Kicking off the State of the Community Business Luncheon, an event that brings together leaders and community members from across the Colorado River Valley, Erin Hunt, executive director of the Colorado River Valley Chamber, emphasized the importance of the gathering, a tradition that has been part of the organization for decades.

Hunt underscored that the value of the event lies in promoting clarity and communication among different sectors. “Communities benefit when there is transparency, shared understanding and open communication about where things are headed,” she said.

The three-hour meeting took place on Tuesday, Feb. 24, with representatives from Garfield County and the communities of Parachute, Battlement Mesa, Rifle, Silt and New Castle to share key data and updates.

County overview
The first to present was Fred Jarman, Garfield County manager, who provided a general overview of the county. “We are 3,000 square miles big, we are the fourth largest county in the state,” he explained. He added that two-thirds of the county consists of public lands, primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service, leaving roughly 1,000 square miles of private land.

Jarman noted that the county remains the second-largest producer of natural gas in the state and emphasized the importance of expanding fiber broadband connectivity. “The importance of fiber in growing communities … It lifts all sectors, from education to healthcare, public safety, certainly economic development, business growth. This is the highway we want to build so that these great things can happen,” he said.

Airport and wildfire preparedness
Regarding the county airport, Jarman stated that it remains the third busiest in the state for general aviation, with approximately 20,000 flights annually. Through its master plan and business plan, the county aims to secure the airport’s development over the next 20 years, particularly in light of the temporary closure of the Aspen-Pitkin County airport in 2027. “We are trying to make smart decisions to be able to brace for that,” he said.

The airport also plays a critical role in wildfire response. It is home to the state’s center of excellence for advanced aerial firefighting technology, as well as single engine air tankers. During the Lee and Elk fires, which burned nearly 140,000 acres, the airport received Black Hawk helicopters that helped prevent the fires from crossing county lines. The goal, Jarman explained, is to work with the state and federal government to “permanently locate this asset on our airfield.”

Growth and development
In terms of development, Jarman reported that in 2025 the county closed the year with 539 building permits, approaching levels seen before the pandemic. Proposed projects include a development of 1,500 housing units with commercial space and a hotel of up to 150 rooms, as well as the Nutrient Farms PUD, a mixed-use project that would include an RV park, amphitheater and restaurants. Both projects remain in the planning phase.

Community support
Among community initiatives, Jarman highlighted progress in affordable housing, including the groundbreaking of 88 units in Glenwood Springs. He also mentioned the distribution of funds from the statewide opioid settlement: $100,000 to YouthZone and $25,000 to Yampah Mountain High School, resources he described as “critical to serve our youth … for mental health and dependency issues.”

The county is also working with the group Our People/Our Community to strengthen civic engagement and promote clear communication between Spanish- and English-speaking communities.

Public access and capital projects
After 10 years of litigation, the county prevailed in the High Lonesome Ranch vs. BOCC case. Jarman described the outcome as “an enormous win for Garfield County,” as it preserved public access to 50,000 acres of BLM land and 14 miles of County Road 200.

The presentation concluded with a review of capital projects planned for 2026, totaling approximately $13 million. These include improvements at the county jail, such as elevator and security system upgrades, as well as updates at the Garfield County Fairgrounds, including a mobile stage to enhance future community events.

A shared vision for the Valley
Following presentations from the other municipalities, Hunt emphasized, “Each municipality in the Colorado River Valley has its own priorities, projects and challenges, and those differences are meaningful. The detailed presentations allow each community to clearly share what they are working on and where they are headed.”

As a “convener and advocate,” Hunt explained that the Chamber’s mission is to bring the right people together to foster productive conversations and collaborative solutions. “Strong local businesses are essential to a healthy local economy,” she concluded.

For more information about the Colorado River Valley Chamber’s initiatives, visit www.coloradorivervalleychamber.com

Full presentations are available at www.bit.ly/CRVCSOC