Hinsdale County | The Silver World Newspaper

Deer Lakes Tops County Board’s March Discussion

by Jodi Linsey Hinsdale County Commissioners met for their regular monthly meetings on March 4 and 18, discussing the Affordable Housing Plan, the proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Lake City and the Sheriff’s Department, and management of the Deer Lakes Recreational Area.Among updates on the Early Childhood Coalition, funds for the new downtown playground, and the new Operations Building, there were in-depth discussions about the Affordable Housing Plan and the ongoing IGA negotiations with the Town and Sheriff’s Department at the March 4 meeting.On March 4, Commissioners Greg Levine, Robert Hurd, and Kristie Borchers talked about County priorities for scheduled March 11 Joint Workshop with the Town of Lake City Trustees to work out preliminary steps in implementing the recently adopted Affordable Housing Plan. (WORLD March 20). Commissioners concluded that their priority was to have a contracted Housing Coordinator hired using Fast Track Funding grant money for which both entities are eligible to apply.Commissioners instructed Administrator Sandy Hines to work with Town Manager Lex Mulhall to identify highest priorities of a potential Housing Coordinator for discussion at the March 11 workshop. They ended the conversation with the conclusion that an IGA between the Town and County can be drafted once initial priorities are worked out together with their counterparts on the Town Board.Another IGA up for discussion was the agreement between the Town and Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Department. Negotiations about this subject have been underway since approximately November of last year when the Town indicated that they wanted an updated IGA. These negotiations have stalled on different points since that time, although the Commissioners expressed cautious optimism about an imminent conclusion.Deer Lakes Campground was of particular interest as summer approaches and the Commissioners continue to piece together their plan to apply for a permit with the US Forest Service to maintain the site. The four lakes, maintained by three dams, were constructed in 1954 in a cooperative effort between the county and Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, after which Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) informally agreed to maintain the lakes. Hurd states that other than beaver mitigation, CPW has not upgraded the site since 1957.Following a failure of the uppermost dam in June 2021, CPW worked with the Forest Service to exact repairs while indicating they no longer wanted to be responsible for maintenance. In order to protect this popular fishing and picnic area, Hinsdale County has agreed to take over maintenance of the dams, with Hurd adding “I feel like it’s pretty trouble-free now.” Borchers responded “I think it’s a good plan, twenty years is a reasonable permit.”The Forest Service also reconstructed the Campground and Recreation areas, with the entire complex reopening for the summer season in 2025. The Forest Service has contracted with a concessionaire to operate the campground, imposing mandatory day-use fee which prompted vocal complaints to the Commissioners during the 2025 season. According to County Administrator Sandy Hines, there will now be no fee for short-term picnic parking or wildlife viewing this summer. Unanimous approval to submit a permit application to the Forest Service to provide maintenance of the dams at Deer Lakes was passed at the March 4 regular meeting.In the March 4 meeting, Sheriff Denim Starnes gave……… READ THIS ARTICLE IN FULL SUBSCRIBE!

April 2, 2026 No Comments

Endowment, Friends of EMTs Merge

Lake City Medical Center (LCMC) Endowment Fund and Friends of Lake City EMTs have announced the merging of Friends into the Endowment. Turnover of assets is underway and the orderly closing of the Friends operation will be completed over the next few months.Friends’ Board of Directors, Keith Chambers, Leslie Nichols, and Rachel Moore, have determined that the Endowment has a highly complementary Mission, a grant program that balances near-term support with long-term growth, a strong and established volunteer board, and a consistent vehicle to channel future support for the benefit of EMS volunteers and operations.Friends Board member Keith Chambers says, “I believe this merger will achieve the utmost in assisting the EMTs of 2026 along with providing help to the EMTs of 2036 and beyond.”Friends was formed in 1995 by Jerry Gray and Jack Nichols. The mission was to raise funds to provide an incentive program for the recruitment and retention of volunteer emergency medical providers and ambulance drivers serving Hinsdale County EMS.Contributions by Jerry Gray, Keith Chambers, Sandy Hines, Michelle Murphy, Buffy Witt, Becky Campbell, Rachel Moore, John Bonner, Dave Jordan, Marcia Connell Carl, Lori Lawrence, Guy Corder, Rick Hernandez, Liana Whitlock, Jodi Linsey, Ray Blaum, Leslie Nichols, Jack Nichols, and countless other EMTs and ambulance drivers sustained Friends through 4th of July turkey leg booths, t-shirt sales, Adopt-an-EMT campaigns, and more. San Juan Solstice 50 ultrarun, started in 1995 as the Lake City 50, was picked up by Jerry Gray and Friends in 2002 and quickly became the major fundraising event for Friends. The bulk of the current Friends fund is the result of this exceptional event and untold hours of volunteer time in support of Lake City EMTs.Friends Board member Leslie Nichols states, “It has been a great run for this scrappy non-profit! The spirit of Friends will carry on with the merger with LCMC Endowment Fund, and the generous donations and countless hours of volunteer fundraising of the last three decades will continue to meet the Friends mission for decades more to come.”Friends has provided support by sending EMTs to conferences for continuing education, helping stage EMT and Wilderness First Responder (WFR) classes in Lake City, providing personal protective equipment and branded gear, and providing consistent and essential team dinners for run reviews, camaraderie, and recognition.The Endowment was formed in 1996 for the support of the Lake City Area Medical Center. In 2018, the scope was expanded to include Hinsdale County EMS and the Silver Thread Public Health District.The Endowment provides financial support to the delivery of quality healthcare in Lake City. Merging Friends assets with the Endowment will leverage a larger asset and supporter base for the benefit of both organizations. Since 2018, the Endowment has granted $67,918 to EMS or about 22 percent of their total grants of $302,450. Grant requests are submitted by the supported organizations and approved by the nine-person volunteer Endowment Board.Strong support for EMS is expected to continue due to the stated Mission and connections to EMS on the Endowment Board. The Endowment’s Board of Directors includes the EMS Director Katherine Heidt, former EMS Director Jerry Gray, former EMT Marcia Carl, and EMT Sarah Moody. Bylaws guarantee a seat on the Board for the EMS Director.Bernie Krystyniak, Endowment Board President says that “the Endowment will continue to be enthusiastic fundraisers on behalf of EMS along with the medical center and public health. We look forward to including Friends of Lake City EMTs donors into our family of Lake City healthcare organization supporters.”Friends of Lake City EMTs entity will be formally dissolved as it winds down operations over the next few months. Future donations benefiting EMTs and EMS programs can be directed to the Endowment, the Lake Fork Community Foundation collection process, or directly to EMS.Donations to the Endowment can be made online at www.LCMCEndowmentFund.org, by check to PO Box 822, Lake City, or by designating an Endowment donation in the Lake Fork Community Foundation process. Gifts of property can be arranged by contacting the Endowment at [email protected]. Legacy donations are also an option. Some companies have matching gift programs that can be leveraged to increase donation value.Donations directly to Hinsdale County EMS can be made online at https://hinsdalecountyems.square.site/ or by mail to EMS at PO Box 277, Lake City.The current Endowment Board consists of Marcia Carl, Linda Downs (Secretary), Jerry Gray (Public Health Representative), Katherine Heidt (EMS Representative), Malinda McDonald, Sarah Moody, Greg Olson (Health District Representative), Cindy Rae (Vice President), and Bernie Krystyniak (President and Treasurer).LCMC Endowment Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) established in 1996 with the Mission of supporting quality health care delivery in Lake City through supported organizations Lake Fork Health Service District, Silver Thread Public Health District, and Hinsdale County EMS. More information can be found on their website at www.LCMCEndowmentFund.org.

March 27, 2026 No Comments

Dire Outlook Cited by County’s Water Basin Rep

by Bruce Heath I am currently serving as the Hinsdale County Representative on the Gunnison River Basin Round table.Mother Nature and human nature have combined to produce a historic low water availability crisis for the seven states in the Colorado River Basin.For the past 25 years, the southwest has been in the longest drought in the past 1,200 years. Moisture in mountain snow pack that then melts into river water is the very life blood of our region.This winter, depending on location, portions of Colorado have produced readings that are nearing — with potential to surpass by April 1 — the two lowest years since recording began 75 years ago.This winter’s low snow has created an immediate water emergency.Since 1922, users in the Colorado River system have followed laws about how water is apportioned to seven states in the upper and lower basins.Annually, flows in the river vary considerably due to the wide variance in winter snow totals. In the face of these variances, a vast array of reservoirs were built to provide a reliable water source for the lower basin states. The two largest reservoirs are Lake Powell and Lake Mead with Powell having become the “key” to making the agreement work.Although the 1922 agreement was based on deeply flawed data and future water availability assumptions, the “laws of the river” for water distribution proved adequate until 2006.The mega drought began in 2000. Having no way to know the magnitude of the ensuing drought, the lower basin states kept taking their legal water right from Powell. All involved believed future “wet” snow years would restore the capacity.In 2007, the seven states — having seen Lake Powell go from nearly full in 2000 to 50 percent of capacity in 2006 — agreed to a set of restricted release and usage guidelines to be followed in critically dry years. With several modifications, these have been in place for 18 years.Originally, it was thought that the two sets of tiered dam outlets allowed for up to 90 percent of the reservoir capacity to be released downstream. However, in 2023, a design flaw in the Glen Canyon Dam became known, making it a critical impediment to downstream users having access to the reservoirs’ stored water.If the water elevation drops below the upper inlets, the four lowest river outlets near the bottom of the dam have proven to not be functional. The Director of the Bureau’s Technical Service Center who has advised against using the outlet works as the sole means for releasing water from the dam. A previous high-capacity use of them for only 72 hours in 2023 caused structural damage, which required nine months to repair.Despite the remedial effort, the Bureau concluded the repairs will not prevent future damage. So for now, close to 4-million acre feet of water is “trapped” in Powell.The elevation of the reservoir has to remain above the upper inlets built into the dam that allow water to pass through to the turbines that generate electricity and then be sent down stream to lower basin users. In the years when the previous low snow readings were set, Powell was near 100 percent capacity and water levels were well above the upper inlets.This allowed water to be released downstream to meet the legal right of the lower basin. Today, Powell is currently at 24 percent of capacity and approaching that critical water level where Glen Canyon dam would experience operational failure because water level would be below the upper inlets.Knowingly facing an October 1, 2026 expiration of the operating guidelines, the seven states have met multiple times over the past two years to negotiate new release operating rules for critical dry years. All the sessions failed to reach agreement.Having missed the final deadline of February 14, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation [BRC] has announced they will suggest the new operating rules, dictating who gets what amount of water during severe drought years.So far the alternatives suggested by the BRC have been soundly rejected by all seven states.With much of Colorado experiencing record high temperatures, the meager snow pack is melting early. This spring, river runoff flows into Powell are expected to be 25 percent of the past 30 year average. That would be nearing the lowest low flow that has occurred in the last 60 years.The situation has become so dire that a near term stopgap decision is being forced to avoid Glen Canyon dam operational failure. This operational failure, in turn, would prevent water flowing into the lower basin states via Lake Mead.Until system-wide hydrology conditions have shown meaningful improvement, several decisions must be made.There are 34 tracked reservoirs upstream from Powell. As a system, they are capable, based on current capacity, of contributing at least one emergency water release to Powell this year.This on its own will not be enough to keep the water level high enough to maintain the dam’s functionality. Releases out of Powell will also need to be curtailed to keep water elevation above the upper inlets. Then, voluntary lower basin cuts in their water use will likely also be required by at least one million acre feet.Depending on the actual amount of spring runoff, the upper basin may also have to cut consumption to insure inflows to Powell contribute to maintaining the needed elevation at the dam.The impending life style changes and negative economic implications from less water available to use by all involved parties are enormous.What users are involved: Seven states. 5.5-million acres of agriculture land that produces $5-billion in revenue and 90 percent of the green leaf vegetables we consume in the winter use Colorado river irrigation water.Forty-million people use river water in some way daily. Five-million people depend on dam hydro electricity, 30 Native American tribes and Mexico are river water users.Both Phoenix and Denver get 40 percent of their water from the Colorado River. The river supplies water to almost all the cities in the greater Los Angeles, San Bernadino and San Diego areas.Agricultural junior water rights in

March 27, 2026 No Comments

Strausbaugh Abruptly Leaves Sheriff’s Dept.

On the heels of personnel changes at Hinsdale EMS reported earlier this month, similar changes are afoot at Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office with the announcement late last week of the resignation of Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Strausbaugh.Strausbaugh, an unaffiliated candidate for Hinsdale County Sheriff and county deputy since being hired by Sheriff Denim Starnes June 1 last year, submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday, March 11.Despite his resignation, Strausbaugh continues as sheriff candidate.Contacted by SILVER WORLD, Sheriff Starnes acknowledges that Deputy Strausbaugh abruptly quit without two weeks’ notice. Starnes further states he has offered the position of Hinsdale County Undersheriff to Jordan Kaminski effective April 1.Kaminski, who previously served as Deputy under Sheriff Ron Bruce and Undersheriff with Sheriff Chris Kambish, is currently GOP candidate for Hinsdale County Sheriff in this fall’s general election.Asked whether Deputy Strausbaugh’s departure creates a void in local and county law enforcement response until April 1 when Kaminski decides whether he will accept the undersheriff post, Sheriff Starnes responds “I have been and will continue to handle the situation, whatever comes my way.”Sheriff Starnes has not yet decided whether he will seek re-election in November this year; in addition to the possible hiring of Kaminski, Starnes notes two new county sheriff’s deputies are in the wings, both now completing certification at Technical College of the Rockies near Delta, Colorado. Both Derek Wright and Ethan Twamley are scheduled to graduate May 20, Wright, a former Kansas resident, enrolled with tuition funded through a POST grant and Twamley utilizing the VA GI Bill and sponsorship by Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office.Pending certification, both Wright and Twamley have already formally been hired as Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Deputies, according to Starnes.Sheriff Starnes also reports that sheriff’s office Administrative Assistant Bobbi Vickers McDonald is now back in the office effective March 17 following nearly three weeks’ medical leave.Former Deputy Daniel Straubaugh writes an explanatory letter elsewhere in this week’s issue citing his reasons for resigning and reaffirming his candidacy for sheriff this fall.Strausbaugh says that between now and the November election, he will continue “further investment in ranching and my firearms training business.”He says he plans to campaign in Lake City on a weekly basis between now and election time, and while no longer in uniform, will be recognizeable as “the only guy with a prosthetic hook.”

March 20, 2026 No Comments

Affordable Housing Part Four, Final Plan: Lighting the Fuse, Housing Plan Lifts Off

February 11, Town of Lake City Trustees and Hinsdale County Commissioners, along with members of the Town Planning & Zoning Commission, met at the Town meeting room to review the final draft of the Affordable Housing Plan.Vision statement “To provide housing opportunities across all life stages, enabling residents to find appropriate homes as they begin careers, raise families, and retire in the community they love.”The Housing Plan is a story built on numbers, the numbers that define the crisis, the numbers that paint the backdrop, and the numbers that may lead to a solution.The presentation, led by Sarah McClain of Western Spaces, began with a review of how the plan was built by the community, with 97 household surveys and 21 employer surveys starting the process, shining a spotlight on the housing crisis. There were 20 working group meetings that included representatives of the Town and County and the consulting group. There were also three steering group meetings with more than 20 participants, including representatives from across the community.There were four public meetings with members of the consulting group, the County Commissioners, and Town Trustees, together with members of the Town Planning & Zoning Commission.Numbers further define the scope of the housing crisis.The survey that began the planning process revealed there are 24 unfilled jobs due to lack of housing, and one in five households are in danger of being displaced. There are zero long-term rentals while there is a 72 percent housing vacancy rate due to the seasonal nature of the Lake City community. The population of Lake City has declined since 2010 while housing costs have continued to rise, with the median home price topping out at $563,000, up 25 percent since 2022. The student population has dropped as well, leaving the school short in funding from the state based on student counts.The housing crisis affects every aspect of life in Lake City, from the seniors wanting to age in place to the families wanting their children to attend a supportive small-town school. Except there is no place for the seniors to downsize to, and no place for young families, and no place for new teachers or new government employees. With 52 percent of the housing share, couples without children dominate the housing market, while families with children make up only 18 percent.According to the Employer Survey, “When there aren’t enough workers in the service industry, tourism begins to decline. Restaurants, hotels, shops, and entertainment venues either reduce their hours or shut down entirely.”In-depth analysis of the crisis and examination of both the strengths and weaknesses in the local housing market, along with numerous conversations with stakeholders led to a series of recommended steps and strategies to chip away at the housing problem.The goal of each strategy is to create housing opportunities. The plan estimates 20-40 units can be created or recovered through legislative steps, the easiest way to start. The first strategy presented involves updating or implementing certain policy changes in the Zoning Ordinances of the Town of Lake City or in the Land Use Code of Hinsdale County. Specific steps include adopting a fast-track review policy for any proposed projects that include affordable housing, which have been adopted by both the Town and County. This fast-track review will encourage developers to include affordable housing opportunities in plans. Another step adding housing units to the existing inventory is to allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in both new construction and existing residences. The Town Planning & Zoning Commission is analyzing options so they can make recommendations to Trustees to update how ADUs are addressed in Town ordinances.The County has instructed its Planning & Zoning Commission and County Attorney to review the entire code to streamline and update. To that end, Colorado has recently provided small governments across the state with a detailed template for just such updates. These types of policies will create a path of least resistance to housing as modifications to existing regulations.The next strategy presented is to optimize the existing housing inventory. This strategy aims, in part, to tap into the 72 percent vacancy rate in Lake City. The Town, County, or any of the large employers in the community could work to acquire and rehabilitate some of these empty houses for employee housing. Along those lines could be grants or low interest loans for emergency home repairs and weatherization to create year-round inventory.The Household Survey states, “The town is shrinking per census and school enrollment, and year-round residents are left with a shell of a town.” Strategy 3 is all about the need to create sustainable income for supporting the housing effort. The most urgent step in the direction of sustainability is passing a small mill levy, which ties directly to the vacancy rate of 72 percent, as these second and vacation homes will bear the brunt on the mill levy. This housing tax of 4 mills would bring in approximately $232,000, about $25 per $100,000 in assessed value. Other funding ideas include impact or linkage fees, requiring fees from some new developments, and leveraging grants for specific projects. Predictable income allows for multi-year project planning and matching funds for grants.This is where the cultivation of partners in the community, such as Lake City Community School (LCCS), will also contribute to the efforts to ensure their ability to maintain their own workforce. The Town and LCCS have purchased employee housing, and both the County and Town have plans to create employee housing in properties which both entities already own.The Lake City community is ahead of similar communities now tackling housing issues in that the Town has held on to property located in the 700 Block of north Henson Street, in part waiting for the very opportunity offered by this plan, and a recent emphasis on housing as a priority by the State of Colorado.While the first two strategies may produce ten or twenty new housing units, the proposed Lake Fork project will provide 28 units altogether, ranging from condos that can be bought

March 20, 2026 No Comments

30 GOP Delegates to Assembly; Nominate County Candidates

by Schuyler Denham Hinsdale County Republican Party held its 2026 caucus and county assembly last Saturday, March 7, in Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Bluff Street.Attendance was nearly 60 residents, including a handful of observers.County Party Chair Diane Bruce called the meeting to order at promptly 1 p.m. and business began after the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation.In addition to Bruce, the other officers were Michael Murphy, Vice-Chair, and Wes Williams, the Secretary-Treasurer.The credentials committee recognized 50 attendees – those Republicans who had been registered at least 22 days in the precinct – as eligible to participate in the proceedings.Bruce acknowledged how Hinsdale County was simpler to run as it has only one precinct and, thus, one assembly; some counties have over 100. [While Hinsdale County has the fewest number of registered voters in the state, Mineral and San Juan counties have fewer Republicans than Hinsdale’s 292.]Following eligibility verification, delegates were elected to the Hinsdale County Assembly that……… Seven Delegates to Hinsdale County Dems’ Assembly Expressing varying degrees of dissatisfaction with the present national political situation, all seven registered Hinsdale County Democrats attending last Saturday afternoon’s Caucus were named Delegates to present platform resolutions and vote in the county party’s ensuing Assembly.Democrats with three observers, town mayoral candidate Jodi Linsey, New York college student Silas Fox remotely, and Jesse Kendall, were warmly greeted by returning party chairperson Jennifer Rightsell who wryly noted “It’s been an interesting year. Maybe the only way we’re going to get through this is with a good sense of humor.”Both Rightsell and returning party secretary Grant Houston were unanimously re-elected as Hinsdale Party Democratic Chairperson and Secretary for both the 31-minute Caucus and 10-minute Assembly which were held at Lake City Public Library.In addition to Rightsell and Houston, Becky Vickers, Mary Nettleton, Carol Robinson, Bill Stewart, and Henry Woods were selected as Assembly Delegates.Woods, a past Democratic county party chair, enthusiastically proposed two Hinsdale County…… READ BOTH ARTICLES IN FULL SUBSCRIBE!

March 12, 2026 No Comments

Snow Depth, Water Content Continues Dismal

Snow depth and water content above Lake City remain at dismal, near-record low levels with median 1991-2020 levels on the Upper Lake Fork and elsewhere in Hinsdale County on Upper Rio Grande and Upper Piedra in the county’s South End, ranging from 54 to 60 percent of long-term median.Closest to home, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s 11,560’ Slumgullion Pass SnoTel site registers just 57 percent of 1991-2020 median with meager 24” snow depth on Tuesday, March 10, equivalent to 6.6” snow/water content.No surprise to winter recreationalists this winter, traditionally snowy Slumgullion Pass only reached 30” snow depth at the SnoTel site on one day February 21 — last month and then steadily dropped to 28” depth February 22-24, and 24” compacted snow ranging 6.3-6.4” water equivalency March 2-6.As of Tuesday this week, Slumgullion snow remained 24” depth with slightly elevated 6.6” water content.Similarly dismal up valley at Wager Gulch on the upper Lake Fork near Carson, snow depth was 18”, 4.3” snow/water equivalent February 23-24 but has incrementally decreased, 16”depth February 25-March 2, and now Changes in Natural Resources Conservation Service’s precipitation median from February 28, above, to March 8, upper right: Gunnison drainage from 68 to 65 percent median and red-shaded Arkansas now below 50 percent of norm as result lack of moisture, temperatures, and wind. 15” snow with 4.4” water as of March 10.Mid-county on the Upper Rio Grande, the 11,580’ elevation Beartown snow measuring site is marginally better at 60 percent of median, 25” snow depth on February 9 and now increased to 34” depth, 10.6” water on March 10.Weminuche Creek in far south Hinsdale County, 10,730’ elevation, is at 54 percent of median, the site recording 22” snow depth/4.9” snow/water February 9, increasing to 28” depth with 8.1 snow/water content as of Tuesday this week.Newly appointed Gunnison Basin Round Table member Bruce Heath has a regional perspective and expresses concern with not only local snow conditions but the southwest U.S. region as a whole, Colorado River at record ebb and, consequently, Lake Mead Reservoir on the Arizona-Nevada border just 32-33 percent of capacity.The reservoir’s low capacity will undoubtedly have a negative impact on downstream water users, California and lower water appropriation Arizona, where it is now confirmed that electric generation is endangered because reservoir dams such as Hoover Dam were not designed for generation with such low water levels. STAY IN TOUCH Subscribe TODAY!

March 12, 2026 No Comments

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. 436-630Levine 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 Missing the full story? Receive every issue either by mail or email- Just click the button below!

February 6, 2026 No Comments

Busy Election Season Shaping Up in ‘26 for Town, County

New Year 2026 is shaping up as a busy year for elections in both the Town of Lake City and Hinsdale County, with Mayor Roberts and Trustee Jodi Linsey as contenders for the town’s mayoral position, and one Commissioner, Kristie Borchers, and a plethora of other county officers either retiring or seeking re-election.On the county slate, District 2 Commissioner Borchers was elected to her first four-year term in 2018, was re-elected in 2022, and has not yet announced whether she will seek a third consecutive term on the three-member county board with incumbents Greg Levine and Robert Hurd.Hinsdale County Sheriff Denim Starnes has served as sheriff since January last year when he was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of former sheriff Ron Bruce.Denim, who is registered as Unaffiliated, has not yet announced whether he will seek formal election to the sheriff’s post in November this year, although there are already two announced candidates for the position, former Hinsdale County Undersheriff Jordan Kaminski, a Republican, who registered as sheriff’s candidate with Colorado Secretary of State on December 4 last year.Also planning to run for Hinsdale County Sheriff as an Unaffiliated is Hinsdale County Deputy Daniel Strausbaugh who has served as deputy since June 1 last year.Strausbaugh’s formal announcement as sheriff candidate is printed elsewhere in this week’s issue.In addition to sheriff and one commissioner, also up for election this year are Hinsdale County Assessor Sherri Boyce and Hinsdale County Coroner Lori Lawrence, both of whom have announced they will not be seeking re-election.Boyce, whose husband, Brent Boyce, retired as head Gunnison County Electric lineman in Lake City last year, has served as assessor since 2022 when she filled the vacancy caused by the resignation of Luke de la Parra.Boyce says she is ready for retirement and credits a fine professional working relationship which has existed between herself and her deputy, Sarah Tubbs.Also now lined up for retirement after a “tough decision” is Hinsdale County Coroner Lori Lawrence who was first appointed taking the place of retiring corner Jerry Gray on November 30, 2022, and was elected to a two-year term in 2024. Lawrence notes that she has enjoyed the coroner’s position but that being “on call 24-7 really ties me down.”As of this week, no candidates have emerged as potential successor to either the county assessor or county coroner.Hinsdale County Clerk & Recorder Joan Roberts says she will seek another four-year term in this November’s general election.Roberts succeeded retiring county clerk Linda Pavich on December 30, 2017 and was Subscribe now to read the full story and much more!

January 23, 2026 No Comments

Hinsdale County to Perform Controlled Burns at Transfer Station During Month of January

Hinsdale County will be conducting a series of controlled burnings at the Transfer Station throughout the month of January to mitigate a pile of natural vegetation that has accumulated at the Transfer Station. This completely organic material was brought primarily to the dump by local property and ranch owners clearing their land or yards of potential wildfire fuels and consists of trees, shrubs and grasses. It is important to note that no there are no construction materials or treated wood within this pile of material.Commissioner Greg Levine was able to obtain a permit from the State of Colorado through asmoke management program. Commissioner Levine stated that the permit, which allows the county to burn at the Transfer Station, is a very cost effective and logical solution. The program will be a hybrid strategy alongside the continuation of the existing chipping program, which is, according to Levine, too expensive on it’s own, costing up to $20,000 per year. Thankfully, Hinsdale County has obtained a grant for further chipping activity in 2026 and beyond.The days of the controlled burns will be up to the discretion of Don Menzies, Hinsdale County Road and Bridge Manager, as long as certain weather conditions are present.Levine said, “ideal burning days would be snowy or rainy days without high winds, with lower wildfire conditions.” Levine stressed that these burnings will occur only during the winter, never in the summer.Levine predicts that the amount of material needing to be burned away is small enough that the task should be completed by the end of January, barring any extreme weather conditions.Levine said now that the permit is in hand and the public has been notified, Menzies can begin the burns whenever he chooses.Menzies told WORLD that this natural material will only have a small amount of accelerant added, “to get it going,” such as diesel fuel or kerosene, but that the amount would be miniscule. Menzies also wanted to note that there will be a full water truck on standby on site, as a safety precaution.Anyone with questions or concerns can call Menzies at 970-944-2400 or Hinsdale County Administration Offices at 970-944-2225.

January 8, 2026 No Comments

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