Eagle County Commissioners unanimously approved over $1.1 million in new spending agreements during their January 27 meeting, with the largest allocation being $523,000 for correctional psychology services at the county jail and more than $570,000 for early childhood education initiatives through two separate agreements. The board gave first reading approval to a General Assistance Program ordinance that will provide direct financial aid to county residents experiencing poverty or crisis, with the program scheduled to take effect in early March following a second reading on February 10. Commissioners launched a fully electronic building permit system after years of development, eliminating paper applications while creating internal efficiencies across multiple departments. The meeting featured the annual Lodging Tax Marketing Committee report detailing $1.4 million in grant distributions to 11 recipients in 2025, with awards ranging from $5,000 to over $100,000 for tourism and recreation marketing efforts. Jason Boston, a former U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division infantryman and current chief investigator for the District Attorney’s Office, introduced himself as a candidate for Eagle County Sheriff in the 2026 election during public comment. Commissioners also recognized county surveyor Kelly Miller for 20 years of service before his retirement and attended a press conference regarding concerns about proposed large-scale public lands sales related to the Bureau of Land Management director nomination.
Major Spending Approvals
The largest single expenditure was a $523,000 second amendment with Correctional Psychology Associates for mental health and crisis services at the Eagle County jail. Two separate agreements totaling $571,128 will fund early childhood programs through the Eagle County School District ($242,000) for provider support including infant enrollment incentives and health care consultant reimbursement, and Early Childhood Partners ($329,128) for program quality improvements and coaching services.
The Eagle County Housing and Development Authority approved an additional $36,700 contract with Golden Eagle Heating Cooling & Drain Cleaning for sewage pump system upgrades at Riverview Apartments. Housing officials explained the commercial-grade grinding pumps will reduce maintenance calls and prevent sewage backups into units.
General Assistance Program
Human Services Director Megan Burch presented the first reading of an ordinance creating the Eagle County General Assistance Program. The program provides statutory authority under state law for temporary financial assistance to residents experiencing poverty or crisis situations.
Officials developed the program in response to concerns about potential SNAP benefits pauses affecting vulnerable residents. The ordinance requires one typo correction before publication and will become effective 30 days after second reading, currently scheduled for February 10.
Electronic Building Permits Launch
County officials announced the transition from paper to fully electronic building permit applications after years of development involving extensive IT department collaboration. The system creates internal efficiencies across multiple departments while maintaining paper application acceptance during the transition period.
Officials issued a security alert that the county no longer emails invoices due to AI-generated fraud attempts targeting government payment systems. Staff recognized team members for the multi-year project implementation, with local architects providing feedback that the system is more intuitive than other jurisdictions.
Lodging Tax Marketing Awards
Committee members Bettina Infante, Ryan McLaughlin, and Ben Dodd participated virtually to present the Lodging Tax Marketing Committee’s annual report. The committee reported distributing grants totaling approximately $1.4 million to 11 recipients in 2025.
The two largest awards exceeded $100,000 each, going to Beaver Creek Resort Company for digital marketing campaigns targeting high-income households and EGE Air Alliance for advertising efforts that generated a 16% increase in engagement and significant growth in airport enplanements. Other recipients included Crown Mountain Park ($30,000) for King’s and Queen’s Mountain biking event marketing, cultural organizations supporting Hispanic and Latino community programming, and trail stewardship programs.
The lodging tax increased from 2% to 4% effective January 1, 2026. The committee discussed legal guidance needs regarding geographic eligibility requirements for businesses located outside versus inside municipal boundaries. Officials noted EGE Airport generates $800 million in annual economic impact based on a 2019 state transportation study, with 84% increased activity since 2020.
Sheriff Candidate Introduction
Jason Boston outlined his campaign platform during public comment, emphasizing five pillars including public safety, staffing improvements, community trust, constitutional policing, and technology integration. Boston detailed his background as a former U.S. Army infantryman serving tactical and peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, former Eagle County Sheriff’s deputy, and current chief investigator role commanding a team handling major investigations including homicides, sexual violence, officer-involved use-of-force incidents, and complex economic crimes. He identified organizational structure and internal culture as top priorities.
Commissioner Updates and Recognition
Commissioners highlighted a Finding Our Way Home event organized by Habitat for Humanity that drew over 100 attendees focused on housing and community building, with follow-up meetings scheduled for March 5 and May 14. Officials attended a Holy Cross Cattlemen’s Association board meeting and participated in a press conference regarding concerns about large-scale public lands sales related to the Bureau of Land Management director nomination.
The board recognized county surveyor Kelly Miller’s retirement after 20 years of service. A commissioner noted concerns about executive power and checks and balances, urging citizens to contact congressional representatives.
Other Business
Commissioners approved a temporary construction agreement with Avon Conversions for utility improvements requiring access through county space. The board approved a resolution for Engineering Criteria Manual amendments effective February 1, 2026.
Officials announced that 23 applications were received for 2026 lodging tax marketing grants by the January 16 deadline, with committee interviews beginning February 19 and final selections on March 18. The meeting concluded with executive sessions and afternoon planning sessions including a site visit for a Backcountry Retrieval Experts outfitter and guide business application in Wolcott.
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