This Sopris Sun interview with Garfield County District 3 commissioner candidate Steven Arauza has been edited for length and clarity. Get to know Samson’s opponent, Republican Mike Samson, here. Why are you running for Garfield County commissioner for District 3?Steven Arauza: The short version is because I believe that Garfield County needs to have more […]
BOCC
Posted inLocal Government
New library trustee announcement prompts backlash against the process
It wasn’t the “who” of the Garfield County library board appointment, it was the “how” that prompted several people to air their grievances against the Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) on Monday, May 6. Library board president Adrian Rippy-Sheehy spoke up after the BOCC announced Myrna Fletchall as the new library trustee. Rippy-Sheehy said her remarks […]
Posted inNews
Commissioners double down on reluctance to aid migrants
The Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) held their first regular meeting of March at the Garfield County Sheriff Annex outside of Rifle. It was a quick meeting — just over an hour long — with one particularly divisive item on the agenda: a resolution declaring Garfield County as a “non-sanctuary” county.Commissioner Mike Samson began by thanking […]
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GarCo Report: National Sheep Finals are back, county raises, more subdivisions
The National Sheepdog Finals (NFS) return to the Strang Ranch on Missouri Heights this month and the Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the liquor license at Tuesday’s meeting, which was delayed due to the Labor Day holiday. Bridget Strang mentioned that the ranch has not hosted the NFS since 2019. She added that it benefits […]
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GarCo Report: Budget Kick-Off #2 and a new weed ordinance
“Sharpen your pencils,” advised Garfield County Commission Chair John Martin after another county budget “kick-off” presentation at Monday’s meeting. County staff are wading into the annual budget process this summer. With two kick-offs under their belts and one more scheduled for August, they seem a little nervous about creating a balanced budget for 2024. And, […]
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GarCo Report: Wholesale greenhouses to cover 95% of light at night, American Stewards of Liberty, Mountain Valley changes
A full agenda greeted the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Monday for the final meeting of the month. The Board heard from citizens in the morning and the afternoon about issues not on the agenda. Richard Bach took time out from work to ask the BOCC to do something about increased taxes that are vexing […]
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GarCo Report: Of property taxes and a new services provider for the county jail
“Affordable housing starts with affordable property taxes,” said Glenwood Springs resident Craig Amichaux at Monday’s regular meeting. Amichaux spoke to the commissioners (BOCC) ahead of the agenda, starting with price increases over the last few years. “Twenty-four percent increase in electricity, 24% increase in lunch meat, 33% in flour, 48% increase on gasoline, and first […]
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GarCo Report: Mental health agency cites social media, isolation as #1 threats for youth
Connecting with others on social media is not the same as connecting in-person, according to Sarah Fedishen, program director for the Aspen Hope Center (AHC). AHC was one of three mental health agencies presenting updates at Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting. “Oxytocin doesn’t happen on social media,” she said. Oxytocin is a hormone linked […]
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GarCo Report: Zoning change for Sunlight Parkway PUD approved
Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) on Monday approved a zoning change for a planned unit development (PUD) on 4 Mile Road about three miles south of Glenwood Springs. Developer Jason Newmann of Sunlight Parkway LLC requested the change to build six duplexes on 8.7 acres at 2808 County Road 117, once the site of a wastewater […]
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GarCo Report: Study shows bald eagles use Eagle Nest Buffer Zone at Aspen Glen, lobbyist talks tough about public lands issues
Bald eagles ruled the roost at Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting. Photos of eaglets in nests, eagles perched in trees, and eagles swooping for fish in the Roaring Fork river accompanied a presentation of the results of a new study by Roaring Fork Audubon of the Eagle Nest Buffer Zone (ENBZ) at Aspen Glen, […]