Garfield County Commissioners Renew GPS Station Permit

The sun beats down on the Garfield County Landfill, a sprawling expanse of dirt and debris just outside the county seat. A small, unassuming monument rises from the earth, topped with a radome and solar panel - a GPS station, quietly tracking the earth's movements.

This station, operated by EarthScope, is about to get a new lease on life, as Garfield County commissioners have just approved a permit renewal and easement agreement. The decision came during the final meeting of the month, a busy session that also included updates from local human services organizations and a significant appropriation for Colorado State University Extension services.

Representatives from YouthZone, River Bridge Regional Center, and the Yampah Teen Parent Program took turns presenting their annual reports to the commissioners. Jami Hayes, executive director of YouthZone, highlighted the organization's impressive 85% non-reoffense rate among its clients, with 239 individuals served in Garfield County over the past year. Not exactly a small feat, considering the challenges these kids face.

As Hayes spoke, it became clear that the work of these organizations is crucial to the well-being of the community. River Bridge Regional Center, for example, has seen a significant caseload, with 156 children served in 2025 - 64% of whom lived in Garfield County. The center's Mountain West SANE Alliance Program received 48 calls from sexual assault victims, a stark reminder of the need for these services.

Leigh McGown, director of early childhood education at the Yampah Teen Parent Program, painted a poignant picture of the challenges faced by the students they serve. "We had three (pregnant) 14-year-olds this year," she told the commissioners, her voice measured but laced with concern. "We've also had some situations of human trafficking with the teen parents, so there's been some more serious challenges." These words hung in the air, a sobering reminder of the complexities and hardships that many families in the area face.

The commissioners also took action on a significant appropriation, unanimously approving an operational supplement of $406,000 for Colorado State University Extension services. This move will support local 4H programs, among other initiatives. Commissioner Tom Jankovsky made it clear that the board's support for these programs was unwavering, despite the challenges of the budget year. "We really had a tough budget year, but we came back and supported 4H, as we always do, 100%," he said.

As the meeting drew to a close, the commissioners turned their attention to the GPS station permit renewal. The EarthScope station, which includes a monument with a radome and solar panel, will continue to operate at the Garfield County Landfill. This decision reflects the county's commitment to supporting scientific research and development, and the role this station plays in that effort is significant.

The sun is setting over the landfill now, casting a golden glow over the landscape. The GPS station stands quietly, its presence a reminder of the intersection of technology and nature in this corner of Garfield County. What emerges from the work of these organizations, and the decisions of the county commissioners, will have a lasting impact on the lives of those who call this place home.

In the stillness of the evening, the only sound is the soft hum of the GPS station, a reminder that even in the quietest of moments, there is always something at work, shaping the world around us.