MEEKER | After a brief hiatus from their usual schedule, the Rio Blanco County Commissioners returned to regular business last week, holding their meeting in Meeker. All three commissioners were present and began the session with a public comment period. No comments were received in person or online.
The board made several changes to the agenda, adding business item 5S and removing items 5P, 5M, and resolution 6C, before approving the updated agenda and consent agenda without further changes.
The commissioners recessed briefly to convene as the Board of Adjustments, where they considered a resolution regarding a variance request to RV regulations from a property owner at Marvine Creek.
Community Development Administrator Leif Joy explained the request, citing current county regulations established in Resolution 2018-006. These rules limit RV occupancy on private parcels to a maximum of 120 consecutive days between April 1 and Nov. 30.
“The applicant is requesting a variance from that portion of the land use regulations because they want to stay longer throughout the summer,” Joy said. He noted the lot in question is rural, with water and electricity access, and a completed septic system.
“With those three components—along with the RV and a legally created parcel—you could live there full-time in Rio Blanco County,” he said.
The variance would allow year-round RV residency on the property, prompting Commissioner Doug Overton to ask whether the variance would only be there until the septic was completed. Joy clarified that the septic system was already in place and the request was to exceed the 120-day limit permanently.
Overton asked if similar variances had been granted in other areas. Joy responded that a precedent exists along Highway 13 and suggested the county to consider codifying this allowance rather than issuing variances case by case. Joy said the Planning Commission had discussed the idea, and he could present it again for further action.
Commissioner Callie Scritchfield expressed concerns about broader implications.
“I just want to be careful we don’t start having RVs parked around. They need to have sewer, electric, and water. Then you can do this variance, is what I’m hearing,” she said.
Joy confirmed that the variance process applies to parcels under 35 acres. Parcels over that size can potentially accommodate RVs without variances if water and septic systems are in place.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon asked what would happen if the RV left the property during the 120-day period. Joy responded that the variance is tied to the parcel, so the RV could be removed and later returned for extended stays.
County Administrator Vicky Edwards explained the background of the 120-day rule, saying it was initially introduced to prevent year-round occupation due to snow loads and concerns about improper waste disposal.
Following the discussion, the Board of Adjustments approved the RV variance request B00001-25. The commissioners then resumed their regular meeting.
They interviewed Treasa Ellis for the Meeker Chamber Community Investment Committee (MCCIC) board and appointed her immediately following the interview.
Next, Justin Ewing with USDA Wildlife Services gave a quarterly update on wolf activity in the area, including increased presence around South Fork and Williams Fork. He noted growing concerns from livestock producers and said federal protections currently prevent most lethal control measures.
Ewing added that compensation for wolf-caused losses is handled differently than for other predators like coyotes or bears.
“Our best way to help producers is to be sure they call the wolf line, not the bear line,” he said. “The bear line will compensate for the animal but not action costs.”
Overton asked if Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is typically involved in investigations. Ewing said producers often contact him directly, and if the incident involves coyotes or other non-compensable predators, CPW is not always needed.
“If I thought it was a bear or mountain lion, then I’d contact CPW because they’re the ones who ultimately cut the check,” Ewing said.
Overton also asked Ewing how potential federal delisting of wolves—supported by U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd—might affect the state.
Ewing said he didn’t believe delisting would have much immediate effect.
“Even if federal protection ends, wolves are still listed as endangered under Colorado law,” he said. “Unless the legislature or the commission changes the plan, we’re still under those same reintroduction rules.”
Ewing said sheriff’s deputies are receiving training in wildlife conflict investigations, and there is growing interest among producers and agencies in understanding wolf depredation and evidence collection. He warned that producers are increasingly worried about wolf numbers and delayed agency responses.
Later in the meeting, the board considered Resolution 2025-15, a temporary moratorium on establishing natural medicine healing centers or businesses in Rio Blanco County. County Attorney Don Steerman explained that the moratorium was originally proposed for three months but recommended six months to allow time for zoning preparations.
Overton suggested extending the moratorium to one year.
“That doesn’t mean we’ll need the full year, but it gives Leif [Joy] flexibility to work this into his schedule. Other counties are doing the same,” Overton said.
Edwards clarified that the moratorium targets establishments offering psychotropic natural drugs, such as psilocybin, not services like massage or crystal healing.
The board agreed to update the resolution to reflect a one-year moratorium ending May 13, 2026.
To close the public portion of the meeting, commissioners shared recent updates. Overton said he had just returned from vacation, conducted public works candidate interviews, and attended a nuclear summit in Idaho. O’Hearon also attended the summit, calling it “interesting,” while Scritchfield said the key message was, “Oil, gas and coal are not going away—we’re just adding to them.”
The meeting ended with an executive session to discuss the county administrator’s job duties and the expectations of the BOCC. The next BOCC meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 27 in Rangely, Colorado.
