing property owner appeals and setting guidelines for future applicants.
Root Policy Research Selected for Housing Needs Assessment
Commissioners approved Root Policy Research to conduct the county’s multijurisdictional Housing Needs Assessment, funded through a $180,000 Department of Local Affairs grant with $5,000 local matches from the county and municipalities.
County Administrator Beth Helmke said the county received 15 proposals and interviewed three finalists on December 17. “All that to say, the panel unanimously has recommended Root Policy Research to engage for this work,” Helmke said, citing “clear knowledge, solid experience, strong and respected portfolio of work, good balance of focus and delivery in the areas of community outreach, data collection/analysis and education, and personable and relatable team.”
The assessment must be completed by August 2026 to allow jurisdictions to file Rural Resort Petitions before year end to remain eligible for Proposition 123 funds. The Chaffee Housing Authority will serve as lead project manager.
Commissioners Adopt Nine Priority Pillars for 2026
Commissioners unanimously adopted nine priority pillars to guide county work and communications following retreat sessions in February, November, and December 2025.
Helmke said the board accomplished “a lot of high impact and laudable work” in 2025 but “didn’t have a way to really clearly communicate how it fit within our sort of broader priorities and areas of emphasis.”
The pillars are Healthy Ecosystems, Robust and Resilient Economy, Operational Efficiency and Efficacy, Infrastructure and Capital Assets, Community Readiness and Public Safety, Fiscal Responsibility, Employee Excellence, Collaborative Partnerships, and Advocacy and Leadership.
Commissioners connected the framework to the Sloat wildlife habitat case, discussing balance between environmental stewardship and private property rights. Helmke said the pillars create “a much more accessible way that we can communicate what we are doing and why.” The county will launch newsletters, reframe the website, produce its first annual report, and establish key performance indicators.
Commissioners adopted mission and vision statements developed by a focus group. The mission reads: “Chaffee County government is committed to providing our community with efficient, respectful, effective and responsible public service to support our vibrant rural quality of life and our natural environment.”
Meeting Schedule Modified
Commissioners approved modifying the 2026 meeting schedule to make the second Tuesday of each month an overflow meeting convened only if needed. Helmke said the change improves efficiency and allows more time for meeting preparation and community engagement. The January 13 meeting proceeds as scheduled. The new schedule begins in February.
Fee Waiver Denied
Commissioners denied a fee waiver request for Ralph Topper’s $2,500 rezoning application. Cottom explained Topper wants to add 1.5 acres from neighboring property through a boundary line adjustment, but the properties are in different zones requiring rezoning. Commissioners noted fees cover staff time with no public benefit justifying a waiver.
Consent Agenda
The board approved paying bills, ratifying Resolution 2025-59 addressing Chaffee County Destination Management Council governance, ratifying a Colorado Bureau of Investigation grant for the Sheriff’s drone program, ratifying a letter of support for the Buena Vista Singletrack Coalition, approving Resolution 2026-02 on the Meadows Special Events Permit, appointing Sarah Brown McClain to the Chaffee Housing Authority Board, approving a scope of service with Elements Sustainability and Short Circuit, LLC for a Colorado Energy Office grant, approving the Veterans Service Officer’s monthly report, and ratifying a scope of work with LM Kersting Construction Company for structural roof repairs to the North Building at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds.
Commissioners Comments
Commissioners acknowledged Commander Anthony Avila’s retirement from the Sheriff’s Office and congratulated Jesse Cortese on his promotion to commander. The board praised Sheriff Andy Rohrich’s leadership as quality younger deputies’ step into roles of responsibility. Commissioners expressed optimism about the year ahead and county administration direction.
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