By High Country Advocate Staff Report October 29, 2025 — Del Norte, CO
The Rio Grande County Board of Commissioners convened for its regular meeting Wednesday morning at the courthouse in Del Norte, recognizing longtime employees and addressing a wide range of county issues—from affordable housing delays to technology upgrades and local economic setbacks.
Employee Service Recognitions
Commissioners began the meeting by honoring maintenance employee Stan Montoya and staff member Roxanne Northrup, each marking five years of service to the county. Board members commended Montoya’s reliability, noting his early mornings, rapid response to maintenance emergencies, and dedication to keeping county buildings operational. Northrup was likewise thanked for her consistent service and dependability.
Weed District Update
Weed District Supervisor Armando Ross reported the completion of fall herbicide applications and year-end acreage counts. While mapping issues temporarily caused data loss in 2023 and 2025 files, Ross said the records were successfully recovered with assistance from GIS staff.
Seasonal employees completed their work October 17, and facilities are now prepped for winter. The district was denied a security-camera grant but has gathered new cost estimates to install up to five cameras. The board encouraged Ross to explore alternate funding, including a mini-grant through the Council of Governments (COG).
Personnel Matter and Critical Care Bank
After a brief executive session, the board approved an employee’s request to access the county’s critical-care bank, allowing the transfer of unused leave time for medical hardship. Commissioners also approved an exception to policy permitting additional voluntary contributions from coworkers, calling the gesture a reflection of the county’s supportive workforce culture.
Streamlining Accounts Payable
Chief Financial Officer Amanda Klapperich and Executive Assistant Bobbie Hatton presented a proposal to modernize the county’s accounts-payable system. The new Tyler ERP Pro “invoice-capture and AP-automation” module will replace manual data entry with a scanned digital process, reducing key-stroke errors and staff time.
The board approved the purchase at $35,023 annually, with an added $3,973 for implementation. Department heads will not be required to use the system initially but may opt in as workflows adapt.
Letter to State Leadership Over CDOT Delays
Commissioners added an unscheduled agenda item to approve a formal letter addressed to Governor Jared Polis, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) executive director, and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).
The letter—drafted by county staff and local partners—details two years of delays in CDOT’s permitting process for the Somo Meadow affordable-housing project in South Fork. Despite voter-approved Proposition 123 funds supporting affordable housing, developers still lack CDOT authorization to install required highway turn lanes.
Because asphalt contractors are now booked for the season, commissioners warned the project faces at least another six-month delay, extending into spring 2026. The board argued that CDOT’s pace undermines a state-declared priority and requested that the agency adopt “fast-track” timelines similar to local governments’ 90-day permit standards.
A virtual follow-up meeting with CDOT officials and South Fork representatives is scheduled for next Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ chambers.
Economic and Community Updates
- Commissioner Deacon reported discussions with the Stampede Committee on jointly upgrading electrical systems at the McMullen Building, which hosts annual events.
- Deacon also disclosed that Colorado Cormay, a company planning a 47-acre potato-byproduct processing plant near Monte Vista, withdrew its proposal after encountering high natural-gas connection fees and difficulties leasing propane railcars. Commissioners voiced frustration over repeated lost business opportunities dating back decades.
- The 9-1-1 Board adjusted its proposed 2026 budget to $430,000—below available reserves of $600,000—to maintain emergency-dispatch operations across the valley.
- Commissioner Glover summarized participation in multiple meetings, including GOCO, the Board of Health, and the Opioid Council. He praised Dr. Gene Bancoli’s leadership in public-health coordination.
- Glover also noted public enthusiasm for the Home Lake Veterans Museum open house, which showcased extensive model displays donated by local residents.
- Commissioner Ratzlaff reported ongoing reviews of solar-energy regulations and wildfire-resiliency codes, calling the latter an “unfunded mandate” the county may legally decline. He urged departments to apply for remaining COG mini-grants before year-end.
Attorney and Administrator Reports
County Attorney Nancy Lake advised the board on several land-use enforcement issues and reiterated that the county is prepared to invoke “unfunded mandate” defenses if required by state code adoption. She also reviewed the CDOT correspondence, noting that multiple state agencies must coordinate better on affordable-housing priorities.
Lake marked her fifth anniversary representing the county and thanked administrative staff for their assistance.
Administrative updates concluded with confirmation that Big Meadow Reservoir, located in neighboring Mineral County, was inspected after recent heavy rainfall. The dam remains structurally sound, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife continues reinforcing the spillway.
A Light Moment on Climate
Before adjournment, commissioners shared a brief exchange about Bill Gates’ recent public comments downplaying climate change, which have drawn widespread media attention.
Commissioner Deacon remarked that Gates “has gone 180 degrees the other way” from his previous stance, joking that residents could now “wake up comfortable in the morning” knowing “Bill Gates gave us permission” not to worry. The conversation drew laughter from the board, offering a rare humorous pause at the close of a long meeting that had otherwise focused on infrastructure, budgets, and policy.
Adjournment
The meeting concluded at approximately 11:45 a.m., with commissioners agreeing to reconvene in two weeks.
The Rio Grande County Board of Commissioners meets bi-weekly at the courthouse in Del Norte. Meeting agendas and recordings are available through the county’s website.
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