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Town Board and County Commissioners Consider Options for Sheriff’s Office IGA

During the joint Town and County Meeting August 13, Town of Lake City staff and Hinsdale County Commissioners’ final item on the meeting’s agenda was to begin negotiations for an Inter-departmental Government Agreement (IGA).Mayor Roberts began the conversation explaining that the former IGA between these entities remained unclear in terms of language used because it had been amended and patched together out of old IGAs, and that it was possibly necessary to ‘wipe the slate clean’ and ‘start from scratch.’Town Manager Lex Mulhall said, “that’s really the first question. Why spend the money on the IGA? Is he [Sheriff Denim Starnes] going to sign an IGA?”Mulhall was referencing an article written by correspondent Gianna Morena in the July 25 issue of Silver World that stated:‘Starnes is frank about the lack of manpower putting long-term planning on the back burner behind more immediate concerns. Nevertheless, he points to modernizing operations and reestablishing a presence in the more remote parts of Hinsdale County, which he feels have been neglected, as areas he hopes to address.One way to narrow his office’s focus may be to allow HCSO’s contract for law enforcement services with the Town of Lake City to expire in December. “I’m going to be either lauded or hated for what I decide to do with this contract. But the longer I think about this, the more and more I’m becoming convinced that the Town of Lake City needs to have its own marshal’s office so that the sheriff’s office can actually do its job out in the county.” [said Starnes.]Incorporated towns in Colorado have a statutory duty to provide police service. While many sheriffs provide municipal services under contract, they are not obligated to do so. The administrative and financial costs to the town for standing up its own police force would be substantial.’Starnes was not present at the August 13 meeting,(nor was Commissioner Greg Levine, who had attended the meeting earlier but needed to leave mid-meeting), and Mulhall said, “without the Sheriff being here…we can have our attorneys work on details such as liability language in there, what the costs potentially would be in 2026 and beyond, but what we really need to do is circle back, get the Sheriff in a room in a mutual understanding between all boards, that is really key at first, so maybe we need to wait until that happens before we dig into this.”County Administrator Sandy Hines said, “I think we all know for many years, that idea of the Town potentially looking at another way has come up over and over. I think it’s possible that Sheriff Starnes may have heard those conversations or may have heard over time alternate ideas. But nothing official has happened.”Mayor Roberts said, “why I want to talk about this while we’re all together, there has been some muddy water over this but I want to make it clear, the trustees did not wake up one day and say ‘we’re cancelling the IGA’ or anything like that.”Commissioner Kristie Borchers said, “I think one of the first things we need to hammer out is that there is a difference in legal opinion between the Town and County attorneys regarding what a County is required to provide a town with law enforcement. I think that would be first on our list, because that then drives the money. Also, I wanted to bring up this idea of one person assigned to the Town. The reason that came up was a way to evaluate costs, only. That was Sheriff Kambish, he thought that was the way to figure out costs, but maybe its not. The idea is, how is it equitable to split what the Sheriff is doing within the Town as opposed to what he does in the County. Even though that is how it is written, I think we just tend to think that we have to sign it for three years, and it happens again and again. Now we have a couple months. I think now you have this opportunity where our attorneys can collaborate and we can come up with a better agreement. The IGA has been cobbled together for so long, now it’s time to think about best practice models and come up with something better. ”Town Attorney Dan Krob spoke up, saying, “I just wanted to say a couple of things. You guys are all there doing public service, you’re all there for the community, whether that’s people in unincorporated Hinsdale County, or in the Town of Lake City, you’re all there on the same team. Like Commissioner Borchers said, that IGA has probably been hacked together over longer than I’ve been practicing law. I do think you would all benefit to sit down and figure out what exactly you want and what your priorities are. It might be time to wipe the slate clean and start with a new IGA if you guys want to do that. I’ve seen a lot of collaboration between you [two boards]. which is one of the reasons I enjoy being down there, and we can make this work easy and simple. There’s been enough rumors flying around that I think it would be beneficial to sit down with the Sheriff and find out what is his position, what does he want to do, and go from there.”

August 23, 2025 No Comments

Early Childcare, EMS, Search & Rescue Considered for Lodging Tax Increase

Hinsdale County Commissioners are narrowing their focus on specific ballot language for multiple questions to be put before county voters this November. At their morning workshop Wednesday this week, Commissioners Borchers, Levine, and Hurd discussed at length specifics of a proposed lodging tax increase of up to four percent.During informal discussion, it was repeatedly stated that a three percent lodging tax increase may be more amenable to county voters and thus have a better chance for passage. Hinsdale County currently has a two percent lodging tax for marketing but new state legislation expands the parameters on how the tax may be used — adding medical services, early childcare, and affordable housing to the mix — for a maximum of up to six percent.Although the discussion is ongoing and will be continued at the county board’s Wednesday, August 6, workshop, the three commissioners have apparently reached concensus on seeking voter approval for a one percent lodging tax increase for both Hinsdale County Search & Rescue and Early Childcare.Still up for discussion at the urging of Commissioner Levine is whether ballot language will include either a one or two percent lodging tax increase for Hinsdale County Emergency Medical Services.Based on 2024 lodging tax revenues, one percent equates to $66,343. Earlier in workshop, both Commissioners Hurd and Borchers had indicated support for a one percent lodging tax increase for EMS, although Commissioner Levine was adamant that Hinsdale EMS — which annually receives a substantial financial subsidy from the county — is “financially strained” and, depending on further discussion, may warrant two percent of lodging tax revenues equating to roughly $130,000 on an annual basis.“I worry about EMS a lot,” said Levine, noting on that on consecutive days last month the county’s EMS team received five calls, all before 6 a.m.He emphasized, “a lot is being put on them.”Commissioners Borchers and Hurd reiterated their unequivocal support for “sustainable funding” for all emergency providers, Commissioner Hurd adding his view that in future revenues from the revamped All Hazards Team Program may be able to provide greater financial support to emergency services.A slight modification in Wednesday’s discussion on ballot wording for proposed lodging tax increases — and different from what has previously been reported — is that Lake City Area Medical Center is, at the medical board’s request, now out of the mix in terms of seeking a portion of lodging tax revenues.Medical Center funding through lodging tax was complicated by the fact the health service district is already a taxing district and any portion of lodging tax revenues would necessarily go to the county and be apportioned at the county board’s discretion.In a letter to commissioners from health services board of directors, it is stated that they now wish to be removed from further consideration for lodging tax revenues, commissioners surmising that “most likely,” said Levine, the health services district “will go for a sales tax increase in the near future.”Medical center’s withdrawal from consideration for revenues from an added county lodging tax mirrors Lake City Area Fire Protection District which had initially expressed an interest in lodging tax revenues but later concluded to formulate its own fall, 2025, ballot question seeking a county sales tax increase specifically benefiting the fire district.At the fire district’s meeting Tuesday evening this week, directors finalized plans to seek a 1.25 percent sales tax increase which, with voter approval this fall, would be collected by businesses within the fire district’s boundaries roughly estimated at about $425,000, according to fire district secretary Michelle Pierce. The revenue, in part, Pierce adds, is necessary due to recent determination that the district must hire a fire marshal in order to enforce fire code.Also at Wednesday’s county board workshop and meeting, Lake City resident Ingrid Burnett was formally appointed as the county’s representative on the joint Hinsdale/Mineral County Silver Thread Public Health District. Each county board is allowed two positions on the health board, two Mineral County Commissioners serving on the board and Levine the sole county commissioner from Hinsdale County. Burnett will now represent the county as the second Hinsdale County representative.At start of open discussion prior to start of workshop and regular meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Borchers uncharacteristically volunteered first in line with a detailed, point by point response to an anonymous letter which has been received critical of the county.Depending on space restrictions, WORLD plans to preprint Borcher’s rebuttal verbatim, although in this abbreviated mention she methodically addressed points in the unsigned letter which included a perceived need for greater financial oversight of the county board, additional details on the now revamped All Hazards Team Program which included Borchers’ acknowledgment that $1.25-million paid by the county as part of the program was ultimately not reimbursed by State of Colorado as the result of unintentional incorrect billing; and the demand in the anonymous letter for greater transparency, including financial and lease/purchase details, on the ongoing construction of the county’s new administration building adjoining Hinsdale County Courthouse on Henson Street.Fellow Commissioners Levine and Hurd concurred with Borchers’ detailed rebuttal of the anonymous letter, Hurd thanking Borchers for compiling the information and emphatically stating “nothing is hidden,” while Commissioner Levine described Borchers’ summation as “very succinct and complete.” Levine continued, noting “the truth is the truth” and inviting and welcoming members of the public to personally attend meetings of the county board — or listen to audio recordings of the board’s meeting — in preference to drafting unsigned letters.Again during open discussion portion of the commissioners’ July 30 meeting, Commissioner Hurd expressed his frustration with ongoing mandatory $8 day use fees required in order to visit Deer Creek Lakes on the Upper Cebolla. Hurd indicated particular outrage at what he termed “aggressive behavior” on the part of the Forest Service facility’s on-site managers which now extends, he said, to placing paper tickets on the windshields of parked vehicles.Commissioners met earlier last month with Forest Service Supervisor Dale Funka who indicated that the decision to impose a charge at the popular fishing and moose-watching

August 1, 2025 No Comments

Recreational Improvements Unveiled to Public Ahead of 2025 Summer Season

Major public recreational improvements are being unveiled to the public at the start of the 2025 summer season, including Hinsdale County’s new ADA accessible fishing pier at Lake San Cristobal Peninsula Park and — for the first time since 2021 — the inaugural reopening of Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests’ Deer Lakes on Slumgullion Pass.Although unrelated, both projects received significant funding through Colorado Parks & Wildlife, $150,000 funding through Parks & Wildlife’s Fishing is Fun Program with 25 percent local match enabling the county to proceed with its long-envisioned EZDock railed walkway and pier which is now open at Peninsula Park.With county match, total cost of the new fishing pier aggregates $193,925 which includes $165,925 paid to the EZDock firm, $3,500 to Ediger Construction, $21,525.45 to Hinsdale Road & Bridge for site work and installation last fall and this spring, and $2,282.80 materials, together with $510.60 administration costs.With mixed reviews and an earful to Hinsdale County Commissioners, Gunnison National Forest has also now unveiled both fishing lakes and adjacent Forest Service campground at Deer Lakes which has been closed since a washout of the complex’s uppermost lake in June, 2021.Funding for GMUG’s refurbishment at Deer Lakes totals in excess of $1.5-million and includes $400,000 from Colorado Parks & Wildlife for rock rip-rap reinforcement and other improvements — including easily accessed ADA fishing pier — at the fishing lakes, as well as a $1-million federal Great America Outdoors Act grant to the Forest Service for a major overall and expansion of the adjacent campground.A caveat to this season’s inaugural Deer Lakes Campground opening is widespread public outrage referenced during county commissioners’ open discussion at the Wednesday morning, June 4, meeting resulting from realization that Forest Service concessionaires at the popular campground are now charging a day-use fee for parking.A popular summer fishing destination since Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce built the lakes on Forest Service ground on the upper Cebolla side of Slumgullion Pass in 1954, the newly implemented day-use fee for both fishing and parking at the campground impacts not only fishermen but also wildlife-watchers, in particular locals and visitors who frequent the lakes to catch sight of moose.In addition to the new day-use fee for parking at Deer Lakes, a new $18-per-night charge has been implemented for overnight camping, reflecting upgrades completed by Forest Service contractor Mike Davis & Sons, Grand Junction, last fall which increased designated trailer and tent camping from 11 to 13 spaces, three new double-vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof food storage lockers.In the wake of critical comments during last week’s open discussion — Commissioner Hurd reflecting he has been contacted by 40 or more “highly upset” people — Hinsdale Administrator Sandy Hines issued a press release on June 5 reiterating that the campground concessionaire at both Deer Lakes and the upper Lake Fork’s William Creek Campground is contracted to RRM — Recreation Resource Management of America.In the county’s press release, Hines states the newly instigated day-use fee at Deer Lakes is $8, “allowing people to park at the day use area to use the facilities such as the restroom, picnic tables, throw trash away, hike the trails, and fish. If folks want to just picnic in a campsite for up to two hours, then they will charge them $6.” “There will be a drop box for people to pay, and there is a host on site as well.”On behalf of the Forest Service, Hinsdale County also advises that RRM, the campground concessionaire, is offering an inaugural, first-year season pass for $50 which increases to $100 per year for subsequent years.Members of the public with additional questions on the newly implemented day-use charge are advised to contact the GMUG’s Delta, Colorado, office, 970-874-6600, or the Forest Service’s Gunnison office, 970-641-0471.At open discussion on June 4, Hinsdale Commissioners Levine and Hurd indicated they had been “blindsided” by the decision to require a day-use charge at Deer Lakes, Commissioner Hurd declaring there “is no way” fishermen — who have already paid for a fishing license — should be assessed a further charge for using public lands. Hurd stated he had conferred with GMUG Supervisor Dale Funka who indicated the decision to implement a day-use charge was the result of a decision further up in the government echelon.Both Hurd and Levine indicated they would like to revisit the day-use charge in advance of next summer, both men expressing the hope that a no-charge solution might be reached next year.Commissioner Borchers stated that in her view the bulk of the money used for the campground refurbishment came from federal sources. “The Forest Service spent a ton of money,” according to Borchers, while minimal funding was required from Hinsdale County. Commissioner Levine countered that the county has funded some signage at Deer Lakes, in addition to being “big proponents and heavy advocates” for the enhancement project at both the lakes and campground.By way of background, Deer Lakes on Forest Service land began in 1954 as the brainchild of Hinsdale County Chamber of Commerce with the goal of expanding fishing opportunities in the region. Volunteers from the chamber used heavy equipment to construct a series of four lakes, funding coming from private individuals who donated cash in return for the lakes being named for the donors.Routed wooden signs on display at Hinsdale County Museum recall the lakes’ early names, including Lake Hildegarde for Hildegarde Wupperman, together with lakes named for Emory Carper, Slug Stewart, and Art Weaver. Although located on Forest Service property, Colorado Parks & Wildlife historically maintained and regularly stocked the increasingly popular lakes after it was determined it was not legal to post signs naming each of the lakes on public lands.Beaver activity, together with the heavy tread of moose was cited as the reason for an unexpected breach of the top lake on June 27, 2021. As initially engineered, the top lake fed in succession on descending levels through Deer Lakes Nos. 2, 3, and 4, although as a result of the

June 20, 2025 No Comments

Snow Showers, Elevated Spirits at Long-Awaited Groundbreaking…

After decades of discussion and faltered plans, Hinsdale County Commissioners, staff, and Sheriff’s Office personnel have broken ground on the 6,000-square foot Operations Building which is being built directly south of Hinsdale County Courthouse at the corner of 4th and Henson Street.Ground breaking in advance of this week’s start of work by contractor Buildings-by-Design and excavation subcontractor — additional photos, page 5— took place last Tuesday afternoon, May 7, with commemorative hardhats and diminutive gold-painted shovels in the midst of a spring snow shower.Pictured left to right are County Finance Officer Lynn McNitt, Administrative Assistant Davee Menzies, County Administrator Sandy Hines, Building Official Gabe McNeese, Dana Hlavac on behalf of Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Hinsdale Commissioners Robert Hurd, Greg Levine and Kristie Borchers, Hinsdale Sheriff’s Department Administrative Assistant Bobbi Vickers McDonald, and Hinsdale County Sheriff Denim Starnes. Cole Zwesler, a travel tech working with Montrose-based Alpine Archaeology — standing, far left — is monitoring subsurface excavations at the site of the new County Operations Building on Henson Street.Zwesler is keeping an eye out for remnants of the old county jail building which burned in 1946 — pictured below left at the site location from a 1902 Sanborn Insurance Map — together with another now vanished frame building at the site, identified below as an assay office, which was originally occupied as a library started by Rev. George Darley in 1877, and later briefly used as a hospital.

May 15, 2025 No Comments

Town, County OHV Regs, Hours of Operation in Advance of Busy Season

Hinsdale Commissioners at their Wednesday, May 7, meeting briefly discussed the county’s amended ordinance addressing increased safety fines, mandatory spark arrestors, and hours of operation for Off Highway Vehicles on county roads.As previously reported, the county’s annual Colorado Dept. of Transportation program allowing OHVs on the portion of State Highway 149 from the Lake Turnoff at CR30 south to and through the Town of Lake City once again commences the first Friday before Fathers’ Day – this year Friday, June 13 – and continues through September.In their amended ordinance, commissioners are enacting increased OHV fines for safety violations and, as a fire precaution, are mirroring State of Colorado’s requirement that OHVs are equipped with spark arrestors.In addition to the four-mile section of Highway 149 through town, OHVs are allowed on all county roads in unincorporated portions of the county at all times, although new this year and in effect from May 25, seasonal hours of operation June 1 – September 30 are limited to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.Town of Lake City is in process of adopting similar mandatory hours of operation for OHVs on all town streets.Elsewhere during last Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioners Borchers, Hurd, and Levine heard an update on spring runoff outflow from Lake San Cristobal and lake outlet gates that are gradually being lowered as runoff peaks.Commissioner Levine reported on a whirl of activity at Lake San Cristobal Peninsula Park which includes work on the summit of the peninsula for the Ben Brownlee Memorial with engraved rails, Terry Klug’s new lockable gate regulating access to the county boat dock ramp per the invasive aquatic species program, and installation of the county’s new disability-accessible fishing pier that is scheduled May 21.Commissioner Borchers, who will address crowds attending the annual Memorial Day Veterans’ Service on May 26, updated her fellow commissioners that engraving is scheduled updating the Veterans’ Park Memorial with the names Paul Olson, Martin Franz, David Flynt, Robert Case, Denis Cox, and R.S. Scott.In announcing First Responder Appreciation Week this week, Borchers expressed gratitude to the local EMS team, reciting the following list: Brad Jones, Paramedic; Amanda Hartman, AEMT; Dan Humphreys, AEMT; Rachel Moore, EMT-IV; Melody Crump, EMT-IV; Leslie Nichols, EMT-IV; Katherine Heidt, EMT; Richard Williams, EMT; Kelly Elkins, EMT; Danny Oge’, EMT; Sarah DeCristino, EMT; Grant Loper, EMT; Lorie Stewart, Driver; Tom Arnold, Driver; Jenn Pierce, Driver; Lydia McNeese, Driver; Jerry Johnson, Driver; Daniel Bernat, Driver; and Sarah Moody, Driver.Borchers also announced that the county has competitively been awarded a no-match $1,100 grant from Sea Tow Foundation as part of a loaner life jacket program.Thirty loaner life jackets in bright yellow hue, together with applicable information on the life-saving importance of wearing a life jacket for lake water recreation, will be available from a metal stand which will be displayed at the county board dock starting this summer. The life jackets — in sizes infant, child, youth, adult, and adult extra large — are described by Borchers as part of a “great proactive project” and were timed for arrival in advance of National Safe Boating Week May 17-23.Intense discussion ultimately leading to an apparent difference of opinion at the Commissioners’ May 7 meeting revolved around disappointing results from this year’s Secure Rural Schools appropriation from the U.S. Forest Service.Last year’s SRS funding appropriation, which the county split with Hinsdale County School District, amounted to a hefty $276,353 of which half, $138,176, went to Hinsdale County School District and the county’s half, $138,176, allotted to Hinsdale County Road & Bridge Dept.A proverbial wrench in the budgeting works for both county and school, however, is the fact SRS legislation expired in 2024 and has not to this point been reauthorized by Congress.In lieu of SRS, the 1908 Act for apportionment of FS funds — for Hinsdale County, primarily receipts from logging on FS land and concessionaire payments from FS Campgrounds — is in effect and results in a dramatically reduced financial payment to the county.Instead of $290,000 which was budgeted in 2025, the county has in fact received just $88,503. Under the old SRS, Hinsdale County had already agreed to split the amount evenly with Hinsdale School District, but the 1908 Act allows distribution at the county’s discretion with a minimum 25 percent to the school.A lively discussion ensued with Commissioner Hurd strenuously advocating that 75 percent FS funds should be retained by the county and apportioned entirely to Hinsdale County Road & Bridge, Hurd describing funding for the county’s Road & Bridge Dept. as “dire” and “extremely hard for them to function without this money.”A formal vote on the 1908 F.S. funds will come in the form of a resolution at the county board’s next meeting, Commissioners Levine and Borchers expressing their preference to continue the 50-50 split with the school despite the lesser amount.

May 15, 2025 No Comments

Assessment Sees Dramatic Increase in Property Values

Property owners throughout the state, including Hinsdale County, received a jolt last week after reading the state-mandated 2025 reappraisal communique from their local assessor.Hinsdale County Assessor Sherri Boyce and her deputy, ad valorem appraiser Sarah Tubbs, were matter of fact in their presentation to Hinsdale County Commissioners last week, the knowledgable duo alerting the county board that in their role as Board of Equalization they should be prepared for a larger than usual number of protests arguing against the new valuations.The protest period for this year’s property value appraisal began last Friday, May 2, and extends to Monday June 9.Referencing the significant increase in property values at all levels — residential, commercial, vacant land, and mining claims — Commissioner Hurd was understated, acknowledging, “it’s hard to make that a positive spin.”Property owners who have now recovered from the initial shock will readily realize that property values at all levels in the county have significantly increased, in part because the state mandated odd year reappraisal was laser focused, “aiming to be bullseye accurate,” as described by Deputy Assessor Sarah Tubbs, in valuing property based on comparable neighborhood sales which occurred from July 1, 2022, all of 2023, and up to June 30, 2024.Tubbs told commissioners that based on sales, there was a “big market jump” between 2019 and 2022.Hinsdale’s last reappraisal in 2023 based property values “conservatively,” according to Tubbs, which was remedied in this year’s appraisal.Sales of comparable properties in 2022, 2023 and the first half of 2024 provided sufficient data for the county reappraisal as a whole, according to the assessor office staff, although in specific neighborhoods with insufficient data, comparable sales were reviewed in six-month increments as far back as 2019.State-wide, including Hinsdale, this year’s re-appraisal reflects a tremendous sales market — and corresponding increase in values — for vacant land and mining claims.Added to the mix, and a jaw-dropper for homeowners, was an automatic $55,000 increase in residential values this year as the result of expiration of the state legislature’s Taxpayer Relief Bill which has now ended but was in effect in 2023 and 2024 aiding homeowners with an automatic reduction of $55,000 in home value.Distantly and unfortunately not in 2025, there is a glimmer of good news property tax-wise on the horizon. For armed service veterans and seniors over age 65, the Homestead Senior Exemption remains in effect now and in 2026, allowing a 50 percent reduction in the first $200,000 valuation of the taxpayer’s principal residence.And while the Taxpayer Relief Bill has now expired, Assessor Boyce says that starting in 2026 — not 2025 — homeowners will receive an automatic $70,000 reduction in property valuation.Asked for specifics, the Hinsdale Assessor Office duo stated that for taxing districts other than schools, the residential assessment rates drop from 6.7 percent in 2024 to between 6.15 and 6.25 percent in 2025 depending on a complex state-wide growth ratio; for school districts — again based on state growth — the residential assessment percent will range from 6.95 percent if state growth is over five percent, to 7.05 percent if state growth is less than five percent.For commercial, vacant and all other properties, the rate goes from 27.9 percent in 2024 to 27 percent in 2025.On a positive note, audience member Arlene Gonzales, newly-appointed member of Hinsdale County Planning Commission, extended congratulations to County Commissioners and Hinsdale Assessor Office staff for the new GIS site which, according to Gonzales, “is now live and, in addition to transparency, is a clear benefit to taxpayers.”As an example, Gonzales said the county’s GIS website aids the planning board and serves as a boost “removing potential friction” in interactions between financial institutions and landowners wishing to obtain a loan.The new GIS site, according to Gonzales, “is cause for celebration.”The site’s address is https:///.hinsdalecounty.colorado.gov/.assessors-officeThe site enables property owners to get an estimate of the location of property lines and is of use to emergency responders wishing to access homeowner information in the event of an emergency.Other plusses are to hunters and hikers desiring a better idea of the location of public and private lands; real estate professionals such as realtors, appraisers, and insurance agents can get a better idea of location and topography before site visits; and construction and utility contractors for a better understanding of property lines.A caveat with the GIS site is that it is not intended to replace the need for a professional plat or survey. Boundary lines are not pin-point accurate but are useful in furnishing a visual estimate.

May 9, 2025 No Comments

All-Hazard Fund Reimbursement to be Paid by State

There was an audible sigh of relief prior to the start of Hinsdale County Commissioners’ Wednesday, April 9, meeting with announcement by County Finance Officer Lynn McNitt that long-awaited reimbursement funds are being paid by State of Colorado.As previously reported, the county’s financial reserves were severely depleted as the result of a lag in reimbursement payments from the state based on the county’s All-Hazards Team Program. Under terms of the program, the county retains an administrative fee and is reimbursed for up-front costs, including salaries and related expenses of personnel who are deployed to wildfire emergencies throughout the U.S.Under terms of the sponsorship contract, Hinsdale County retains its administrative percentage — amounting to $2.4-million since the start of the program as of February 2025 — and then is promptly repaid for upfront costs, typically within 60 days.The financial rub, however and consequent depletion of county reserves, began in June last year when reimbursements from the state slowed to a truckle.Commissioners engaged legal counsel and scheduled several executive sessions as they conferred with County Attorney Michael O’Loughlin and private counsel on a strategy to obtain delinquent payment to refill county coffers. County Finance Officer Lynn McNitt is typically demure in her financial reporting but at the county board’s meeting last Wednesday bordered on the giddy as she told Commissioners Borchers, Hurd, and Levine that state reimbursement checks for the All-Hazard Team repayments will begin to flow as early as this week.A total of $3,925,783 in documented paid All-Hazard Team expenses is owed to the county by the state. In financial terms, McNitt explained to commissioners that the total amount owed to the county is separated into five separate categories based on review and approval for repayment through the state’s Division of Fire Protection & Control.As of Wednesday last week and expected in hand on Monday this week, McNitt says $837,665.25 has been approved for repayment, “but the state has been working on our invoices and updating the payments.”A second phase of the repayment schedule, as explained by McNitt is the “eligibility checker” in which an additional $2.5-million in owed funding is set to be repaid “within the next few weeks.”Additionally, according to McNitt, and foreseen slightly further down the line, is an additional$235,674 to be paid to the county by the state which is “coded in-process for approval”, and — finally — a further reimbursement payment amounting to$253,037 which is in the state’s payment system but not yet approved.State payment of the reimbursement funds may have an impact on the county’s hoped-for 2025 start of construction on the long-awaited County Operations Center which was reported at length in last week’s WORLD. Reported in last week’s edition of the newspaper was a lengthy discussion on interest rates and repayment schedule if the county seeks interim funding for the $4.3-million operations center which includes $1-million from Hinsdale County.A planned meeting between the commissioners and financial representatives Kutak Rock and Piper Sandler & Co., originally scheduled this Friday has now been moved to a special meeting on Wednesday, April 23.In other agenda items at the county board’s workshop and regular meeting on April 9, commissioners were unanimous as they reluctantly voted to more than double the per-yard transfer station charge for tree limbs and slash.For years the county has utilized a drastically reduced, money-losing per yardage fee for tree debris as a wildfire mitigation incentive for landowners in the county.Without financial assistance from either Town of Lake City or a succession of state fire prevention grants (which were denied), Commissioners will now increase the per-yard transfer station fee from. $6.10 to $12.75 effective May 1.Tree limb and slash disposal at the transfer station — although viewed by the county as a pro-active incentive against wildfire — has become an increasingly costly proposition requiring an annual subsidy from the county. Slash and debris were collected at the transfer station, and the county in turn rented an industrial-grade tub grinder to transform the natural timber into mounds of chips for landscaping and soil stabilization.Even the grinding process proved a challenge, however, with added expense one year when the grinder was inadvertently damaged and required repair. Disposal of the increasing mounds of pulverized wood was also slow, with a suggestion from Road & Bridge Supervisor Don Menzies earlier this year to budget for trucking the chips to the landfill in Gunnison.In 2021, according to Finance Officer Lynn McNitt, total revenue based on the county’s moderate per-yard fee for organic materials amount to $7,066, while expenses for rendering the organic material amounted to $24,688; similar discrepancies between revenues and outgo for tree debris was noted in 2022, income $8,000, expense $24,315; 2023, revenue $9,469, outgo $38,834 with grinder repair; and 2024, income $11,342.85 and expense $23,350.58.The move to immediately increase fees on organic material came with regret, Commissioner Hurd expressing his view “we can no longer subsidize the program to this extent; we must cover ourselves,” and Commissioner Levine concurring, “we’ve got to cover ourselves.”During open discussion last Wednesday, Commissioner Hurd said he has spoken with local Colorado Parks & Wildlife wolf reintroduction expert Max Morton with confirmation that a traveling wolf with radio collar has been confirmed 10 miles south of Blue Mesa Reservor. The solo animal is apparently a “great traveler,” according to Hurd, since this same animal has also reported in such diverse areas of the state as Eisenhower Tunnel at I-170, the Grand Junction area, and Salida.Possible modifications to the county’s yet-to-be passed amended OHV Ordinance will be on the Commissioners’ meeting agenda Wednesday, April The ordinance calls for hours of OHV use to be limited to between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Both Commissioners Hurd and Levine are now expressing concern over the hours of operation, Hurd saying he would be in favor of an extended time “cut out” for hunters using OHVs in the fall and Levine noting he is receiving phone calls from concerned constituents. Levine stated “we might want to yank the time limit entirely,” Commissioner Borchers countering that she,

April 17, 2025 No Comments

OHVs, Liquor License, EMS Fee Increase at Lengthy County Meeting

During open discussion and a two-hour workshop, followed by half-hour meeting last Wednesday, April 2, Hinsdale Commissioners covered a myriad of topics including formally increasing safety-related OHV infractions to $300, requisite spark arrestors and reflects Town of Lake City’s lead in mandating hours of OHV operation on public roads in unincorporated areas of the county from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. effective May 5, 2025.Simmering dissension also marked the board’s workshop discussion on wording and timing for a county OHV ballot initiative, and prior to the three-member board’s unanimous approval concerns which were expressed during normally routine renewal of a Wade’s Addition liquor license.Topping the April 2 meeting agenda was formal approval appointing Lori Hanko as successor to recently resigned Hinsdale County Treasurer & Public Trustee Lori Lawrence. Hanko, who was Deputy Treasurer, was recommended in Lawrence’s March 17 resignation letter.During the workshop portion of Wednesday’s meeting, EMS Director Katherine Heidt advised Commissioners on an impending incremental three-year increase in Emergency Medical Service rates, the first since 2015, based on charges for comparable emergency services in neighboring areas.Under the incremental three-year plan starting this year and extending through 2027, the rate for BLS (Basic Life Support) transport increases from $900 to $1,400 in 2025 and then respectively $1,650 and $1,900 in 2026 and 2027. For ALS (Advanced Life Support), $1,200 since 2015, the new rate is $1,700 2025, $1,900 2026, and $2,200 2027.One-way ambulance ground mileage — for instance from Lake City to Gunnison Valley Hospital — increases from $24 currently per mile to $31 per mile 2025, $33/mile 2026, and $35/mile 2027.Modest one-time charges for specific supplies, as explained by Heidt, will see an increase from $45 current to $50 new rate for oxygen supplies; heart monitoring goes from $65 now to $75; ALS IV drug administration, $65 to $75; ALS and BLS routine disposables, $100 to new $150 rate.Heidt emphasized to Commissioners that the new EMS rates are the result of a calculated study last September by a team of EMS professional from throughout Colorado as part of a state-funded consultative visit. The upshot from that study, according to Heidt, was the suggestion for improved financial stability through a review and update of Hinsdale EMS rates.Heidt furnishes the chart reprinted above which illustrates comparable rates being charged by regional agencies (among them Gunnison and Crested Butte) and comparisons between industry standards and Lake City which, based on its remote location, is classified as a “frontier area.”As an incentive “intended to thank the community for its incredible support over the decades, Hinsdale EMS’ proposed rate increase also includes a $200 “Local Discount” for local patients with the 81235 billing address.Heidt said the new 2025-2027 rate structure will be widely publicized on the Hinsdale EMS website and with handouts to patients.Hinsdale Commissioners were receptive to the increased EMS fee structure, Commissioner Hurd noting that the new rates will result in reduced county subsidies to EMS, “the closer we get to a self-supporting program the better,” said Hurd.The county’s 2024 “contractual adjustment” to Hinsdale EMS in 2024, according to Finance Officer Lynn McNitt, amounted to $75,000.Commissioners are scheduled to formally approve the new EMS rate structure at a special meeting on Wednesday, April 23, and new rates will go into effect on May 1.Commissioners’ workshop discussion and subsequent meeting finalized an amended OHV ordinance mirroring Town of Lake City with hours of operation on unincorporated public roads in the county limited to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., county following Federal standards with mandatory spark arresters, and an increase to $300 fine for safety-related citations.The amended county OHV ordinance, published in its entirety elsewhere in this week’s issue, is set for a second reading at the county’s 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, special meeting and, once passed, goes into effect prior to Memorial Day. While discussions between the three commissioners regarding the amended OHV ordinance were in general amicable, differing viewpoints were evident as the OHV topic turned to specific wording and timing for a planned ballot…… Continue Reading this Lengthy Article! Subscribe to the Lake City Silver World and receive the weekly issue in your inbox or mail!

April 13, 2025 No Comments

Commissioners Debate, Concur on Interim Financing Operations Center

Hinsdale County Commissioners hashed out details on interim funding for the county’s $4.3-million Operations Center project during an at-times heated two-and-a-half-hour workshop and meeting on Friday afternoon, April 4.During the process of Friday’s workshop — which was attended by county staff including County Administrator Sandy Hines and Finance Officer Lynn McNitt, together with remote Zoom attendance by representatives from two Denver-based financial firms —it was revealed that $2 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding toward the project, which had been on hold, is now confirmed and available to the county.McNitt said that FEMA funds awarded in 2025 remain under review but that a saving point for Hinsdale County is that the Congressional-Directed FEMA funds were awarded in 2024.The pace at which the FEMA funds will be doled out remains an unknown, although both County Administrator Hines and Finance Officer McNitt stated that paperwork has already been filled out for a preliminary advance payment which would include a $19,775 reimbursement to county billed by general contractor Building by Design for preliminary technology and related contractor costs.McNitt said it is uncertain whether payments to the county from the FEMA grant will be monthly or quarterly.With affirmation from County Attorney Michael O’Loughlin who stated “it’s your meeting,” Commissioners Kristie Borchers, Greg Levine, and Robert Hurd asked Finance Officer Lynn McNitt for an update on funds owed to the county by the State of Colorado as part of the All Hazards Team Program.The lack of reimbursement to date is proving a sticking point to several of the commissioners owing to the fact $500,000 in All Hazards TeamVol. 48, No. 2 Friday, April 11, 2025 Lake City, Hinsdale County, Colorado 81235 U.S.P.S. No. 436-63075¢reimbursement represents half of the $1-million which the county is pledging toward the Operations Center construction.Asked for an up-to-date accounting, McNitt told the county board that, all told, All Hazards Team reimbursements owed to the county by the State of Colorado now exceed $3.6-million.County Attorney O’Loughlin, by Zoom connection, reassured the commissioners, telling them he “remains optimistic” that a resolution with the State will be reached — potentially as early as next week when a representative from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office belatedly confers with him — and that the money will be repaid. Failing that, O’Loughlin stated “they can’t just not pay it back; if they don’t, we go to court.”Lack of the All Hazard Team reimbursement payment in hand remains a major sticking point, an exasperated Commissioner Hurd telling Borchers and Levine, “when is the frick’in State going to pay us our money?”Hurd likened non-payment to date of what is owed to the county as a major “fear” and is the primary reason for his hesitation in proceeding with Operation Center construction.On a similarly cautious note, Commissioner Levine said he has “no confidence in the state at present” in terms of repayment and, in worst case scenario, of not repayment assurances, ultimately “I will not back this project.” An even worse case scenario as alluded to by Levine, would be entering into a lease-purchase agreement for interim funding “and then something else happens, I can’t see tackling two giant issues at once… it’s very, very difficult.”[NOTE: since the April 4 meeting and at the county board’s Wednesday meeting this week, it is now announced that the reimbursed All-Hazard funds are now on schedule for payment, the first check — $862,572.59 — expected Monday next week.]As a brief recap of the project, the 6,409-square foot facility combining sheriff’s dept., emergency operations, and county administration will be funded through the $2-million Congressionally-Directed FEMA grant, $1-million from Colorado Department of Local Affairs which is guaranteed, and $1-million from Hinsdale County (comprised $300,000 from the county’s sale of the Wee Care property to the school district, $500,000 through the All Hazard Team reimbursement, and $226,000 interest earned on investments). In addition to an array of funding which has been lined up for actual construction of the Operations Center, other funds have been competitively awarded to the county for actual construction of the Operations Center, other funds have been competitively awarded to the county for electric wiring totaling $256,500 from the state’s energy office, and a JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) through Colorado Division of Criminal Justice which will furnish and technologically equip the sheriff’s dept. portion of the new structure.Costs to date on the project and already paid by the county, as enumerated by Commissioner Borchers, total $192,900 and include $28,000 for demolition of the old shop building on the site north of the courthouse where construction will take place, $9,800 in attorney’s fees, and $116,000 architectural work paid to the county’s architectural firm on the project, Reynolds Ash & Associates.Following a request for bid, Building by Design was selected as general contractor for the project in February at a negotiated price of $4,398,173.In her compilation of the project, board chair Kristie Borchers reminded fellow board members, staff and public at the meeting that the concept of an Operations Center is not exactly new: discussions on the need for a new facility have been bantered about for decades. Referring to crowded and substandard office and meeting conditions in the existing Coursey Annex, she said, “it’s an embarrassing facility… I want to be the board that solves this.”“Now is the time to do it,” said Borchers, “if we don’t pull the trigger and get it done, it will never get done.”Plans for what was then referred to as a Justice Center combining county and sheriff’s dept. offices with a new county courtroom date back as least as far as 2009 when a DOLA-funded small space assessment resulted in plans for a two-story $7-million building which included basement archival storage. That project, however, languished and proceeded no further. The current plan calling for a reduced-size, 6,409-s.f. single-story complex costing $4-million was revived starting in 2021.Borchers recalled a comment by Commissioner Levine last year when overages were anticipated on the four-mile chip and seal project on County Road 30 to Lake San Cristobal. Comparing the

April 13, 2025 No Comments

2024, A Year in Review

At his death in January, 1874, pioneer Pueblo, Colorado, attorney, journalist, and past territorial lieutenant governor George Aaron Hinsdale, 1), had no intimation his memory would be revived in 2024 as Hinsdale County celebrated its sesquicentennial marking 150 years since its creation with neighboring LaPlata and Rio Grande Counties. As part of the ongoing celebration, Assessor Sherri Boyce and her deputy, Sarah Tubbs, 2), presided over refreshments in their courthouse office on August 1.In addition to the county’s formation, 2024 was also notable as 150th anniversary of Town Founder Enos Hotchkiss building Lake City’s first cabin, August 16, 1874, and — less savory — Alferd Packer consuming fellow prospectors in late winter/early spring 1874.On an upcoming note, notable anniversaries continue in 1875 with 150 since creation of Town of Lake City’s predecessor, the Lake City Town Company, and — on a journalistic note — 150 years since first issue of the original SILVER WORLD Newspaper, June 19, 1875.Also notable in 2025 is 50th anniversary of Phillip Virden’s Mountaineer Movie Theatre.Superlatives in Lake City Recreation Department’s February 3 Ice Climb were repeat wife-and-husband winning team from Golden, Colorado, Kristin Felix, 3), with rapid vertical ice ascent two minutes, 16.39 seconds in the Top Rope competition, and her husband, Todd Felix, 4), who was once again first among men in Lead Rope, inspiring 54.82-second ascent. Denver ice climber Jaren Summer, 5), was among the women contenders in this year’s event (photo by J.T. Stratton). Local climbers in the annual ice event were Sam Fyler and J.T. Stratton.Supervised by Rec. Dept, Leader Ben Hake, climbable ice on Henson Creek continues to expand, Hake with assistants including Danny File and Christian Hartman dousing an added section of challenging vertical cliff across from the Devil’s Kitchen cave with 1,350 additional feet of water pipe this fall for added ice climb challenge.Local girl Buffy Hurd Witt, 6), achieved notable success and was responsible for significant advances during her four-years as Hinsdale Emergency Medical Service Director starting December, 2019, and continuing through December, 2023, when she announced her intent to resign. Witt received a state-wide honor in December 2023, with Best EMS Director Award.Witt’s replacement as EMS Director effective March 25 was eight-year Lake City resident Katherine Heidt, 7) a familiar face among local emergency medical responders who was accredited as EMT in 2020 and worked closely with Witt as EMS Coordinator, Heidt was also certified as Wilderness EMT in 2023.Simultaneous with Heidt’s appointment as EMS Director, Amanda Hartman and Dan Humphreys were named EMS Captains charged with ambulance staffing, ensuring ambulance response is sufficiently staffed with responders on a 24/7, year-round basis, and overseeing ambulance supply restocking and vehicle maintenance. Also continuing as an immense asset to Hinsdale EMS was the return of Brad Jones on a part-time basis as Chief Paramedic.Seth Withrow once again headed up Hinsdale Search & Rescue’s February 19 Ice Fishing Derby at Lake San Cristobal, 8), this year’s lunkers plucked from beneath the ice 22-1/8” lake trout by John Warren, first place, second and third place honors respectively Nicole Schulties, 19-7/8”, and Sam Pankratz, 19-1/2”.Seven Lake City area students commenced an intense five-month Emergency Medical Technician class, 9), on January 9, four of the students — Kelly Elkins, Sarah DeCristino, Grant Loper, and Danny Oge’ — completed certification for an awards ceremony which was held on June 13.Lifesaver Awards signifying teamwork, professionalism, and excellence of care were bestowed by Hinsdale Commissioners to local emergency responders in March, recipients posed with Ann McCord, 10), including Amanda Hartman, Buffy Witt, Richard Williams, Jordan Kaminski, Kelly Elkins, Katherine Heidt, Melody Crump, and Rachel Moore.11), Greg Olson received his oath of office as newest board member of Lake Fork Health Services District from board chairman Lynn McNitt on February 16, joins fellow board members McNitt and Katie Elkins, together with Jordan Kaminski and Hector Gomez, the latter two resigning near year’s end creating two vacancies on the health board.Dr. Ann Treisman, 12), was named Medical Director at Lake City Area Medical Center on January 1, Treisman taking the place of Gunnison physician Dr. Bill Gattis who had served in that capacity — and who was credited as a “stabilizing force” during a significant period of change — since 2020.Dr. Treisman’s tenure at Lake City Area Medical Center dates back to summer, 2014, when she worked at the center when she was a medical student. She interned at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Denver, and was awarded her Doctorate of Medicine Degree from University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2017.Lake City’s Fourteeners middle school girls’ basketball team enjoyed a tremendous season, ending play after advancing to Consolation League Tournament in Alamosa, Colorado, in February where teammates, 13), Carson Shepherd, Aven Humphreys, Morgan Hardy, Brylee Elkins, Cora Kaminski, Nadya Kaminski, and Blake Tubbs walloped their Ortega Middle School counterparts in a down-to-the-wire nailbiter.In addition to a fine season by Lake City middle school girls, also ending successful seasons in February, 2024, were Fourteeners’ middle school boys’ team coached by Doug Eby and Kelly Elkins, 14), Brantley Votruba, Rhys Phillimore, Quan Lemon, Henry Shepherd, Dax Elkins, Daniel Hays, Elliott Hartman, and Joseph Tubbs; older high school basketball team, Mace Elkins, Dean Brown, Silas Hartman, Levi Hartman, Micah Humphreys, and Peter Loper, 15), and Fourteeners’ high school girls, Rowan McNeese, Lucy Hays, Kadance Simmons, Mackenzie Phillimore, Priya Hartman, Eva Wingard, Ingrid Piltinsgrud, and coach Sarah Eby, 16).HUB networking office sponsored by DIRT and Visionary Broadband upstairs in the bank building was enlivened in January with artwork by Lake City school alum Sophie Borchers and Nick Arbogast, 17).Hinsdale Ski Team coached by Henry Woods had a successful showing against counterpart downhill skiers from Pagosa Springs and Silverton, Colorado, during the annual Matt Milski Memorial Ski Race at Lake City Ski Hill on March 2, superlatives with hands raised in victory, 18), first and second place finishers Henry Shepherd, completing the slalom 35.21 seconds, and Elijah Wuest, 37.21 seconds; competing for Lake City on the hometown team and dressed for the

January 3, 2025 No Comments

Tag: County Commissioner