Stage 2 fire bans across Chaffee, Summit, Grand, and Pitkin counties to Cañon City’s scramble to redirect $2 million in pool taxes, this week’s High Country Advocate covers budget battles, housing shortfalls, and community flashpoints across Colorado’s mountain corridor. Full coverage inside.
FIRE DANGER
Chaffee, Summit, Grand, and Pitkin Counties Declare Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Ahead of July 4th
Chaffee, Summit, Grand, and Pitkin counties all escalated to Stage 2 fire restrictions in the final week of June, banning open fires and fireworks sales ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. Chaffee County has a total fireworks ban, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin told commissioners the county showed worse conditions than neighboring counties on state fire maps. Summit commissioners approved Resolution 2026-47 unanimously without discussion, while Pitkin cited five regional ignitions in seven days — four of them human-caused.
MONEY & BUDGETS
Cañon City Exits Pool Project, Forms Committee to Redirect $2 Million in Collected Taxes
Cañon City Council formally exited the Fremont County Recreation District pool project in June after the district also voted to abandon it — leaving up to $2 million in collected sales tax without a purpose. Under TABOR, the city must ask voters to redirect the funds or refund them before an August 1 ballot deadline. A citizen committee formed by Mayor Phil Lund is evaluating alternatives including the Western Gateway riverfront park, a Skyline Drive trail, and a wading beach. Consultants unveiled a $19 million riverfront plan for the former Black Hills Energy site as a leading candidate.
Gunnison County Places Half-Percent Sales Tax on November Ballot to Close $38 Million Road Gap
Gunnison County commissioners told Gunnison City Council they plan to place a half-percent sales tax on the November ballot to address a $38 million deferred road maintenance deficit — the largest in county history. The tax would exempt groceries, utilities, and gas, with commissioners estimating visitors and second homeowners would absorb 45 to 50 percent of the revenue. A county-hired consultant used AI cameras to document every road mile in the county before arriving at the deficit figure.
Aspen Council Approves $44.7M Armory Hall Construction Contract
Aspen City Council unanimously approved a $44.7 million guaranteed maximum price contract with Shaw Construction for the Armory Hall Adaptive Reuse Project, part of a $60.7 million total renovation. Construction begins July 2026 with final completion targeted for November 2028. Council Member Bill Guth called the project extraordinarily expensive but said adaptive reuse represented the highest and best use for the community. An internal loan from the Arts and Culture Fund will finance the project through 2027-28.
Lake County Approves $93K to Fill Coroner Staffing Gap, Hires HR Firm for Sheriff
Lake County commissioners approved more than $93,000 in supplemental appropriations and contracted Paradigm Public Affairs to handle internal affairs investigations at the Sheriff’s Office. The bulk of the spending — $89,128 — covers a new full-time deputy coroner position after personnel costs exceeded the adopted budget. During public comment, a resident questioned ongoing payments of up to $160,000 to a county accounting firm despite continuing audit findings.
HOUSING
Pitkin County Housing Study Finds 2,600-Unit Shortfall, 91 Percent of Aspen Renters Cost-Burdened
A regional housing needs assessment presented to a joint Aspen-Pitkin meeting found a net shortfall of nearly 2,600 affordable units countywide after accounting for roughly 600 units in the development pipeline. The study found 83 percent of renter households earning under $75,000 are cost-burdened across the region, rising to 91 percent within Aspen. No single-family home sold at a median price below $1.5 million anywhere in the region in 2024.
Chaffee County Agrees to Sell Fairgrounds Land to School District at Below-Market Rate
Chaffee County commissioners advanced a memorandum of understanding to sell roughly 10 acres of county fairgrounds land to the Salida School District for $75,000 per acre — substantially below market — for a future school site. The MOU runs through 2036, requires construction to begin within five years of conveyance, and gives the county a repurchase option if the district stalls. Salida School District Superintendent David Blackburn said the board would vote on formal approval in August.
Saguache County Issues RFP for Two Passive Solar Workforce Homes at Casita Park
Saguache County commissioners refined a request for proposals for two passive solar workforce housing units at Casita Park, ultimately requiring contractors to submit separate bids with and without solar panels to preserve affordability. Architect Cillian Liam Barrett argued that workforce buyers who can barely afford a home rarely add solar later, while project coordinator Tim Renien countered that solar pushes costs above mortgage qualification thresholds. Bids are due July 17 with contractor selection July 21.
PERSONNEL & PUBLIC SAFETY
Custer County Fires Landfill Director, Names New Emergency Manager in Same Meeting
Custer County commissioners voted unanimously to terminate Landfill Director Brian Lockhart effective immediately following an executive session, then hired Eric Sillitone as the new Office of Emergency Management Director at $70,000 annually — all in the same June 24 meeting. Commissioners described Sillitone as a military veteran and helicopter pilot with extensive fire mitigation experience. The board interviewed four candidates the previous day.
Rifle Approves Thomas Klein as New Police Chief, Passes $238K Senior Services Contract
Rifle City Council unanimously approved Thomas Klein as the city’s next police chief, ending a hiring process that drew 16 applicants through two days of public open houses and panel interviews. Klein, who has prior ties to the community, will be sworn in after a background check with a late July start date. Council also approved a $238,194 senior services contract — $13,000 over budget — as rising meal and transportation costs drove the overage.
Alamosa County Approves $250K Mental Health Grant for First Responders
Alamosa County commissioners unanimously approved a $250,000 Peace Officers Behavioral Health Support grant application continuing a program that has served San Luis Valley first responders since 2020. The 18-month grant covers counseling, therapy, and peer support for peace officers and their families across multiple agencies. The board also authorized a debt refinancing study through Stifel, a financial underwriting firm.
DEVELOPMENT & LAND USE
Eagle County Reviews Draft Zoning Map for Comprehensive Land Use Code Rewrite
Eagle County commissioners reviewed a preliminary draft zoning map for a comprehensive land use code rewrite affecting all unincorporated areas including Edwards, Eagle Vail, Beaver Creek, and El Jebel. A resident raised concerns that 66 percent of the 18-member advisory committee do not live in unincorporated Eagle County — the area directly affected by the regulations. At least six more public sessions are scheduled before an October adoption vote.
Woodland Park Imposes 24-Month Moratorium on Data Center Applications
Woodland Park City Council voted unanimously to impose a 24-month moratorium on data center applications, extending a proposed 12-month timeline after councilmembers argued more time was needed to build a regulatory framework. City Attorney Jeff Wilson told council the moratorium must remain reasonably tied to development of regulations and cannot function as a permanent prohibition. A public hearing is set for July 16.
Fremont County Approves $4M Clean Energy Financing for Florence Manufacturing Facility
Fremont County commissioners unanimously approved a $4 million C-PACE clean energy financing application for a former industrial facility in Florence being converted into a steel stud and luxury tiny home production plant. Managing partner Eric Bonick told commissioners the company plans a post-Fourth hiring event targeting 10 to 15 workers initially, growing to 30 to 40 full-time employees by year’s end.
Vail Council Advances West Lionshead Pre-Development Agreement, Approves $150K Planning Contract
East West Partners told Vail Town Council a pre-development agreement for the West Lionshead redevelopment — which envisions 280 residential units, a 150-key condo hotel, 300 public parking spaces, and a music venue — is on track for completion by fall 2026. Developer Jim Tilling said the project cannot move forward without a public financing component. Council also approved a juvenile curfew from 10:30 p.m. July 4 to 5 a.m. July 5 for anyone under 18 in public spaces.
Crested Butte Reviews Land Development Code Cutting Zone Districts from 22 to 11
Crested Butte Town Council reviewed the final draft of a new Land Development Code reducing the town’s 22 zone districts to 11, with three unresolved policy questions requiring direction before it advances. The mobile home district drew the most debate, with council discussing but not resolving parking minimums. School Superintendent Leslie Nichols argued for a digital sign to reduce staff burden and improve emergency communication; most council members expressed willingness to allow a tightly regulated school-only sign.
AIRPORTS & TRANSPORTATION
Pitkin County Approves ASE Terminal Schematic Design, $940M Overhaul Targets 2027 Construction Start
Pitkin County commissioners unanimously approved a schematic design concept for the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport terminal modernization, moving the project toward a 2027 construction start. The phase one footprint stands at approximately 95,000 square feet, expanding to 130,000 in phase two. Seven recommendations from the Airport Advisory Board covering gate capacity, baggage handling, and employee parking must be addressed before design development concludes.
Breckenridge Commits $400K to Quandary Trailhead Grant as Sales Tax Revenue Falls 9 Percent
Breckenridge Town Council approved up to $400,000 in open space funds to support a $2.5 million regional grant for Quandary Peak Trailhead improvements, with Summit County pledging a matching $400,000. Finance staff reported tax collections through May are down 9.4 percent from 2025, with April alone off 20 percent due to an earlier ski resort closure. Council also directed staff to develop a formal business engagement work group structure.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Alamosa Council Approves $2.13M Axon Contract Adding AI Report-Writing Tool to Police Department
Alamosa City Council unanimously approved a 10-year, $2.13 million contract with Axon Enterprises consolidating police technology and adding an AI report-writing tool called Draft1 that generates skeleton report structures officers must review before submission. Several residents raised concerns about cybersecurity risks, surveillance by federal immigration authorities, and the independence of Axon’s projected time-savings data. City Attorney Erich Schwiesow advised that AI is not ready for prime time in legal contexts.
Gunnison County Reviews AI Governance Policy with Risk-Tiered Approval Process
Gunnison County commissioners reviewed a comprehensive artificial intelligence governance framework covering eight guiding principles including transparency, equity, and human-centered design. The board discussed but did not yet adopt the policy, directing staff to clarify which decisions require board versus county manager approval. Commissioners expressed support for public engagement requirements before high-risk AI tools affecting public-facing services are deployed.
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Buena Vista Trustees Issue Pride Month Proclamation Over Public Objection
The Buena Vista Board of Trustees issued a Pride Month proclamation at its June 23 meeting after several residents spoke in opposition, with one arguing the board had violated parliamentary procedure. The board made no response to the public objections before moving forward. Paula Dillon, speaking on behalf of the Buena Vista Pride Coalition, thanked trustees for the recognition, saying the coalition serves more than 200 local LGBTQ community members.
Park County Approves Badger Music Festival Permit With Midnight Noise Curfew
Park County commissioners approved an outdoor event permit for the Badger Music and Arts Festival in Hartsel, imposing tighter restrictions than the applicant sought — music until midnight at 65 decibels, dropping to 55 decibels through 2 a.m. The applicant had sought music until 4 a.m. Five residents had spoken against the festival at a prior meeting citing noise, livestock disruption, and road conditions.
Salida Council Approves State-Mandated Noise Ordinance Capping Outdoor Sound at 55 Decibels
Salida City Council voted 6-0 to update the city’s noise ordinance to comply with Colorado state law, lowering outdoor commercial sound limits to 55 decibels after 7 p.m. Exemptions are available only to nonprofits or government entities sponsoring cultural, entertainment, or patriotic events. A downtown brewery co-owner told council live music drives significant sales tax revenue, while a nearby resident said she cannot hear her television over outdoor performances.
Pagosa Springs Appoints New Council Member, Approves $3.9M Sewer Pump Overhaul
The Pagosa Springs Sanitation General Improvement District board approved nearly $3.9 million to replace aging pumps and inspect the seven-and-a-half-mile force main carrying town wastewater to the Vista treatment plant. Town Council then unanimously appointed Vahid Shabro — a petroleum engineer and emissions-reduction software developer — to fill a vacant council seat. Shabro said he wants to apply capital-allocation discipline to town spending and prioritize amenities for families with children.
Rio Grande County Awards $204K Airport Snow Shed Contract to Local Firm Over $600K Competitor
Rio Grande County commissioners approved a $204,000 contract for a new airport snow removal equipment shed after rejecting a competing bid that came in at more than $600,000. Airport Manager Brian Burrell told the board the local contractor had previously done hangar work at the facility with commendations from the county building inspector. The board also approved a $12,083 cybersecurity upgrade at the Sheriff’s Office to meet FBI multi-factor authentication mandates.
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