The Buena Vista Board of Trustees voted unanimously May 26 to reject an electric preferred building code amendment that Chaffee County commissioners had approved the week before and approved a letter supporting a Chaffee County Fire Protection District ballot initiative that would bring town residents directly into the fire district. The board also accepted a clean 2025 audit, amended its water allocation policy, and said farewell to Joel Benson, the town’s senior policy advisor and former mayor, who spent nearly 14 years working for Buena Vista in various roles. The meeting opened with a work session that included a tour of the water treatment plant and the airport.
The electric preferred code drew the sharpest public comment of the night. Ordinance 2026-11 would have repealed Article VI of Chapter 18 of the municipal code and adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code with electric preferred amendments — the same framework the county adopted 3-0 on May 19. Randy Crane, owner of Buena Vista propane supplier Comfurt Gas, told the board the amendment would drive up housing costs, limit consumer choice, and penalize rural residents who rely on propane. Jon Beyer, CEO of Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, countered that the cooperative is on track to supply 49 percent of local power from renewable sources and carries excess grid capacity.
After the public hearing closed, board opposition was unanimous. Trustee Cindie Swisher, who said she lives in an all-electric home and paid $400 in a single winter electric bill for an 1,100-square-foot house, argued building codes exist to ensure safety, not steer energy choices, and predicted the push toward electrification would force affordable housing residents to seek government assistance to pay utility bills. Trustee Devin Rowe said he had moved from support to opposition, citing affordability and frustration that the county had not collaborated with the town before advancing the amendment. Trustee Andrew Rice said the town had no reason to be more restrictive than state standards already require. The board voted 6-0 to reject Ordinance 2026-11. Town Administrator Brian Berger noted afterward that the town’s intergovernmental agreement with the county includes language committing the town to work toward adopting county building code changes, and that staff would need to navigate that diplomatically.
The board approved a letter to the Chaffee County Fire Protection District Board of Directors supporting a potential ballot initiative that would formally include Buena Vista-area properties not yet in the district. Chaffee Fire has provided fire services to the town through an intergovernmental agreement since 2021. Fire Chief Kira Jones attended the meeting. Berger said the current arrangement leaves residents without a direct voice in their fire district and that inclusion would benefit both the town and its residents. The board indicated it would consider reducing the town’s mill rate by approximately 3.963 mills if the ballot measure passes. Town Attorney Jeff Parker said the board may continue discussing the issue at future meetings but must stop using town resources to advocate once a ballot title is formally set under the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act. The motion passed unanimously.
Jim Hinkle of Hinkle and Company PC presented the town’s 2025 annual audit, delivering an unmodified opinion on the financial statements. The town spent more than $1 million in federal award expenditures during 2025, triggering a single audit, which Hinkle said the town passed without findings and with no weaknesses in internal controls. The board voted unanimously to accept the audit, well ahead of the July 31 state filing deadline.
The board approved Resolution 2026-42, amending the water allocation policy to update definitions, add a human services and healthcare category, and tighten the affordability threshold to align with Proposition 123 guidelines. Under the revision, any developer drawing water from the affordable housing allocation bucket must ensure at least one unit per ten meets the full Proposition 123 definition of affordability, with remaining units satisfying goals through a menu of options. The vote was unanimous. The board also unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-12, amending Chapter 15 of the municipal code to codify fees tied to water augmentation certificates as a condition of annexation. Joel Benson delivered a Water 101 briefing on the town’s water rights portfolio, augmentation approach, and long-term supply strategy, his final substantive presentation to the board.
Airport Manager Chandra Swanson briefed the board on a resequencing of 2026 capital improvement projects, advancing operational priorities including an AWAS relocation, fuel tank external inspection, GPU repair, and terminal building repairs, while delaying HVAC Phase 2 cooling work and an annexation flat pending funding confirmation. Neither delayed project is canceled. The board voted unanimously to concur with the reprioritization.
During trustee and staff interaction, the board noted upcoming community events including a June 10 celebration of the We Are BV’s Leaders and We Are BV’s Future mural projects and a June 13-14 Historic Preservation Commission 10th anniversary celebration organized with Colorado Preservation Inc. and BV Heritage. The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the May 12 board meeting and advisory board reports, along with reports from the town administrator, treasurer, airport manager, and recreation director.
The meeting began with the board honoring Benson with a proclamation declaring May 27 Platypus Appreciation Day. Board members, planning staff, and members of the public offered remarks. Town Attorney Parker said he had never seen a send-off like it in local government. Benson is relocating to St. Louis.
The board entered executive session to develop negotiating strategy concerning water rights, pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(e).
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