Busy Commissioner Session Highlights71 Hill Solar, Tax Bills

_{by Jodi Linsey}

Hinsdale County Commissioners Greg Levine, Robert Hurd, and Kristie Borchers met at the Coursey Annex on January 21 for their second regular workshop and meeting of the new year. The use of credit cards by certain members of the All Hazards Team created the most buzz during the workshop, along with the state of ice at Lake San Cristobal.
During the open discussion portion of the workshop, Commissioners covered a wide-ranging variety of topics. Borchers praised the transition to Mission2Market, a Denver-based marketing company with experience in tourism, for their work with Kate Hopson to smooth the way into the 2026 marketing contract.
Borchers also congratulated local water watcher Bruce Heath as he takes a seat at the Gunnison Basin Roundtable as the Hinsdale County representative.
She noted that there has been some discussion concerning several of the property tax bills that have the wrong year printed on them. There followed a short discussion on what action can be taken about it, or if any action is warranted.
Commissioner Hurd updated the assemblage about the solar installation at Hill 71, a vital communications link in Hinsdale County, reporting that all inspections are complete and the new meter that can track credits for any energy created is installed. At the February 18 Commissioners meeting, representatives from the solar installer and Gunnison County Electric Assoc. will be present to talk about how solar credits work.
Vol. 48, No. 45 Friday, February 6, 2026 Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado 81235 U.S.P.S. No. 436-630
Levine continued a discussion begun earlier in the workshop concerning the selling of vehicles, in particular Search & Rescue (SAR) vehicles that recently became redundant with the purchase of a new Toyota hybrid. At least one of the older SAR vehicles can be sold, and it was determined that SAR operates under the Sheriff’s Office (SO), meaning that it would be that office that would be responsible for the potential disposal of vehicles.
Commissioner Levine is urging the SO to sell any redundant vehicles to Lake City Fire/Rescue (LCFR) to support a Wildfire Crew. As well as the vehicle made redundant by the SAR purchase, there is also an orphan Wildfire Response Vehicle filled with wildfire fighting gear, stored at the Road and Bridge shop awaiting a home. Hurd suggested any decisions by the SO be delayed until after the election in November, citing that respect for the Sheriff’s Office needs to be considered. Borchers stated that “The wildfire program itself could really make a difference.”
Wrapping up open discussion was a conversation about replacing and adding to signage on county- owned property around Lake San Cristobal, including Wupperman Campground and Red Mountain Gulch Day Use Area, leaving the bulk of the work to Administrative Assistant Davee Menzies and Enforcement Officer Gabe McNeese.
The regular workshop was dominated by talk about Special Event Permits for the Cannibal Snowshoe Scramble and the Ice Fishing Tournament. Ice has been slow to form and grow at Lake San Cristobal, which creates a hazard for these two events planned on the lake surface. As previously reported, Lake City Chamber of Commerce has already cancelled their popular Brewski fundraiser that takes place at the lake.
Hinsdale Search & Rescue’s Ice Fishing Tournament, in particular, is threatened by poor ice because of the popularity of the event and the use of trucks and snowmobiles across the ice, vital for some of the participants. The organizer Seth Withrow has been finding 10 inches of ice and Hurd stated that there should be 20 inches by Valentine’s Day. Hurd adding to the discussion by asking “Is this ice building or not?”

Also meriting an in-depth discussion in the workshop was the topic of credit card use for members of the All-Hazards Team. Emergency Manager Phil Graham joined the conversation via Zoom, explaining that 10-15 members of the team bringing in the highest returns to Hinsdale County are the ones most in need of credit cards. He further explained that he is getting feedback from team members indicating uncertainty with their