Rio Blanco County is welcoming the new year with temperatures well below freezing. The cold snap is expected to continue until at least Sunday, when a pre-snowstorm warm-up is in the forecast. Photos By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected]
Author: Lucas Turner
County: Disciplinary Actions, DHS, Public Health Update
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS During Tuesday’s work session, Rio Blanco County commissioners discussed making changes to the “Disciplinary Action” section of the county Personnel Policy Handbook. Commissioner Gary Moyer expressed concerns over the current policy, which in some cases does not specify how employees will be disciplined in the event of policy[Read More…]
Water districts prep for extended drought period
RBC | On Nov. 30 Governor Jared Polis sent a “memorandum of drought emergency” to executive directors of state government departments. The memo marks the beginning of phase 3 “full plan activation” of the state’s Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. The memo said “deep and persistent drought conditions” had covered[Read More…]
Oil and gas wastewater spills in the Piceance Basin topped 700K gallons last year
RBC | About twice a week, oil and gas operators in Colorado’s Piceance Basin file “Form 19” also called a Spill/Release Report with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). Nine times out of 10, the spilled substance is a form of hazardous waste byproduct called produced water. For[Read More…]
County Beat: Dec 15 BOCC Regular Meeting
RBC | Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners reviewed supplemental expenditures in the 2020 budget with Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth Tuesday. An additional $1.8 million was spent in 2020, most of which was offset by grant revenues, CARES act expenditures and other sources. An additional $6,930 was moved[Read More…]
County approves 2021 budget
MEEKER | Rio Blanco County Commissioners adopted the 2021 County Budget Tuesday evening during a special meeting. Prior to adoption, Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth presented an overview of the budget, which covers a total of 17 funds and 56 departments. Overall the 2021 budget is decreasing by $6.1[Read More…]
RBC Board of Commissioners Set to Adopt 2021 Budget
RBC | Rio Blanco County’s proposed 2021 budget is set for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. During work session Tuesday the board reviewed the budget with Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth. Overall revenue is projected to increase by $355,772 and expenses by[Read More…]
County Beat: Nov 24 Commissioners Meeting
Editor’s Note: After press time on Tuesday, the CDPHE notified the county that RBC would be moving to yellow status on Nov. 30, rather than red as they had previously indicated. Read our full update at theheraldtimes.com/state-moves-rbc-to-yellow-instead-of-red/rio-blanco-county/ RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners work session Tuesday, Nov. 24 began[Read More…]
ERBM shuts down after staff COVID-19 outbreak
MEEKER | Due to at least two positive COVID-19 cases among ERBM staff members, the Meeker Recreation Center shutdown starting on Tuesday Nov. 17. As a result of the closure, during the Rec District Board Directors meeting Tuesday staff requested guidance from the board about compensating staff who were unable[Read More…]
Commissioners Regular Meeting Nov 17
RBC | In work sessions, the regular board meeting and a Board of Health meeting on Tuesday in Rangely, Commissioner Gary Moyer presided over the meeting while Commission Chair Jeff Rector was quarantined awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test and Commissioner Si Woodruff participated by telephone. Commissioners discussed revisions[Read More…]
County Advertising for Three New & Updated Positions
WORK SESSION: RBC | On Nov. 10 during a work session with Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners, HT staff met the board to address concerns over allegations of misrepresenting information to the public. Editor Niki Turner started by presenting the commissioners with the HT’s Corrections Policy, stating, “if you[Read More…]
The art of falconry
MEEKER | Andy McBride is a 50-year expert in raptor handling and care, and he serves on the board of the California Hawking Club and the Bird of Prey Health Group. He speaks both nationally and internationally on subjects related to birds of prey. This week, in partnership with the[Read More…]


