Pitkin County Commissioners Kelly McNicholas Kury, Patti Clapper, Jeffrey Woodruff, Greg Poschman and Francie Jacober approved a $6.5 million water rights acquisition Wednesday for 60 shares in Twin Lakes Reservoir and Canal Company plus shares in Fountain Mutual Irrigation Company. The Twin Lakes shares will yield approximately 45 acre-feet annually for western slope use under a 1975-76 change case. The board also approved $1 million for the Good Deeds housing program that has converted 19 homes to affordable housing since 2024, agricultural leases for Coke Ovens and Wheatley open spaces, and the airport terminal modernization concept.
Water Rights Acquisition
Deputy County Attorney Anne Marie McPhee presented the purchase of Twin Lakes shares that will deliver water from Grizzly Reservoir after crossing Independence Pass. The board discussed future share purchases with the Twin Lakes company.
The Fountain Mutual shares remain restricted to eastern slope use. The county will finance the purchase through the Healthy Rivers and Streams Fund with bonds repaid through the fund.
Good Deeds Housing Program
Community Resiliency Manager Ashley Perl and April Long, executive director of West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition, reported the Good Deeds Program closed on seven homes in 2024 and 19 total since launching. The program buys market-rate homes and converts them to deed-restricted units. The first buyer was a Pitkin County employee.
The board approved $1 million in 2026 funding toward a goal of 30 deed-restricted homes by year end. The program converted $14.74 million in market value housing for $4.45 million total investment from 2024-2025. Officials need an additional $2.5 million to reach the 30-home target.
Open Space Leases
The board approved first readings for two agricultural leases with public hearings set for February 11. Drew Walters presented a lease for Pair a Dice Outfitters to operate on 19 acres of irrigated pasture at Coke Ovens Open Space in Redstone combining agricultural and outfitting uses.
The board also approved leasing Wheatley Open Space to Roaring Fork Mill following an RFP process. The tenant plans landscape improvements in year one on property with rocky soil.
Airport Projects
Deputy County Manager Ryan Mahoney and Airport Director Diane Jackson presented the airport terminal modernization concept and programming phase summary. The board approved a $450,373.48 agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for preliminary planning on FAA facility impacts from Runway 15/33 reconstruction.
The board authorized a guest services terminal space lease with Aspen Chamber Resort Association.
Government Operations
Deputy County Manager Kara Silbernagel presented salary resolutions for elected officials other than commissioners and a resolution authorizing pursuit of state legislative changes to increase commissioner salaries from Category II-B to Category I-A.
Alex Burchetta and Michael Buglione presented adjustments to firearms range hours at the Solid Waste Center.
Other Business
The board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Garfield County for eligibility training support presented by Lindsay Maisch and Norma Avila. Kurt Dahl presented an eHealth Innovation grant from the Colorado Office of eHealth Innovation for the Connected Care for a Rural Colorado program.
Finance Director Liz Woods presented revenue bonds for Solid Waste Center Enterprise to finance facility expansion, with February closing and credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s.
Hallie Miller presented designation of the Pitkin County/Thomasville Lime Kilns to the historic register. The board held an executive session on the county’s lobbyist contract with Kozin with County Attorney Ryan Neely.
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. 