[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6595927,"mediaKeyId","3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5","parentId",3020562,"title","American Legion Post 16 seeks permanent lease, sign and VSO office at county community center","audioSeconds",382,"startMs",209000,"endMs",591000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5&start=209&end=591","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5/thumbnail_209000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595927/Huerfano-County/Colorado/American-Legion-Post-16-seeks-permanent-lease-sign-and-VSO-office-at-county-community-center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595927-357ce807c206dcb443c509266d8463b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200295&Signature=bu~7-oCiF6V3W-qp7k4Dwi6Smfd9ZX-NlwYwUvRXQxzapOWzMe3a99eMQ56erf1Cqp2PxcK6L~DP4Gd0imxi-rXtrjwrrxOZ7d133bKrycCVpqw11jhS2bBv3OfYhsjBZtPowBOPUwutTmNPAztM39Vcdo3Wdir~MP~Su-zaSNr~H-gl8lObzAo8QXA919ScdLF1~QNmqxV9G3If5Yef~oEV2zbR5BV-vMsVKvNHHdHuUnKy5VZDgbrYWh-gF4jLQ4jIqj6wUVHWoTQrwXwjowIm0xEXCLMOn8IH9wANGSx21W4i1j19-oZYKElJdlT~pjSEoYsIrVe7jRqYgRVRIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huerfano County","date","2025-04-16T14:12:06.277Z","article","Keith Halber and David Rogers of American Legion Post 16 addressed the board during public comment to request formal recognition and long-term access to space at the county community center.

Halber identified himself, described a sign design and said the post would pay for installation and the sign cost, which he estimated at $1,400–$1,500. He said the post would like a contract with the county for about 25 years at $1 per year so “everybody knows what the future of that particular location and the American Legion is.” He also asked that the county consider moving the Veterans Service Officer (VSO) into an accessible office at the post facility.

David Rogers, commander of American Legion Post 16, provided historical context for the post and described its century-long presence in the county. Rogers presented a replica of the post’s charter and a certificate of appreciation and said the post intends to use the community-center location to serve veterans and families for holidays, camaraderie and programs under the American Legion pillars.

Both speakers asked the board to consider a long-term arrangement and expressed appreciation for current access to county facilities.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the speakers; staff did not commit to a formal lease decision during the meeting and follow-up on a formal lease or contract was not scheduled on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Meeting 041525","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives of American Legion Post 16 told commissioners they want a sign at the county community center, a 25‑year lease at $1 per year and the county’s veterans service officer to move into space at the post; the post offered to pay sign costs.","taxTitle","Huerfano County, Colorado","taxId",27573,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595932,"Votes at a glance: Huerfano County commissioners approve park resolution and several grant applications",222,6043000,6265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5&start=6043&end=6265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5/thumbnail_6043000.jpg","/articles/6595932/Huerfano-County/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-Huerfano-County-commissioners-approve-park-resolution-and-several-grant-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595932-22aa24488da29a7256b1f514837b777a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200295&Signature=h8iOwBsLUYeQnoTdV21fOFPuCj0F0reSQzVSFgzJyO-85RmOqNEWoaYlWpVTgRcbW7EOgP5h8Wnxw5n-Gr5frQ7nWQ8zXN9T8pNR1uPydXjBgBZ2Lekh72Y7oUtPkfQdzZNuth9RvJuTnfBvh7UCoSdQXFywQlF~Ojl80K18oR2r~Xwh4KtOyRKxcv7o4WeJKShsYdVjd9saPPu2ZBCFeIDblmuszgdUBDOCz-pnD2KgkqTDuizGoYoPQ4BNdu0ej4LR~f~tDCbvIywf08-tQbugZSlqZ2PtLiXEKzL2Wqtc1q1RgIh6Ijb4CR5PccufuBXc4ZJqB25GYrDyVS~uaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huerfano County commissioners approved a slate of routine and substantive items during the meeting, including a resolution affirming the public importance of Cuchara Mountain Park and several grant applications and contracts.

Key votes and actions at a glance

- Resolution 25-16 (Cuchara Mountain Park): Adopted. The board voted to confirm the park’s importance to the county’s parks and recreation program; staff will post related documents for public comment. (Recorded votes: commissioners present voted yes.)

- Resolution 25-18 (county attorney appointment): Adopted. The board approved the appointment listed in the packet; meeting transcript contains conflicting references to the name that should be recorded in final minutes—staff said the final engagement letter is incomplete and will be returned with missing exhibits.

- Motion to cancel certain county warrants (25-19): Approved.

- Acceptance of DOLA Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to upgrade utility services to Shear Organics: Approved. Staff reported an award of $582,200 with no county match required.

- Approval to apply for DOLA Energy Impact Assistance (EIA) Tier 2 funding for jail security and safety renovations: Approved. Staff said the overall project estimate is $1,449,250 and the county match would be approximately half (about $727,625); application was authorized.

- Court security cash fund application: Approved. County will apply for court security funding; requested amount reported as $99,500.

- Predevelopment grant LOI for Gardner Main Street project (up to $25,000): Authorized.

- Geotechnical engineering study for Gardner Main Street (Mountain Engineering & Testing, not to exceed $18,600): Approved.

- Engagement letter with Spencer Fane as bond counsel for GPID (not to exceed $10,000): Approved.

- Prepaid vendor run and vendor run approvals (various amounts): Approved (motions carried).

Procedural notes: Several agenda items contained numeric typos or were missing exhibits in the packet; staff noted missing exhibit B for the county attorney engagement and said the amount would not change but will return with the full packet. Commissioners recorded unanimous yes votes for most motions; where a named roll call was recorded, commissioners present voted yes.

Ending: Staff will post items the board directed for public comment and return to the board with any corrected or missing exhibits before executing contracts or finalizing agreements.

","At the meeting commissioners adopted a resolution affirming Cuchara Mountain Park’s public importance and approved multiple grant applications, contracts and routine financial items; staff will post key materials for public comment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6595938,"Huerfano County to seek public comment on long-term agreement for Cuchara Mountain Park as Panadero pursues DOLA funding for chairlift",2780,2696000,5476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5&start=2696&end=5476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020562-39057cda242ad36eb3c5d1ef77ac2df5/thumbnail_2696000.jpg","/articles/6595938/Huerfano-County/Colorado/Huerfano-County-to-seek-public-comment-on-long-term-agreement-for-Cuchara-Mountain-Park-as-Panadero-pursues-DOLA-funding-for-chairlift","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595938-feb3cb5017902ce3b2ac9b9c66fff3c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200295&Signature=ZPS2MJU~GWFZ-lD8Z6-wmQcCjiXXw2EQY-VbNERQ0DbAdOlG1pQHKU~sI6a345zrjfwbVzjtBnQuQhhuSAI34ieHrbSWp7Y9HmC25WdNtVizsVRL0DGrSxvtvDTqbamBxYOkEzQd6Qkyn~rbUT2zYkgS8sws-FKTLDcsXdSXxuVtJWIr2g4LsRKsZSG41T~ecJ74Vs1xGpKsBbKI-71CRY22PNbf-GyFMKRNNrhWKLcA9CoxqtJ8~1NrUg~Uc1mD5liEB3Z77If1CgyjRxZWfRcR1Vpvf-WrawOBB5Yq2eGFqh3mwY-sRVsiamSzYFBHy0bF8-2pd8OhBTUkwVokuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huerfano County commissioners on the agenda authorized staff to post a proposed long-term agreement with Panadero Ski Corp (PSC) for 30 days of public comment and discussed state grant funding the nonprofit and the county have pursued to rehabilitate Chair 4 and other infrastructure at Cuchara Mountain Park.

The item drew extended public comment from residents and stakeholders, including Panadero Ski Corp board members, a representative of Buckhorn Ridge Outfitters and members of the Cuchara community, who urged the county to protect the park’s recreational character and to ensure any private partner returns revenue to the park.

Nut graf: The county and PSC are negotiating a stewardship arrangement for the county-owned Cuchara Mountain Park while PSC seeks state grants to fund capital work including a chairlift rehabilitation; commissioners said they will gather broader public comment before finalizing any long-term conveyance or lease and approved a resolution confirming the park’s public importance.

Panadero presenters said the most urgent capital need is Chair 4 and related snowmaking infrastructure. John Hotaling, a Panadero Ski Corp board member, told the board the project has been packaged as part of several Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) grant applications and that cost estimates have risen since the application was drafted. Hotaling said vendors are now requesting substantial deposits and that Panadero expects to raise private donations to cover a remaining shortfall once a long-term agreement is in place. “The price of the whole rehab has gone up,” Hotaling said, adding the group anticipates covering an additional $50,000–$60,000 through fundraising.

County staff and commissioners discussed how to apportion any county match for the DOLA package and whether to prioritize the lift over other items in the same DOLA application (garage roof, deck and related work). Carl Young, county staff, said the county can reallocate items within the DOLA award if needed and that the board had requested workshops and town-hall meetings in multiple communities to solicit wider input before making a final decision.

Residents who spoke at length urged the board to preserve the park’s community character. Jessica Loveless, speaking on behalf of the Cuchara Foundation, said the foundation supports PSC’s volunteer-driven operations and opposed “commercialization” such as tiny homes or other lodging that would reduce public use. Several speakers, including Jim Littlefield and Bruce Johnson, asked the county to ensure private proposals return meaningful revenue to the park and do not substitute commercial enterprise for community-focused recreation.

Buckhorn Ridge Outfitters’ founder, Brett McGraw, joined remotely and said his past projects reinvested operations revenue into park operations at other sites; he asked that any proposal be judged on its detailed offer back to the park rather than dismissed wholesale. Panadero leaders said they are not categorically opposed to a private partner but oppose proposals that provide no revenue back to the park or that conflict logistically with ski operations on the mountain. “We oppose Buckhorn’s most recent proposal because it does not reflect community value and it has nothing coming back to the park itself,” John Hotaling said.

Commission action and next steps: The board adopted Resolution 25-16 confirming the importance of Cuchara Mountain Park to the county’s parks and recreation program (vote recorded as yes by the commissioners present). Staff said it will post the PSC proposed long-term agreement, the PSC proposal and a secondary concessionaire proposal from Buckhorn Ridge Outfitters for a 30-day public comment period and hold workshops in Walsenburg, Cuchara and surrounding communities before the board takes a final vote.

Ending: County staff said they will coordinate posting documents and scheduling public workshops; Panadero representatives and community members said they plan to continue fundraising and community outreach while public comment is open.

","County commissioners agreed to post a proposed long-term agreement with Panadero Ski Corp for public comment and discussed a DOLA grant package to fund chairlift and other infrastructure at Cuchara Mountain Park; residents urged preserving public character and questioned a separate Buckhorn proposal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

American Legion Post 16 seeks permanent lease, sign and VSO office at county community center

Votes at a glance: Huerfano County commissioners approve park resolution and several grant applications

Huerfano County to seek public comment on long-term agreement for Cuchara Mountain Park as Panadero pursues DOLA funding for chairlift