Fremont County commissioners warned residents that the legislative session beginning January 14 threatens property rights, local control and wallets, with specific concerns about land use and renewable energy project siting authority legislation. Outgoing Chairman Kevin Grantham said problem counties are metro and blue counties, not rural areas like Fremont, while Commissioner Dwayne McFall encouraged public involvement and vigilance regarding bills unfavorable to counties. County Clerk Justin D Grantham expects to face seven or more motor vehicle bills, three election bills, recording bills and liquor licensing legislation during the session. The board also reorganized leadership during their January 13 meeting, unanimously appointing Debbie Bell as 2026 chair and McFall as chairman pro tem, while approving $3,013,460.89 in bills and committing $3,000 to a college scholarship program.
Legislative Warnings
Grantham warned residents about threats to property rights, local control and wallets as the legislative session begins January 14, expressing specific concerns about land use and renewable energy project siting authority legislation. He said the county will engage with Colorado Counties Inc. to monitor legislation, with staff tracking all county-related bills.
County Clerk Justin D Grantham expects to face seven or more motor vehicle bills, three election bills, recording bills and liquor licensing legislation. Issues will be discussed on the One Fremont podcast on the county’s YouTube page. McFall encouraged public involvement and vigilance regarding bills unfavorable to counties.
Leadership Transition
Bell was unanimously appointed as 2026 board chair after Grantham’s motion, with the outgoing chairman presenting a commemorative plaque and noting the peaceful transition compared to counties that fight for leadership positions. McFall was subsequently appointed chairman pro tem by unanimous vote.
Scholarship Program
The board approved continued participation in the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative with a $3,000 county contribution for matching scholarship funds. McFall noted this will likely be the last year of local participation as the state takes over the program.
The program serves eligible students from all three Fremont County school districts plus homeschoolers based on FAFSA scores. The Boys and Girls Club of Fremont County serves as fiscal agent, with some students receiving assistance throughout college since the program started under former Commissioner Ed Norden.
Administrative Designations
The commissioners approved four official depositories for county funds: Sunflower Bank of Cañon City, Colorado Surplus Asset Fund Trust, ColoTrust, and Bank of the San Juans/Glacier Bank as recommended by County Treasurer Kathy Elliott.
The board established regular meetings for the second and fourth Tuesdays at 9:00 AM, with a special December meeting for budget adoption and property tax matters. The second February meeting was moved to February 19 due to quorum availability.
The Cañon City Daily Record was designated as the official newspaper for legal notices, being the only newspaper in Fremont County meeting statutory requirements. Official posting places for public meeting notices include the county website and bulletin boards at commissioners’ offices and the main entrance.
School Property
A public hearing was scheduled for January 27 at 9:30 AM regarding McKinley Elementary School’s vacation of a 16-foot, 0.193-acre public right-of-way. The right-of-way was platted for an alleyway serving no transportation or utility function, with the school developed on a portion of this area.
Grantham said the state made a mistake that the county will fix, noting the school has been in the right-of-way for years.
Revenue and Operations
County Clerk Justin D Grantham reported November 2025 motor vehicle fees, sales taxes and recording fees totaled $1,156,776.96, with $673,045.34 going to Fremont County. November collections exceeded the previous year by $85,664.89, though year-to-date totals through November were down $189,992.51 from 2024.
The clerk’s office implemented a WaitWell queuing system that calls customer names and offers a mobile app for online check-in. The DMV system will undergo upgrades February 17, requiring office closure and appointment-only service February 18-19. Election and recording offices will switch locations by April or May 2026.
Personnel Updates
County Administrator Tony Carochi announced multiple job opportunities across departments, including positions in the sheriff’s office, transportation department, human services, public health, administration and assessor’s office. Contact HR at 719-276-7409 or visit FremontCountyCO.gov.
Breanna Garner was hired as Pathfinder Park event center coordinator, starting January 20. Department of Human Services will close January 22 for quarterly professional development, and county offices will be closed January 19 for Martin Luther King holiday.
Community Recognition
Commissioner Bell recognized Arthur Ray Daniels Jr. “Sonny” from Penrose, who died Christmas Day 2025. Daniels was a lifelong Fremont County resident, farmer and rancher who worked at the cement plant and served as a 4-H leader with his wife Lori Daniels.
Commissioners warned about fire danger due to dry conditions and high winds despite recent moisture, with McFall advising caution with burning activities. The Department of Public Health will host its DISH program January 14 at noon with a guest speaker from Fountain Police Department speaking on public safety, followed by a DUI Task Force meeting at 1:00 PM.
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