RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners added a consent agenda item for a ratification letter of support to John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet on behalf of the Rangely District Hospital for a congressional direct spending request at the start of last week’s regular meeting.
With consent agenda items approved and public hearings scheduled for later in the morning, commissioners moved to business item 4C, appointing a new Director of Human Services attorney. After discussion, the board approved Koy Dingboom LLC of Denver.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon said the county reviewed two qualified candidates before making its decision.
“They [Koy Dingboom LLC] are in Colorado and they have a handful of counties they work with. I went and talked to a couple of those counties to see what kind of work they’ve been doing and if they do their job well,” O’Hearon said.
Commissioners noted the other firm they considered was based out of state, which could have increased travel costs and response times if attorneys were needed in person.
The board approved a funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey for stream gauging on Piceance Creek, Ryan Gulch, Corral Gulch and Yellow Creek totaling $135,676. The agreement is a full pass-through funded by American Soda and Natural Soda.
Commissioners also approved a joint USGS stream gauge funding agreement for the White River, establishing the county’s cost share at $18,695 in partnership with the Town of Meeker, Meeker Sanitation District, Town of Rangely and the Colorado River District.
Later in the meeting, commissioners held several public hearings with County Surveyor Leif Joy.
The board approved five resolutions, including the second amended plat of Mountain View Subdivision. Commissioner Callie Scritchfield left the room during that item due to a personal conflict. Commissioners also approved a request from M&M Real Estate Holdings LLC for an additional dwelling unit and a resolution vacating portions of County Road 77 while accepting dedication of replacement road sections aligned with the road’s physical alignment.
Commissioners also adopted amendments to the county’s 2016 Land Use Regulations, including updates to Article 9 governing oil and gas regulations and Article 8 concerning temporary living quarters.
During public comment, community members raised concerns about aerial pesticide spraying. Steve Coley, a member of the White River Alliance and a local sportsman, said the practice could affect aquatic life.
“We have a belief that aerial spraying affects water conservancies unnecessarily. There might be other methods that might better address the pest problem without affecting our fisheries,” Coley said, adding, “There has also been legislation by state from 2024 that does protect invertebrates,” Coley said. “Parks and Wildlife wants to start doing surveys to address the data gap in our invertebrates. It should be under consideration.”
Another speaker referenced House Bill 24-1117 and broader concerns about ecosystem health.
Following public comment, commissioners entered executive session under Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(e) to determine negotiating positions and strategy regarding contractual negotiations associated with Emergency Watershed Protection projects for County Road 8 and County Road 5.
After returning to open session, commissioners met with Recovery Manager Liz Chandler to discuss the projects. Chandler said the work will focus on clearing debris-clogged culverts along County Road 5 and County Road 8 and ensuring contractors can respond quickly during heavy runoff events. Contractors must be able to reach project sites within an hour if debris blocks the roads.
Commissioners approved awarding the County Road 8 project to Bolton Construction for an amount not to exceed $500,000. The County Road 5 project was awarded to White Construction and Excavation LLC, also for up to $500,000.
Scritchfield said the projects are funded in part through the federal Emergency Watershed Protection program, which covers 75% of the cost, while the state contributes another 12.5%, leaving the county responsible for the remaining 12.5%.
The board also approved several contracts related to noxious weed control. A contract for the Lower White River Pest Control District was awarded to Wild Vegetation Management for up to $40,000, while an aerial spraying contract was awarded to Overland for up to $168,000.
Additional contracts were approved for the Piceance Creek Weed and Pest Control District, including a hand-spraying contract with Osborn Industries for up to $70,000 and an aerial spraying contract with Mountain Air Spraying for up to $75,000.
Commissioner Doug Overton noted the weed districts operate independently and the county serves only as the fiscal agent to process their funding.
Commissioners also approved the purchase of a replacement transport van for the Meeker Streaker service operated through Pioneers Medical Center. The current vehicle, a 2016 model with more than 152,000 miles, has required frequent repairs and is nearing the end of its service life. The replacement vehicle is expected to cost less than $150,000 and could take three to four months to arrive.
The board also approved a recommended list of members for the steering committee of the Northwest Colorado Outdoors Alliance, which will focus on recreation, agriculture and conservation collaboration in Rio Blanco County and Moffat County. The committee will initially include 13 members selected from 35 applicants.
Commissioners also reviewed proposed in-stream flow water rights recommended by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife near Trappers Lake in Garfield County. Because of questions about potential impacts on water management and development, the board opted to table the issue until its next meeting and hold a work session with affected landowners and water experts.
Later in the day, commissioners discussed several pieces of legislation currently being considered at the state Capitol. After hearing updates, they recessed at 12:06 p.m. and reconvened at 1:06 p.m. for a work session with the Road and Bridge Department.
Near the end of the meeting, commissioners provided updates. Overton said he attended Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado legislative meetings, wolf coalition meetings, director meetings and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife meeting in Denver, where he testified.
“I was really disappointed in that whole situation over there,” Overton said. “The CPW commission is in the governor’s and his friends’ back pocket and it’s obvious, very obvious.”
Scritchfield also attended the CPW meeting and testified. O’Hearon attended administrative and Colorado Counties Inc. meetings and participated in discussions with the Colorado Human Services Directors Association regarding potential legislation and regionalization, emphasizing local control.
The meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for March 24 in Rangely at 9 a.m.
