[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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",6506425,"mediaKeyId","5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9","parentId",5710680,"title","At a glance: key votes from the Sept. 2 Clear Creek County commissioners meeting","audioSeconds",4208,"startMs",2857000,"endMs",7065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9&start=2857&end=7065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9/thumbnail_2857000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6506425/Clear-Creek-County/Colorado/At-a-glance-key-votes-from-the-Sept-2-Clear-Creek-County-commissioners-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506425-8f4ca20f89bcc645dfb32f91746d254f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409109&Signature=N4sWDUH4FAWOQxwqjBEhjdPU2JmQK0jqw9268C1Jv470xeg0HTFifg1YhPjv0AwFZ7jtetIdUuIHDmDKLgpmwdDNNwnz5HOFAZouVypdDB8WWab9fgbIV-9JWbX2oaD7wm3JfPhCje5ys6wJPr1voNlx2f66GHOi3IkHF70Lq0PS9v5VHF~0yGi-yoJBI3kIyD1l6xJHdc1JMGlYramYA4-xZCzflAMFbgSE3IXnXuxjNPQ5wKHvCalkN-t8iCyA6tf3iBxMFdIqsbDK92NdGNhfz4B3DbUJJXyXreYLIHhPKniPk2jxQNE2Ehxulhj99SAL-WzsZtpsxRUfolwLZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Clear Creek County","date","2025-09-03T23:14:56Z","article","The Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners took multiple formal actions at its Sept. 2 meeting. Below is a concise summary of motions and outcomes for readers who want a quick reference.

Approved
- Approval of the Clear Creek County abstract of assessment (preliminary 2025 values presented by the assessor). Motion made and seconded; board approved.
- Resolution R25-79: appointing county representatives to various advisory positions and updating the appointments list. Motion and second; passed by voice vote.
- Consent agenda: the board approved the consent agenda (items including the warrant register, grant application for the statewide Internet portal authority, a U.S. Forest Service GRAMA modification, an EMS grant statement of work, a severance agreement and an MOU with the Town of Georgetown for law-enforcement services). Commissioner pulled one consent item for more information; the remaining consent items were approved unanimously.
- Resolution R25-78: adoption of the amended 2024 county compensation plan with clarifying edits (see separate article for details). Approved after in-meeting wording changes.
- Local Liquor Licensing Authority: administrative acknowledgment of Jogan Inc., LLC\u0000doing business as Brothers Grill changing its trade name to 2 Mile High Cafe; board acknowledged filing and considered the action approved.
- Resolution R25-01: the board, sitting as the ESGID board, approved placing a ballot question on the Nov. 4 coordinated election to set the ESGID property-tax rate at 11.459 mills (see separate article for details).

Not acted / deferred
- A second proposed ESGID-related ballot question (a request to waive the statutory 5.25% annual property-tax growth limit) was discussed but the board declined to submit that separate question to the ballot, citing complexity for voters and a small near-term revenue effect.

Votes and format
Motions were made and seconded on the record; votes were recorded by voice and the chair announced \"Aye\" responses. Where specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the public audio/transcript, actions were recorded in the meeting minutes as approved by the board.

Next steps: follow-up materials on the ESGID ballot question, the adopted compensation plan and appointment changes will be provided in board packets and in the county\u0000voter information materials ahead of the Nov. 4 election.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sept. 2nd, 2025 BOCC Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A summary of formal actions taken by the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 2, including approvals of the assessment abstract, an appointments resolution and several consent items; the board also approved sending an ESGID mill-levy question to the Nov. 4 ballot.","taxTitle","Clear Creek County, Colorado","taxId",27207,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506431,"Commissioners approve amended county compensation plan after wording changes",4117,2948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9&start=2948&end=7065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9/thumbnail_2948000.jpg","/articles/6506431/Clear-Creek-County/Colorado/Commissioners-approve-amended-county-compensation-plan-after-wording-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506431-787028c310d07d25c97cc3d0212ccc4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409109&Signature=nl6lCkQgi2EtmM7OI6IAlL0OdiTxzSPGTNSWqzxUrRg2yJp8EVe4CLxkts-MR428xV7-2Y9Dli-bWly0xJy4dkRCTZ4Vlg1Jp2Zz66C~VwPTfRI~g1yk82nCp5uoImXhEhxMItlLshYrqeCcsYqAEsIkS3lD6k-yeW2C21ju8Q5m5rB7wACZa~EJR-WMyLuF1En~WpQNPSnuJTTXj-QEl~5jeC16GnMUTd2mlu3FFOrJsHioWyJBscOFLMJtTuI8cjLsNjtfIo9p-x-cNh~BaKCXct47BuY7A1w7pMRA6TFU9w6EcaRe8BN7Xc3tM3D1przluA~5WMt4uce5pfgwmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners voted Sept. 2 to adopt an amended county compensation plan for county employees and employees of elected offices (Resolution R25-78) after staff and commissioners negotiated edits to several clauses addressing how market adjustments will be calculated and applied.

What the vote did: the plan adopted at the meeting updates the county\u0000compensation strategy and clarifies how the county will use market midpoints and prior compensation analyses to calculate adjustments. Commissioners requested and the board accepted language changes intended to reduce the risk that the whereas clauses would be read as an unconditional promise to pay a fixed percentage of market midpoints.

Key clarifications added in the meeting:
- The board\u0000requested language that describes the compensation strategy as aligning salary-grade midpoints with market compensation data, and that the calculation references the difference between the previous compensation analysis and current compensation data rather than implying an unconditional guarantee of 100% of a market midpoint.
- For employees who are judged eligible during the budget process, the board inserted that adjustments would be \"as reflected in the current year budget\" (rather than phrasing that looked like an automatic promise). That change limits the operative application of any pay adjustments to amounts budgeted and approved by the board.

Why commissioners pressed for edits: several commissioners said they supported aligning pay with market data but wanted transparent language so the county would not appear to be legally promising increases beyond what the budget permits. Commissioner Rebecca asked for explicit language linking eligibility and implementation to the budget; county HR and the county attorney agreed and recommended wording changes.

Board action: following discussion and the insertion of the agreed wording changes, a motion to adopt Resolution R25-78 passed by voice vote.

What happens next: staff said the compensation plan\u0000adjustments will be carried out as part of the county\u0000budget process; specifics (who is eligible and which ranges will be funded) will be shown in the budget documents that come back to the board for approval.","After line-by-line questions from commissioners about language and budget implications, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution R25-78 adopting an amended 2024 compensation plan for county employees, with clarifying edits requested by commissioners.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506436,"County, Denver Mountain Parks and Evergreen Fire conclude Castlewood Drive is not a safe evacuation route",1280,7508000,8788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9&start=7508&end=8788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9/thumbnail_7508000.jpg","/articles/6506436/Clear-Creek-County/Colorado/County-Denver-Mountain-Parks-and-Evergreen-Fire-conclude-Castlewood-Drive-is-not-a-safe-evacuation-route","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506436-a93b2fadb244dfbdb9ec77e62c6c8be5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409109&Signature=Zv1-m9eqLkRZj~dB9VEGTAX721LdqWoFAkMTiIRF2pDOS38GVt1w6sv67S~zxRNj8iwfwTfRPWyMMxl5zia~XOTbrek-nJ3Q8hf875~1sYnzt0da1FE7FTs7vFQjN7Q9RCRbMfbyNiQm9KT03V0ikTywOYDYxEGD-rxgr5wTJeX5Y0U9xIAnFJdh1RcFoK1ngVJdLbBfUw51a83vuxqBnjORURttW8jG83k4~cGrO9tG4GquzMA3nmN3l5qy6~UvEv46P0WDiZ6Cthpo24TH8JbKdZX57Ykxwed1ERQxIKHVU9qb8ylmRjMW28PsYxFqqK6Ous1qbkUhEho3gSU6Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clear Creek County commissioners and public-safety partners concluded Sept. 2 that Castlewood Drive, an historic two-track route above Echo Hills, should not be relied on as a public evacuation route during a wildfire and agreed to work together to clarify the public record.

Why it matters: Evergreen Fire Rescue, Denver Mountain Parks and county public-works staff told the board the single-track route cannot safely handle vehicle evacuations in a wildfire scenario. Officials said the road lacks year-round two-wheel-passenger-car access, has no mitigation or adequate turnouts, and could itself become a hazard that blocks firefighter access or traps evacuating residents.

During the work session, Evergreen Fire\u0000wildland coordinator Jess Moore and Evergreen staff explained that the county updated its Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and no longer recommends Castlewood Drive as an evacuation corridor. Jeremy Jones of the Clear Creek Fire Authority and Carl Shell, the county\u0000public works director, described the road as effectively a single track in places. Jones said Castlewood can be useful as an operations line for firefighters in certain incidents but is not safe for mass vehicle egress.

Commissioners and staff discussed Sinton Road as the preferred evacuation route; county staff said Sinton Road has received recent improvements (widening, paving and drainage upgrades) that make it more suitable for two-way traffic and managed evacuations. Staff recommended focusing public outreach and mitigation funding on roads that can safely move large numbers of vehicles.

The county and Denver Mountain Parks staff discussed the 2014 memorandum of understanding that previously identified Castlewood as an evacuation route. Denver Mountain Parks representatives said they plan to move forward with dissolving that MOU; staff asked only that Denver provide the MOU\u0000required 90-day notice in writing so the county and partners can coordinate public messaging.

Commissioner direction and next steps: commissioners asked county communications staff to draft a joint statement with Evergreen Fire Rescue and Denver Mountain Parks to explain the change to residents in Echo Hills and nearby neighborhoods. The board and partners also agreed to use the work as an opportunity to highlight household evacuation planning and to hold further outreach events in the Echo Hills neighborhood.

No formal vote was required; the session was recorded as a work session and staff were given direction to proceed with signage, public outreach and a coordinated public notice once Denver Mountain Parks provides the formal MOU termination notice.","After a work session with Evergreen Fire Rescue, Denver Mountain Parks and county staff, commissioners agreed Castlewood Drive should no longer be treated as a primary evacuation route; the county and partners will issue a coordinated statement and Denver Mountain Parks will provide required notice to end the 2014 memorandum of understanding.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6506441,"Clear Creek commissioners send mill-levy increase for fire and EMS to voters after brief debate",2922,8926000,11848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9&start=8926&end=11848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5710680-b7103e5ed86d9c32ad49e9756fcfcda9/thumbnail_8926000.jpg","/articles/6506441/Clear-Creek-County/Colorado/Clear-Creek-commissioners-send-mill-levy-increase-for-fire-and-EMS-to-voters-after-brief-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6506441-d509596388661e997e7655b9ade08cf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409109&Signature=QD3QlvtP-EibkMre33zMm6b2NuR9dxuEueTAuUjYQRsfYoG9-LcggphmBMCddPfEH6Me8VS40pgzdYPBwlgEdjESoficmMD6AGZX7CNlsIqNB2Qc8zJT9sDkyOhxwc8mtDfwmlWud8HPgVxGdn1KTveaBgck8wnxPJ969q5b~gZZqbBbs7RYyfQjcK0hpK1M0rKzQfdalGI49NxtxfOiR2RKmTw5xAnarIp0gBZAV1jnN5fRTkAvhcZCgzijKKZE582Fn2B7WaJRlGwyqQVkQL4d7L5h44UDcy0vT7WU3MlFVyY6jpXZJtYn4Ft~pTqM8xH0HOSxTKrlhdPYzj8vGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the Emergency Services General Improvement District (ESGID) board, voted Sept. 2 to place a property-tax measure on the Nov. 4 coordinated ballot asking voters to set the district\u0000mill rate at 11.459 mills to support Clear Creek Fire Authority and Clear Creek EMS.

Why it matters: county leaders said a decade-long drop in property-tax revenue for parts of the county, sharply higher capital costs for trucks and medical equipment, declining volunteer firefighters and a surge in medical calls tied to a growing elderly population and millions of annual visitors have combined to create a structural shortfall in emergency services funding.

Interim County Manager Colton told the board the EMS fund, now supported primarily by a 0.65-cent sales tax approved in 2019, is running an operating deficit: \"We are currently facing a $500,000 operating deficit out of that fund,\" Colton said during the presentation. He said the EMS fund balance stood at about $200,000 and that the county would otherwise have to shift general-fund dollars to maintain service.

Director Aaron Crowley, who oversees county EMS operations, described sustained increases in call volume. Crowley said EMS handles far more calls per 1,000 residents than typical rural counties and that a large share of calls require long transports outside the county, reducing ambulance availability locally.

Deputy/Assistant Chief Jeremy Jones explained the Clear Creek Fire Authority\u0000side of the problem: volunteers have declined and the authority now depends more on paid staff to reach minimum safe staffing levels. Jones and Colton also cited a large increase in capital costs for specialized equipment: government capital purchases tracked by the Federal Reserve have risen roughly 50% since 2020, they said.

How the plan would work: the ballot question asks voters to adopt a district-wide property-tax rate of 11.459 mills beginning with tax collection year 2026. County staff presented that figure as the amount that would align funding on the county\u0000east side (where Evergreen Fire Authority operates) with funding in the unincorporated areas. Colton presented an estimate of additional revenue tied to assessed values; the board accepted the staff estimates presented at the meeting.

Board action: Commissioner motion and second led to a recorded voice vote in which commissioners responded \"Aye\"; the measure passed the board and will appear on the Nov. 4 coordinated election ballot as Resolution R25-01.

What the board decided not to do: staff also proposed a second, related ballot question asking voters to waive the statutory limit on annual property-tax growth (a 5.25% cap). Commissioners discussed the complexity that adding a second question would create for voters and the comparatively small projected revenue gain in the current assessment cycle. The board elected not to submit that second measure to the ballot.

Next steps and communications: County staff said they will publish explanatory materials and asked partners (including the fire authority and municipal members of the ESGID) to coordinate public messaging. Colton said a voter information packet, the mandated \u0000blue book\u0000materials and a public outreach plan would follow. The board did not direct a formal, countywide advocacy campaign during the meeting; commissioners noted their legal limits on campaigning while acting as the ESGID board but said they can provide factual voter education materials.

Details to watch: the presentation cited an estimated $500,000 operating deficit in EMS, a roughly $1.2 million annual revenue target tied to the proposed mill rate based on preliminary assessed values, and a remaining EMS fund balance of about $200,000. Officials told commissioners the proposed mill rate would fund recruiting and retention, maintain minimum firefighter staffing, keep the third ambulance staffed more consistently, and help pay for capital equipment and wildfire readiness.

Commissioners and staff urged voters to look for follow-up public meetings and written materials that will explain how the district would spend any new revenue. The question will appear on the Nov. 4 coordinated election ballot under Resolution R25-01.","The county\u0000Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the Emergency Services General Improvement District board, approved a ballot question to raise the district\u0000mill rate to fund Clear Creek Fire Authority and EMS, citing rising equipment costs, staffing shortfalls and higher call volumes tied to an aging population and heavy visitation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: key votes from the Sept. 2 Clear Creek County commissioners meeting

Commissioners approve amended county compensation plan after wording changes

County, Denver Mountain Parks and Evergreen Fire conclude Castlewood Drive is not a safe evacuation route

Clear Creek commissioners send mill-levy increase for fire and EMS to voters after brief debate