The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting opened Monday without public comment. The board jumped right into five property valuation abatement hearings, three of which were resolved in the appellant’s favor due to distinct, clerical errors. County Assessor Jim Yellico and his team denied two requests that did not involve clerical errors. Remember, we’re looking at valuation appeals, which means the owner believes their property has been over-valued, which can increase property tax. But, said Alicia Smith, senior licensed appraiser, “You’re not allowed to protest your taxes. You’re allowed to protest your classification and your value.”
Next up, the consent agenda, which included a letter to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Commission. At its most recent meeting earlier this month, the Commission voted to consider a citizen petition that would ban fur sales in the state. The Center for Biological Diversity, a conservation group, presented the petition, which asks for “an amendment to 2 CCR 406-018” that would “prohibit the commercial sale, barter or trade of wildlife fur in Colorado.”
It does not seek to ban hunting or trapping. “The proposed amendment covers only the for-profit sale of furbearer parts, including hides, pelts, skins, claws and similar items, with limited exemptions, and does not impose any restrictions on the hunting or trapping of furbearers.”
Garfield County Commissioner Perry Will signed a letter on behalf of the BOCC that stated, “The events of [the March 4] meeting made it clear that political considerations are taking precedence over biological expertise,” pointing to how the CPW Commission voted 6-4 to advance the petition despite recommendation for denial from CPW staff and director Laura Clellan.
The letter suggests that the process prior to the vote was “perfunctory” and accuses CPW commissioners Jess Beaulieu and John Emerick of having “clear and substantive conflicts” that could erode the public’s trust.
Will wrote, “Commissioner Beaulieu previously worked for the Center for Biological Diversity” and “Commissioner Emerick is married to Delia Malone, whom he said ‘argued for the petition.’” Long story short, Will wrote that they did not share what he considers conflicts of interest with the CPW Commission, nor did they recuse themselves from the vote.
Commissioner Beaulieu told The Sopris Sun that she has never been employed by the Center for Biological Diversity. “I was an unpaid intern/fellow over nine years ago and conducted research on habitat development issues,” she wrote in an email. “I have never litigated any cases involving the Center for Biological Diversity, and have never represented them as a client. There is no conflict of interest.” She also sent a link to the CPW Commission’s conflict of interest regulations. Commissioner Emerick declined to comment.
In other news, the BOCC, acting as the county Human Services Commission, heard updates from Betty Lucas, executive director of Advocate Safehouse, and Marian McDonough, regional director of Catholic Charities Western Slope. Lucas reported, among other things, that of the 525 domestic violence survivors assisted in 2025, 481 were from Garfield County. Annual funding from the county allows for emergency housing for adults and children.
McDonough reported more than 1,149 people, most of them in Garfield County, were served in 2025, including emergency services and prescription assistance. Over 200 Garfield County residents moved from homelessness to housing.
She added that some immigrants with work visas have been treated unfairly, mainly by landscape contractors who don’t pay. “Contractors know when the visas run out,” she said, “and stop paying [the workers].” Catholic Charities helps with mediation between employers and workers, and makes referrals to other agencies.
Catholic Charities also provides visa and citizenship assistance, and helps immigrants know their rights and how to work with law enforcement. Some immigrants are leaving the area. “They’re nervous and tired of being on-edge,” she said. “Or maybe someone in their family is here without proper documentation and they are going to leave.”
The county Department of Human Services monthly update included a total of $1,140,608 disbursed for food assistance and other government benefits for February.
At one point, the BOCC voiced frustration with the City of Glenwood Springs, stating that the City has failed to file an application for a 1041 permit for the portion of the South Bridge Project that will be on County land. Commissioners directed County Attorney Heather Beattie to draft a final request to the City to file the 1041 application. If the City continues to refuse, the County will file an injunction. “So this is really a motion about procedure in our land use code,” said Jankovsky. “It is not a ‘for-or-against’ the project.”
The BOCC also approved the purchase of trucks for the county Road and Bridge Department and discussed the possibility of leasehold mortgages at the Rifle Garfield County Airport.