By Staff Writer | High Country Advocate
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) met on October 21 at the Buena Vista Public Safety Complex for a lengthy session that ran from morning into the afternoon, covering a range of topics from a new business-development director to a controversial burn-ban rewrite and two large-scale concert applications.
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### Opening and Announcements
Commissioners P.T. Wood, Gina Lucrezi, and Dave Armstrong began by approving the agenda and minutes from October 14.
Lucrezi reported an unusually full week of regional meetings, including opioid-settlement planning, forest-health coordination, and a Habitat for Humanity key-presentation ceremony.
Armstrong added that he would attend the Colorado APA conference in Grand Junction, where the county’s land-use code was receiving an award.
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### New Small Business Development Center Director
Economic Development Director Jamie Sherman introduced **Audrey Welsh**, the new regional SBDC director replacing Jamie Palfrey. Welsh previously worked with the USDA and Colorado State University, building programs for food-and-farm entrepreneurs. Commissioners welcomed her experience in federal grants and local business resilience.
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### Consent Agenda
The board approved routine bills and a **liquor-license renewal** for Powder Monarch LLC at Monarch Ski Area.
Sheriff’s review showed no violations, and the renewal passed unanimously.
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### Working Lands Resilience Coordinator
Natural-resources staff reported receiving three qualified proposals for a coordinator to assist agricultural producers under the county’s Common Ground program.
Rather than select immediately, commissioners directed staff to schedule interviews in early November so that each applicant could present their vision.
The position will be contractor-based, not a county employee, and will focus on keeping “working lands working.”
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### Climate Action Membership Debate
Commissioner Wood introduced **Resolution 2025-47**, proposing that Chaffee County join **Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA)**, a coalition of local governments advocating for state and federal climate policy.
Lucrezi supported the intent but asked for a *future audit* of all outside memberships “to make sure we’re not paying dues twice for the same mission.”
Armstrong agreed that participation should be evaluated yearly, but backed the networking value.
The motion passed 3-0, committing the county to join CC4CA.
Wood noted the group’s executive director would brief the board November 10 alongside the regional sustainability team.
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### Fire-Ordinance Controversy
Next, the board opened discussion on **Ordinance 2025-03**, updating open-burn regulations for unincorporated areas.
Local fire chiefs and the nonprofit Colorado Fire Camp objected that the draft went too far, prohibiting live-fire training and shortening agricultural-burn windows.
South Arkansas Fire Protection District Chief John Key asked the board to delay a vote:
> “We first saw the ordinance only when it hit the agenda. It’s well-intentioned, but some items overreach and would hurt training and ranch operations.”
Kent Maxwell of Fire Camp warned that banning controlled training burns contradicted state fire-safety standards and “attacked an organization that has served this county for 30 years.”
Commissioners agreed to **table the ordinance until November 12** so Sheriff Andy Rohrich and all agencies could refine language.
Wood concluded, “We need a modern policy that protects residents and keeps firefighters able to train safely.”
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### Festival Permits at The Meadows
Planner Nick Gomer presented two **multi-year special-event permit requests** from the Meadow Creek Music Community Fund for August and September concerts drawing up to 12,000 people.
He recommended approval **with conditions**:
– Events at least **30 days apart**, avoiding holiday weekends.
– **Staggered attendance** growth from 10,000 in 2026 to 12,000 by 2030.
– **Sound limits** of 105 dBA / 110 dBC at the front-of-house.
– Verified **traffic, security, and EMS** plans filed each year.
Sheriff Rohrich said two back-to-back events would stretch public-safety staffing but could work if separated.
Organizer Michael Sampliner cited the concerts’ community donations and economic benefit:
> “These festivals preserve open space and bring visitors downtown. We’ll keep improving traffic and sound every year.”
Public comment was split—some neighbors complained about noise and lights, others praised the professionalism of recent shows.
Both applications were **continued to November 19** for updated plans.
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### Lodging Tax Measure 1A
Wood next summarized **Proposition 1A**, the countywide lodging-tax question on the November ballot.
The measure would add a **4 percent tax** on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, distributed as follows:
– 35 % – Municipalities
– 35 % – Road & Bridge Department
– 20 % – EMS and Sheriff/Public Safety
– 10 % – Tourism Investment Fund
Chaffee County currently spends **$3.9 million** annually maintaining nearly 600 miles of roads and 84 bridges—“impossible,” Wood said, “without new funding sources.”
Lucrezi noted that guests already pay layered taxes and resort fees:
> “When people see 5.9 percent lodging tax, they should understand that’s still far below major resorts once everything’s totaled.”
No vote was taken; commissioners agreed the decision now rests with voters.
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### Fee Waiver Policy and Housing Projects
Administrator Beth Helmke outlined a draft **fee-waiver policy** to formalize how nonprofits and housing authorities request permit-fee reductions.
The board directed staff to bring a final version in 2026 after budget analysis.
Developers of **The Crossing Apartments** in Buena Vista requested a $32,000 waiver to support affordable units.
After reviewing grant stacks and matching funds, the board approved the waiver unanimously.
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### Board of Health Session
Meeting as the Board of Health, commissioners adopted **Resolution 2025-03** (updating onsite-wastewater rules) and **Resolution 2025-04** (gray-water reuse standards) as required by state regulation.
Building Official Chad Chadwick explained that the updates align local permits with state code 86 and 43.
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### Commissioner Reports and Adjournment
Each commissioner closed with brief updates on community meetings and upcoming travel.
No further business was introduced, and the board **adjourned** after completing all agenda items.
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