The Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) were urged to sign a pledge to protect elections on Monday. Heather Exby, former dean and vice-president of Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus, explained that “pro-democracy groups” have said that Garfield County is an area of concern for the midterms, stating that a small group of Garfield […]
Garfield County
Posted inColumns
‘Holy ballot, Batman!’
Government is a core pillar of society. When choosing our leaders, there is a lot to unpack, and this column is intended to help readers do just that before election day. I was appointed the head of “all things money” by my family a quarter century ago and I’ve been reappointed every year since. If […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: BOCC claims compliance for senior meals
Monday’s Garfield Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting was over almost as soon as it started, but included the approval of an animal care fundraiser, the contention over senior home-delivered meals and more. The meeting was held at the Silt Municipal Building this week. The BOCC gave permission to Journey Home Animal Care Center to […]
Posted inEnvironment
Local land swap update and a bit of history
A land swap in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys is attracting attention across the state. The legislative exchange, known as the Greater Access for Multiple-Use Experiences (GAME) Act, proposed by Congressman Jeff Hurd (R-CD3), must be approved by Congress before any land changes hands. There are a lot of questions swirling about the […]
Posted inLocal Government
‘Privileges have become rights,’ Vallario says of state jail standards
Two of the three commissioners were present for the Monday, Aug. 11, Garfield Board of County Commissioners meeting, with the exception of Commissioner Mike Samson. Dale Whittington, a resident impacted by the flooding on Peach Valley Road, inquired about financial relief. He estimated the cost, including dump fees, would come out to about $20,000. “It’s […]
Posted inLocal Government
Glenwood Springs Mayor Pro-Tem calls for action to stop limestone quarry
Rocky Mountain Industrials (RMI) is one step closer to a new mining plan for the beleaguered limestone quarry just northwest of Glenwood Springs. The quarry sits on a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) parcel in full view of the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. The proposed plan is the third iteration of an application that was […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Land swap, Sweetwater and Spring Valley Ranch
Land-use issues filled this week’s Garfield Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) agenda on Tuesday, beginning with Sweetwater residents against the proposed state park at Sweetwater Lake. They voiced concerns during the public comment period about what they and the land have to lose if the park is approved. When the White River National Forest (WRNF) […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Water, housing study and a new subdivision on the books
Longtime Peach Valley resident Fred Kuersten spoke up about water during the morning public comment period at Monday’s Garfield Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting. “Every week, you see in the paper where the people want to do new subdivisions and tear up farm ground and whatnot,” he began. “And this year it’s been especially […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Land swap on the Roan, keep the Hogback, oil, gas valuations lower than residential
A discussion about the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s (RFTA) Hogback bus route opened Monday’s Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting. During public comments, Rifle resident Rebecca Briesmoore urged the BOCC to support a temporary proposal to fund the Hogback route for the next year or so. Briesmoore said she lives in Rifle for three […]
Posted inLocal Government
Glenwood Report: South Bridge obstacles, debrief on traffic gridlock
Two critical matters related to the push to build the South Bridge over the Roaring Fork River were before Glenwood Springs City Council for their June 18 regular meeting. The first arose from a special executive session meeting between Council and City Attorney Karl Hanlon regarding Garfield County’s legal action last week in District Court […]