On leadership
Dear Editor:
Leadership is about the foundation.
There has been some great discussion lately about the many issues facing Rio Blanco County—from energy policy and small business regulations to the “small” bills being pushed at the state level. It’s true that a leader must be aware of the entire landscape, but I believe effective leadership is about knowing where the foundation lies.
In our county, that foundation is water.
I choose to speak about water frequently because it isn’t just one “topic” on a list; it is the common thread that ties all our other industries together:
• Energy: Our oil and gas heritage, and any future energy frontiers, depend entirely on secure and managed water resources.
• Small Business: Our local shops and services thrive when our agricultural and energy sectors are stable.
• Family Heritage: Securing water rights is what allows a ranching family to stay on their land for the next generation.
While state mandates on daily business operations are certainly a concern, I believe my primary duty as a Commissioner is to protect the essential resources that keep our towns viable. By focusing on the “big gears”—like water court, augmentation, and land-use codes—we ensure that our community isn’t just reacting to change, but is prepared for it.
I will continue to offer a deep, technical focus on these issues because that is what Day One readiness requires. I’m not just looking at the challenges ahead; I’m working to solve them from the ground up.
Rooted in experience. Focused on our future.
Travis Day
Candidate for RBC Commissioner
Opponents, not enemies
Dear Editor:
As the county commissioner race heats up, I think it is important to remind everyone that Travis and I are not enemies; we are merely opponents. It is always difficult when two members of the same team compete against each other, but I have no doubt that Travis loves this county as much as I do. I have seen that love firsthand through his dedication to sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation in the ag mechanics program.
One of the reasons I bring this up is that how we view this concept fundamentally alters how we receive and process information.
When we view a race through the lens of enemies, every disagreement feels like an attack, and every difference of opinion looks like a character flaw. It forces people to pick camps and close their minds. But when we view each other as opponents on the same team, a disagreement is just a different perspective on how to solve the same problem. It allows us to actually listen, debate the merits of an idea, and find the best path forward for our county.
At the end of the day, Travis and I likely desire the same outcomes for many of the opportunities and challenges facing Rio Blanco County. We both want to protect our water, we both want to preserve what makes our county unique, and we both want bright opportunities for our children and grandchildren.
Where we differ is simply the toolkit and life experiences we bring to the table. My perspective is uniquely shaped by two distinct halves of my career: my years serving as a pastor, and my 30-plus years in private-sector business management.
My time in ministry taught me a profound understanding of humanity and compassion. It trained me to look at our community through a lens where every single person matters, and everyone’s issues deserve genuine attention. Local government isn’t just about policies; it’s about the people those policies affect. I carry that deep sense of care and accessibility into everything I do.
At the same time, my decades in business have given me the practical tools required to get things done—balancing budgets, navigating logistics, and operating efficiently every single day. Managing a county requires a balance of both: the compassion to listen to every constituent, and the bottom-line problem-solving skills to manage our resources wisely. It is this unique combination of heart and hard work that I offer to the Board of Commissioners.
When the election is final, should the voters choose Travis, I will faithfully continue to serve Rio Blanco County as I have for the past decade. Likewise, I am confident that should I be elected and need Travis’ input on a matter, he would never withhold it to impede progress. I am certain that we will have no problem working together for the betterment of our community in the future—because when it comes to the place we call home, we truly are Better Together.
Respectfully,
Rich Ford
County Commissioner Candidate
Gutierrez thanks voters for support
Dear Editor:
Please accept my sincere gratitude to the more than 1,100 local voters who recently participated in the Eastern Rio Blanco County Health Service District special election — especially the 576 who voted for me. Your support is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to Danette Coulter and Dr. Krueger, and a big thanks to Shawn Bolton for making it a race.
As many of you may know, we lost by four votes and we were one vote short of a mandatory recount. Although any interested party may request a recount at their own expense (estimated at $2,500), this letter can be used to announce I am not interested in paying for a recount but I do want my supporters to know I plan to submit a written grievance to Pam Anderson, the Designated Election Official (DOE), about her appointment of Kim Tedford as one of the election judges.
I also plan to continue to attend monthly meetings, continue to ask questions, and continue to learn more about how our community hospital works and how it can better serve our community. I will also continue to stay involved and advocate for elections in all of our special districts. I love our community, our community hospital, its providers and its people and I will continue to promote the same.
Thanks again, may God bless you, our hospital and our community.
Bobby Gutierrez
Meeker
