Saguache County commissioners took positions on multiple state bills, favored shoulder improvements over passing lanes for the Highway 285 safety corridor, reduced the mailing notification distance for accessory dwelling unit applications, denied a septic variance for a disabled veteran and his wife, and approved three land use applications at their March 17 meeting.
Highway 285 Safety Project
Commissioners said they favor shoulder improvements over passing lanes for the U.S. Highway 285 safety corridor after reviewing crash data covering 2021-2025. The data showed 20 of 47 recorded crashes on that stretch involved vehicles overturning — nearly half — compared to only three head-on collisions. The crashes resulted in 16 fatalities and 41 injuries.
CDOT has $34 million available of a $285 million total project and proposed a three-mile passing lane segment between mile markers 79 and 82. Commissioner Liza Marron presented the Transportation Planning Region update. Commissioners said shoulders would more directly address the overturning problem and provide greater road coverage per dollar than a passing lane, and expressed support for rumble strips along the corridor.
State Legislation
Commissioners discussed several state bills with county implications. The board agreed to support amending House Bill 26-1276, which addresses immigration enforcement and detention, by removing a provision prohibiting government entities and airports from engaging in federal immigration transportation. Commissioners said the provision could force closure of small airports, including Alamosa, which announced it would close July 2 if the bill passes as written. The board supported other elements of the bill, including oversight provisions for immigration detention facilities and civil rights protections.
The board discussed a bill changing the state’s affordable housing calculation method, under which Saguache County’s required affordable unit target would increase from one unit to 16 units for 2027-2029 based on building permit activity. The bill includes a waiver process for counties unable to meet requirements and bonus credits for deeply affordable units at 30% of area median income or less. Commissioners discussed whether TIF funding directed to Center for affordable housing could count toward waiver eligibility.
Commissioner Marron requested a work session with Erik Erikson of the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative to discuss the difference between small and large data centers before the board takes a formal position on Senate Bill 102, which would require large data centers to match 100% of electricity use with clean energy by 2031 and prohibit utilities from subsidizing facilities with special rates.
The board agreed to monitor House Bill 26-1310, the Wildfire Resiliency Grants bill, which would direct funding toward home hardening for low-income and disabled homeowners. Commissioners noted the county has lost Firewise funding and said the bill could be beneficial if Saguache County qualifies. The board deferred positions on House Bill 26-021 on clean fleet vehicles and House Bill 26-1225 on distributed energy resources, requesting input from county road and bridge staff and the rural electric cooperative respectively before taking positions.
ADU Notification Distance Reduced
The board voted to reduce the property owner notification mailing distance for accessory dwelling unit applications from 2,500 feet to 1,000 feet, responding to complaints about excessive costs. The 2,500-foot requirement originated for marijuana-related conditional uses. Certified mailings at $6.04 each could run close to $1,800 for ADU applications under the prior distance, pushing total application costs near $5,000. The board maintained the $2,500 base application fee.
Septic Variance Denied
The board denied a variance request from Robert and Krista Prothero seeking to continue using a vault septic system without a leach field on their 2.2-acre property in Lazy KV Estates, Block N, Lot 2. The couple, who live full-time in Colorado Springs and use the property periodically for respite trips with disabled individuals in their care, said the property was advertised with a full septic system when they purchased it and they discovered only a vault existed after the sale.
County Attorney Brad Crowell said the board lacked sufficient statutory grounds under state Regulation 43 to grant the variance as presented, which requires a specific regulatory basis rather than financial hardship alone. The board instead required the applicants to apply for a septic permit to convert the vault system to a full system, waiving the $400 permit fee in recognition of the $1,400 already paid for the variance application. The septic permit carries a one-year compliance timeline. The applicants asked for two years given financial constraints; the board held to the standard one-year term.
Land Use Approvals
Land Use Administrator Amber Wilson presented three applications the board approved unanimously. The board approved a minor subdivision for Verlyn and Latayne Boese splitting 35.46 acres in Ghost Mine Ranch, Parcel 50A, into 6.96-acre and 29-acre parcels, and separately approved a lot consolidation merging the 29-acre parcel with neighboring property in La Garita Bluffs, Tract 2A. The board also approved a conditional use permit for the Melanie Snider Living Trust to operate short-term rentals at 17601 County Road T.5, limited to a maximum of eight occupants to meet septic system capacity requirements.
Wilson reported the county’s short-term rental enforcement contractor is sending a third round of violation letters, with improved procedures implemented to prevent compliant operators from receiving notices in error.
Housing Authority
Housing Director Cathy Maestas reported that a tenant at Puerto del Norte is two months behind on rent, with a 10-day notice served in both February and March. Commissioners discussed the need for a formal written eviction policy to guide staff decisions, and directed Maestas and County Attorney Brad Crowell to review existing policies and report back at the next meeting.
Maestas also reported filing required USDA year-end documents and the 2026 budget for Blue Waters, and noted a name discrepancy between the county housing authority’s EIN registration and its articles of incorporation, bylaws, and Secretary of State filing that she is working to resolve. The housing authority is also pursuing a $30,000 CHFA grant for operating expenses opening April 1.
Social Services
Social Services Director Miracle Gomez reported that participation in the county commodities program dropped to 47 clients from a typical range of 100-120, with no applications received for a vacant Commodities Tech position. The board expressed support for exploring an alternative model that would transfer commodity distribution to existing food banks in each community, eliminating the county’s delivery obligation.
Gomez reported 100% timely processing across all benefit programs and completion of a state Management Evaluation review, with staff receiving state recognition for quality. A second review covering Colorado Works and Adult Financial programs is scheduled for April 22.
Regional GIS Services
The board gave conceptual support for regional GIS services through the San Luis Valley Council of Governments while deferring any financial commitment to an April 7 decision. The Council of Governments requested gap funding of approximately $1,500 per month per participating county to maintain services while awaiting grant decisions expected in June-July. Commissioners asked for a comparison of current county GIS services against what the regional authority would provide before committing funds.
Other Business
The board approved $1,000 from Youth and Senior Sales Tax funds for Center High School’s after-prom event on April 25, following a presentation by student representatives. The board also approved $1,600 for the annual Easter Day event on April 5. Commissioners approved a $3,500 annual contract with Emergent 3 for emergency notification services and received confirmation of a $50,000 DOLA Local Planning Capacity Supplemental Award requiring no local match.
The board scheduled a work session with SWCA and the Planning Commission for April 15 to discuss the 1041 third-party review process for solar projects, with up to $2,000 approved for consultant participation. Commissioners deferred discussion of district attorney term limits to the April 27 Valley Commissioners meeting to coordinate with other counties. Commissioner Lynne Thompson’s proposal to reestablish a separate Crestone-Baca Planning Commission received no support from current Planning Commission members, who said the area is well-represented on the main commission.
The board discussed the format for a Casita Park affordable housing community meeting scheduled for March 19. The county has contracted with an architect for an affordable housing design at Casita Park; an initial design required revision to meet Baca Grande POA height requirements.
During guest introductions, a commissioner acknowledged that an editor from the High Country Advocate was observing on Zoom. Commissioners and County Administrator Wendi Maez discussed their policy on Zoom observers, noting the county attorney’s position that members of the public have a right to observe and cannot be removed from the call.
The board held a brief executive session for attorney-client privileged discussion regarding the Woods case before returning to regular business and adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
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