Park County Commissioners approved a court-ordered subdivision dividing 40.24 acres at 49001 Highway 9 into two equal 20-acre lots, resolving years of litigation between Rock N Pine LLC and JRS Mining LLC through a November 2020 settlement agreement. The subdivision creates shared access via a 40-foot easement after CDOT closed unsafe highway access, with the Planning Commission recommending approval 4-0 in November 2025. The board voted to return regular meetings to Tuesdays at 9 a.m. for work sessions and 1 p.m. for board meetings on the first, second, and third Tuesdays to accommodate regional water and transportation meetings. Commissioners reappointed David Wissel as chairman for 2026, approved six Assessment and Budget Equalization Board appointments including environmental health expert Amy Huffman, and approved $147,888 in vouchers during their January 14 reorganizational session. The board also passed Resolution 2026-005 amending Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations and heard property taxation concerns from residents.
Court-Ordered Subdivision
Commissioners unanimously approved the Balderston-Sullivan minor subdivision with shared access easement. Julie Esterl from Baseline Corporation said the subdivision formalizes the court settlement ending litigation after CDOT closed Mark Balderston’s original Highway 9 access due to safety concerns at the crest of a hill.
John Littlehorn of Littlehorn Engineering & Surveying said the solution provides Balderston one tract while granting access via the easement across Todd Sullivan’s property. Both parcels remain in the mining district with active permits and no proposed structures or utilities.
Commissioners directed staff to draft approval requiring updated ownership signatures for Rock N Pine LLC and addition of the access easement reception number before recording.
Meeting Schedule Changes
Commissioners voted to resume meetings on first, second, and third Tuesdays with 9 a.m. work sessions and 1 p.m. board meetings. Commissioners said the Wednesday schedule was implemented to accommodate a former county attorney no longer with the county.
Tuesday meetings allow commissioners to participate in South Platte Water Roundtable, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, and Arkansas Roundtable meetings that occur on Wednesdays. Commissioners moved that Wissel continue as chairperson, noting benefits of two-year terms that allow first-year learning and second-year seasoned leadership.
Board Appointments
Commissioners appointed Amy Huffman to the Assessment and Budget Equalization Board through December 2027. Huffman, a two-year Park County resident with more than 20 years in Colorado, brings environmental health expertise including water quality work in Maryland and previous Park County code enforcement experience.
Huffman said she wants to bring regulatory public health perspective to the board, evaluating environmental issues through risk analysis while considering compliance and prevention. She confirmed availability for second Tuesday 1 p.m. meetings.
The board reappointed five ABE members with staggered terms: John Reiber and Jennifer Migliato through December 2026, Patrick Schliken through December 2027, and Ramon Castro and Bernie Peterson through December 2028. Commissioners initially postponed Huffman’s appointment to allow dialogue but approved it after her interview later in the meeting.
Land Use Regulations
Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-005 amending Park County Land Use Regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units. Commissioners said the resolution clarifies missing paperwork ensuring clear intent for ADU changes required for Department of Local Affairs grant compliance.
County Attorney John Evans said the resolution corrects administrative oversights while maintaining original ADU amendment intent. The regulations establish ADUs are allowed on lots of two or more acres but cannot be sold separately from principal dwellings or used as short-term rentals.
Financial and Administrative Actions
Commissioners approved annual Resolution 2026-004 authorizing County Treasurer to deposit funds in Alpine Banks of Colorado, TBK Bank, or local government surplus fund trusts. The board approved vouchers totaling $147,888 across all county funds.
Commissioners designated the Park County website as additional public notice location under Colorado Open Meeting Laws, supplementing required paper publication. The board amended the agenda by removing the abatement hearing for parcel R0047546.
Public Comments
Stan Bates, Crest Estates HOA president, attempted commenting on ASCAG property rezoning but commissioners stopped the discussion, explaining this would constitute ex parte communication since the matter will come before them for decision. Commissioners directed him to submit written comments when the item is agendized.
County Manager Lucas Meyer offered to hold comments for appropriate hearings on pending matters, noting citizens can email him with concerns about future agenda items.
Susie Bates of 123 Park Avenue raised property taxation and assessment concerns, referencing her January 8 letter to commissioners and the assessor. She questioned why her property continues showing as vacant residential when containers and equipment remain on site, and said expected changes following a court order returning the property to residential zoning have not appeared in county records.
Commissioners acknowledged receipt of her communications. Wissel explained assessment changes may lag due to January 1 statutory assessment dates and the time required for county records to reflect court orders and property changes.
Meeting Procedures
Commissioners emphasized guidelines requiring Zoom participants to identify themselves with visible names for public record purposes. Officials noted formal meetings are recorded unlike work sessions, and the clerk needs to document all attendees and commenters by name.
The meeting adjourned at 3:53 p.m. with commissioners continuing into work session for discussions on strategic master planning, PUC resolution matters, and short-term rental ordinance considerations. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 4 under the new schedule.
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