HCA Staff Report
The Rio Grande County Board of County Commissioners met on October 8, 2025, at the County Courthouse in Del Norte. Commissioners Deacon, Glover, and Ratzlaff were present. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of an amended agenda adding a new item under general business: joining the Mesa County-led coalition opposing unfunded state mandates. Public comment was brief and light-hearted, with no formal requests from citizens.
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with one addition to ratify payment for DBT Transport Services for airport AWOS repairs. Items included approval of minutes from the September 24 meeting, accounts payable, a Sheriff’s Office K9 training payment, and three resolutions: Conditional Use for Seger, Conditional Use for SLV BOCES, and a Minor Subdivision for McDonald.
Building Department Report – Randy Kern
Building Official Randy Kern reported steady permit activity through the third quarter, with more building permits than certificates of occupancy due to the number of non-residential projects such as garages and reroofs. Sixteen septic system permits were issued this quarter, resulting in a $320 payment to CDPHE under the surcharge program. Kern attended a wildfire resiliency code training in Walsenburg with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and said it clarified many of the questions small jurisdictions had.
Kern also discussed regional efforts to seek federal and state grants for wildfire mitigation and planning. He recommended allowing municipalities and fire districts additional time to provide feedback before the county formally adopts a wildfire resiliency code. The board agreed to revisit the issue after receiving input from Monte Vista, Del Norte, South Fork, and area fire districts.
Land Use Report – Dixie Diltz
Land Use Administrator Dixie Diltz reported the successful cleanup of the Menzer Lane property, thanking Nancy and Ben Pasega and county maintenance staff for their help. Diltz said Community Planning Strategies (CPS) is finalizing renewable energy regulation drafts for mid-October review. An open house is planned for early November in Del Norte and South Fork to gather public feedback. Commissioners discussed ways to boost attendance and suggested coordinating with local towns to help advertise the meetings.
Road and Bridge Department
The written Road and Bridge report was submitted by Director Patrick Sullivan, who was not present. Commissioners noted the department remains busy with regular maintenance and equipment operations.
General Business
Treasurer’s Office Printer Agreement: Treasurer Caricia Johnston presented a maintenance and supplies agreement with Gobin’s for the office copier system. Commissioners approved the agreement, which is expected to reduce cartridge and supply costs over time.
Support for Gunnison County Stockgrowers Petition: The board voted to send a letter of support for the Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association’s petition to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The petition urges the state to delay the next phase of wolf reintroduction until funding mechanisms for livestock loss compensation are clarified.
2026 WSB Service Agreement: Commissioners renewed the service agreement with WSB, noting a $50 monthly increase but praising the company’s continued excellent service and technical support.
McMullen Lease Agreement: Commissioners approved the long-awaited lease agreement with the City of Monte Vista for the McMullen building, finalizing boundary clarifications and simplifying legal descriptions. Commissioner Glover called it a ‘straightforward agreement that protects the value of the property and simplifies management.’
Monte Vista Cemetery Funding Request: A request from the Monte Vista Cemetery Association for ongoing maintenance funding was acknowledged and added to upcoming 2026 budget discussions under community support.
Coalition on Unfunded Mandates: Commissioners voted to join the coalition led by Mesa County pushing back against unfunded mandates imposed by state legislation. A letter will be sent to Mesa County requesting Rio Grande’s inclusion on the coalition list, with copies of prior correspondence to the governor and legislative leaders attached.
Commissioner and Department Updates
Commissioner Lincoln reported progress on Homeland Security grant disbursements, recognizing the regional staff who manage funding for emergency services. He also praised Patrick Sullivan and Road & Bridge crews for mowing weeds and maintaining the airport grounds. The board discussed a new snowplow acquired for the airport and continuing improvements to hangars and facilities.
Commissioner Glover shared updates from recent meetings with CCI and state officials, focusing on the ongoing challenge of unfunded mandates and regulatory burdens on local governments. Commissioners discussed ongoing housing development delays at the Somo Veta and Basecamp projects due to CDOT approval backlogs. A new letter will be drafted to DOLA and CDOT urging streamlined processes for rural projects.
County Attorney Nancy Lake reported on the gating of a public access point near Castle Rock Road and ongoing coordination with the Forest Service. She also addressed the coroner’s lawsuit, which will appear as an audit note this year, and continuing weed enforcement issues along the railroad right-of-way.
Administrator Skip Schoen updated the board on the planned October 10 power outage affecting most of Del Norte from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Excel Energy is upgrading local transformers and voltage systems. County offices in the courthouse and annex will close during the outage, as only limited backup power is available for servers and vaccines stored by Public Health. Notices were posted at all buildings and online.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded with general discussion about CCI’s legislative priorities, Proposition 123 housing credits, and the need for faster state review processes for small rural projects. The board adjourned after approving all business items on the agenda.
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