By Staff Writer
High Country Advocate — October 29, 2025 | Westcliffe, Colorado
The Custer County Board of Commissioners convened their final October session Wednesday morning at All Aboard Westcliffe, with Chairman Bill Canda, Commissioners Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong, Attorney Dan Slater, DHS Director Vicki White, and several county staff present. The meeting was notable for its brisk pace — adjourned just before 9:40 a.m. — and a focus on budget housekeeping, sign variance debates, and updates on regional communications and broadband.
Routine Business and Opening Formalities
The meeting opened promptly at 9:01 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation led by Commissioner Vogelsong, who asked for “guidance and blessing” in the county’s decisions. Roll call confirmed all three commissioners in attendance, along with administrative staff including Clerk to the Board Kelly Kamp, Admin Assistant Katelyn Lomack, Planning and Zoning Director Delaine Link, Human Services Director Vicki White, and Facilities Director Jim Shaflin.
Minor adjustments were made to the agenda, adding a Department of Human Services (DHS) authorization letter designating Vicki White as the administrator for the state’s Motor Vehicle Services Portal.
Minutes from the previous week’s October 22 meeting were unanimously approved.
Commissioner Updates
Commissioner Lucas Epp reported attending a budget workshop with the Custer County Kids Council, which remains “100 percent grant-funded.” He and Finance staff are working to separate certain program costs more clearly in next year’s budget.
Epp also attended the monthly Planning and Zoning workshop, reviewing current permit and variance issues. Among them was a vault variance request due to a parcel being too small for standard septic requirements — a relatively routine matter, according to Epp.
In his community outreach, Epp praised the success of “Coffee with the VSO” — a weekly Wednesday veterans’ gathering at the Westcliffe Library that regularly draws about 15 participants. “It’s going very well,” he said, noting the importance of spreading word-of-mouth among local veterans.
He also reminded residents that mailbox relocations are not a county function after a recent misunderstanding in the Rosita Hills area. When the Road & Bridge Department helped align a set of mailboxes that had become traffic hazards, another resident later requested the county move a separate set. Epp clarified that mailbox placement is solely the responsibility of property owners in coordination with the postmaster, not a Road & Bridge duty. The Sheriff’s Office and county attorney reviewed the matter, confirming there was no safety issue.
Canda Reports: Airport and 911 Progress
Chairman Bill Canda outlined several updates from departments under his oversight, as listed in the county’s 2025 Managing Commissioners document:
- Airport Upgrades:
The Silver West Airport is entering its annual Capital Improvement Plan cycle with the state. This year’s priorities include installing approach lights to improve nighttime visibility and safety, replacing aging runway edge lights, and pursuing a GPS instrument approach system.
Canda said the upgrades maintain the county’s strategic vision for the facility’s long-term safety. - E911 System:
Canda attended a recent Fremont County E911 meeting with regional partners. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for December 4 to discuss creating a new charter and governance structure for a combined regional dispatch system.
“Everyone was interested in doing the right thing and coming up with a better process,” Canda said, noting that the goal is a modernized agreement defining votes, dues, and responsibilities among member agencies.
The county continues to use the VIPER system, which automatically routes emergency calls to the correct area. Local addressing accuracy has improved, Canda added, making dispatch more efficient.
- Broadband and Hilltop Project:
Canda noted recurring computer connectivity issues within county offices and reaffirmed the county’s commitment to the Hilltop broadband program, which still retains state right-of-way authorization — an asset “worth a lot of money,” he said. Meetings with municipalities are being scheduled to assess project status and next steps.
Accounts Payable and Budget Notes
Commissioners unanimously approved the accounts payable report through October 29, totaling $205,645.65 in expenditures over $5,000.
Highlights included:
- CenturyLink – $5,193 for part-time service
- County Clerk (ERTB grant for recording) – $8,000
- Office of the District Attorney – $12,608 (November allocation)
- Sheriff’s Office vehicle freight costs – $5,500
- Fremont County Sheriff inmate housing – $61,347 (June–September)
- Road & Bridge: Four Rivers Equipment – $41,278 for a Caterpillar 140G transmission repair
While inmate housing costs were roughly $11,000 under budget for the moment, projections show the jail fund could run $20,000 over budget by year’s end, requiring a transfer from general funds.
A brief discussion also noted a minor accident at the county landfill involving a loader that backed into a fuel trailer, causing only cosmetic damage covered by the landfill’s budget. No injuries occurred.
Sign Variance Request Denied
A lengthy discussion centered on the Church of Christ / Martin sign variance request for property along Highway 69.
The church sought permission for a 24-square-foot sign (4 ft × 6 ft) — four square feet larger than the county’s 20-sq-ft maximum — citing the need for taller posts to prevent livestock from damaging the sign.
Commissioners expressed differing views:
- Commissioner Vogelsong supported granting the variance, citing its location on private property and similarity to existing signage near town limits.
- Commissioner Epp and Chairman Canda, however, raised concerns about consistency and precedent, noting that a previous variance was denied under nearly identical conditions.
“If we’re not consistent,” Epp said, “then anyone could come in later wanting a 20 × 50 sign and just wait for the right three commissioners to get their wish.”
Canda added that variance rules exist to prevent billboard-type signage along scenic corridors and to maintain the intent of the county’s zoning resolution. After discussion, the motion to approve failed on a 2-1 vote.
The board agreed that applicants could resubmit a revised plan that complies with the 20-sq-ft limit.
State Compliance and Tax Agreements
The board then turned to several annual administrative approvals:
- CDHS Merit System Certification:
The commissioners reaffirmed the county’s compliance with Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) merit-based hiring and compensation standards.
DHS Director Vicki White explained that the certification, required annually, verifies equitable hiring and pay practices consistent with state rules. The board approved the certification unanimously. - Sales and Lodging Tax MOU:
Commissioners also renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Custer County and the Colorado Department of Revenue governing local sales and lodging tax collection.
The agreement designates staff responsible for monthly reporting and reconciliation of tax receipts. The motion passed unanimously without further discussion. - DMV Portal Authorization:
In a follow-up to the earlier agenda amendment, the board authorized Vicki White to serve as the county’s administrator for the Department of Motor Vehicles Services Portal.
The portal allows DHS staff to verify vehicle ownership when determining client eligibility for assistance programs. White noted that this access is limited to child support and income-eligibility cases and that all counties use the same system.
The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comment and Road Maintenance
During the brief public comment session, a resident raised a concern about unfinished road grading near East Ridge Forest.
Chairman Canda said he had spoken with Road & Bridge staff that morning and confirmed the work had since been completed.
Commissioners also clarified location details near the Dewey’s area and the spillway slope, agreeing to follow up with supervisor Vance Lockhart for confirmation.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m., marking what Chairman Canda called “a record” for brevity.
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