County

Commissioners approve mental health service contracts

RBC | The Rio Blanco County Commissioners met in Rangely Monday to approve mental health spending, approve work on the county fairgrounds remodel project and listen to concerns about board appointments.
In approving the consent agenda, the commissioners approved a maximum total of $64,500 to various mental health service contractors. Commissioner Woodruff expressed concern about the amount spent on the services, which are considered recurring contracts.
The Meeker Arts and Cultural Council sought $2,000 from the county for what was described as various youth projects. The funding was quickly and unanimously approved by the commissioners.
The commissioners opened two bids for the Meeker Coulter Field Airport Beacon and Fence Relocation Project. The first bids came from a company in Vernal, Utah, with a total bid of $254,110. The second bid came from PNCI Construction of Grand Junction with a total bid of $341,111.91.
In addition to opening bids the commissioners awarded a bid for the purchase of a tracked skid steer loader at a cost of $41,387, plus a grader attachment for an additional $10,550.
An agreement with Goedert Construction LLC was approved for work on the fairgrounds bathroom remodel project at a cost of $366,244.50. However, there was discussion that a small portion could be saved by using the county road and bridge crew on some of the work.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Rangely business owner Elizabeth Wiley approached the commissioners about her concerns regarding appointments to the Lodging Tax Board. Wiley described what she saw as a “lack of objectivity” and bias in the appointment process. Wiley requested that the commissioners consider allowing the board to be larger than three members so that more community members could serve. The commissioners did not respond to her comments, but when pushed by Wiley about follow-up commissioners Bolton and Woodruff said they felt they had picked the person for the Lodging Tax Board who “had something to do with lodging.” They agreed to consider holding a work session in Rangely on July 17 to discuss the issue further.
Commissioner Jeff Rector updated the board on the Dead Dog Fire and his concerns over how road blocks were handled during the fire. “It was an incredible learning curve,” he said.
Commissioner Si Woodruff also discussed the fire and numerous meetings he attended regarding the burns.
Commissioner Sean Bolton reminded the board that he was headed to Washington, D.C., this week to discuss the Jordan Cove liquid natural gas project.
The commissioners meet again Monday in Meeker.

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  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!

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  • More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
  • 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
  • The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
  • Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
  • Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier.
“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
  • The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
  • Once again, the Rangely High School lady Panthers basketball team battled their way to the state championship in Denver. They ended a wildly successful season the ninth-ranked 2A Division team in the state with a 35-29 loss on March 7 to Wiggins and a March 8 loss to Denver Christian 60-46. Bottom row: Aubrey Keeney, TyLee Fielder, Ashlynn Ducey, Miah Wren, Emmeree Wagner. Top row: Coach Lohry, Rachel Elder, Aubrianna Tapia, Addison Scott, Annika Cantrell, Ryann Mergelman, Kastyn Dembowski, Miley Chism. Coach Nate Terrin (in back) and Head Coach Jimmie Mergelman.
  • The Meeker High School girls’ basketball team hosted their basketball awards for the 2023-2024 season. (Left to right) Taylor Garcia earned Western Slope Honorable Mention, Ellie Hossack Western Slope Honorable Mention and Coach’s Mountain Climber awards, Rylee Sullivan Western Slope All-Conference and Ainsley Selle Western Slope Honorable Mention and Coach’s Gold Heart awards.
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089966804052

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailey_waldref_rew?igsh=MXQ5Y3dtOWN4emNkNw==

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089966804052 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bailey_waldref_rew?igsh=MXQ5Y3dtOWN4emNkNw== 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
2 hours ago
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1/9
More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
23 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier.
“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Once again, the Rangely High School lady Panthers basketball team battled their way to the state championship in Denver. They ended a wildly successful season the ninth-ranked 2A Division team in the state with a 35-29 loss on March 7 to Wiggins and a March 8 loss to Denver Christian 60-46. Bottom row: Aubrey Keeney, TyLee Fielder, Ashlynn Ducey, Miah Wren, Emmeree Wagner. Top row: Coach Lohry, Rachel Elder, Aubrianna Tapia, Addison Scott, Annika Cantrell, Ryann Mergelman, Kastyn Dembowski, Miley Chism. Coach Nate Terrin (in back) and Head Coach Jimmie Mergelman.
Once again, the Rangely High School lady Panthers basketball team battled their way to the state championship in Denver. They ended a wildly successful season the ninth-ranked 2A Division team in the state with a 35-29 loss on March 7 to Wiggins and a March 8 loss to Denver Christian 60-46. Bottom row: Aubrey Keeney, TyLee Fielder, Ashlynn Ducey, Miah Wren, Emmeree Wagner. Top row: Coach Lohry, Rachel Elder, Aubrianna Tapia, Addison Scott, Annika Cantrell, Ryann Mergelman, Kastyn Dembowski, Miley Chism. Coach Nate Terrin (in back) and Head Coach Jimmie Mergelman.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
The Meeker High School girls’ basketball team hosted their basketball awards for the 2023-2024 season. (Left to right) Taylor Garcia earned Western Slope Honorable Mention, Ellie Hossack Western Slope Honorable Mention and Coach’s Mountain Climber awards, Rylee Sullivan Western Slope All-Conference and Ainsley Selle Western Slope Honorable Mention and Coach’s Gold Heart awards.
The Meeker High School girls’ basketball team hosted their basketball awards for the 2023-2024 season. (Left to right) Taylor Garcia earned Western Slope Honorable Mention, Ellie Hossack Western Slope Honorable Mention and Coach’s Mountain Climber awards, Rylee Sullivan Western Slope All-Conference and Ainsley Selle Western Slope Honorable Mention and Coach’s Gold Heart awards.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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