The Chaffee County Commissioners approved shifting $275,000 in annual recreation program funding from general revenues to lodging tax during their January 20, 2026 meeting at the Public Safety Complex in Buena Vista. The funding reallocation will move the Rec Rangers and Rec Adopters programs to lodging tax support, freeing up general fund money for other uses while maintaining visitor experience improvements on public lands. The board unanimously announced Beth Helmke as the finalist for permanent County Administrator, triggering a required 14-day public notice period before her potential appointment February 3. The board additionally approved a new 11-member Destination Management Council to replace the former Visitors Bureau and backed a $20,000 state tourism grant application requiring a $5,000 local match. Commissioners praised the funding decisions as investments in the county’s recreation-based economy, with the board noting that outdoor recreation generates significant tourism revenue making lodging tax support appropriate for visitor-focused programs.
Recreation Program Funding Reallocation
Director Miles Cottom and Finance Director Dan Short requested moving the four-to-six-year-old Rec Rangers and Rec Adopters programs from Common Ground or general fund sources to lodging tax reallocation funds. The programs focus on visitor experience improvement, sustainability and reducing recreation impacts on public lands.
The lodging tax reallocation fund maintains approximately $1 million in projected balance. The change enables more money to return to Common Ground competitive grants while maintaining program operations. Commissioners noted wildfire risk as a major 2026 tourism threat and called the programs critical.
County Administrator Position
The board announced Helmke as the finalist for permanent County Administrator after her interim service during the search process. The announcement requires 14-day public notice with a candidate interview scheduled February 3, 2026. Staff will post the announcement on the county website employment page January 20.
Commissioners praised Helmke’s interim work and supported the internal promotion opportunity.
Tourism Management Structure
The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-06 creating an 11-member Destination Management Council to replace the former Chaffee County Visitors Bureau. The council includes four tourism sector community members, four local government representatives with lodging tax jurisdiction, two economic development partners and one chamber of commerce appointee.
Appointees include Jillian Chernovsky and Joni Baker as lodging representatives, Chris Haggerty for resort recreation, Zach Alexander for bar restaurant venue retail, Lance Kittle from Chamber of Commerce, Audrey Snyder Welsh from SBDC, Deborah Cameron from EDC, Mickey Hodge as county representative, Maggie Hike from Buena Vista, Lance Hostetter from Poncha Springs and Ian Serralaw from Salida. Commissioners praised the balanced approach with diverse representation and thanked applicants, highlighting Mickey Hodge’s extensive tourism background.
Tourism Grant Application
The board approved submitting a Colorado Tourism Office Tourism Management Grant application for $20,000 with a required $5,000 local match from lodging tax funds. Beth Helmke presented the application via Zoom despite initial audio issues. Destination IQ will manage the application with the Destination Management Council.
The grant targets diversified visitor itineraries including agritourism, heritage tourism, dark sky tourism and family-focused visitation. Commissioners praised shoulder season initiatives and diversifying visitor experiences.
Board and Committee Appointments
Resolution 2026-05 appointed Cory Bieganek to the Airport Advisory Board for a term expiring January 31, 2029, filling one of two seats vacated by Charles Collman and Jerry Cunningham. One airport board seat remains open due to potential term limit issues for another interested member.
Resolution 2026-04 reappointed Lawrence Kersting and John Diesslin to the Board of Review, which handles building department appeals regarding building codes. Helmke presented the reappointments in consultation with Chief Building Official Chad Chadwick, noting both members expressed desire and capability to continue and are well-qualified in the building trade.
Resolution 2026-07 reappointed five existing Fair Committee members to 2029 terms: Abby Hutchinson, Dustin Lewis, Marcus Scanga, Dakota Talbot and Taylor Woolmington. New appointees Catherine Rich and Sasha Dodge received 2028 terms, filling vacancies from Ben Scanga’s resignation and Kara Fear’s removal for non-attendance. Commissioners praised volunteers’ dedication to Fair work.
College Scholarship Support
The commissioners approved a letter supporting Colorado Mountain College’s Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative grant application for $12,011. The CMC Foundation committed to the required 1:1 match for student pathway credential scholarships serving Chaffee County students and potentially a broader catchment area.
Commissioners expressed strong support for CMC and praised the college’s progress with high school students and pathways.
Public Input and Housing Request
Public comment included property rights discussions and wildlife concerns. Read McCulloch from Chaffee Housing Trust requested fee waivers for the Two Rivers Phase 2 project, with a Division of Housing application due February 2nd requiring confirmation of cost reductions. McCulloch requested a letter stating fee waivers will be provided for the project achieving 80% AMI affordability, suggesting a not-to-exceed amount of $15,000.
The commissioners indicated they would discuss the request with the new fee waiver program and planning department. Public comment included property rights discussions from Blaine Clark and concerns from Joe Cooper, who stated there is “no justice and liberty in Chaffee County for a lot of people” and expressed concern that 2026 will become the “year of litigation in Chaffee County.”
Legislative and Water Issues
Commissioners discussed the county’s land use code, noting it provides opportunities with reasonable restrictions. The board discussed upcoming legislative session items including renewable project siting where counties and industry support local control while the governor opposes it.
Officials are monitoring the HOME Act from Senator Bossnecker regarding expedited affordable housing permitting, with concerns about a proposed 45-foot height limit versus the county’s 35-foot limit. The board expressed water concerns due to insufficient snowpack affecting reservoir levels.
Commissioners reported on Arkansas Basin Roundtable planning scenarios through 2070, considering climate and population growth impacts. Key drivers include agricultural, municipal and industrial water demand, social and environmental values, urban land use, water efficiency technologies, regulatory oversight, and energy water demand. Officials attended a Voluntary Flow Management Program call with information expected February 1st, discussing reservoir space availability and cold water release impacts on the Caddis Hatch fishery.
The board also discussed Mountain Valley Transit meetings about regional transportation needs, including 40 rural counties collaborating for state support. Officials want more frequent Salida-Buena Vista service and enhanced Poncha transit center.
BLM Director Opposition
The board criticized BLM Director nominee Stephen Pierce, citing conflicts between his oil and gas background and Colorado’s recreation-based economy. Local BLM lands generate $1.5 billion in oil and gas revenue compared to $230 million in outdoor recreation and $4.7 million in grazing.
Commissioners noted participating in briefings opposing the nomination, expressing concern about imbalanced focus threatening the local recreation-based economy. BLM lands include Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area headwaters, Browns Canyon and the Four Mile area.
Routine Business
The commissioners unanimously approved the consent agenda including bill payments and January 13, 2026 meeting minutes. Officials noted they are still learning meeting procedures and expect improvement in coming meetings.
The meeting adjourned with commissioners expressing optimism about board appointment progress and community engagement in various programs.
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