WOODLAND PARK — The Woodland Park City Council approved more than $1.35 million in contracts to build access roads for the city’s long-planned reservoir, appointed a retired Air Force launch engineer to the Planning Commission, and directed staff to open a 36-day application process to fill a vacant council seat at its May 7, 2026 regular meeting.
Reservoir Access Roads
Council approved a $1,224,685 contract with HCG Construction for two dirt access roads to the proposed reservoir site — well under the $2.1 million the city budgeted for the work. Utilities Director Kip Wiley said 12 of 17 contractors who attended the pre-bid meeting submitted bids, with offers ranging from $1.2 million to roughly $2 million. The vote was unanimous.
The roads will be primarily dirt, with a 60-foot paved section off Lloyd Gulch Road required by El Paso County. Most road materials come from on-site sources, which held costs down. The Boy Scouts will receive an improved access point to their cabin as part of the project, which also serves city infrastructure in the same area. A maintenance agreement with El Paso County requires the city to manage willow growth along sight lines.
Council also approved a $124,600 contract with RESPEC for construction management of the same roads. Wiley said RESPEC designed the access roads and has worked on the reservoir project for 15 years. The contract includes geotechnical testing and handling of contractor requests for information. The vote was unanimous. Wiley told council he expects to bring a contract for the dam design forward soon.
Planning Commission Appointment
Council unanimously appointed Joe Fury to the Planning Commission. Fury has lived in Woodland Park for 23 years, served 27 years in the Air Force as a launch engineer specializing in space safety and facility siting, and spent 17 additional years as a defense contractor. He holds degrees in astronautical engineering and engineering management and previously served on the city’s Charter Review Committee. Council administered the oath of office at the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Council unanimously approved the appointment of Ryan Skajewski and Rick Roberts to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, filling two open seats.
Council Vacancy: Application Process Directed
Council discussed how to fill the seat vacated when George Jones moved from councilmember to mayor following the April 2026 election. Council reached consensus to open a 36-day application window from June 1 through July 6, with interviews and appointment expected at the July 16 council meeting. A special election was ruled out as costly and impractical so soon after a regular election. No vote was taken; council directed City Clerk Monica Mendoza to prepare the process.
Six residents spoke during public comment, all urging council to bypass the application process and directly appoint Mary Sekowski, who received approximately 870 votes — about 38 percent of ballots cast — in the April election. Speakers argued her vote total reflected significant public support and that opening applications would favor candidates who had not subjected themselves to public scrutiny during the election cycle.
Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
No residents signed up to address council on items outside the agenda.
Sales Tax Up 3.8 Percent Year to Date
City Manager Aaron Vassalotti reported February 2026 sales tax revenues received in March were up 4.2 percent over the prior year, totaling $575,000 for the month. Year to date, collections stood at $1.2 million, up 3.8 percent — or $44,000 — over the same period in 2025. Lodging tax continued to lag, down 38.9 percent in February and 17.1 percent year to date.
Ordinances on Initial Posting
Council posted two ordinances for public hearing on May 21. Ordinance 1522 prohibits graywater use and installation of graywater treatment systems until the city establishes formal regulations, a step required in response to state requirements. Wiley explained graywater differs from reuse water in that it has not met surface irrigation treatment standards and is appropriate only for uses such as toilet flushing and subsurface drip irrigation.
Ordinance 1523 corrects a property description error in the city’s land lease with Verizon Wireless for a cell facility near the aquatic center at 111 N. Baldwin, moving the leased footprint closer to the building. City Attorney Wilson presented the item. Both ordinances passed unanimously on initial posting.
Vino and Notes Festival Permit Approved
Following a public hearing, council unanimously approved a festival permit for the 2026 Vino and Notes wine and music event. Tracy and Dan Vinton, operating as Barn and Barrel LLC, will hold the event at Memorial Park on Saturday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Vintons hold a current beer and wine license in Florence. One resident spoke in favor during the public hearing; no one opposed.
Ross Electric Change Order
Council unanimously approved a $53,866 change order to the existing contract with Ross Electric Enterprises for additional electrical work at the North Well Field pump station. Wiley said the upgrade became necessary when Xcel Energy identified wiring deficiencies during a de-energization visit related to installation of a second 100-horsepower pump last year. The change order adds a new power feed and related electrical components.
Consent Calendar
Council approved the April 16, 2026 city council meeting minutes and the statement of expenditures for March 2026 together in a single unanimous vote.
Reports
Mayor Jones reported three state land use bills died before the legislature’s May 12 adjournment deadline: House Bills 26-1114, 26-1308, and 26-1119, which would have imposed minimum lot sizes, authorized lot splits, and allowed separate mill levy taxation of vacant land, respectively. A youth sports safety bill that would have complicated volunteer hiring also failed. Jones and Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Nakai said they sent letters to state legislators urging the land use bills be killed.
Jones announced a free community concert at the Ute Pass Cultural Center on May 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring a bluegrass and country duo, and a free Water Safety Day at the Woodland Aquatic Center on May 16 from noon to 3 p.m.
Councilmember Don Dezellem reported the Downtown Development Authority has received 20 applications for its micro-grant program, with roughly half of the $200,000 allocation committed. He encouraged downtown business owners within the DDA district to apply. Dezellem also reported that the Main Street board held a leadership workshop and will conduct a work plan review at its June 1 meeting.
Councilmember Steve Smith reported the pine needle collection program runs May 9 through May 17 at the fire department starting at 8 a.m., with the city contributing two collection bins. Smith also noted that Chief Deisler’s wife had surgery and asked that the community keep her in their thoughts.
Councilmember Jeffrey Geer reported the Historic Preservation Commission met Tuesday but he was unable to attend due to illness and planned to watch the recorded meeting before the next council session.
Jones noted the city golf course opened the previous week and credited Monumental Golf and city parks and recreation staff. Keep Woodland Park Beautiful held its Litter Bug Art Lab on April 29, with sixth graders from Merit Academy collecting trash across multiple city neighborhoods. Students are converting collected litter into art projects to be presented to council on May 21 and displayed at City Hall. The Youth Council meeting, postponed due to weather, was rescheduled to June 3 at 4 p.m.
Council adjourned following reports.
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