Grand County commissioners directed staff to oppose state legislation that would allow local governments to set different tax rates for land and improvements, received a comprehensive public health annual report showing major expansions in reproductive health and senior services, and approved $201,500 in tourism grants to 11 organizations at their February 17 meeting. County Assessor Larry Bandman and Treasurer Marcy Wheatley presented opposition to HB26-1119, describing software upgrade costs across Colorado counties as an unfunded mandate with only three months for implementation. The board also directed opposition to right-to-float legislation, returned a collective bargaining agreement to the Fraternal Order of Police unsigned, and approved an Animals in County Buildings Policy effective March 3. Commissioners advanced development of a Historic Preservation Board, reappointed three Airport Advisory Committee members, and continued an election management software agreement pending legal review.
Property Tax Legislation
Bandman and Wheatley told commissioners HB26-1119 would create mathematical complexity requiring expensive software upgrades, with vendors estimating millions in costs statewide. They presented examples showing smaller homes would face higher taxes while larger properties see reductions, and that land-intensive properties such as golf courses, trailer parks, and car dealerships would face substantial increases.
Existing incentives already tax vacant land at 27 percent versus lower rates for developed land. The bill would be voter opt-in for municipalities and counties, with a House Finance Committee hearing scheduled for March 2nd.
Public Health Annual Report
Public Health Director Abby Kelly presented the department’s annual update covering multiple program areas. The reproductive health program served 78 patients through 101 visits in its first year, with 91 percent reporting no insurance or other access to services. The WIC program averaged 197 active participants monthly with $154,560 in benefits redeemed at local stores.
Senior services expanded to 30 home care clients from the historical 13-15 range, while delivering nearly 3,000 meals and providing 257 restaurant vouchers. Staff administered 245 immunizations, investigated 30 animal bite and rabies exposures and nine potential tuberculosis cases, and conducted 271 restaurant inspections. The child fatality prevention program distributed 130 trigger locks to the sheriff’s office, car seats, bike helmets, and personal flotation devices, while the tobacco program consulted with 106 individuals about cessation.
Kelly noted Grand County has lacked consistent home health services since 2020 and reported the department is developing a co-response program with the sheriff’s office and EMS for behavioral health calls. Kelly recommended commissioners oppose cottage food expansion legislation HB26-1033, citing food safety concerns, and a rodenticide ban bill over disease prevention needs. During the strategic planning workshop, Dr. Wright proposed expanding preventive cardiac screening using Middle Park Health’s existing CT scanner.
Tourism Marketing and Grants
Tourism Board Director Gaylene Orr presented first-quarter grants totaling $201,500, with Grand Lake receiving $70,000, Destination Granby $57,000, Winter Park Fraser Chamber $50,000, and Kremling Chamber $14,000. Marketing generated $5.2 million in attributable visitor spending from approximately $230,000 in investments. A new county tourism website launched in January features AI-powered trip planning tools, with rail access marketing under development for fall 2026 service.
Legislative Action and Policy
The board directed staff to draft opposition to right-to-float legislation being considered by Senator Roberts, citing private property rights concerns. Commissioners returned the FOP collective bargaining agreement unsigned after the union submitted language the board had not approved, though employees are already receiving a 2.8 percent increase effective January 1.
Airport, County Business, and Administrative Items
Airport Manager Shawn Mahorney reported combined operations of nearly 18,000 annually across Granby and Kremling airports, with both facing federal requirements for unleaded fuel by 2030. All three Airport Advisory Committee members were reappointed to terms through December 2028.
County Manager Ed Moyer reported EMS Station One drywall work is underway with a walk-through scheduled next week, and provided an update on Northern Water negotiations regarding 500 acre-feet of unused water shares and a Kremling irrigators meeting planned for May 21. Commissioners indicated preference for a seven-member Historic Preservation Board with six town appointments and one county appointment. The Grand County Housing Authority received approval for covenant amendments at Miller’s Inn to cover doubled property insurance costs. The clerk and recorder reported driver’s license revenue up 18.1 percent, while an election management software agreement with Intech Solutions was continued pending a legal addendum. Finance Director Alina Bell presented $323,000 in Open Lands fund redistributions and $463,964 in weekly payments.
Public Comment
During public comment, a resident raised concerns about forest management plan enforcement in a subdivision, citing mistletoe-infected trees and accumulated slash piles from a 25-year-old plan. Moyer provided context that forest management plans were required during the mountain pine beetle epidemic, with responsibility placed on homeowner associations and lot owners. Nathan Davis addressed property tax and governance concerns.
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