Board directs county attorney to pursue legal action on Steamboat Express and hires special counsel for PUC matter

Following a closed executive session Oct. 21, the Routt County Board of County Commissioners authorized two legal actions: (1) it directed the county attorney to take legal action relating to “CMODE/Steamboat Express,” and (2) it authorized the county attorney to sign an engagement letter with the law firm Kaplan & Kirsch in connection with a Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) matter.

The board moved into executive session at about 10:26 a.m. under Colorado statutory authority for attorney‑client matters and to develop negotiation strategy—CRS section 24‑6‑402(4)(b) and CRS section 24‑6‑402(4)(e)(I) were read into the record. The chair stated the executive session was not being electronically recorded and reminded participants that no formal action may take place in executive session.

After returning to open session at about 11:15 a.m., the board recorded motions and voice votes. One commissioner moved and another seconded a motion to authorize the county attorney to take legal action with respect to the Steamboat Express matter; the motion carried on a voice vote. A second motion authorized the county attorney to sign the engagement letter with Kaplan & Kirsch regarding the PUC matter; that motion also passed by unanimous voice vote.

The transcript records the board’s direction and the presence of staff during the executive session but does not disclose the substance of privileged discussion. The board’s public action was limited to authorizing legal steps and retaining outside counsel for the PUC engagement.