SALIDA, Colo. — The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners accepted Blue Triton Brands’ 2025 annual 1041 permit report on April 21, 2026, and removed the company from probationary status after staff confirmed full compliance with weed management and other conditions at the Ruby Mountain Springs water project.
Company representatives reported that pumping stayed within all limits (81.01 acre-feet withdrawn against a 196 acre-foot annual cap), augmentation deliveries created a net surplus of approximately 11.28 acre-feet to the Arkansas River, ecological monitoring showed no adverse impacts to wetlands, and transportation and hiring requirements were met. Public commenter Ken McMurry, a former school board member, spoke in support of the company’s community philanthropy and educational contributions. The board accepted the report.
Other Actions
The board gave first reading to Ordinance 2026-01, which amends the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code to add incentives for all-electric building designs. Chief Building Official Chad Chadwick presented the amendment.
Commissioners unanimously approved fee waivers for fairgrounds use for:
- A Central Recovery Symposium organized by Emergency Manager William Plattner.
- The American Legion drone light show scheduled for June 28 as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Blaine Clark (Sons of the American Legion) and Elaine Allemang (American Legion Post) requested the waiver.
The board also discussed the 2026-27 Common Ground Competitive Grant Cycle process and reviewed planned disbursements for existing multi-year grants.
Consent Agenda and Routine Business
The commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included:
- Payment of bills
- Resolution 2026-20 appointing new members to the Chaffee County Fair Committee
- Proclamation declaring May 2026 as Lyme & Other Tick-Borne Diseases/Conditions Awareness Month
- Resolutions 2026-18 and 2026-19 regarding the Weed Advisory Board governance and appointments
- Sheriff’s Office and Treasurer’s monthly reports for March 2026
- CSU Extension Office grant application for the NextGen Ag Leadership Grant
- Planned disbursements of Common Ground funds for multi-year grants to Central Colorado Conservancy / Hands for Lands and Colorado Firecamp / Southwest Conservation Corps
They also approved the hearing consent agenda for two liquor license renewals: Ivy League Corp. dba Collegiate Peaks Golf Course and Butter Together LLC dba Robin’s.
Public comment included discussion of land use code revision meetings, concerns regarding a property owner’s application process, and support for the upcoming drone show. No one spoke in opposition to the Blue Triton report.
Commissioners’ Comments and Closing
Commissioners recognized ongoing search and rescue efforts, drought impacts on ranchers, land use code implementation, and the co-response team’s recent grant success. The board held an executive session pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(a) and (e) regarding real property negotiations with the Salida School District.
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