The Fremont County Board of County Commissioners tabled a vote on updated On-Site Wastewater Treatment System regulations until April 28, reopening the window for written public comment on rules that must be in place by June 15 to meet a state deadline. Commissioners also approved $2,312,511.66 in bills, issued two April proclamations, and granted three secure transportation authorizations during the April 14 regular meeting at 615 Macon Avenue in Cañon City. Commissioner Dwayne McFall chaired the meeting in the absence of Chair Debbie Bell, with Commissioner Kevin Grantham also present. All votes passed 2-0.
OWTS Public Hearing Tabled
Building Official Wyatt Sanders presented proposed revisions to the county’s OWTS regulations, which must align with state Regulation 43 amendments adopted by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission on June 15, 2025. Local agencies have until June 15, 2026, to adopt local regulations at least as stringent as the state rule.
Sanders said the revisions address issues identified over several years, align county rules with industry standards, and add new requirements including secondary safety devices on all new systems to prevent people and animals from falling into septic tanks.
Steve Harrison, representing the town of Williamsburg, raised concerns about parcel density and septic separation requirements on lots smaller than one acre. Sanders responded that the current county regulation already addresses minimum lot size and separation between systems, and that those provisions remain in the proposed revisions.
After closing the public hearing, commissioners voted to table final action until April 28 to allow additional written comments. Sanders said the revised regulations must still be returned to the state for final adoption, which the state has up to 45 days to complete.
Consent Agenda
Commissioners approved the consent agenda including March 24 meeting minutes and bills totaling $2,312,511.66. The package also ratified the chair’s signature on a salary order form and on two federally funded project policies — one covering adequate inspections and one covering compliance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act.
The board scheduled a public hearing for 9:30 a.m. on May 12 to consider Special Review Use 26-001, an application by Legacy Metals and Fabrication Facility to construct a 61,316-square-foot building for metal fabrication and sales.
Proclamations
Stephanie Moses of Family Crisis Services read a proclamation designating April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Moses reported the nonprofit supported 347 new survivors in the past year, provided 1,477 safe nights of housing, and answered 1,211 crisis calls. The organization operates a 24-hour hotline at 719-275-2429.
Combined Regional Communications Authority Director Angela Clawson read a proclamation naming April 12-18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Clawson was accompanied by Gary, a telecommunicator in training who joined the agency in November.
Transportation Licenses and Rodeo Permit
County Attorney Eric Bellas explained that secure transportation services provide behavioral health transport. Class A licenses permit use of light physical restraints, while Class B licenses do not. Type 1 vehicle permits cover vehicles with driver-passenger partitions; Type 2 permits cover vehicles without partitions.
Commissioners issued a Class B secure transportation service license to Secure Transit LLC, along with a Type 2 vehicle permit for a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. They issued a Class A license to MEDRoute Connect LLC with a Type 1 permit for a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. Goodkind Transportation Services LLC received a Type 1 permit renewal for a 2018 Ford Explorer. Service licenses are valid three years; vehicle permits require annual renewal.
Commissioners also approved a fermented malt beverage special event permit for the Canyon City Rodeo Association for its May 1-2 event at 1595 South 9th Street, from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. both evenings. Applicant Andy Philips described perimeter fencing, color-coded wristbands separating beer purchasers from general admission, and TIPS-certified servers at each alcohol station.
Airport Advisory Board Appointment
Commissioners appointed Miles DeYoung of Florence to the Fremont County Airport Advisory Board for a term running from April 14, 2026 to October 1, 2027. Grantham, who sits on the committee, said DeYoung submitted qualifications covering his piloting and licensing background.
Sales and Use Tax Report
Budget and Finance Officer Shawn Sutton reported February 2026 general fund retail sales tax collections of $754,315, approximately $79,467 above February 2025. Sutton told commissioners the state attributed the February figure to a timing difference and expected March collections to run lower. Year-to-date general fund retail sales tax collections totaled $1,394,341, running $22,326 behind budget.
Sheriff fund retail sales tax collections for February totaled $502,876. Year-to-date sheriff fund collections reached $929,560, running $70,440 behind budget. March auto use tax collections totaled $118,580 for the general fund and $79,054 for the sheriff fund. The lodging fund collected $4,679 in February, with year-to-date collections of $19,229.
Administrative Report and Citizen Comment
County Administrator Tony Carochi announced a request for proposals for replacement of five commercial rooftop HVAC units at the Fremont Combined Court Judicial Building at 136 Justice Center Road, funded through a grant from the Underfunded Courthouse Facility Cash Fund Commission. Sealed proposals are due by 2 p.m. May 14 through BidNet Direct.
Carochi also announced an electronics recycling event on April 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Department of Human Services parking lot, with a $30 charge per item for televisions and CRT monitors.
Commissioners reported Fremont County unincorporated areas remain in Stage 2 fire restrictions amid an Arkansas River basin snowpack running near 9 percent of normal. Commissioners also reported on the state legislative session, noting the long bill had moved from the House to the Senate.
Resident Jeff Coe of north Illinois Street raised concerns about vehicles cutting the corner at Washington Avenue and 15th Street since the closure of 9th Street, and asked the county to consider road striping to address the hazard.
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