Gunnison County Commissioners will consider applying for a $748,993 Colorado Opioid Abatement Council grant for treatment services during their January 6 reorganization meeting. The board will also select new 2026 leadership, designating a chairperson and vice chairperson while appointing members to fill 30 vacancies across 11 boards and commissions. Major financial decisions include over $600,000 in contracts, featuring a $267,000 GeoStabilization International project for public works and $210,000 health services agreement modification. Work sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. with board interviews, followed by a 9 a.m. liquor licensing hearing for Burts LLC operating The Cabin in Crested Butte and a 9:35 a.m. regular meeting.
Opioid Treatment Grant
The $748,993 Colorado Opioid Abatement Council grant through Health and Human Services tops the consent agenda’s financial commitments. The application addresses treatment services funding needs across the county.
Kyle Tibbett is seeking appointment to the Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council healthcare representative position as a two-year term.
Leadership Reorganization
Commissioners will designate a chairperson and vice chairperson for 2026 while making one-year appointments to seven regional boards. Appointments include the Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority requiring two voting members, Region 10 Board, Early Childhood Council, and Club 20. The Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council carries a two-year term, while the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee extends three years.
Major Contracts
A $267,000 contract with GeoStabilization International covers public works through June 2026, while a state health services agreement modification provides $210,000 through June. Additional significant agreements include an $80,000 Jackalope Services contract for airport operations, a $40,000 health services statement through September 2026, and American Airlines’ five-year operating agreement for Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport.
Board Appointments
Commissioners will fill 30 vacancies across 11 boards and commissions including the 7th Judicial Community Corrections Board, Board of Adjustment, Gunnison Cemetery District Board, Environmental Health Board, Extension Advisory Committee, Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee, Library Board of Trustees, and transportation planning committees.
Morning interviews feature Tourism and Prosperity Partnership Board candidates Noah Eckhouse, Leora Wallace, and Amy Stevens. Annamarie Meeuwsen will interview for Medical Health Officer at 9:20 a.m. Eckhouse brings decade-long public service from Lincoln, Massachusetts, while Wallace serves as Gunnison Country Chamber of Commerce executive director and Meeuwsen works as hospitalist and medical director at Gunnison Valley Health.
Development Items
A 9 a.m. public hearing addresses Burts LLC’s liquor retail application for The Cabin at 207 Elcho Avenue, Crested Butte. Commissioners will discuss the Sunhouse Townhomes replat and consider a continued road construction standards waiver request for parcel 3257-273-00-027.
The agenda includes requested Kebler snowmobile parking policy adjustments and Colorado Counties Inc. steering committee proxy designations.
Administrative Business
Consent items include Gunnison Basin Sage-grouse Strategic Committee appointment acknowledgments, a $1,738 Human Milk Feeding grant application, and emergency agreements with Gunnison Valley Regional Transportation Authority and Gunnison Valley Health for fairgrounds emergency use.
Professional services agreements include a $6,100 JEO Consulting Group amendment, $5,000 Mother Sage LLC contract through June, and $11,794 Colorado Maternal and Child Health Program statement. Unscheduled public comment begins at 11 a.m. with five-minute limits per speaker.
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. 

