The Town of Walden Board of Trustees received updates on the nearly complete $2 million water pipeline project at their Monday meeting and heard from a Jackson County commissioner about the county’s sheriff transition following the previous sheriff’s March 1 resignation. The board also tabled a liquor license application pending state paperwork, approved a liquor license renewal, appointed trustees to regional boards, and declared April as National Poetry Month.
Water Pipeline Project Status
All pipeline is installed and in service from the water treatment plant to storage tanks, and the project has passed required bacteria testing. The first of three new vertical turbine pumps is operational and exceeding design capacity, with the second installing this week and the third the week after.
Town Engineer Ken Hardesty said the new pumps use variable frequency drives that throttle down as needed, replacing old single-speed pumps that ran continuously at full power against throttled valves. The switch is expected to generate significant electricity savings. Maximum system capacity remains 450 gallons per minute, limited by existing filters.
The project has $442,292 remaining against $409,151 in costs, leaving a $33,141 buffer after 18 months of work and change orders. It is funded through a $1.25 million CDPHE loan and $750,000 DOLA grant. Remaining work through April includes installing a new surge tank, demolishing the old surge tank at the Middlewell site, and completing GIS mapping of the entire water system.
Silver Spur Ranch Restoration
Restoration work on the Silver Spur Ranch pipeline corridor is nearing completion, with seeding scheduled for next week. All erosion control fencing has been removed and contractor Conroy Excavating will demobilize within two weeks. A Silver Spur Ranch representative approved the work via email. During the meeting, a resident praised contractor Conroy Excavating’s work quality on the restoration.
Acting Sheriff Serves Until November Election
Jackson County Commissioner Ty Wattenberg updated trustees on the sheriff transition. Under Colorado statute 30-10-505, the undersheriff automatically became acting sheriff with full authority when the previous sheriff resigned March 1 — not by appointment, but by statutory succession. The acting sheriff will serve until the November 2026 election, with a new sheriff sworn in during January 2027.
The department currently has an acting sheriff and three deputies, with recruitment underway for a fifth person. Trustees expressed disappointment that neither the former sheriff nor the acting sheriff has addressed the board, despite the town paying for county sheriff services. Wattenberg said he would relay those concerns.
Liquor License Actions
The board unanimously tabled a hotel-restaurant liquor license application for Annabelle Carvajal DBA Ms. Tres Reyes at 508 Main Street. The state requires an additional form regarding the change from prior Howlin’ Coyote LLC ownership before granting the license. The form has been mailed and emailed to the applicant, who did not attend the public hearing.
Trustees approved renewal of a retail liquor license for Blanton’s Mountain Mart Inc DBA Walden Sinclair without discussion.
Trustees Appointed to Regional Boards
The board appointed trustees to regional organizations. Trustee Aleigh Shoemaker was appointed to the water board and Colorado Water Round Table. Trustee Ed Downing was appointed to the Northwest Transportation Planning Region and Club 20, described as the Western Slope’s largest legislative committee representing the region’s interests in Denver on transportation, agriculture, and other legislative matters. Downing plans to attend Club 20’s April 17–18 spring meeting near Grand Junction. Town Clerk Sherry Cure was authorized to write appointment letters for all positions.
Other Business
The special projects report was deferred; Jim Dustin was not present.
Trustees approved a resolution recognizing April as National Poetry Month.
The board approved February 23 minutes with a spelling correction and current bills including a $1,200 donation to the North Park Never Summer Rodeo and approximately $150–300 for a fair advertisement, both within the town’s $1,500 economic development budget.
Trustees approved Resolution 2026-III-9B adjusting annual gas utility rates. The sidewalk project was officially closed with acceptance letters exchanged with the contractor.
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