Chaffee County Awards Working Lands Contract, Adopts $62.8 Million Budget
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners awarded the Working Lands Resilience Coordinator contract to Upper Arkansas Conservation District December 9, a role created to support agricultural producers and address succession challenges facing younger farmers and ranchers. The position starts January 1, 2026, after more than a year of development.
Miles Cottom, director of Community Planning Natural Resources Department, said the county received three applications and conducted interviews. Upper Arkansas Conservation District will bring Andrea Cohen from Guidestone, another finalist, to represent food access interests alongside traditional agricultural support.
“I think the Upper Arkansas Conservation District has the trust of the community. I think it’s got a proven network of folks that are really doing the work on the ground in this area and I think they are best positioned to lead this effort,” Cottom said.
Commissioner Gina Lucrezi highlighted the focus on “supporting more opportunities for younger generations” to continue agricultural work “their parents have been doing here for years and years.”
2026 Budget Approved at $62.8 Million
The board adopted the 2026 budget totaling $62,775,194 through three resolutions, approximately 4% less than 2025 despite rising costs. The budget includes 28 funds, down from 29 as federal ARPA stimulus dollars are no longer available.
Property taxes increase 5.5%, less than last year’s 6-7% increase. Assessed valuation rose 4.8%. Property taxes represent 10% of the total budget across all funds and 18% of the general fund.
Finance Director Dan Short said the budget process began in August and required departments to “tighten their belts” significantly.
The county’s fund balance drops from $9 million to $8 million, reducing the percentage from 33% to 30%. Commissioner Dave Armstrong said “if we have to go any lower then you know the temperature goes up in terms of what we are going to do.”
Resident Challenges Rezoning Fee
Ralph Topper requested commissioners waive a $2,500 rezoning fee for a 1.5-acre boundary line adjustment with neighboring property owners. Topper already paid $2,500 for a boundary line adjustment application that was conditionally approved in August, but staff discovered his property is zoned rural residential while the neighboring property is zoned agricultural, requiring an additional rezoning application.
Chair P.T. Wood said the board would do exploratory work with staff to determine options and bring the matter back in the future.
Sheriff’s Blue Envelope Program Praised
Commissioner Lucrezi applauded the sheriff’s “blue envelope” program allowing people with communication issues or special needs to provide information during traffic stops. “It allows the sheriff then to adapt to the particular situation rather than having, hopefully avoiding situations like we’ve had in the state,” Lucrezi said, referencing incidents where communication difficulties escalated dangerous confrontations.
Consent Agenda
The board approved paying bills, acknowledged the Sheriff’s Office November report, and ratified a letter supporting USFS-AHRA Upper Arkansas Motorized Trail Crew grant applications to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Commissioners Comments
Armstrong praised Chaffee Housing Trust’s asset acquisition and Chaffee Housing Authority’s upcoming Jane’s Place completion. He said the CHA board has solidified its operating process with new board members joining in January under a revised vetting process.
Lucrezi reported BV Library Executive Director Cecilia LaFrance praised the Chaffee County Building Department for their work on the library upgrade.
Wood welcomed Sarah Wiener as the new Forest Service district ranger and said he’s looking forward to renewed relationship between the landfill and bow and ditch operations to stop putting material that doesn’t belong in the river.
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