Grand County Commissioners approved over $1 million in weekly payments during their January 20, 2026 meeting, with the largest single expenditure being $385,000 to the Grand Foundation for a donor advice fund. The total voucher batch of $1,007,985.81 across 88 payments also included $63,000 for Windy Gap fire cleanup, $148,210.71 for IT license renewals, $65,292 for inmate medical care through Southern Health Partners, and $53,760 for Housing Authority administrative support and Black Bear Fund contributions. The board unanimously approved a property tax exemption for 3.504 acres where the Grand County Library District will construct a new Kremling library north of the high school. Commissioners also selected Value West for a two-year commercial appraisal contract at $54,960 annually, rejecting a competing bid of $237,500 per year from United Evaluation Group. Additional approvals included $3,000 in extra funding for High Range Tree Service fire cleanup work and a letter opposing Colorado’s Clean Heat Plan over concerns about average home electrification costs of $35,000.
New Kremling Library Site
The board unanimously approved the property tax exemption for library construction on land purchased from Gary and Jennifer Bumgarner. The site north of the high school will improve student access by eliminating the need to cross US 40.
The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously. The property connects to town water and sewer services, with plans to annex into Kremling. The library district will develop 3.504 acres while the sellers retain 36 acres of residual property.
Commercial Appraisal Contract
Grand County Assessor Larry Banman secured approval for the Value West contract, which includes defense services through the county board of equalization plus petition support. The two-year agreement requires annual appropriations and legal review before execution.
Value West’s annual fee of $54,960 significantly undercut United Evaluation Group’s $237,500 proposal. Banman presented two proposals for commercial mass appraisal assistance to support the assessor’s office.
Major Weekly Expenditures
Finance Director Alina Bell presented the voucher batch, with significant expenditures including $53,622.92 for Road and Bridge bulk fuel purchases. The board approved all payments despite some missing documents over the weekend that were later resolved.
Airport Infrastructure Projects
Grand County Airports Manager Shawn Mahorney received approval for a $170,000 FAA grant application for Precision Approach Path Indicators at Granby Airport. The project requires approximately $3,600 in county matching funds, with $137,000 moved from a future Kremling Airport project.
Commissioners also approved hangar rental agreements. County-owned hangar #2 at Granby Airport will be rented to Independent Enterprises LLC under an annual rental agreement for 2026. The board approved a lease assignment for hangar #10 at Kremling Airport to a new owner, retaining the old lease terms until expiration.
Sheriff’s Office Technology Training
Under Sheriff Wayne Schafer gained approval for three employees to attend a Motorola conference in Florida April 19-23. The training covers upgrades to the county’s 911 system, computer-aided dispatch, records management, and replacement of the co-red system with Motorola Ray technology.
Commissioners discussed potentially including emergency management staff in the training.
Opposition to State Energy Plan
Commissioners authorized signing an opposition letter to Colorado’s Clean Heat Plan administered by the Public Utilities Commission. The board expressed concerns about forced home electrification costs averaging $35,000 per home and electrical grid capacity to meet carbon emissions goals by 2030-2035.
Community Development Updates
Community Development Director Kristen Manguso reported that Wildland Urban Interface code updates must be adopted by April 1st with enforcement beginning July 1st. A meeting with Granby Fire Chief Brad White is scheduled for late January or early February to discuss alternative risk mapping, with Planning Commission review in March and board review at the end of March.
The local group is creating alternative maps designating Class 1 low-risk and Class 2 higher-risk areas. Commissioners approved a six-month extension for Ridgeview Townhomes final plat approval at the top of Winter Park Ranch.
The board waived building permit fees for Tabernash Meadows Water and Sanitation District’s shipping container application, noting the county owns one-third of the treatment plant.
Commissioners also approved an amended intergovernmental agreement with Granby for plan review services beginning February 1st. Under the arrangement, the county conducts plan reviews for approximately $1,300 while Granby handles inspections and collects full permit fees of about $2,100. Granby will use its own cloud permit portal.
Officials discussed temporarily different building codes, with the county on 2015 code and Granby on 2021 code. The county plans to adopt the 2021 code in March.
Human Services Partnership
Human Services Director Deb Ruttenberg received approval for continued services with Jackson County through January 15, 2027. The agreement includes only minor changes to attorney and staff payment amounts.
Jackson County Chair Ty Wattenberg expressed appreciation for the partnership during a recent Colorado Counties Inc. conference.
Water Rights Legal Action
Commissioners approved authorizing County Manager Ed Moyer to execute a statement of opposition supporting the Shoshone water rights change case. Special water counsel finalized the statement, allowing the county to review other parties’ positions in the water court proceeding.
Transportation and Development Issues
Commissioners discussed ongoing coordination with CDOT engineers regarding Red Dirt Hill and Homestead Hills access improvements. The board noted that urban renewal project funding may not cover Mary Jane/US 40 intersection improvements, which involve multiple agencies including CDOT and the Forest Service.
Public Comment Period
Daniela Gosselova of Granby addressed welfare system issues, discussing federal oversight of SNAP programs and state-subsidized health insurance. Gosselova referenced approximately 6,000 people receiving benefits, mentioned former Commissioner Richard Cimino’s involvement with the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise board, and raised concerns about Medicare eligibility and Grand County Rural Health administration.
Fire Cleanup Extension
The board approved an additional $3,000 for High Range Tree Service to extend Windy Gap fire cleanup work in the cabin area. This supplemented the original $63,000 contract for fire cleanup services included in the weekly payments.
Routine Approvals and Future Meetings
Commissioners approved meeting minutes without corrections and scheduled their annual retreat for March 30-31. The board discussed ongoing negotiations with Flying Heels Arena Association and upcoming meetings with American Whitewater representative Hattie Johnson regarding River Recreation Alliance principles.
County Manager Ed Moyer noted several upcoming meetings, including a department head meeting Wednesday at 8 AM at Road and Bridge Granby, Grand County Mutual Ditch and Reservoir Company meeting Wednesday afternoon, Colorado River round table meeting Monday, and Water Congress attendance.
The board entered executive session at 10:08 AM to discuss negotiation strategy regarding Winter Park Urban Renewal Authority matters, with the county manager, assistant manager, county attorney and all commissioners attending.
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