The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners approved up to $650,000 in emergency funding to replace the deck on the County Road 108 bridge at their May 18, 2026, regular meeting in Glenwood Springs. Commissioners also ratified a letter requesting a pause in gray wolf translocations into Colorado, approved a water lease with West Divide Water Conservancy District, and authorized a commercial ground lease at the Rifle-Garfield County Airport.
Morning public comment brought one speaker. Glenwood Springs resident Ned Carter described what he called mistreatment during a recent stay at the Garfield County Jail, including being denied prescribed medications. He also raised concerns about Glenwood Springs police conduct. The board told Carter that jail operations are the sheriff’s responsibility and that city police matters fall under the Glenwood Springs City Council’s jurisdiction.
Commissioners approved six consent agenda items unanimously, including a sole-source contract with Reassurance Solutions LLC for four inmate medical monitoring devices at the county jail, not to exceed $25,820, and an amendment to a retail establishment permit for Alpenglow Restaurants LLC, dba Bonfire Coffee, in Glenwood Springs.
Under elected officials, the board ratified a letter Commissioner Perry Will sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Nesvik requesting that the agency pause any further gray wolf translocations into Colorado. Will said the state’s reintroduction program moved too quickly, with non-lethal control measures and wildlife agency programs not yet fully in place. He noted that more than half of the wolves translocated into Colorado have died. Commissioner Mike Samson said he fully supports the request. The vote was unanimous.
The board heard no Board of Health agenda items.
COUNTY ROAD 108 BRIDGE: $650,000 APPROVED
Deputy County Manager Rob Hanna told the board the CR 108 bridge over the Crystal River near Carbondale — also called the CRMS Bridge — is in worse condition than previously understood. Crews found the steel deck is separating from the girders due to rust and eroded welds, leaving sections essentially free-floating. The previous rebuild used decking not rated for the bridge’s HS20 load classification.
Hanna reported that the county’s project team — engineer Robert Oddo of Oddo Engineering and contractor Tom Lee of Con-Sy Inc. — identified a supplier with a production run of heavier-gauge decking that can deliver in two weeks rather than the six-to-eight weeks of a standard order, but only if the county placed the order that day. Road and Bridge Director Scott Marsh and Oddo developed a plan to replace the deck in two halves, keeping one lane open for most of the work.
Commissioners approved up to $650,000 from road and bridge reserves, inclusive of $130,000 previously authorized. The vote was unanimous. A cattle producer with 320 pairs needing to cross the bridge is being coordinated with on timing; the adjacent school’s year is nearly finished. The bridge was built in 1950. The state’s biennial inspection last September flagged a missing waterproof membrane on the decking — a deficiency the new deck will correct. Oddo said the bridge could remain serviceable another 40 to 50 years with the repairs, depending on the condition of the girders.
WATER LEASE: 200 ACRE-FEET TO WEST DIVIDE
Commissioners approved a one-year water lease of 200 acre-feet from the county’s Ruedi Reservoir contract to West Divide Water Conservancy District at $84.95 per acre-foot. Commissioner Will recused himself because he serves on West Divide’s board. Commissioners Jankovski and Samson voted in favor.
West Divide representatives, attending by video, said the district’s board held an emergency meeting May 6 and authorized the agreement. They expressed interest in eventually leasing the remaining 185 acre-feet to support augmentation programs protecting domestic wells across rural Garfield County. Siltwater Conservation District had previously expressed interest in a portion of the county’s 400-acre-foot contract but withdrew its request. County Attorney Heather Beattie drafted the lease in coordination with West Divide’s attorney.
AIRPORT GROUND LEASE: PARCEL A-7
Commissioners unanimously approved a commercial ground lease for Parcel A-7 at the Rifle-Garfield County Airport with Advantage RL2, LLC. Airport Director Sam Carver said the lease traces back to a competitive proposal process launched in fall 2017. The tenant plans to construct a commercial hangar, combining the parcel with adjacent parcels already under lease. A ramp must be built within 18 months; the full development is projected to span approximately eight years, with minimum required improvements of $3 million.
Ryan Maxwell, who identified himself as CEO of Advantage, said the project adds to more than $53 million his company is already investing at the airport. The board approved leasehold mortgage financing for the parcel — a policy change — applied only to this parcel and not cross-collateralized with the company’s other airport leases.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE LITIGATION
County Attorney Beattie requested and received a $100,000 budget supplement to cover legal expenses and a potential settlement in federal litigation against two Sheriff’s Office deputies. The vote was unanimous.
HUMAN SERVICES PRESENTATIONS
Acting as the Board of Human Services, commissioners heard annual reports from three county-funded nonprofits and approved April EFT and EBT disbursements totaling $1,168,594.51.
A Way Out Executive Director Becky Gordon and Clinical Director Kim Riel reported that 70 percent of clients came from Garfield County, with program volume growing 20 to 30 percent annually over three years. They noted a significant regional reduction in fentanyl but flagged surging crack cocaine use in the Carbon-Delta-Rifle area and ongoing methamphetamine problems. A bilingual phone line and Spanish-speaking liaison now serve clients who represent 42 percent of those served. Opioid abatement funding will continue for 18 more years.
Aspen Hope Center Executive Director Erin Mitchell reported the crisis line received over 10,000 calls this year. The center achieved a 95 percent emergency department diversion rate and an estimated $1 million in healthcare cost savings. It reduced average crisis response time from 45 minutes to 38 minutes, with 67 percent of services delivered to Garfield County residents. Mitchell said mental health needs in middle schools have increased, which she attributed in part to social media.
Pathfinders Director Allison Daily reported that 73 percent of the organization’s grief and illness counseling occurs in Garfield County. The organization described serving clients in their homes and on their farms, including one family whose mother has stage four cancer.
The board also authorized the sale of $150,000 in Colorado Child Care Assistance Program allocation funds to Eagle County, saving Garfield County an estimated $16,000 in Maintenance of Effort obligations. Lori Goodwin of the county’s Human Resources department presented two pay options for a DHS deputy director promotion; the board approved a wage assignment above midpoint for the selected internal candidate.
AFTERNOON SESSION: RIVER EDGE PUD AND ROCK GARDENS EXTENSION
No citizens appeared for the afternoon public comment period.
The board unanimously approved the revocation of the River Edge Planned Unit Development and rezoned the 159-acre property near Carbondale to residential suburban. The PUD was first approved in 2011 for 366 dwelling units but expired without any plats ever being filed. Harvest Roaring Fork LLC, represented by Douglas Pratte of The Land Studio Inc. and Timothy Coltart, submitted the revocation application at staff’s request to clear the underlying zoning. Staff Planner John Leybourne presented the item. The Planning Commission recommended approval unanimously in March. Three neighboring property owners — John Neely, Siri Olson, and John Loomis — spoke in support, citing their interest in preserving the rural residential character of the area.
The board granted a two-year extension for the Rock Gardens PUD amendment at 1308 County Road 129, rather than the one year requested by applicant Pond Capital. Staff Planner Heather MacDonald explained the extension is needed to allow time for Pond Capital to complete a pending property purchase from CDOT required to satisfy site conditions.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS AND CALENDAR
County Manager Fred Jarman noted the board is down to two finalists for an open county position, with interviews scheduled that week and a contract to follow. He reviewed upcoming meetings including the May 19 work session on short-term rentals and an AI platform presentation, the May 25 Memorial Day office closure, and the June 1–3 CCI summer conference at Keystone. The board’s June 8 regular meeting is in Parachute. The annual joint work session with the Town of Carbondale is scheduled for June 16.
Commissioner Will reported attending a RAFTA workshop where the pending reduction in Hogback Route service drew public concern. He said direction was given to Kurt Ravenschlag to work with Silt, Parachute, Rifle, and the county on funding solutions. Commissioner Samson noted the AGNC meeting and a federal mineral lease meeting scheduled for June.
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