Commissioner Perry Will was hailed as King of the Yard at this year’s Garfield County Fair for his 16 fruit-and-vegetable entries. Carla Farrand, county director for the Colorado State University Extension, made the announcement at Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting and told The Sun that the title is based on county fair horticultural entries. “He received first place on five entries, second place on nine entries and third place on two entries,” she said in an email. 

Will told The Sun in an email that he turned down the prize money and told the judges to do something else with it. “Give it to 4-H or buy me a BIGGER RIBBON for next year!!!” he wrote. 

Silt resident Lori Mentink is this year’s Queen of the Yard. 

Farrand presented the annual Garfield County Fair report at Monday’s meeting, which showed that the Demolition Derby drew the largest crowd of all fair events. 

But, let’s back up to the public comments from the beginning of the meeting. 

Ellen Dole talked about the upcoming library board of trus-
tees appointments. Her concern focused on comments from trustee candidate Kristi Gill at recent library board of trustees meetings, including fear that a One World Order of extreme liberals is indoctrinating children, that the Islamic movement is infiltrating the country and that the United States was founded on Jesus Christ and his word. 

Dole acknowledged Gill’s right to an opinion but said Gill’s facts were wrong, that there is no One World Order taking over the country and that the U.S. was not founded on Christianity.  

“Contrary to her comments, the freedom to worship by everyone in the United States, regardless of religious belief or the right not to worship any religion or God, is enshrined by the Framers in our Constitution,” Dole said. “I want to stress that the library’s core values are community, inclusivity, trustworthiness, accountability and service.” 

Dole urged the BOCC to “keep these values in mind” while choosing the new library trustees. The BOCC will announce the trustee appointments for the Silt and at-large seats later in November. 

On to the agenda
Highlights from Monday’s agenda included the fourth quarter discretionary grant awards, an update on the Western Slope Veterans Coalition tiny cottages project in Silt, results of the Sheriff’s Department staffing analysis, the Landfill Methane Mitigation Grant Program and a suggestion from Commissioner Mike Samson to increase the merit pay raise for county employees beyond what is suggested in the draft 2027 county budget.

The fourth quarter discretionary grant requests presented a tough task for the BOCC. Requests totaled more than $67,000 but the fund held only $29,500. The BOCC, however, managed to give money to all who asked for it. 

According to Renelle Lott, Garfield County chief communications officer, the list of awards is as follows: Youthentity and Garfield County Search and Rescue each received $3,000. The Western Slope Veterans Coalition received $2,500. The New Ute Theatre Society, Colorado River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Bookcliffs Arts Center, Free for All Book Fair, KDNK Radio, Mount Sopris Nordic Council (Spring Gulch Nordic Trail System), 

Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program, Glenwood Springs Historical Society, Symphony in the Valley and Glenwood Springs Arts Council each received $2,000. The Roaring Fork Kayaking Club and Girls on the Run each received $500.

The BOCC discussed a draft proposal to change the current discretionary grant program, which is ending after 2026, to the Garfield County Youth Opportunity Grant Program with a yearly funding cap of $50,000.

The Western Slope Veterans Coalition (WSVC) project is through the pre-development phase, WSVC Treasurer John Pettit said. The plan is to build 22 studio cottages, two family units, a community kitchen and gathering spaces on two acres of land in Silt. The plan also includes on-site offices for case management and Veterans Administration providers. “The idea of this is not just to provide housing but to provide wraparound services in the community for our veterans here in this region,” Pettit said. Fundraising efforts are underway to purchase the land.

The BOCC opted not to apply for funding from the state Landfill Methane Mitigation Grant Program by Dec. 1. Instead, the county will wait for three years, in accordance with program mandates, to install methane mitigation equipment, citing risk, costs to the county and potential increase in tipping fees. 

Commissioners and the county public health department began discussion about a possible tax on tobacco products in unincorporated parts of the county.

And, November is now National Native American Heritage Month in Garfield County. The BOCC approved a proclamation requested by the Captain Richard Sopris Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. “I thank you for this Native American Month proclamation to remember all of those who came before us and to remember those who were the stewards of these lands originally,” Chapter Regent Chandra Allred said.