Archuleta County Approves $224K Landfill Cost Overrun Without Discussion
High Country Advocate Staff Report
The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners met December 4, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. for their regular meeting. After the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence, commissioners disclosed no conflicts of interest. The agenda was approved as presented.
Archuleta County commissioners approved a $223,920 cost increase for the landfill Cell 4B expansion project December 4 without asking a single question about why the work wasn’t identified during planning or how it will affect ratepayers.
Change Order No. 1 covers relocating an additional 74,640 cubic yards of waste—work staff described as “unanticipated” but never explained. The excavated waste went into current Cell 4A. The change increases the contract from $1,210,004.53 to $1,433,924.52, an 18.5% jump.
The item passed on the consent agenda alongside routine business-like meeting minutes and liquor license renewals. Public Works Director Michael Torres, whose department manages the landfill, was not present. No commissioner pulled the item for discussion before voting.
The county’s solid waste operations are funded through user fees. Any cost overruns ultimately flow through to the rates residents and businesses pay to dump trash.
The consent agenda offered no explanation for how 74,640 cubic yards of waste relocation—roughly equivalent to 13,000 dump truck loads—went unidentified during a project that was planned, engineered, bid, and awarded before someone realized the waste needed moving.
In the meeting’s other major action, commissioners approved La Plata Electric Association’s request to build a utility substation at 2140 Trujillo Road near the transfer station—but only after a procedural mixup forced them to table a related height variance.
Planning Manager Melissa Ryan apologized for “putting the cart before the horse” when commissioners initially tried to approve a variance allowing 46-foot-10-inch structures before approving the underlying project. Legal counsel advised postponing the variance request until after the substation permit was approved.
Ryan told commissioners LPEA operates three substations serving Pagosa Springs compared to Durango’s 22 substations for residential loads. The new facility will serve the town and areas south of Highway 160 including Meadows, Alpha, and communities along County Road 500 to Navajo Reservoir.
The substation will sit on Town of Pagosa Springs property with easements already in place. A 15-by-30-foot control building will be the only permanent structure besides electrical equipment. The variance request—which will return to commissioners at a future meeting—is needed to meet National Electrical Safety Code requirements for lightning protection structures.
Commissioners appointed seven members to the newly reestablished Board of Review and Appeals, giving property owners and builders a venue to challenge building code interpretations and permit denials without going directly to elected commissioners.
The appointees are Trevor Choate, Vernon Leslie, and Tim Miller (three-year terms); Dan England and Blake Fullerton (two-year terms); and alternates Matt Dawson and Jonathon Easling (one-year terms). All have experience in building construction.
“I think it’s going to be a big step forward for all of us to have the real experience up here listening to these different scenarios,” a commissioner said, adding the board could help “simplify these processes” amid “all the rising costs and everything else going on in construction.”
The board gives builders and property owners an appeals process for disputes over setbacks, structural requirements, fire safety, accessibility, and other code interpretations. Previously, such disputes went directly to commissioners.
Commissioners approved four special use permits for Pagosa Nordic Club and waived $575 in fees, accepting the club’s argument that its volunteers maintain county trails at their own expense.
The permits cover trail grooming October 31 through March 30, three moonrise ski socials, three learn-to-ski clinics, and the Cabin Fever Nordic Race on January 10. Most events are free. The race charges $5 to $20.
Club president James Dickhoff said flood damage closed Fall Creek, eliminating access to about half the West Fork trails. The club is taking over grooming operations from the Forest Service at Coyote Hill.
Three subdivision and lot adjustment applications were approved:
The Day Family Living Trust won approval to divide property at 2520 & 2530 East US Highway 160 into three parcels of 12.88, 5.18, and 1.34 acres. The commercially-zoned land will remain commercial. Staff required the applicant to resolve floodplain mapping issues, clarify wastewater service, and coordinate with the Colorado Department of Transportation on access permits before approval.
Joshua Wagner got approval to split 4.77 acres at 45 Country Meadows Place into two commercial parcels of approximately 2.3 and 2.4 acres.
Robert and Suzanne Hartsough consolidated two Twincreek Village lots into one. Brad Hibler and Melinda Korte-Hibler consolidated two Aspen Springs Subdivision lots into one.
Commissioners approved a liquor license renewal for Chimney Rock Restaurant and Tavern LLC at 18710 West Highway 160 in Bayfield. Sheriff’s Office and Building Department inspections found no violations.
The consent agenda included accounts payable for November 19 through December 2, meeting minutes from October and November, and Highway User Trust Fund eligibility certification. Commissioners separately approved an $867.15 payment to law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.
No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.
The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
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