Fremont County commissioners discussed the ongoing 24 Fire at their March 24 meeting, with the 7,385-acre wildfire at 24% containment after evacuating more than 50 homes near Penrose. The board approved $3.2 million in bills, received reports showing general fund sales tax collections trailing last year, and heard a warning that the state’s $1.47 billion budget shortfall will likely reduce local services. Commissioners issued four proclamations and declined to extend the 24 Fire disaster declaration after County Attorney Eric Bellas reported that most county fire-related services had been demobilized.
Fire Response and Community Support
The 24 Fire started March 17 near Fort Carson and prompted the county’s Emergency Operations Center to coordinate a multi-agency response involving the Fremont, Pueblo, and El Paso county sheriffs’ departments, Fort Carson, and fire districts across southern Colorado. County Administrator Tony Carochi reported that residents were allowed to return home starting March 23 at 2 p.m. but remained on pre-evacuation status. Highway 115 is closed through at least Friday as crews continue mop-up, tree removal, and control line work.
Commissioners praised the volunteer response during their discussion. Approximately 115 animals were evacuated to Pathfinder Park, and volunteers organized horse transports to Wetmore for residents who needed to move livestock quickly. Local businesses including Big R and D&K Feeds donated supplies for animal care.
Commissioner Kevin Grantham noted that faith-based organizations offered mobile kitchens capable of feeding 500 people, plus shower and sleeping accommodations, though those resources were not needed. The fire prompted Stage 2 fire restrictions in unincorporated Fremont County, while BLM lands remain at Stage 1. Commissioners attributed the cause to a vehicle spitting sparks during extreme conditions — 90-degree March temperatures and basin snowpack below 50%.
During public comment, Florence resident Kevin Mamalji told commissioners he had raised nearly $3,000 in donations ranging from $3 to $350 to host a post-containment dinner honoring first responders. Initially planning a meal for 40–50 local firefighters at Bush Hall in Penrose, Mamalji expanded the effort after learning more than 125 personnel from fire districts across the southern Colorado Springs area were on the fire line. Bush Hall donated the space and meal preparation.
Sales Tax and State Budget Warning
Budget and Finance Officer Shawn Sutton reported general fund retail sales tax collections of $640,026 in January, down about 1.5% from January 2025 and $68,307 behind budget. Auto use sales tax through February totaled $205,918, also slightly below the prior year. Sutton said collections historically rise during the spring and summer tourist season.
County Clerk Justin Grantham reported February motor vehicle and recording fees totaling approximately $1.29 million, with the county’s 56% share coming to $722,352 — about $103,000 more than February 2025. Much of the increase came from specific ownership tax, reflecting more newer vehicles being registered. Grantham noted the county does not retain that additional revenue, which is distributed to roughly 30 taxing entities based on mill levy percentages.
Commissioner Kevin Grantham warned the state legislature faces a $1.47 billion structural budget shortfall — with forecasts ranging between $700 million and $1.6 billion in recent weeks — as lawmakers work toward a balanced budget by early May. “These shortfalls are going to cost us services at the local level,” Grantham said. “When the state makes cuts, we as local governments are affected.”
County to Appear on Dennis Quaid Program
The county announced Fremont County will be featured on “Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid,” a public television program reaching approximately 85 million viewers. Producers approached the county six to eight months ago after learning about local economic development efforts. Filming is scheduled for June, with a premiere planned around September.
Traffic Crash Dashboard
Public Health Educator Michelle Boscia demonstrated a new traffic crash dashboard drawing on Colorado Department of Transportation data from 2021 through 2024. The dashboard shows 30 traffic fatalities over that period. December is the highest crash month, 5 p.m. the peak crash hour, and Highway 50 leads crash corridors. The tool allows filtering by location, severity, and driver impairment — including proximity to liquor-licensed establishments — and supports the county’s impaired driving awareness grant and DUI task force.
Proclamations and Recognitions
The board proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, with Department of Human Services representative Charity Sellars noting the team works with families to prevent crises before they occur.
Commissioners designated April 6–12 as National Public Health Week, with Office Grant and Financial Administrator Autumn Dever highlighting public health gains since 1994, including childhood mortality falling from 13.8 to 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births and adult smoking rates dropping from 25.5% to 11.4%.
The board proclaimed April 11–17 as Week of the Young Child, with representatives from Rocky Mountain Children’s Discovery Center, Cañon City Schools, Head Start, and SPIN Starpoint noting approximately 2,500 children under age 5 live in the county.
Jim Sheridan, president of Honor Flight of Southern Colorado, received a proclamation designating April 11 as Honor Flight Day in Fremont County. The nonprofit has 375 veterans on its waiting list for all-expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C. memorials. A Memorial Day weekend flight will carry 65–70 veterans, and an October charter flight costing more than $100,000 is in planning. The organization’s April 11 fundraising banquet has sold 220 of 250 available seats.
Other Business
Public Health Director Rick Gutierrez recognized Vital Records staff Linda Sand, Michelle Boscia, and Autumn Dever for scoring 100% on their state audit while processing nearly 1,200 birth certificates and more than 4,000 death certificates last year.
The board awarded a dust suppressant bid to Envirotech Services at $1.07 per gallon, with the Department of Transportation handling pickup and application. Director Michael Whitt said this is the only road materials bid this year due to ongoing airport and Phantom Canyon bridge projects. The county declined to award an emulsion bid, finding the single submitted price not cost-effective.
Commissioners approved a special event permit for the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance to serve alcohol at Colorado Shed Company on April 9 from 4–8 p.m., and approved the transfer of two Penrose-area properties — 116 Top Notch Trail and 1331 P Street — from the John C. Fremont Library District to the Penrose Community Library District.
Carochi announced the annual cleanup campaign runs through April 30, offering unincorporated residents 500 pounds of free disposal at Twin Enviro Services. The Department of Transportation and Sheriff’s Office have job openings with an April 23 application deadline.
Clerk Grantham reminded voters that minor party affiliates will not receive primary ballots unless their party has candidates in Fremont County. Unaffiliated voters will receive two ballots and must return only one; submitting both invalidates the vote.
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