Community Counts told Garfield County commissioners on Aug. 19 that its telephone response line, website and training programs remain in place to serve residents who report conflicts with energy-industry operations or to disseminate emergency information such as road closures and evacuation notices.

Executive Director Carla Distel said Community Counts "right-sized" staffing and operations after a downturn in energy-related calls but has kept the infrastructure to respond quickly if industry or emergency activity resurges. "We wanted to preserve that infrastructure," Distel said, adding the organization cut staff hours and some administrative functions to operate on a smaller budget.

Distel described Community Counts' role during 2025 wildfire incidents: the group used its mailing list and alert systems to push evacuation and road-closure notifications and also provided services to neighboring Rio Blanco County when local operators there needed assistance. Distel requested continued county support at a sustainable level; she said Community Counts had previously operated on larger county grants but now requests $3,000 for ongoing work and noted that smaller applicants may be moved into the county's discretionary grants program.

Commissioners said a $3,000 request would likely be included in the county's discretionary grants round (up to $5,000) and praised Distel for "right-sizing" the organization while maintaining key services. The board said Community Counts' notification work has been especially valuable during fires, floods and other local emergencies.