The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously May 19 to adopt an updated energy building code that pushes new construction toward electric appliances, amending the measure at the last minute to equalize credit values for gas and electric water heaters after a 20-minute on-the-record disagreement among commissioners over how far the county should go.
Ordinance 2026-01 amends the county’s adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code to add “electric preferred” provisions. The code awards credits to builders who install heat pumps, electric water heaters and other high-efficiency equipment; builders must accumulate a minimum number of credits to satisfy the code. As drafted, the ordinance raised the credit value for heat pump water heaters from 5 to 9 while cutting efficient gas water heater credits from 9 to 3. The board adopted the ordinance with both water heater types set at 9 credits.
The hearing drew the largest public turnout of the meeting. Supporters said the code would lower long-term utility costs, reduce emissions and position the county to capture federal incentives. A Salida physician, a Salida counselor, a Colorado Open Lands restoration manager and several online commenters spoke in favor.
Opposition was substantial. Local propane providers, contractors and energy industry representatives said the code raised construction costs, restricted consumer choice and disadvantaged rural residents who rely on propane. Randy Crane, owner of Comfurt Gas in Buena Vista, said the ordinance put his customers at a disadvantage. The Colorado state director for the National Propane Gas Association, who identified himself as the former general manager of Deluca Gas in Poncha Springs, challenged the characterization of propane as a dirtier alternative. Representatives of Atmos Energy and the Consumer Energy Alliance testified against the ordinance. The owners of two Salida construction firms cited rising build costs. Sangre de Cristo Electric Association CEO Jon Beyer said he supported electrification broadly but raised concerns about grid capacity and the transition timeline for rural cooperatives.
When public comment closed, Commissioner P.T. Wood opened deliberation by calling the ordinance “a reasonable bridge” to more restrictive state code requirements the county will eventually be required to adopt regardless of local preference. Wood said he had recently completed two all-electric homes at $231 per square foot and said both the economics and the policy direction supported moving toward electrification, while acknowledging the ordinance stopped well short of a full mandate.
Commissioner Dave Armstrong said the decision had been difficult and that he remained unsettled. He raised concerns about grid capacity and surge pricing, then focused his main objection on the credit table. He said he had no objection to rewarding electric appliances with higher credits, but could not justify penalizing gas equipment under the same code. “There’s no reason those should be deducted,” he said. “They haven’t done anything wrong.” He also said the north end of the county, served by Sangre de Cristo Electric under a Tri-State wholesale arrangement, faces more limited access to rooftop solar than Xcel Energy customers in the Salida area — making the push toward electrification harder in practical terms for those residents.
Armstrong proposed setting both efficient gas and electric heat pump water heaters at equal credit values of 9. Chair Gina Lucrezi pressed Chief Building Official Chad Chadwick on the practical magnitude of the difference between the two values. Chadwick confirmed the credit change was concentrated in the water heater column and said equalizing both at 9 would level the playing field without removing incentives for electric appliances. The exchange grew pointed when Lucrezi said it was “a little bit 11th hour” to raise structural objections to a code that had been in discussion since before the current board was seated. Armstrong replied: “I’m not Keith or Greg. I haven’t been a commissioner for a year and a half.” Lucrezi acknowledged that was fair, and the discussion continued. Armstrong moved to adopt the ordinance with equalized water heater credit values. Wood seconded. The vote was unanimous.
The board also adopted Ordinance 2026-02, which replaces the county’s 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code with the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. No public comment was offered. The vote was unanimous.
In other business, the board approved a special event permit for Colorado’s Ride, a cycling tour bringing up to 350 riders through Buena Vista and Salida on August 10-12. The board committed $15,000 in matching funds from its Groundwater Health and Sustainability Fund to the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative’s Wildfire Ready Action Plan.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Chaffee County Executive Director Brian Beaulieu reported the capital campaign for a permanent Buena Vista facility has raised approximately $10.1 million of an $11 to $12 million goal, with groundbreaking targeted for fall 2026. A design revision that eliminated a planned second story saved an estimated $3.5 million; the organization is pursuing new market tax credits that could yield another $1.5 million.
Interim DHS Director Meredith Takacs told commissioners the department projects a roughly $1 million budget deficit, driven in part by the non-renewal of a Bezos Day One grant. The department received a new EPIC grant and a Safe Care family grant. The board recognized May as Foster Care Month.
The board approved a contract with Canyon Consulting for the National Forest Foundation’s 14ers Timberline Fire Van program. Two firms responded to the solicitation and scored equally on the evaluation rubric; staff recommended Canyon Consulting based on slightly stronger qualifications.
On the consent agenda, the board approved payment of bills; appointed Monica Pless to the Weed Advisory Board; appointed planning commission members to the Salida Regional Planning Commission; acknowledged the Sheriff’s Office monthly report for April; approved a Guidestone Colorado Common Ground grant reallocation; acknowledged the treasurer’s monthly report for April; and renewed the ground lease with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the Chaffee County shooting range. The board also renewed the liquor license for Station 24 Cafe in Buena Vista and approved minutes from the May 4 special meeting and the May 5 regular meeting.
The board discussed but did not vote on the 2026-2027 Common Ground competitive grant cycle framework. Chair Lucrezi requested language revisions around how multi-year partnership invitations are extended. The item goes to the Common Ground Citizen Advisory Committee on May 26, with final board approval anticipated June 9.
During commissioner comments, Lucrezi pushed back on what she described as a false characterization of the board as anti-business, citing the county’s support of the Economic Development Corporation and its Small Business Development Center. She also raised concern about the Senate’s confirmation of Steven Pierce as BLM director, saying the board would be prepared to defend public lands. Wood said those advocating for cleaner energy should focus pressure on utilities and public utilities commissions as well as individual building decisions. Armstrong had no additional remarks.
The board entered executive session at the close of the meeting for the annual personnel review of Community Planning and Natural Resources Director Miles Cottom. No action was reported.
The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next regular meeting is June 2, 2026.
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