REGAS HALANDRAS
Background and qualifications:
I have a long history in Rio Blanco County. I was born in Meeker and have been back here since 1992. After graduating from the University of Denver in 1988, I have lived in a few other places including South Texas and Hawaii. In 1992, I returned full-time and helped with the family sheep ranch until we sold the sheep in 2000. In the meantime, I started H & H processing with my brother in 1993; I left that business in 2006 but have returned to help during the wild game hunting season. At the same time, I was also doing general maintenance and contracting as my main business, along with a window covering business, and commercial/private residence rentals.
I purchased the home we live in in 1993. As I mentioned before, I own commercial rental properties and a few other private residences which are now rentals. I strive to maintain those properties to look their best within the community and work hard to keep them in working order. I travel and have been on all continents except Antarctica. I believe that there is a lot to be learned by traveling; the world is a big place. I am always amazed by how humanity has changed the world over the last 50 years.
I have been involved with volunteering since the latter 1980s when my parents started the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials. They did that for 19 years after which I came on the board as vice-president under Bruce Clatterbaugh. I’ve been on that board for over 18 years and am now the president. I also serve on the boards of Pioneers Medical Center (PMC), Meeker Area Mountain Bike Association (MAMBA), and the Freeman Fairfield Foundation.
I was on the Meeker board of trustees for 14 years. I was the mayor for six of those. That was a great learning experience for my introduction into elected government and its policies. It was these years where I became interested in the idea of commissioner. It has been something I have thought of and discussed with family and friends many times. When Ty made the decision that he wasn’t going to run again, it seemed like the time was right to fulfill my destiny.
Who do you look to for mentorship and guidance when faced with challenges or needing additional information to make a decision?
That’s an interesting question. As my sounding board, Michele will have to hear about it first. The rest depends on the situation or issue as to whom I would reach out to for guidance. We all have our specialties and knowledges.
As I have said, information is readily available; I can get a lot of information pretty quickly. However, first is to ask those people that have been there before. Many times, there is a prior history of a subject that can be exploited to get the answers. But, in the end, we do the research. I try to get as much information as I can on a subject and then make a decision based on it all.
How would you describe your leadership/management style and how do you envision working with other elected officials and county staff as a commissioner?
I believe in letting people do their job. I have worked with many people in multiple positions in government, non-profit, and private business relationships. I do not want to be a micromanager. When we do a job, I give my partner, assistant, and employees the freedom to get the job done correctly. There are many examples when there have been different directions to the same end.
As a county commissioner, we are lucky to have confident and capable elected officials and appointed managers who take care of their departments. They are there because they have the knowledge and because we put them there. They do their part together with their staff and this is what runs the county. They, in turn, report to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
And now we have the newly re-instated County Administrator position. This is the position that will give the BOCC the ability to be more removed from the day-to-day process and will be able to devote more time and effort into Rio Blanco County as a whole and not be bogged down by individual needs within the departments.
The position of County Commissioner is a multi-person board. The three commissioners will always need to work together as we work on the needs of Rio Blanco County. We do not have to agree on everything, but we do need to be able to listen to each other’s thoughts and ideas (backed by the information gathered in question 2) to come to a final decision.
Additionally, you, must also be part of the decision. Ultimately, we work for you, the people. As an elected official, you have put us in charge as we work to make sound, educated decisions for the county. But you are our board.
That being said, as you read through the information below; realize that I have not sat on the board yet. I do not know the ins and outs of the county machine. This is a learning position; it can’t be done from the outside. When I am elected, you can be sure that I WILL learn and know this information.
Conflicts of interest are inevitable in a small community. Please list the top three conflicts of interest you’re aware of that might affect your role as commissioner and how you would handle those situations.
PMC – Pioneers Medical Center is a tax receiving entity. When you elect me, I will have to turn to the County Attorney for better direction but would expect that I will not be able to stay on that board.
I have or have had multiple governmental relationships in the town and county. Among the different boards, there may be possible grant conflict problems (MAMBA, Meeker Classic, Pioneers Medical Center); possible event promoter relationship (Meeker Summer Rodeo Series), etc. Without any question, I would first expect to abstain from any decision that concerned any aspect of “relationship“ status. Additional guidance would also be expected from the County Attorney.
Personal business interests and governmental business relationships on a local, state and federal level.
Real estate and development among county holdings.
Rental agreements with government offices
Business relations with governmental offices in personal businesses.
Again, final guidance will be determined by the County Attorney. However, my business relationships with all entities are completely transparent. All business has been done through some sort of process to protect all entities. The public processes of applications, discussion and communication has always been adhered to.
Housing availability and affordability has been identified as a problem throughout the county and surrounding areas. Describe the current situation in RBC and share your ideas.
My experiences within the Town of Meeker and with Pioneers Medical Center have shown for many years that we have had some sort of housing issues among the communities. The schools, USFS, BLM, and the county have all experienced issues when hiring employees due, in part, to lack of (affordable) housing. Much of the seasonal employment are working for minimum wage and needs affordable, ‘short-term’ rentals. This is almost impossible to acquire.
When interest rates were lower, houses were changing hands quickly. Supply and high demand have driven up the cost of real estate on both ends of the county. Additionally, the cost of construction for new housing has become increasingly expensive. That extra cost is now multiplied with higher interest rates. While there are properties listed for sale, it is a limited market. Those investors interested in purchasing a property for renting have a difficult time as the property costs do not go together with the idea of cheap rent.
There have been many different studies done about the issue. “Affordable” is the buzz word. How do we do that?
Construction costs will need to come down so that first-time homeowners can enter the market by purchasing or building.
Lower costs would help potential investors with the opportunity to come in and build either private residences or multi-housing facilities.
Investors will need to be satisfied that the returns can be met on their investments for either speculation or possible rentals before they will move into the market.
Lack of competent builders and accompanying labor make it difficult for private investors or custom home buyers to build ground-up.
Lower mortgage rates will also help. That being said, my first mortgage was 13.5% (but our house was <$40,000.)
Assist in promoting the different entities and agencies like Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, CHFA to assist the new buyers/builders for financial assistance.
Work on developing sustainable building practices and fees to help promote construction
Use county connections to reach out to possible developers and investors to promote Rio Blanco.
Work with neighboring counties to leverage funding and / or programs. I do not see a quick solution.
What do you believe the county’s role should be in assisting the towns and special districts in RBC?
Rio Blanco County has always been supportive of its communities. Mutual relationships between the county and the town governments have always been important. Communication between the BOCC and community leaders is the apex to our survival.
It is the responsibility of the BOCC to have a presence on state and local levels to identify different programs and also be aware of legislation that can either assist or hinder our county communities survival and work to influence the final decisions. It is our presence that will influence how decisions will be made.
Rio Blanco County is lucky to have and hold the CCITF funds leveraged by some of our early county leaders. This fund gives the BOCC the ability to assist the towns and districts with needed capital improvements such as water, sewer and street improvements, and so on.
But the big job is that the county is responsible for assessing, recovering, and administering the taxes received into the county funds. This is not only those funds based on the valuations but also all sales and use tax funds. This will continue!
Special Districts are individual taxing districts set up within the county and municipalities each with individual mill levies. It is through these districts that the citizens pay the mill levies that individual entities receive their tax/funding support. As citizens, the districts and associated mills designate how we pay and into which. Ultimately, while it is the BOCCs directive to have oversight as to how these district mill levies are set, this is a process originating from the public process. We set our needs; we decide how to fund them.
How can RBC improve collaboration with the state government in order to leverage funding and grants for projects and programs that benefit RBC residents?
That work will need to start on the county level. Our communities need to be together as we look for state and federal assistance to implement, improve or maintain the many projects and programs within our county. Let’s identify needs within each organization and work together to create overlapping solutions to those needs.
Discussions need to be shared with the neighboring counties and municipalities as well. Garfield and Moffat counties are having similar issues. We need to come together to create better and stronger arguments for possible assistance programs and share the power of multiple or group purchasing. In group, we can also create matching funds with unexpected windfalls in unanticipated county income, i.e.- large infrastructure projects and/or associated use tax, federal assistance programs, etc.
Each “grant” has a different parameter; funding isn’t always the needed “match”. Leverage could also be labor assistance or by providing financial oversight. We need to make all decisions accountable for positive outcomes.
While the possibility for another boom-bust cycle around oil and gas always exists, RBC has known for decades it needs to pursue other sources of revenue for economic stability and growth. What are your ideas?
This is the elephant in the room. We know that the current valuations in the county will continue to slide. While we need to seek and promote small business and services for our communities, we need to also find some larger scale projects and industries. With these projects, not only our valuations will be affected, but our use tax funds would also increase.
If solar power is the beginning to improving our county coffers, we have already initiated a positive start within the county with one solar field built and another “plan approved”. Certain other large-scale uses of our wide-open country need to also be explored; our advantages exploited. We sit in the middle of the countries power grid, we have the gas, we have the open space; let’s think out of the box!
The discussed gas-powered generation plant seems to be an obvious choice. What about small nuclear power generation?
The public perception that the world is cutting power consumption and lessening our hunger for electricity is a misnomer. Everyday we see stories about the increased needs for large power consumption for data centers, crypto mining, and now AI. Maybe these industries can be enticed to build more near a power source?
There are other industries and companies out there, we need to identify them, decide if they would be a good fit for our county and go after them. It doesn’t hurt or cost anything to ask someone if they would be interested in moving their company to Rio Blanco County. These types of partnerships start with a conversation. You don’t know if you don’t ask.
What are your thoughts on the proposed Wolf Creek Project? What will the water be used for? What economic benefits do you foresee for RBC if the primary access is on the Moffat County side?
There is no question that we need to find ways to get more water storage. I see this as a much larger issue; it isn’t just Rio Blanco, it is the country and the world. Water is life. We are the lucky ones – it starts here.
That being said, my immediate thought is, the jury is still out. The Wolf Creek Project is still, amazingly, in its early stages of the process. There isn’t a final design, there hasn’t been a final working plan built. The Core of Engineers is currently doing a PURPOSE AND NEEDS study and the Bureau of Land Management is working on a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study. There isn’t a real cost of construction; where will that funding come from?
The stored water is meant to be used to help “augment” the future impact of low water flows above and below the proposed reservoir by assisting not only lower valley by mitigating their need to place a call on the upper valley but also the entire Colorado River Drainage. We have seen how the lower basins have been able to effectively drain reservoirs around us (Blue Mesa, Flaming Gorge, Dillon Reservoir, Fontenelle Reservoir). Ultimately, their needs, again, will drive our ability to use the water originating in Rio Blanco County.
From the beginning of the Wolf Creek project in 2013, the access to the reservoir was one of the concerns. When the Town of Meeker gave funding for some of the original, preliminary studies, access was discussed. How, as a Rio Blanco County project, will we be able to see the possible benefits from the public recreation side of a new reservoir? Currently, the only public access will be off Highway 40; Rangely being the closest Rio Blanco County community at nearly 45 minutes of travel. How will our communities benefit as “pass-through“ entities?
On a larger scale, this limited access will be a logistical problem (nightmare?). All infrastructure, all maintenance, all EMS; it will have to access from the north. How long will the Sheriff’s department need to respond to a problem? Who will respond, Rio Blanco County or Moffat County? Who will maintain the roads? Where will the support staff live; I hope in one of OUR communities.
In the end, the economics and feasibility of the project will work themselves out. The questions will have to be answered. The process of public input will be followed.
BUT can’t we start by working out a way to get our hands on the easy water storage? Lake Avery is in the process of being drained for needed repairs; it may be empty for the entire year of 2025? If we combine that with the fact that The Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District has been and is actively pursuing an enlargement to the Avery dam for up to an additional 12,000 acre feet of water storage, doesn’t it make sense to make that happen? This could possibly come together before some of the Wolf Creek studies are even completed. The dam is there, the water is there and there is construction already underway. Again, work sensibly, make the dollars count.
What are your ideas for cost-saving measures in the county’s budget? Where can cuts be made and where do available resources need to be directed.
In my experience with budgeting, there is always somewhere that money can be saved. However, in order to know more, I will need to be in the “seat” and have the opportunity to really see the budget in depth. I will need to spend time seeing and learning how each department works and what it takes to do the tasks at hand. The budget process is lengthy. As I said earlier, I do not want to micro-manage the process. It takes department heads a great deal of time and thought to craft their budget; they know their needs; they know what and how their departments work to do the work that needs to be done. I will be interested to see where there may be opportunities to save money without sacrificing our services to our customers, the Rio Blanco County citizens. Most importantly, we must maintain the ability to keep our employees not only safe but financially sound. Without our support staff, we won’t survive.
I look forward to serving our citizens of Rio Blanco County as the next County Commissioner.
CALLIE SCRITCHFIELD
Background and qualifications:
Early in life I received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. I have been a rancher, cutting and reining horse trainer, high school business teacher, agriculture loan officer, statewide non-profit Executive Director and for the last 13 years, I have been the Executive Director for the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts here in Rio Blanco County. Additionally, I have a consultant business offering facilitation and mediation services.
I have been in public service since 2002. I have 13 years in public service here in RBC. My expertise is: 1) facilitating local input through various committees and groups, then implementing their ideas. 2) Representing the ideas and policies that are developed through these processes. This representation is through engagement at the local, state, and national levels. I have frequently testified at the State legislature, CPW Commission meetings, and on Capitol Hill. I also have significant experience in drafting/submitting comments to influence State and federal decision-making processes where policies are developed that impact our County and rural way of life.
I will use this expertise for the benefit of RBC, making sure local interests are represented and heard in the right place at the right time.
Who do you look to for mentorship and guidance when faced with challenges or needing additional information to make a decision?
This is a critically important question because no one person has all the answers to all the issues that will face a county commissioner. I am an independent person who thinks for myself. I will research facts and reach out to those that have a proven history of collaboration and a reputation for implementation.
Inside the county, I will look to small business owners, various industry leaders, retirees who have expertise, and others with experience and knowledge relative to the issue at hand.
Outside the county, I have many contacts to help me connect with those who have had similar challenges. I will leverage their experience and contacts, combined with local expertise, to improve my knowledge in making decisions that will benefit RBC.
How would you describe your leadership/management style and how do you envision working with other elected officials and county staff as a commissioner?
I have a collaborative leadership style. I listen to and work with those around me to understand their ideas. We brainstorm and build upon what each brings to the table. Based on all input and my individual research, I can determine the best way to move forward. Collaboration brings commitment from all involved so we can find the necessary resources and the right people to implement the final decision.
Working with other elected officials comes naturally to me. I have worked daily with elected officials and staff of large and small organizations for 20+ years. I believe in frequent communications and that dialogue is critical to success. I will continue to have an open-door policy and I am willing to reach out to those that have a stake or interest in any issue we are working on. I have met with nearly every elected County official to learn what their role is and how the County Commissioners can work with them more collaboratively.
The commissioners’ role is policy development and governance. Governance is defined as, “the system by which an organization is controlled and operates, and the mechanisms by which it, and its people, are held accountable.” The County Administrator implements the policies developed by the commissioners and manages the staff. While I welcome interactions with staff, the County Administrator is the manager. I will not interfere with the Administrator’s role because I understand the roles of governance and management.
Conflicts of interest are inevitable in a small community. Please list the top three conflicts of interest you’re aware of that might affect your role as commissioner and how you would handle those situations.
I am not aware of any conflicts of interest that I will have at the start of the commissioner’s term. I am stepping down from my current position as Exec. Director of the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts to be your fulltime commissioner. I will make the county commissioner position my full-time job. Should I have any conflicts of interest, I will certainly abstain from the discussions and the vote on the issue.
Housing availability and affordability has been identified as a problem throughout the county and surrounding areas. Describe the current situation in RBC and share your ideas.
Inflation is a severe problem across the County and across all of Colorado. It is a driving factor of housing affordability. Building costs are skyrocketing so building new homes and remodeling costs are staggering. Availability is also an issue due to the influx of people who have found Rio Blanco County to be where they want to call home.
The County should review their policies every few years to evaluate how the policies are impacting the housing industry due to taxes, fees, restrictions, and/or other barriers to ensure the county is supporting and not hindering local businesses.
The County should be in close communication with the Towns. At times, it maybe appropriate for the County to provide letters or other means of support. It is crucial for the County to support local businesses and not compete with or hinder their ability to meet the needs of the Towns and County.
What do you believe the county’s role should be in assisting the towns and special districts in RBC?
The County is involved with every special district and town through the collection of taxes and distributing those taxes to the respective entity.
I believe the County’s role is to coordinate and collaborate with both towns and the special districts to serve the needs of RBC taxpayers.
How can RBC improve collaboration with the state government in order to leverage funding and grants for projects and programs that benefit RBC residents?
RBC can leverage funding for projects and programs in various ways depending on the issue at hand. My belief is that first, the project/program is developed to best serve the needs of RBC taxpayer, then we look for opportunities to leverage taxpayer funds through grants or other mechanisms.
We must recognize that there are typically strings attached to grants or other government funding. Therefore, it is critical to consider all grants through this lens to ensure we don’t jeopardize our rights, customs, and/or culture.
I will utilize my many years of grant writing experience and robust network across the State to help identify collaborative opportunities with the State and others leveraging project/program funding to serve the needs of RBC taxpayers.
While the possibility for another boom-bust cycle around oil and gas always exists, RBC has known for decades it needs to pursue other sources of revenue for economic stability and growth. What are your ideas?
Recognizing the energy boom-bust cycles, we must continue to fight for the energy industries that are so critical to the County. With the possibility of a natural gas power plant in Northwest Colorado, the County must work closely with the gas industry and power companies to take advantage of the opportunity.
The RBC should review their policies every few years to consider their impacts and benefits on the industry and RBC’s economy.
Diversification is an important strategy for the County to work towards. I believe it is important for the County to develop a strategic plan regarding how the people want the County to look in 20 and 50 years. This plan would guide how we get there, how much and what kind of growth is preferred, and how the County and towns can help guide that growth. Then we should encourage private enterprise to develop accordingly.
As we develop a strategy, we must not only consider the economic impact but also consider our rural and cultural values, safety, health and environment. I will not support any industry that would allow greater access to drugs and would impact our children’s safety.
What are your thoughts on the proposed Wolf Creek Project? What will the water be used for? What economic benefits do you foresee for RBC if the primary access is on the Moffat County side?
Water storage in and for RBC is critical. As we see the climate becoming dryer and more people depending on the available of water, water storage will become even more critical. For these reasons, I will support all water storage projects within RBC that will serve the needs of the RBC citizens. Based on my research, both the proposed Wolf Creek Project and potential expansion of Lake Avery will serve the citizen’s needs. I will work with the RBC citizens to change the conversations from “either/or” to a dialogue that will focus on “and” as we move forward in developing water storage for the County.
What will the water be used for? The Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District’s Judgement and Decree from the District Water Court states: “Use or Proposed Use: municipal use (including but not limited to domestic, irrigation, commercial, and industrial uses) for the Town of Rangely, augmentation (to augment depletions through a future blanket augmentation plan for water users within the District Boundaries and within the Yellow Jacket Water Conservancy District boundaries pursuant to leases or exchanges of water under C.R.S. §37-83-106), mitigation of environmental impacts of the Wolf Creek Reservoir project (“Mitigation”), hydroelectric power generation exercised only in conjunction with releases for other decreed beneficial uses, and in-reservoir uses for recreation, piscatorial, and wildlife habitat.” The Judgement and Decree also notes a new water court application that includes an augmentation source and plan is required for the augmentation use to receive a final decree. This is typical of any augmentation water right and is expected to be finalized by the time the reservoir is built.
After hearing from the public, the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District’s (RBWCD) preferred access to the reservoir is from Highway 64. This access would provide the most economic benefit for RBC and be the least environmentally impactful. Therefore, the RBWCD is working with impacted landowners to secure this access for the benefit of the County and its citizens.
While there are a lot of details to be worked out on any water storage project before it becomes reality, I’m committed to discussing them with anyone and to being transparent in the discussions and on any decisions made by the County.
What are your ideas for cost-saving measures in the county’s budget? Where can cuts be made and where do available resources need to be directed?
This is a great question that most everyone has an opinion on. However, the answer will require a great deal of research and engagement with the community and County staff to make the best decisions. I will follow this upcoming budgeting cycle very closely to be as informed and prepared as possible for the following year. I pledge to do the research and engage with staff to make the most effective and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.