Hinsdale County | The Silver World Newspaper

Regular Meetings, Special Sessions Top Busy April for County Board

by Jodi Linsey Hinsdale County Commissioners were kept busy with their regular meetings and special meetings in April, with their regularly scheduled workshops and meetings on April 1 and April 15, and two additional special meetings pertaining to Hinsdale County EMS on April 8 and 14.Since the February 26 dismissal of Amanda Hartman there have been numerous communications from then Chief Paramedic Brad Jones and EMS Director Katherine Heidt to the Commissioners, which resulted in a tense meeting with Heidt on April 8. Jones resignation on April 9, and a contentious special meeting on April 14 with the Commissioners, Director Heidt, Medical Director Avery MacKenzie, and a large audience on Zoom and in person.The first special meeting occurred on April 8, dealing with three updates to Heidt’s job description and duties. Following a reminder from Commissioner Borchers that all employees of Hinsdale County were subject to periodic updates to their job descriptions, Heidt was asked to comment on the revisions regarding her duties.Her only response was to refer them to previously submitted remarks.The other special meeting was held following the resignation of Jones, and the lone agenda item was to discuss Hinsdale County EMS.Commissioners invited Heidt and Medical Director MacKenzie to attend to discuss the reduction of the local EMS service from Advanced Life Support (ALS) to Basic Life Support (BLS). There were no conclusions as to how to move forward from this move.Heidt presented a letter for the consideration of the Commissioners and audience (WORLD, April 17).Due to the uncertainty of Brad Jones’ relationship with Hinsdale County EMS, Commissioners Robert Hurd, Kristie Borchers, and Greg Levine removed him as the Alternate County Representative to the Gunnison Hinsdale Combined Emergency Telephone Service Authority (GHCETSA) at the April 1 meeting.This partnership operates the regional 911 dispatch center for Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties.At the next regular meeting on April 15, Commissioners appointed to the alternate position Undersheriff Jordan Kaminski, newly returned to service at Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Department. In other county news was an update at the April 1 meeting about the All Hazards Team. County Financial Director Lynn McNitt reported that they have wrapped up all of the 2025 accounts and have had three invoices paid thus far in 2026.McNitt also reported the county has received the 2024 distribution of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding, amounting to $159,000, to be split evenly with Hinsdale County School District. These Title I funds are made available through the U.S. Forest Service for the maintenance of roads and schools in counties with large amounts of Federal lands that do not pay property taxes.Good news for fishermen and women ready to take to Lake San Cristobal is confirmation Commissioner Levine has completed training to conduct boat inspections for invasive aquatic species. He plans to fill in when needed, such as during the shoulder seasons when there is not a regular schedule ofPuebloinspectors.A milestone in the creation of an Early Childhood Coalition is the formation of the inaugural Board of Directors. Lily Virden, representing Wee Care; Tara Anderson of Silver Thread Public Health District; Corrine Jaegar representing the Hinsdale/Gunnison Early Childhood Coalition; and Kayla Gowdy, parent of a Wee Care student.Among the other topics addressed at the regular workshop on April 1 was the new State requirement for a Wildfire Resiliency Code, which will be analyzed before adoption. Also presented was a tour of the updated Flood Risk Draft Map presented by Deputy Assessor Sarah Tubbs.Commissioners received a request from County Veterans Affair Officer Mike Harrington to add two men to the Hinsdale County Veteran’s Memorial located in the park by the Courthouse. Edwin ‘Ed’ Nettleton and Francis James ‘Bud’ Weems both served their country and the Lake City community and will have that service enshrined.A potential Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Lake City and Hinsdale County regarding the efforts to implement the Comprehensive Housing Plan was discussed.In previous discussions between the two entities, it was determined that each would pursue funding to hire a Housing Coordinator to begin implementing the plan, including identifying sustainable funding sources and developing protocols for each aspect of the plan.The IGA under discussion would cover this initial contract and launch of the plan.News from the transfer station is that organic debris, such as brush and tree trimmings, are now less expensive to dispose of, so as to promote fire mitigation by homeowners and contractors. The previous cost was $12.75 per yard and is now $6.35 per yard. This debris will either be chipped on site or will be burned if the conditions allow. Borchers stated that “This is the single most important thing a homeowner can do to protect themselves.”

April 23, 2026 No Comments

County Board Poised for Interim Hire of Delta Paramedic

Hinsdale County Commissioners held a Special Workshop on Tuesday, April 21 to discuss the possibility of contracting with Reuben Farnsworth of Rockstar Education and Consulting to assist Hinsdale County EMS through a transition period following the resignation of Chief Paramedic Brad Jones.Hinsdale Commissioners Kristie Borchers and Robert Hurd attended the meeting in person, Commissioner Greg Levine attending the workshop remotely via Zoom.EMS Director Katherine Heidt was also present in the meeting room, while EMS Medical Director Dr. Avery MacKenzie and Rueben Farnsworth attended virtually. Following introductions, Farnsworth recited an impressive list of qualifications and accomplishments, most relevant to the discussion being his decades of experience working on the Western Slope as a Paramedic and his experience educating Basic and Advanced EMTs.MacKenzie stated she has worked with Farnsworth for many years and seemed pleased the Commissioners were contemplating bringing him in to support the Hinsdale EMS system.Responding to comments and questions from the Board, Farnsworth noted he had already consulted with Heidt about shared priorities, with the number one priority being to make sure Hinsdale County has good solid coverage over the upcoming summer season.He went on to talk about ideas to get the current EMT students on the verge of graduating the practical experience they need to qualify for their certification.Farnsworth indicated he is contemplating how to grow relationships with regional partners and develop some type of paramedic sharing program that could benefit a number of the smaller systems in the mountain region. The first order of business, he said, is to move Hinsdale from BLS (Basic Life Support) to ALS (Advanced Life Support) as quickly as possible.Commissioners and MacKenzie went back and forth with ideas as to the scope of work they will want from Farnsworth but left much to be hammered out in Executive Session on Wednesday, April 22, including compensation.In the early afternoon special meeting and workshop on April 22, following the board’s regular meeting in the morning, Commissioners hosted Farnsworth in person during an executive session held for the purposes of negotiation.Before adjourning the meeting, Borchers announced there will be another special meeting commencing 9 a.m., Wednesday, April 29, to review the potential contract.

April 23, 2026 No Comments

Historic Preservation Commission Welcomes History Colorado Rep., Approves Four COAs

Joining the April 7 Historic Preservation Commission meeting was Dr. Lindsey Flewelling, Preservation Planner and Certified Local Government Coordinator from History Colorado. Dr. Flewelling was in attendance to evaluate Lake City’s adherence to its Certified Local Government Agreement with the state of Colorado, which is done every four years.This agreement evaluates how well Lake City is managing its National Historic District and to determine if the Town is adhering to its Historic Preservation Ordinance, which falls under the responsibility of Lake City’s Historic Preservation Commission and Town of Lake City staff.Passing this evaluation keeps the Town of Lake City eligible for state grants and tax credits that can be applied toward preservation of historic buildings in Lake City, such as the County Courthouse, the Hough Building and Hinsdale County Museum – all of which have received state historic fund grants in the past for restoration and other projects.Facing a hefty agenda April 7, Chair Joe Fox got directly down to business with the first item on the agenda, Certificate of Approval (COA) 2026-04, which concerned 220 N Gunnison Avenue, Piltingrud’s Lone Pine Apartments, where renovations have been ongoing for some time and multiple windows have been replaced.The subcommittee handling this matter were Fox and Commission member Jared Boyd. Boyd began the conversation by explaining the building was built in 1953 by Joel Swank, and is considered to be non-contributing to the Historic District, mainly because the exterior has been altered so drastically since it was built. Boyd went on to explain that new windows were being installed on the north and south sides of the building, including an egress window on the new apartment bedroom under construction. He also explained that a wood trim was going to be added to the egress windows.Boyd’s recommendation was to approve as proposed, which was echoed by the rest of the Commission members. Fox said that he appreciated the education earned from this case, as far as how the commission should handle these kinds of non-contributing buildings, with Flewelling noting that if a building is contributing, best practice is for property owners not to alter the exterior appearance in order to maintain contributing status.Newly purchased Lake City Brewing Company building at 130 A Bluff Street was next on the agenda, where new owners Justin Lamothe, Brennan Pantleo and Kaylin Trivisonno are requesting a new door on the south exterior wall as well as a deck below the door. Subcommittee members for this project wereHistoric Preservation Commission Welcomes History Colorado Rep., Approves Four COAsJud Hollingsworth and Mike Coffin. Hollingsworth said he and Coffin met with Lamothe, Pantleo and Trivisonno, and that their drawings had been sent to all Commission members. Neither Hollingsworth nor Coffin had any problem with the project, nor any comments to make, and COA 2026-05 passed unanimously.The next property on the agenda, 415 Henson Street, has been involved in an ongoing conversation between the Commission and property owners Derrick and Leah Wright, who originally wanted to add onto the McDonald “Rock House,” a distinctly unique structure built between 1950 and 1952 by Dallas-based doctor William Drury McDonald and wife, Viola, which includes a detached, gabled privy at the back of the lots.The original plan to add a massive addition onto the back of the Rock House was rejected by the Commission, especially after Commission members took the construction drawing to the Saving Places Conference in Denver earlier this year, and were told unanimously by every expert they consulted with, that the add-on was exactly the kind of thing Historic Preservation Commissions needed to veto.The Wrights decided instead that they would section the property into two lots, and Fox explained, along with subcommittee member Jared Boyd, that a separate, new building will be constructed instead of an addition, and that efforts would also be made to preserve the historic Rock House building left free-standing. COA 2026-06 passed unanimously, with Fox thanking the Wrights for “going through all of this.”Finally, adjustments to a 3-foot fence at the Assenheimer property on Gunnison Avenue, a non-contributing property. Requested was a small change to the top finials of the picket fence to match the fence at the back of the property. This matter also passed unanimously.Fox explained that he will sign each COA application, which will then be sent to the property owners to sign, then onto County Building Inspector Gabe McNeese.In old/new business, Fox gave an update on the reorganization of the architectural surveys for properties listed in the Historic District. Fox explained that their website domain name was lost years ago due to the departure of a Town Manager, and that reports held at Town Offices needed to be scanned and posted with photographs to get all Historic District properties online again, and that this is a project Fox and the Commission are currently handling.

April 16, 2026 No Comments

Reverberations from Resignation EMS Paramedic Brad Jones

Turmoil in Hinsdale County’s Emergency Medical Service culminated last Thursday, April 9, with strongly-worded letters and social media post from Chief Paramedic Brad Jones announcing his resignation effective immediately.Jones, who worked with Hinsdale EMS for 5.5 years, starting with a volunteer position in 2020, was a well-known seasonal presence in Lake City who worked hand-in-hand with the local corps of Emergency Medical Technicians. He also worked closely with EMS Director Katherine Heidt and Western Slope Regional Medical Director Dr. Avery MacKenzie.As an extension of Dr. MacKenzie’s credentials, Hinsdale EMTs are allowed to provide medical care to patients and operate the county’s ambulance system.In the wake of Chief Paramedic Jones’ resignation last week, Dr. MacKenzie has now reduced the scope of local EMTs’ medical purvue from ALS — providing Advanced Life Support — to BLS, Basic Life Support.The change from ALS to BLS, according to EMS Director Heidt, also carries with it a significant reduction in the amount of medication which EMTs are allowed to administer. Heidt adds that the change in procedure results in “considerable impacts to everyone who lives and visits here.”Jones’ April 9 resignation comes in the immediate wake of a short special Hinsdale County Commissioners’ meeting last week (see separate article) late Wednesday morning, April 8, during which commissioners unanimously approved slight revisions to EMS Director Heidt’s contract.Following Jones’ resignation, multiple county meetings were held, starting Tuesday, April 7, with Dr. MacKenzie remotely attending a specially-called county board workshop, also reported elsewhere this week’s issue, followed by the commissioners’ mid-month meeting on April 15.Prior to resignation, Jones’ work with Hinsdale EMS entailed a year-round contract, principal of which was hands-on work with EMTs and patients on emergency calls from late spring through summer 630and early fall each year — EMS Director Heidt in her written communication to commissioners on Tuesday this week detailing that out of 100 EMS responses last summer, Chief Paramedic Jones was involved with a total of 67.On his return to Lake City earlier this month, Jones immediately resumed his role as instructor during the final phase of this past winter’s 17-week Emergency Medical Technician training sessionIn the off-season, mid-fall through winter and into early spring, Jones was physically absent from Lake City but continued on contract with Hinsdale EMS with virtual training, drafting agency procedures and policies in writing, and overseeing CQI (Continual Quality Improvement).Tensions with Hinsdale EMS escalated in late February this year when the employment of EMS Co-Captain Amanda Hartman, an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, was terminated as the result of what was later described as a multi-month Human Resources conflict.In letters announcing his resignation dated April 9 to EMS Director Heidt and Hinsdale EMS colleagues, Jones expressed criticism of Hinsdale County Commissioners, refering to the event as a “debacle” and conveying regret “I will be deprived of the opportunity to work alongside you all during the upcoming tourism season.”“I am especially saddened to not be able to mentor and guide our EMT Academy graduates through their clearance process.”A letter from one of those upcoming EMT Academy graduates, Lorie Stewart, was published in last week’s edition of SILVER WORLD.

April 16, 2026 No Comments

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

Tag: Hinsdale County