Teller County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution December 11 opposing the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s clean heat/electrification mandate and affirming county residents’ right to choose their energy sources.
Vice Chair Eric Stone said the resolution responds to the PUC’s November 22 decision adopting what proponents call a “clean heat” plan requiring utilities to meet electrification benchmarks for residential and commercial buildings. The mandate forces utilities to phase out natural gas connections in favor of electric heating.
Stone said the PUC granted exemptions for areas without natural gas infrastructure, creating two-tiered regulation where some Coloradans can choose energy sources but others cannot. He said the mandate will increase costs for Teller County families and businesses, particularly during winter when electric heating is most needed and grid capacity most stressed.
“It’s bad public policy to have the government picking winners and losers,” Stone said, calling the mandate unconstitutional for forcing elimination of specific energy sources. He argued natural gas produces 60 percent less emissions than coal and remains a reliable, affordable choice. Stone said the mandate removes consumer choice, forces infrastructure costs onto ratepayers, and raises reliability concerns given Colorado’s electric grid challenges.
Chairman Dan Williams emphasized commissioners were “making a statement” through the resolution after the PUC’s unelected commissioners made the decision. Stone said the mandate could drive manufacturing and businesses away from Colorado.
Commissioners Impose Emergency Moratorium on Utility Projects
Commissioners approved an emergency 180-day moratorium on construction of major utility projects in all zone districts after a wind farm developer submitted an application before the county could adopt regulations for utility-scale renewable energy.
Stone said the developer strategically submitted the application to lock in current regulations before new restrictions could be enacted. Utility-scale projects—defined as installations over one acre or one megawatt capacity—are not currently addressed in Teller County’s land use code.
The moratorium lasts 180 days or until the county adopts comprehensive utility-scale renewable energy regulations, whichever comes first. Stone said the county needs time to develop appropriate regulations for these projects’ scale, scope, visual impact, environmental effects, infrastructure needs, and property rights implications. Williams said the moratorium was necessary because the developer tried to “circumvent” the regulatory process.
$72.9 Million Budget Adopted for 2026
Commissioners unanimously approved three resolutions adopting the county’s 2026 budget totaling $72,946,916 across all funds. The General Fund totals $32,073,550, the Road & Bridge Fund $8,403,360, and the Social Services Fund $5,103,555.
County Administrator Ross Herzog thanked the board and staff for their work on what he called an arduous and challenging budget process requiring significant analysis and difficult decisions. He said every employee and department faced tough choices about service delivery versus fiscal responsibility.
The budget includes $1,310,000 in Emergency Reserve as required under TABOR, $750,000 in allocated contingency, and $700,000 in major contingency accessible only with board approval. Finance Director Violet Watt prepared the budget, which was submitted to commissioners October 9 with a public hearing held October 23.
WUI Fire Code Mandate Sparks Municipal Concerns
Stone reported at the Colorado Counties Incorporated Winter Conference that the Colorado Municipal League sent or plans to send a strongly worded letter to the governor and legislature about the state’s Wildland-Urban Interface fire code requirements, potentially signaling a lawsuit.
The issue is municipalities have no voice in WUI designation but must adopt expensive fire codes. Counties received statutory authority to define WUI boundaries, but cities cannot influence designations while being mandated to adopt codes. Stone said municipalities question whether the codes will achieve their intended purpose, pointing to recent California fires where homes with stucco and tile roofs were destroyed regardless of construction standards.
Stone said Teller County has worked to include all municipalities in WUI map discussions despite lacking a statutory requirement to do so. He noted the mandate is “very, very expensive” and raises affordability concerns for communities already dealing with housing challenges.
Stone Elected to Regional Positions
Stone was recommended to continue as first vice chair of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, positioning him to move up to chair in 2027 when Williams’ term ends. Stone was also reelected as vice chair of the Region 16 Opioid Abatement Council after declining the chair position due to Teller County demands. Colorado Springs Councilwoman Lynette Crowe Iverson was elected chair.
Mining Permit Resolution Gains Unanimous Support
Stone introduced a resolution at the CCI conference requesting the governor and state attorney general to ask a court whether county commissioners can deny mining permit applications based on public safety considerations. The resolution received unanimous consent from county officials concerned about their authority to deny permits on safety grounds.
Fire Ban Lifted
Commissioners rescinded the Stage I Fire Ban that restricted open burning in Teller County. Stone said moisture from recent precipitation and forecast snowfall warranted lifting the ban, noting the county would reinstate restrictions if conditions change.
Accounts Payable Approved
Commissioners approved $1,518,967.61 in accounts payable for the week ending December 8. Stone highlighted a $496,268 payment to the Community of Caring Foundation as a pass-through for gaming grants the county manages and disburses to organizations.
First Significant Snowfall
Herzog reported the county received about five inches of snow overnight, with crews working all night clearing roads. He said the event provided good practice for winter operations.
Business Items Approved
Commissioners approved the 2026 Memorandum of Understanding with the Pikes Peak Geospatial Alliance at no cost to Teller County. The county also approved the Second Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, updating the contract to reflect the department’s new Colorado Springs facility.
Commissioners approved Grant Agreement Amendment #4 to State of Colorado Contract #2026*0058 for public health preparedness and authorized Public Health Director Michelle Wolfe to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Colorado Cancer Center for breast cancer screening follow-up.
The board approved a Professional Services Agreement with ProCom Professional Compliance Testing for employee drug testing, with Department of Transportation tests costing $72. Commissioners also approved Contract Amendment #2 to State of Colorado Contract #2023-0055 for Local Public Health Agencies, updating Wolfe’s title from interim to permanent director.
Public Trustee Report
Commissioners accepted the Teller County Public Trustee’s third-quarter report without discussion.
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