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County weighs whether to refer home‑health/hospice mill levy to ballot and seeks childcare fixes after large preschool closure
Summary
Northwest Colorado Health told Routt County it faces a roughly $900,000 operating gap for home‑health and hospice covering Routt and Moffat counties and may seek local funding; commissioners urged a coalition approach rather than a single nonprofit‑driven ballot referral.
County staff briefed commissioners on a request from Northwest Colorado Health (the local home‑health and hospice provider) about funding a roughly $900,000 shortfall to sustain local services. Staff said the provider serves about 300 people across Routt and Moffat counties and has run persistent operating losses for several years; prior charitable donations have temporarily bridged gaps.
Ballot timing and approach: County and board members expressed caution about referring a single‑provider mill levy to the ballot on short notice. Commissioners and staff encouraged the provider and the region’s Health and Human Services Coalition to pursue a collaborative approach — combining multiple providers’ needs into a single, strategic ballot proposal — rather than a single nonprofit’s standalone request. Commissioners stressed polling and clear, joint messaging would be essential before any referral.
Moffat County outreach: Northwest Colorado Health plans to present a similar request to Moffat County; Routt County staff said they will coordinate with Moffat leaders before any action and that ballot timing (with other potential measures on the November ballot) creates risks of “ballot fatigue.”
Childcare and housing updates tied to county funding: Commissioners also discussed Brown Ranch housing deliberations and the county’s prior ARPA commitments (including roughly $1 million freed to match utility and design work). Staff reiterated that fund balance numbers do not equal unencumbered cash; much of the available balances are already committed to wastewater projects and other obligations. Commissioners asked staff to keep the board apprised of Brown Ranch committee membership and timeline.
Childcare shortfall: Commissioners and staff discussed the recent closure (suspension) of a large preschool (YoungTrax), which displaced about 75 families and created an immediate summer care gap. The county is exploring licensing, waiver and short‑term options (state waiver requests, partnerships with licensed providers and summer programs) and will pursue state contacts and potential Governor’s Office engagement to speed any temporary solutions for the displaced families.
Ending: Commissioners urged coalitionized planning on any ballot referral for home‑health/hospice funding, asked staff to coordinate with Moffat County, and directed staff to continue exploring childcare emergency options for summer 2025.
