By Staff Writer
October 22, 2025 – Alamosa County, CO
Opening Business and Invocation
The Alamosa County Board of Commissioners convened for their regular meeting on October 22 with all three commissioners present—Chair Harrison, Commissioner Ben Ry, and Commissioner Lasky—joined by County Attorney Jason Kelly, Administrator Ronnie Wisdom, and Deputy Clerk Jamie Breen.
After an invocation from Commissioner Van Ry and the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved minutes from the October 8 meeting and routine financial obligations, including check sequences #168879–169100 for general funds and #36820–36845 for public health.
Public Comment: Calls for Clearer Participation
Resident Carrie Hammond addressed the board, voicing frustration with the limits on when the public can speak.
“I consider myself a fairly intelligent person,” she said, “but a lot of these meetings are confusing. We get to talk about the unimportant things, but not the important things.”
Commissioners thanked her for the feedback and moved on without further comment.
Disaster Agreement and Praise for Local Farmers
Commissioner Lasky pulled the Disaster Survivor Data Collection Participation Agreement from the consent agenda for discussion.
Emergency Manager Eric Treanor explained the five-year agreement with the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which links county data directly to the state’s portal for FEMA reimbursement after disasters.
Treanor credited local producers for preventing serious flooding after heavy rains.
“If it wasn’t for our farmers that could take all the extra water and put it on their land, we could have had a disaster,” he said. River levels peaked around 900 cubic feet per second, well below the 2019 flood threshold of 3,500 CFS.
Commissioners unanimously approved the agreement, applauding farmers for “saving the county’s bacon.”
Employee Recognition Ceremony
Human Resources Director Sonia Salinas presented the fourth-quarter Employees of the Quarter awards:
- Kennedy Hoover, Airport Administration – praised for continuing to assist her former department after transferring.
- Sergeant Brianna Carson, Sheriff’s Office – recognized for leadership, mentorship, and work ethic.
- Dolene Rodman, Treasurer’s Office – commended for compassion and exceptional customer service.
- Carla Quintana DuPont, Human Services – honored for extraordinary dedication in Adult Protective Services, including after-hours client care.
Commissioners posed for photos with the recipients, noting the county’s “high caliber of employees.”
Public Hearing: Mosca Liquor-Store Site Plan
The first hearing concerned Shawnee McCoy’s site-plan application to reopen a liquor store at 5385 Highway 17 in Mosca, the former location of Duneview Spirits.
Planning Director Richard Huber reported the project met county codes and aligned with the Imagine Alamosa County Comprehensive Plan, which envisions Mosca as a mixed-use service hub for residents and visitors to Great Sand Dunes National Park.
The structure will use existing well and wastewater connections, with six off-street parking spaces and ADA access.
The main debate centered on hours of operation. The Planning Commission had recommended noon-to-10 p.m., but McCoy requested earlier opening and later closing to match nearby stores.
Neighbor Cindy Newman, representing the Mosca Pit Stop, supported flexible hours and questioned whether the county should dictate business times.
Commissioners agreed, removing the restricted hours while keeping other conditions—such as dark-sky lighting and ADA compliance—intact.
The board unanimously approved Site Plan SP-25-001 with conditions 1–7, striking condition 8 (limiting hours).
Public Hearing: Industrial Rezoning on Highway 160
Next, the board heard Zoning Amendment AZ-25-001, a proposal to rezone four parcels in the Dynamic Division of Land Subdivision south of Highway 160 from commercial to industrial.
Applicant Kelly Sykes plans to develop a waste-service and recycling center.
Huber explained that staff expanded the request to include adjacent lots for consistent zoning and to avoid “spot zoning.” The rezoning aligns with the comprehensive plan’s call to preserve industrial corridors near the airport and highway.
No public opposition was heard. Commissioners approved the rezoning unanimously, while leaving an adjacent medical-marijuana parcel under commercial zoning pending owner consent.
Follow-Up Site Plan: Sykes Recycling Facility
Immediately following the rezoning, the board considered Site Plan SP-25-002, submitted by Kelly Sykes for a recycling and solid-waste facility on the newly rezoned property.
The proposal includes construction of an enclosed processing building, designated truck access, fencing, and storm-control measures.
Planning staff confirmed compliance with industrial standards and reviewed agency feedback from CDOT, Fire Protection District, Public Health, and Division of Water Resources.
CDOT’s only condition concerned ensuring a single shared access point to Highway 160. Fire and health officials raised no objections. Commissioners discussed traffic impacts and affirmed that access control and screening would address public concerns.
The board approved the site plan with staff-recommended conditions.
Closing Business
With no further public comment, commissioners returned to administrative matters and confirmed upcoming schedule adjustments for holiday meetings.
Chair Harrison thanked staff for their thorough work and reiterated appreciation to the county’s farmers and employees. The meeting adjourned in early afternoon.
Summary
The October 22 session highlighted Alamosa County’s mix of gratitude and growth—recognizing community resilience during flooding, honoring public servants, and approving two commercial-to-industrial developments that mark continued expansion along the Highway 160 corridor.
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