Park County commissioners approved a county wildfire severity map and advanced new water project regulations to two additional hearings at their April 7, 2026, regular meeting, while approving a financing agreement for a new E911 console system, an internet service contract for three county libraries, and sub-grants for 10 local heritage and tourism organizations. The board voted 3-0 to continue the 1041 water regulations hearing to April 14 and April 21, directing staff to produce a revised final draft and redlined version for public review before a vote. Commissioners also approved a Motorola Solutions financing agreement for the county’s E911 console system and directed $16,303 to Park County Search and Rescue from federal forest reserve funds.
1041 Water Regulations Hearing Extended
The board reconvened a public hearing on regulations governing domestic water, wastewater, and municipal and industrial water projects in unincorporated Park County. Special Counsel Torie Jarvis of Sullivan Green Seavy Jarvis LLC, appearing via Zoom, presented proposed revisions to the March 11 draft since the last hearing on March 17.
Key revisions include exempting 1041 applicants from duplicate permitting processes such as the Planning Commission’s location and extent review, clarifying that ecological impact assessments address plant communities rather than individual plants, refining the alternatives analysis to focus on location, design, and alignment options within the county, and adding specific air quality particulate reporting, visual rendering requirements, and high-radioactivity area assessments to required application materials.
Four people spoke during public comment. Sarah Young, PE, Assistant General Manager of Aurora Water, thanked the board for the proposed revisions and raised two technical questions: whether Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment air quality compliance is sufficient or whether the county would require an independent toxicological assessment, and what a project owner’s road maintenance obligations are after construction is complete if the ongoing project operations — not construction — are the cause of road impacts. Christopher Olney of Colorado Springs Utilities urged commissioners to plan regulations with future boards in mind and to consider intergovernmental agreements as a tool for advance coordination with water project applicants. David Shohat, an attorney for HASP participating via Zoom, raised a specific concern that IGA language present in the February version of the regulations appeared to be missing from the March 11 draft, and asked that redlined versions be provided between drafts of the document so the public can track changes. Jack Cropper, also via Zoom, supported an additional week before adoption, noting a local project with potential 1041 implications had a community engagement meeting scheduled that Thursday.
After public comment closed, County Attorney John Evans — joining by phone following a district court appearance — recommended commissioners use two consecutive meetings to deliberate and make amendments during adoption. The board voted 3-0 to continue the hearing to April 14 for public review of a final draft and April 21 for an adoption vote. Staff will produce both a clean version and a redlined version from the March 11 draft. Written comments may be submitted to County Manager Lucas Meyer at lucas.meyer@parkcountyco.gov by April 10.
Fire Severity Map Adopted; WUI Codes to Follow
Commissioners voted 3-0 to formally adopt Park County’s wildland-urban interface fire severity map, classifying county subdivisions into high, moderate, and low fire risk zones shown in red, orange, and yellow. Chief Building Officer Andy Grand said scores were assigned by all seven county fire districts using the WUI codebook scoring methodology, accounting for road egress, driveway grades, fuel types, topography, and defensible space. Properties of 35 or more acres with a single residential structure that do not abut residential or commercial areas are exempt from the map’s requirements.
The county missed an April 1 state submission deadline but must implement codes by July 1. Grand added a roof replacement standard that provides clarity inspectors previously lacked: if 25% or more of a roof is replaced within a 12-month period, fire-resistant materials are required. Plan reviews in high-severity zones will add roughly two hours per application — approximately $200 per review — which commissioners are tracking as an unfunded state mandate. The WUI codes will be published for public dissemination before formal adoption by resolution.
E911 Console System Approved
Commissioners approved a Motorola Solutions agreement to replace the Park County E911 console system, financed over three years with the first payment beginning in 2027. Maria Mitchell, 911 Center Director, said annual maintenance costs under the new agreement were reduced from $50,000 to approximately $17,000 by eliminating a remote monitoring contract that provided little operational value. The county manager will sign the agreement administratively once legal review is complete; a Motorola deadline of April 10 required prompt action.
Other Business
Commissioners approved the Highline Internet Access Agreement and Service Order for the Fair Play, Bailey, and Guffey libraries at $20,028 for 12 months after extended discussion about the county’s position as both internet infrastructure owner and service user for the Lake George library. County Manager Lucas Meyer said grant commitments and overlapping contracts make any structural change more likely next year than this year.
The board approved sub-grants totaling approximately $99,626 from federal South Park National Heritage Area funds for 10 local heritage and tourism organizations, while holding the application from the newly formed TEVA Cultural Arts and Visitor Center pending more information about the organization’s mission and operating plan. Commissioners filled two Planning Commission vacancies by appointing Pete Zeman and Daniele Garner, renewed a child welfare legal services agreement with AWH Family Law LLC at $85,000 annually, and approved a common plat amendment for lots in Jefferson Heights Subdivision. The board also adopted a countywide mission, vision, and values statement developed with county staff.
During public comment, Truman Esmond of Red Hill raised concerns about a health independence resolution discussed at the morning work session without proposed language being shared publicly, and about the lack of a clear public timeline for engagement following the March 31 special meeting’s development maps discussion.
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. 