High Country Advocate Staff Report
Chaffee County commissioners approved a $27,100 change order for landfill engineering services December 4, bringing the county’s 2025 contract with Sanborn Head from $62,300 to $89,400 – a 43% increase driven by state regulatory requirements commissioners called “unfunded mandates.” The change order covers three tasks: $5,000 for work on Regulation 31 analysis, $8,300 for groundwater monitoring including emergency re-sampling after volatile organic compounds were detected in a monitoring well, and $13,800 for unanticipated air permitting work including greenhouse gas reporting and toxic air contaminant reports. Interim County Administrator Beth Helmke told commissioners the state can change regulations and requirements at any time, forcing additional work. Commissioner Gina Lucrezi said the regulatory changes “squeeze” counties with already tight budgets. Commissioners unanimously approved the change order. The contract is written by task with not-to-exceed amounts, but state environmental compliance requirements are non-negotiable. Commissioners directed staff to complete an application for Extended Producer Responsibility reimbursements that could cover 100% of the county’s net costs for recycling services. The program, managed by Circular Action Alliance in partnership with the state, allows local governments to be reimbursed for recycling collection, processing, education and outreach. The county must complete a service profile registration by January 16, 2026, then submit a detailed application between February 13 and April 13, 2026. Reimbursements could begin as early as June 2026 following state approval and execution of a service agreement. The registration carries no financial obligation, and the service agreement will return to commissioners for approval before being finalized. Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-57 designating the Chaffee County Early Childhood Council as the appointed entity convening the Early Childhood Council, formalizing a relationship that enables access to state funding for childcare programs. The designation, required by HB22-1295, carries no financial obligations for the county. Since 2007, CCECC has provided developmental screening, teacher scholarships, COVID relief grants for diapers and formula, and helped bring the Universal Preschool Program offering 15 to 30 hours weekly of free preschool for 4-year-olds. CCECC partnered with Chaffee County Community Foundation to use local lodging tax for workforce pipeline programs and grants expanding childcare capacity countywide. Commissioners convened as the Board of Health and unanimously approved Resolution 2025-04 adopting Regulation 86 for gray water control. Building Official Chad Chadwick said he delayed the regulation until completing gray water installation certification classes. He added provisions emphasizing sustainable landscaping, noting plants are the most effective way to treat gray water. The regulation includes a list of plants for use in gray water system applications based on water output levels. Commissioners approved designating representatives to Colorado Communities for Climate Action working groups and committees following the county’s membership approved in October through Resolution 2025-47. Chair P.T. Wood will serve as the county’s representative on the CC4CA Board of Directors with Commissioners Gina Lucrezi and Dave Armstrong as alternates. Wood and Helmke will serve on the Policy Committee with Lucrezi and Armstrong as alternates. The coalition’s annual membership fee is $5,225. During public comment, a resident questioned whether environmental decisions are being made without public vote, specifically citing policy position 15 on energy efficiency that would give counties the same authority as home rule cities to implement local energy conservation policies. Commissioners confirmed the county is a member of CC4CA and offered to provide the October 21 resolution. Commissioners approved a proclamation declaring December 9, 2025 and the second Tuesday of December going forward as ChaffeeGIVES Day. The Chaffee County Community Foundation event has generated over $1.5 million for more than 80 local nonprofit organizations since launching in 2018. Commissioners reported on the Colorado Counties Incorporated conference they attended earlier in the week. Lucrezi attended a session on PATH for EMS, a mental health support program for emergency medical services personnel. “It’s an industry right now that’s being pretty squeezed. Loss of employees just because of burnout due to, well, funding and other things,” Lucrezi said. The program provides mental health and well-being support at little or no cost to help retain first responders in rural communities. Armstrong highlighted three main conference topics: continuing to support key county services while managing capital projects under budget constraints, the intersection of land use, housing and water while supporting agriculture, and addressing housing affordability with more than 25% of the population housing challenged and many paying over 50% of monthly income for housing. Wood said housing needs assessments and housing action plans will help the county “better understand who is coming for our water and when they’re coming for our water because they will be.” He also discussed ballot measure trends to inform future funding decisions with diminishing resources. Wood praised Road and Bridge Manager Mark Stacey and his crew for excellent road conditions during the county’s first snow plowing of the season December 4. “While it was snowing hardest in Chaffee County, our roads were way better than everybody else’s,” Wood said after driving from Denver through the December 3 snowstorm. Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from the November 18, 2025 meeting and the consent agenda including paying bills and approving the Veteran’s Service Officer’s November 2025 monthly report. Commissioners reviewed upcoming meetings including the Voluntary Flow Management Program renewal meeting in Pueblo December 5, Buena Vista’s Home Found Holidays Parade of Lights and Chocolate Walk December 6, and a December 13 meeting with USGS and Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District about the groundwater study draft. The December 4 meeting was held at 9:00 a.m. at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 104 Crestone Avenue, Salida. Board members present were Chair P.T. Wood, Commissioner Dave Armstrong, and Commissioner Gina Lucrezi.
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