High Country Advocate Staff | October 30, 2025 | Cañon City, CO
Fremont County commissioners met Tuesday, October 28, approving an Adoption Day proclamation and several land-use items while hearing reports that reflected softening local revenue and a continued rise in foreclosure activity.
County Finances and Reports
County Treasurer Kathy Elliott reported 66 foreclosures initiated as of September 30—up from 41 a year earlier—with three new bankruptcies filed this quarter and 24 VA-backed loans among the cases. She said proceeds will soon be transferred to the general fund as year-end approaches.
Clerk and Recorder Justin Grantham reported $1,432,448.79 in total September motor-vehicle, recording, and sales-tax fees, with Fremont County’s share of $804,077.83 (56 percent)—a $364,540 decline from September 2024 and $153,043 below year-to-date totals from last year. Commissioners unanimously accepted both financial reports.
County Administrator Tony Carochi said openings remain for a social-case worker, family-treatment case worker, heavy-equipment technician, and sheriff’s patrol deputy. He noted Phantom Canyon Road will stay closed through December 27 for bridge redecking and repairs.
Community Highlights
Commissioner Debbie Bell marked the first anniversary of former Facilities Director Eric Seebeck’s passing and commended successor Randy Toler.
She also celebrated the Florence High School “Howling Husky Pride” marching band, which captured its third consecutive Colorado Class 1A state championship, setting a new state-record score. Commissioners plan to honor the band at the November 10 meeting.
Commissioner Dewayne McFaul warned that roughly 15 percent of county residents—7,482 people—receive SNAP food benefits, and urged federal lawmakers to end the government shutdown threatening those payments.
He and Chair Kevin Grantham also cautioned residents about ongoing wildfire risk despite cooler weather.
Grantham said the board remains “painfully aware” of how recent state legislative sessions have limited county control, adding that Fremont County will continue pressing for local authority through the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and County Commissioners Inc. (CCI).
Election Updates
Grantham, who also serves as County Clerk, reminded voters that in-person voting and drive-through drop boxes remain open at 201 N. 6th Street (Cañon City), the Penrose Library, and the Department of Human Services building. Turnout was about 15 percent as of Tuesday.
Public Comment on Utility Rates
Resident John Hamrick urged commissioners to oppose a pending Black Hills Energy rate case, warning of potential 50 percent increases by 2029 as utilities invest in renewable-energy mandates.
He said replacing coal plants with intermittent sources could strain Colorado’s grid and likened blaming the utility to “blaming the bakery truck driver for your loaf of bread.”
Commissioners agreed the issue stems from state legislative mandates and pledged to track the case closely.
Adoption Day Proclamation
The board proclaimed November 21, 2025, as “Fremont County Adoption Day.”
Department of Human Services representatives Amanda Koehn and Brenda Rall said seven local children are awaiting final court approvals but all have permanent families identified. Commissioners praised the DHS team for “serving children and families every single day.”
Land-Use and Development Decisions
- Apex Twin Enviro Transfer Station: The board approved the transfer of ownership for SRU 05-007, allowing Apex Twin Enviro LLC to acquire the Fawn Hollow Transfer Station at 645 McDaniel Boulevard from Alpine Disposal. Apex assumed all permit obligations and will correct existing compliance issues.
- Golden Subdivision Exemption (SE 25-004): Approved for 13440 County Road 45 in Coaldale, legitimizing a three-acre lot created in 1982 so the owners can resolve title-insurance concerns.
- Jenkins Minor Subdivision (MS 25-0046E): Approved to split a 10-acre Penrose parcel at 546 6th Street into two lots. Waivers were granted for a deferred drainage plan and for lot-depth limits to preserve existing hayfields.
- Sinclair Minor Subdivision (MS 25-001): Tabled until November 10 to obtain letters of consent from neighboring property owners regarding easement access to the proposed 35- and 20-acre lots at 350 Sangre de Cristo Drive in Howard.
- Colorado Quarries Operator Transfer (CUP 16-001): Discussion postponed to a later meeting.
Personnel and Holidays
Commissioners appointed Angelica Zorrilla to the Fremont County Fair Board for a term beginning January 1, 2026. They also adopted the 2026 holiday schedule, adding Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for all full-time employees, expanding total annual holiday leave to 100 hours.
Next Steps
Public hearings for the UAACOG housing-grant closeout and the proposed 2026 budget will be held Monday, November 10, at 9:30 a.m.
The meeting adjourned shortly after 1 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room at 615 Macon Avenue, Cañon City.
Support Independent Local Journalism — High Country Advocate was created as a real alternative to regional media that too often silences dissenting voices while taking sides in the political struggle. Producing in-depth, unflinching reporting like this series and others is expensive: servers, editing, research time, and legal review all add up quickly. If these articles have informed you or given you new perspective, please consider supporting HCA with a paid subscription — every subscriber helps keep this reporting strong and independent. 