RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting April 14 in Meeker, with all three commissioners present.
During the public comment period, resident J.H. Sheridan addressed the board regarding term limits for county officials, saying voters already have the ability to remove elected officials.
“I think we have voting every four years, and we can vote people out of office if there’s a problem,” Sheridan said. “Term limits just limit the people who run for office.”
Sheridan also raised concerns about confusion over which county positions are currently term-limited and expressed support for removing term limits entirely.
Resident Rich Ford echoed that sentiment, particularly for positions such as assessor, clerk and recorder, and treasurer.
“These are professional-level positions that require years of training and knowledge,” Ford said. “It’s a disservice to the taxpayer … we end up having them campaigning instead of being able to do their job.”
Commissioners later unanimously approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda, which included March financial reports, departmental reports and several agreements and grant-related items.
The board then held a public hearing on proposed land use regulations for natural healing centers.
Rio Blanco County Surveyor Leif Joy said the regulations are required under state law and address where such facilities may operate within the county.
“A healing center is a location that allows the use of certain substances in a controlled environment,” Joy said, noting that use must occur on-site under supervision.
Commissioner Callie Scritchfield said the issue stems from a statewide ballot initiative that legalized certain psychedelic substances while limiting local governments’ ability to ban such facilities.
Joy said the proposal would allow healing centers in commercial and industrial zones within five miles of a recognized hospital in unincorporated areas of the county.
The planning commission recommended approval in a 5-0 vote.
During the hearing, resident Ed Peck said the county’s role is to ensure safety through regulation rather than prohibition.
“We can’t keep it out, but we can make sure that if they do get here, we have safeguards in place,” Peck said.
Commissioners proposed amendments to the draft regulations before closing the hearing and tabling the decision for up to 30 days. The item is expected to return at the board’s May 5 meeting.
Later in the meeting, commissioners entered executive session under Colorado law to receive legal advice regarding water issues. They returned to open session for updates and additional work sessions.
During a work session, members of the Range Call Rodeo board met with commissioners to discuss planning, operations and future needs for the annual Fourth of July event.
Board president Travis Goodwin and vice president Chevy Moore thanked the county for continued support and use of the fairgrounds, while emphasizing the importance of the event to the community.
Moore said Range Call, established in 1885, is the longest continuously running rodeo in Colorado and remains central to the celebration.
“We want to make sure that we’re meeting the county’s expectations, preserving the history behind all that, and thinking about what we want to be in the future,” Moore said.
Organizers said the event continues to evolve, with additions such as concerts, vendor fairs and family activities. This year’s lineup includes a performance by The Westernaires, a horseback stunt group, along with traditional rodeo events.
Board members also discussed ongoing challenges, including volunteer shortages and the discontinuation of a historical pageant due to lack of staffing and organizational support.
Funding for Range Call comes primarily from sponsorships and ticket sales, with organizers estimating tens of thousands of dollars in annual expenses for rodeo events, concerts and insurance.
County officials noted that in-kind support for the event includes staff time and facility use at the fairgrounds, totaling an estimated several thousand dollars annually.
Safety and emergency preparedness were also discussed, with county staff emphasizing the need for updated event plans and coordination with emergency management officials.
“We’ll need to make sure that we really have that dialed in,” said County Administrator Vicky Edwards.
Organizers said they are working to improve coordination with other community groups and expand activities, particularly for children, though liability and insurance challenges have limited options such as bounce houses.
