May 5, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 1 -
Minutes of May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting
Approved by BOCC May 19, 2026
GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 5, 2026
The May 5, 2026 meeting was held in the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room located at 200 E.
Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado. Present, either in person or via Zoom, were:
Laura Puckett Daniels, Chairperson Matthew Birnie, County Manager
Elizabeth Smith, Vice-Chairperson Holly Perry, Deputy County Clerk
Jonathan Houck, Commissioner Others Present as Listed in Text
Matthew Hoyt, County Attorney
GUNNISON COUNTY LOCAL LIQUOR LICENSING AUTHORITY MEETING:
CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Puckett Daniels called the meeting to order at 8:29 am.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Houck to approve the
consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- Alcohol Beverage License #05-23848-0002; Three Rivers Resort Inc dba Three Rivers Resort;
6/21/2026 to 6/21/2027 - Alcohol Beverage License #03-19226; Powder Monarch LLC dba Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area;
7/12/2026 to 7/12/2027
ADJOURN: Commissioner Puckett Daniels adjourned the meeting of the Gunnison County Local Liquor
Licensing Authority at 8:30 am.
GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING:
CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Puckett Daniels called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
AGENDA REVIEW: There were no changes made to the agenda.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Houck to approve
as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
- April 21, 2026 Regular Meeting
SCHEDULING: The Upcoming Meetings Schedule was discussed and updated.
- Council Meeting Scheduling – Commissioner Puckett Daniels proposed a schedule and
recommended all Commissioners attend as possible now through October, but come 2027, to rotate
each quarter. Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Houck agreed.
CONSENT AGENDA: Moved by Commissioner Houck, seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve items
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the consent agenda as presented this morning. Motion
carried unanimously.
- Acknowledgment of County Manager’s Signature; Third Amendment to Professional Services
Agreement; Sarah Elzay; Term Extension to May 31, 2026 - Software Support & Maintenance Agreement; Creative Information Systems; Public Works;
6/1/2026 to 5/31/2027 - PULLED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION: Amended Crested Butte South Public Road Maintenance
Agreement; Crested Butte South Metropolitan District; Public Works; 1/1/2026 to 12/31/2027 - State of Colorado Contract Modification Task Order; CTGG1 FHLA 2027*0032; Health and Human
Services; 7/1/2026 to 6/30/2027; $13,500 - Construction Agreement; Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport Gunnison, Colorado General
Aviation Ramp Reconstruction – Phase 2 Project No. 3-08-0030-066/068-2026; Oldcastle SW
Group, Inc dba United Companies; Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport; $5,220,885 - 2026 Community Grants Application; Community Foundation Gunnison Valley; Gunnison Hinsdale
Early Childhood Council; $4,000 - Federal Aviation Administration FY 2026 Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Grant Agreement; U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration; 3-08-0030-067-2026; 5/5/2026 to
5/4/2030; $781,910 - Federal Aviation Administration FY 2026 Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Grant Agreement; U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration; 3-08-0030-066-2026; 5/5/2026 to
5/4/2030; $1,918,779 - Federal Aviation Administration FY 2026 Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Grant Agreement; U.S.
Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration; 3-08-0030-068-2026; 5/5/2026 to
5/4/2030; $3,900,000 - PULLED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION: Memorandum of Agreement Between the Board of
County Commissioners of the County of Gunnison, Colorado and the Roaring Fork Valley Wildlife
Collaborative Regarding U.S.D.A Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, Title
May 5, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 2 -
Minutes of May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting
Approved by BOCC May 19, 2026
III Awards for 2025 Associated with Wildlife Mitigation Activities in Gunnison County, Colorado;
Emergency Management; $10,000
11. 2026 Community Grants Application; Community Foundation Gunnison Valley; Gunnison County
Community Health Coalition; $7,000
12. Memorandum of Agreement between City of Gunnison and Gunnison County – GV-HEAT; 5/5/2026
to 12/31/2026; $42,500
13. Retention of Expert Witness Services/Hourly Billing Agreement; Attorney’s Office
14. Temporary Road Use Agreement; Gunnison Trails; Public Works; 5/23 & 5/24/2026 from 8:00 am
to 8:25 am
15. Sales Quote; Tyler Technologies; Gunnison County – ERP – Account Assistance; Finance; $6,300
PULLED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION:
AMENDED CRESTED BUTTE SOUTH PUBLIC ROAD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT;
CRESTED BUTTE SOUTH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT; PUBLIC WORKS; 1/1/2026 TO
12/31/2027:
Commissioner Puckett Daniels noted this was to specify Crested Butte South Metropolitan District
roles for the roads and that the agreement is as it was with a continuation of status quo for two
years. CA Hoyt noted there seems to be confusion over responsibility of Crested Butte South roads
whereas CM Birnie relayed these are not Gunnison County roads and the Metropolitan District is
responsible for all roads in Crested Butte South per their service plan.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF THE COUNTY OF GUNNISON, COLORADO AND THE ROARING FORK VALLEY
WILDFIRE COLLABORATIVE REGARDING U.S.D.A SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS AND
COMMUNITY SELF-DETERMINATION ACT, TITLE III AWARDS FOR 2025 ASSOCIATED
WITH WILDFIRE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES IN GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO;
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; $10,000:
Commissioner Puckett Daniels noted there was a typo in the title, and it needs to be corrected
from wildlife to wildfire.
Moved by Commissioner Houck, seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve consent agenda
items number 3 and 10, after this discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
COUNTY MANAGER’S REPORTS:
- Whetstone – CM Birnie relayed the framing and the off-site utilities are ahead of schedule, t he
water pressure testing will also be starting this week so the project could be as much as a couple
weeks ahead of schedule, and the geothermal drilling is going well with two companies. However,
the roundabout project with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) scheduled the final
pre-construction meeting in December of this year. CM Birnie has spoken with Regional
Transportation Director Jason Smith to see if there is any consideration to move up that schedule
date due to the Governor’s order for prioritization of housing projects and the necessity the
roundabout is to Whetstone.
COUNTY FOREST/SECURE RURAL SCHOOLS 2024 & 2025 TITLE I AND TITLE III PAYMENT
ALLOCATION DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Puckett Daniels confirmed the funds were for Title I and III funding and not Title II. CM
Birnie relayed the secure rural schools (SRS) funding was reinstated and he recommended to pass the Title
I to the schools. Moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Houck to dedicate the Title I
funding for County Forest/Secure Rural Schools for 2024 and 2025 to the schools as presented in the packet
today. Motion carried unanimously.
INITIATIVE 2025-2026 #175, STATE REVENUE SUPPORTING ROAD TRANSPORTATION
DISCUSSION: Assistant County Manager for Public Works Martin Schmidt was present for discussion.
Commissioner Puckett Daniels relayed some counties are sending letters in opposition to the Contractor’s
Association and that a countermeasure is being proposed by State Legislature. She then asked if the Board
would like to send a letter as well. There was brief discussion on the negative impacts this would have on
other areas of benefits such as K-12 education, higher education, Department of Motor Vehicle funding,
and others. Commissioner Houck emphasized the need to create clarity within the community. ACM Schmidt
noted that while the bill would bring $1M in Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF) monies, it would still leave
Gunnison County in a deficiency. Additionally, Commissioner Puckett Daniels included that if there were
increased HUTF funds, there would also be increased restrictions including the monies only being used on
automobile safety. The Board then agreed on sending a letter in opposition.
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE GUNNISON COUNTY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND
AMENDING THE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION:
May 5, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 3 -
Minutes of May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting
Approved by BOCC May 19, 2026
Deputy Chief Finance Officer Mark Rozman noted this is for what is needed to complete the landfill shop.
Moved by Commissioner Houck, seconded by Commissioner Smith to approve Resolution 2026-18, A
Resolution Amending the Gunnison County Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 and Amending the Appropriation
Resolution as presented this morning. Motion carried unanimously.
BREAK: The meeting recessed from 9:13 am until 9:21 am in order to hold the below Public Hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING; AMENDING THE ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM
REGULATIONS:
A Resolution Amending the Gunnison County On-Site Wastewater Treatment System
RegulationsOpen Public Hearing. Commissioner Puckett Daniels opened the Public Hearing at 9:13 am.
Public Notice Confirmation. Environmental Health Official Crystal Lambert confirmed that the Public
Hearing had been properly public noticed.Identify Ex Parte Communications. Due to being a legislative matter, there were no ex parte
communications.Staff Presentation. EHO Lambert noted the State of Colorado updated their regulations and all
local regulations must be updated within a year of their changes. Since the updates, the
Environmental Health Board has met three times and voted unanimously to recommend adoption
of the draft of the updated OWTS Regulations. EHO Lambert also sent the draft to State of Colorado
for preadoption review which came back with two inconsistencies that were corrected. She also
clarified that in regard to the 100-year flood plain zoning, Gunnison County’s regulations are more
stringent than the State’s regulation.Applicant Presentation. N/A
Board Questions. Commissioner Smith emphasized the changes are required by the State due to
their changes. EHO Lambert commented that Gunnison County had regulations before the State
initiated regulations and the area that is stricter, have historically been so.Public Comments. Commissioner Puckett Daniels opened the Public Hearing to comments at 9:19
am. There were no public commentsAcknowledge Correspondence Received. No additional correspondence was identified.
Applicant Response. N/A
Staff Response. EHO Lambert stated that the Resolution effective date would be June 18, 2026.
Close Public Hearing. Commissioner Puckett Daniels closed the Public Hearing at 9:21 am and
immediately reconvened the Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners Meeting.
Moved by Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Houck to approve Resolution 2026-19, A
Resolution Amending the Gunnison County On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Regulations and
authorize the full signature of the Board. Motion carried unanimously.
AGENDA CHANGE: The Board elected to have unscheduled public comment before the scheduled break,
due to members of the public being present.
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT:
- Scott Wagner – Mr. Wagner gave some background information on himself and relayed that in July
of 2025, the Gunnison County estimated a building permit fee of $30,000 for a garage addition on
a home. He asked about qualifying for exemption of the linkage fee due to income which was
denied due to having a P.O. Box in Morrison, Colorado as well as his tax returns stating his primary
residence is in Morrison, Colorado. He then stated his residency criteria and gave an example of a
previous applicant that had an outside residence which was approved. Lastly, Mr. Wagner asked
for the regulations to be applied regularly and fairly. CA Hoyt stated this is potential quasi-judicial
that may come before the Board of Adjustment and recommended the Board not say anything
further until it is appropriate. - Todd Colvin – Mr. Colvin stated he is the owner of the property adjacent to the Whetstone project
and relayed concerns the neighbors were having such as entry gate design, trespassing, and
privacy fences due to berms. He also relayed he has been in contact with Assistant County Manager
for Operations and Sustainability John Cattles regarding these concerns. - John Murphy – Mr. Murphy is the owner of the property that is southern adjacent to Whetstone.
He emphasized he did go to all the meetings and design reviews and stated his continuing concerns
and requested a site visit with County Commissioners to see the issues. He relayed concerns with
May 5, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 4 -
Minutes of May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting
Approved by BOCC May 19, 2026
the height different and the potential privacy issues, possible fencing or retaining walls, drainage
issues, and sewage line concerns.
COMMISSIONER ITEMS: This discussion began earlier than scheduled due to a gap in the meeting.
Commissioner Smith:
- Tourism and Prosperity Partnership Board (TAPP) – Commissioner Smith had a meeting with
TAPP Executive Director Andrew Sandstrom regarding local marketing district (LMD) revenues. - Earth Day Event – Commissioner Smith thanked staff for their Earth Day event at the
Courthouse. - Juntos – Commissioner Smith encouraged people to go to events and relayed the last one was
at Legion Park. - Wild & Scenic Crystal River Subcommittee – Commissioner Smith attended a meeting and
relayed there is ongoing conversation regarding Wild & Scenic designation, using Wild & Scenic
to potentially impact travel management on the Lead King Loop, and limitations that may be
imposed on mining, - Initiative 175 – Commissioner Smith appreciated the conversation and plan communicated
today.
Commissioner Puckett Daniels:
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Partners in the Outdoors Conference – Commissioner
Puckett Daniels attended the conference last week and noted it was a great opportunity to
connect with current, potential future, and funding partners. - Wildlife Crossing Funding – Last week, there was a kickoff for the Wildlife Crossing Study that
was funded by the National Park Service (NPS) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) where
the County was a stakeholders in the kickoff meeting. Additionally, they are looking at syncing
their work to Corridor Plan. - Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Training Board – Commissioner Puckett Daniels
currently sits on a subcommittee that does award grants and relayed in her tenure on the
committee, this was the first time where there was a competitive process. - Colorado Counties, Inc. Steering Committees (CCI) – Commissioner Puckett Daniels attended
the CCI meeting last week and explained the two big topics of conversation were the Health
and Human Services reorganization proposal and the State’s countermeasure regarding road
and bridge funding. - Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee (STOR) Subcommittee Visitor Use
Management – Commissioner Puckett Daniels noted she is part of this subcommittee which is
to establish philosophy for the experiences visitors have in different parts of the County and to
identify existing and desired conditions to provide a spectrum of recreation.
Commissioner Smith (cont’d):
6. Kebler Pass – Commissioner Smith went with Public Works on Kebler Pass to see the work
being done such as preparation for the pass opening and road expansion.
7. Human Services – Commissioner Smith has been working with Assistant County Manager for
Health, Human and Safety Services Joni Reynolds to elevate specific comments to legislation.
8. Western Colorado University (WCU) International Student Group – Commissioner Smith
attended an event in coordination with Welcoming Week.
Commissioner Houck:
- Gardening Club – Commissioner Houck met with the Gardening Club and spoke about Gunnison
County’s business model of how building housing was approached as well as the upcoming
ballot measure for roads and bridges. He noted a growth in confidence as the conversation
went on and how people understood how these issues are approached. - River Mapping – Commissioner Houck stated that work continues and he is the Gunnison
County representative in the effort. On April 22
nd
, they had an all-day meeting in Monte Vista
to start creating some templates. - Legislative Meetings – Commissioner Houck attended numerous legislative meetings online.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Partners in the Outdoors Conference – Commissioner Houck
presented on the Gunnison Outdoor Resource Protection (GORP) Act. Additionally, he
commented that some concerns that Gunnison County are having are being echoed in other
places as well. - Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Field Manager Jon Kaminisky – Commissioner Houck
relayed the BLM put out their economic report for their field offices across the state and shared
the Gunnison Field Office generated $401M in economic output with 395M falling under
recreation, $22k under timber, and $5.5M in grazing. Gunnison County Field Office is the
second leading field office for recreation in BLM lands in Colorado.
EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO COLO. REV. STAT. § 24-6-402(4)(B): CONFERENCE WITH
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY, OR ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY TO
RECEIVE LEGAL ADVICE IN RELATION TO LAKE IRWIN COALITION, INC. V. SMITH,
2017CV30060: Moved by Commissioner Houck, seconded by Commissioner Smith to enter into
May 5, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 5 -
Minutes of May 5, 2026 Regular Meeting
Approved by BOCC May 19, 2026
Executive Session Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute § 24-6-402(4)(b): Conference with the County
Attorney, Deputy County Attorney, or Assistant County Attorney to receive legal advice in relation to Lake
Irwin Coalition, Inc. v. Smith, 2017CV30060. Participants in this discussion will be the full Board of County
Commissioners, the County Manager, the County Attorney and that is it. Because we are receiving advice
from the attorney, we are not required to maintain contemporaneous record of that. We will make any
direction or any type of action will be done to the public after the executive session. Motion carried
unanimously.
The board went into executive session at 9:57 am.
Executive sessions of the Board of County
Commissioners are conducted as per C.R.S. 24-6-402(4). This specific session was conducted as per C.R.S.
24-6-402(4)(b).
Attorney Statement Regarding Executive Session
Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4), I attest that I am the Gunnison County Attorney, that I represent the
Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners, that I attended all of the above referenced executive
session, that all of the executive session was confined to the topic authorized for discussion pursuant to
C.R.S. 24-6-402(4) and that, because in my opinion all of the discussion during the executive session
constituted a privileged attorney-client communication, no record of the executive session was required to
be kept and no such record was kept.
Date: __________________ ______________________________________________
Matthew Hoyt
Gunnison County Attorney
Chairperson Statement Regarding Executive Session
Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4), I attest that I am the Chairperson of the Gunnison County Board of
Commissioners, that I attended all of the above referenced executive session, and that all of that executive
session was confined to the topic authorized for discussion pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4).
Date: ____________