High Country Advocate Editorial Board
Welcome to this week’s High Country Advocate. We’ve got a full slate of local government coverage and several state-level investigations that deserve your attention.
Around the Region
Cost overruns dominated local government meetings this week. Archuleta County commissioners approved a $224,000 change order for the landfill expansion—an 18.5% increase—without asking a single question about how 74,640 cubic yards of waste relocation went unidentified during planning. The item passed on the consent agenda alongside liquor license renewals. Chaffee County approved a smaller but proportionally larger landfill engineering increase: $27,100 on a $62,300 contract, a 43% jump driven by state regulatory requirements Commissioner Gina Lucrezi called “unfunded mandates.”
In Pitkin County, Commissioner Patti Clapper cast the first dissenting budget vote in her 23 years on the board. The $312 million budget—up 34% from last year—passed 3-1, with Clapper concerned about depleting the general fund amid federal and state funding uncertainties. “In six months we’ll know more,” she said.
Grand County extended the animal shelter lease month-to-month after construction delays pushed the new facility’s opening to late fall 2026. Commissioners also approved nearly $400,000 in weekly payments including the $1 million Windegap Ranch purchase.
Salida residents brought two issues to council: Brian Betchold urged the city to save the Calco building—the last significant railroad structure on the original rail yard—before Union Pacific completes demolition. Dr. Sue Sully challenged winter access restrictions at the golf course, noting that when the property was rezoned as a park, community use should have followed. Council didn’t respond to either.
Cañon City pressed staff over delays distributing one-time payments to SNAP-eligible employees, with council members making clear they expected the money to reach workers during the holiday season.
State Investigations
CPW Director Jeff Davis was forced to resign, according to a settlement agreement dated November 22. The document states “resignation in lieu of termination”—a stark contrast to the Department of Natural Resources announcement five days later that Davis had “stepped down” to pursue a strategic advisory role. State officials haven’t explained the contradiction.
Secretary of State Jena Griswold told the Trump DOJ to “take a hike” after federal officials requested unredacted voter data. Griswold claims the DOJ lacks legal authority, but federal law explicitly grants the Attorney General power to inspect voter registration records. The refusal comes after her office posted voting equipment passwords online for months last year—a security breach that resulted in no criminal charges.
Meanwhile, Colorado officials continue recommending COVID vaccines for pregnant women despite federal changes—selecting alternative medical experts whose recommendations align with state preferences. Governor Polis praised RFK Jr.’s nomination in November 2024, then signed legislation in April 2025 specifically designed to counter Kennedy’s influence. The contradiction leaves pregnant women caught between competing authorities.
And in Chaffee County, a property owner told commissioners he can’t make plans for his 37 acres because “everything changes on a weekly basis.” Regulation 87, heading to final hearing December 8-10, represents one more layer in a system where rules keep changing but the outcome stays the same.
Read the full stories inside.
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