Clear Creek County

The board concluded an executive session where no minutes were taken and no decisions were made, subsequently reconvening in a regular session for the purpose of adjourning the meeting.

The Commission discussed several project updates, including the progress on the Taylor Kennedy project and the role of multiple funding partners. The meeting also addressed the development of an annual report, the status of the Clear Creek Trail, and the acquisition of non-motorized trails grants to support seasonal staff. Furthermore, members reviewed past project lists to begin planning and prioritizing projects for future budget cycles.

The meeting involved an interview process for a board position, where the candidate discussed their 32 years of residency, experience as a business owner, and volunteerism, emphasizing solvency versus quality of life as primary concerns. Discussions covered planning and zoning approaches, including educating oneself on regulations and engaging with local constituents. Further discussions addressed the economic evolution of Clear Creek County from a mining to a tourist economy, touching upon the impact of short-term rentals and rafting permit fees not generating appropriate tax revenue. Management updates included providing board goals for final approval, addressing current staff shortages and illness (flu/COVID) requiring patience and safety measures like masking and remote work, and announcing that staff are being asked to perform outside their normal duties. Commissioner updates included a proposal to invite the Jefferson Center for Mental Health board to provide a strategic goals update, discussion regarding applying for funds for a pedestrian bridge in Idaho Springs, and updates on legislative items such as the Outdoor Opportunities Act (HB 1008) seeking to influence recreation planning and Senate Bill 070 concerning warrants for Flock camera data searches. The board also briefly reviewed the Home Act's effect on zoning approvals for affordable housing projects.

The meeting commenced with public comment, which concluded without any public participation. An agenda change was announced, moving item 3B concerning a letter from Border County Commissioners to the Colorado Transportation Investment Office to follow the discussion of county goals, prior to an executive session. The consent agenda was approved, which included the approval of a memorandum of understanding between Gateway Partnership of Early Childhood and Clear Creek County. Discussions during the action session focused heavily on setting board goals for the year. Key topics included getting finances in order, selling extraneous buildings, updating IT systems, seeking state support for I70 traffic volume affecting emergency services, establishing a regional housing authority, and improving courthouse security. Further goal setting involved continuing to build trust, supporting Charlie's Place, conducting town halls regarding the budget and unmaintained roads, ongoing economic development discussions with municipalities like Georgetown and Idaho Springs, pursuing studies related to water availability and human waste, and evaluating the impact of Measure 1A on public safety funding for EMS and Fire, including potential efficiencies from combining services. The implementation of speed enforcement cameras (ASIS) and the status of the paid parking contract at the wellness center were also addressed as ongoing items.

The agenda for this special meeting included a Regular Session with a call to order and public comment period limited to three minutes per speaker for matters of concern. The Action Session featured a Consent Agenda item concerning the consideration of approval for a letter from the Board of County Commissioners to the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO). A Work Session was scheduled to discuss County Division Goals for 2026, covering District 2, District 3, and District 1 goals. The background materials indicate the letter to CTIO addresses disagreements regarding the 1041 Permit compliance, particularly concerning Peak Period Shoulder Lanes (PPSLs) signage and operational limits, and invites CTIO to initiate the Context Sensitive Solutions process. The Goal Setting Workshop materials detail priorities across various departments, including funding strategies for Charlie's Place, economic development formalization, capital building downsizing, HR policy updates, Master Plan updates, Ordinance 19 updates, public lands management, capital improvement planning, and internal service goals such as IT security and Animal Shelter sustainability.