Jackson County commissioners approved adding a second full-time landfill position and authorizing a $17,843 leachate pump system at their March 10 meeting, while also advancing a petition to reduce speed limits on Highway 125 North and establishing a 24-month moratorium on battery energy storage system applications. The board addressed insurance claims showing the county well below state averages, formalized leadership transition at the sheriff’s office, and approved $5,000 in partnership funding for the Council on Aging.
Landfill Staffing and Equipment
Commissioners authorized hiring a second full-time landfill employee after Administrator Samantha Martin outlined compliance concerns with current one-person operations. The landfill’s expansion from transfer station operations created visibility issues between the entrance, scale location, and pit that one person cannot adequately monitor.
A commissioner said if the county gets behind and starts getting fined by the state, the position will pay for itself.
During winter 2025, Road & Bridge staff spent three to four days hauling dirt and covering trash to address deficiencies—assistance that wouldn’t be available during normal winters when Road & Bridge has other critical responsibilities. Summer operations requiring yard waste collection have needed additional staff.
The board also approved purchasing a $17,843 solar-powered leachate pump system with approximately six-week lead time. The system monitors fluid levels in pits under landfill cells, which cannot exceed 12-18 inches under state regulations. Current mitigation involves spraying leachate back onto cells for dust control and evaporation.
Commissioners tabled selection of a landfill scale vendor to a special meeting March 18 at 8:30 a.m. after one vendor’s responses to questions remained pending. One bid expires March 20, requiring the decision before that deadline.
Highway 125 Speed Limit Reduction
The board directed Martin to submit formal paperwork requesting Colorado Department of Transportation reduce speed limits on Highway 125 North, where current limits progress from 40 mph to 50 mph to 65 mph in a short distance near multiple businesses, residences, and the fairgrounds.
CDOT implemented new speed limit policies effective January 18, 2026, that consider land use, pedestrian activity, access points, community context, and mixed-use density rather than relying exclusively on the 85th percentile rule. Crash data is no longer the primary determining factor.
Commissioners noted CDOT attended a county meeting two weeks prior and didn’t initially disclose policy changes, with the information only emerging after pointed questions. The board expressed concern that CDOT upper management wasn’t spreading word about the policy change to avoid an inundation of requests.
The area includes Sessions store, a salon after a blind hill, the bowling alley corner, and fairgrounds access during events with high bicycle traffic and propane truck deliveries. The bowling alley corner may also qualify for traffic control devices or road barriers under the new criteria.
The public can submit letters supporting the petition once the formal process begins. Martin will coordinate with CDOT Region 3 Regional Planning Manager Mark Rogers for necessary paperwork.
Battery Storage Moratorium
Commissioners established a 24-month moratorium on battery energy storage system applications to develop comprehensive regulations addressing safety, emergency response, and zoning concerns.
Commissioners said local fire departments lack equipment and training for lithium battery fires that can experience thermal runaway. The board discussed creating a specific energy industrial zone rather than allowing conditional use permits throughout agricultural areas covering 90% of the county, with the Whiskey Hill area mentioned as a potential location due to existing power line access.
An expert at the Colorado Counties Inc. winter conference explained that proper spacing and containment allows battery units to handle fires independently, making physical containment more critical than fire department response capability.
Before developing regulations, the county will consult planning commission members, the acting sheriff, fire departments, electrical cooperatives, and landowners. Martin will contact Washington, Weld, Rio Blanco, and Garfield counties about their battery and solar regulations.
Commissioners emphasized balancing economic development with safety requirements.
Insurance Claims Below State Averages
CTSI Senior Analyst Dana Foley reported Jackson County had five claims totaling $53,236 in 2025. The average cost per claim was approximately $10,000 compared to the pool average of $19,000.
Over five years, the county had 13 claims totaling $113,702, with a five-year average of $8,746 per claim compared to the pool average of $22,479. The county’s loss ratio of 0.775 placed it in the lowest tier, indicating excellent performance.
Pool-wide statistics showed 641 claims totaling $12,425,036 in 2025, with fires, legal liability, and vehicle-related claims as top cost drivers. The CWCP pool returned $4.25 million in equity distributions to county members. Jackson County received $6,956 from interest distributions.
Foley highlighted emerging concerns about lithium-ion battery fires, recommending the county not leave batteries on chargers overnight, charge only when people are present, and consider lithium-specific fire extinguishers for Road & Bridge, maintenance, and landfill departments. The landfill represents the highest risk due to battery disposal.
Vehicle backing claims decreased from 17% of pool claims in 2023 to 8% in 2025 after focused reduction efforts.
Sheriff’s Office Leadership Transition
The board authorized Chair Ty Wattenberg to sign a letter to the Peace Officer Safety Training Division formalizing Undersheriff Mark McGarry’s assumption of acting sheriff duties following a vacancy in the sheriff position.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes 30-10-505, the undersheriff executes sheriff duties when vacancies occur without formal commissioner appointment. The position will appear on the next applicable election ballot.
Grant Administration and Service Animal Policies
Commissioners discussed establishing formal coordination for grant applications after Martin outlined potential matching fund requirements, with one example involving a $300,000 match for a $3 million grant. The county’s grant administration team is pursuing letters of intent for Goose Creek projects, fairgrounds improvements exploring GOCO funding, and courthouse applications.
The board wants proposals showing total match needs across all grants before committing funds, with a work session planned to discuss priorities. Commissioners emphasized they maintain final approval authority on all grant contracts.
The board directed Martin to work with the county attorney on training for courthouse staff after incidents involving service animals, including one office turning away a constituent with a dog and a dog repeatedly urinating on the courthouse rug. Staff can legally ask only two questions: whether an animal is a service animal and what service it provides, but cannot request proof, certification, or medical documentation.
Additional Actions
Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-3-10 amending board appointments after two resignations, filling vacancies on the Extension Advisory board and Board of Appeals.
The board approved a $5,000 memorandum of understanding with Jackson County Council on Aging for public health collaboration using event-based reimbursement. JCCOA is currently seeking a new administrator.
Commissioners authorized support for a property exchange between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the State Land Board involving land at North Sandhills. The board also approved a weed management contract covering fairgrounds and gravel pits and directed Martin to post requests for proposals for compensation study and airport consultant services.
The board directed Martin to end IT services with Alternate Network Solutions and consolidate to a single primary provider. Commissioners also acknowledged Fulcrum will use County Road 15 for water purchases during a 60–90 day window, with any road complaints to be forwarded to the company.
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. 