Grand County commissioners approve EMS contracts, $5M EMS‑station change order, equipment lease and dark‑sky zoning; set BOE process

Grand County Board of County Commissioners on April 8, 2025 in Hot Sulphur Springs approved a series of contracts, grants and procedural changes affecting emergency services, county equipment financing, land‑use rules and property‑tax appeals.

The most consequential votes included extending Grand County EMS’ medical‑direction contract, accepting a $5,000 regional EMS grant, authorizing a $5,013,153.56 change order to begin work on EMS Station 1 in Granby before the county’s DOLA grant is formally awarded, approving a $878,904 equipment finance agreement for three motor graders, adopting countywide dark‑sky lighting rules in the zoning regulations, and directing staff to hire hearing referees and permit electronic notices for the 2025 Board of Equalization (BOE) season.

Why it matters: several items affect county capital spending and operations (the EMS station change order and the motor‑grader lease), public safety (medical‑direction continuity and ambulance equipment), and property owners (zoning and the BOE timetable for valuation appeals).

Grand County EMS: contracts, grant acceptance and equipment

Grand County EMS Chief Austin Wingate told commissioners the board approved an amendment extending the county’s medical‑direction agreement with Denver Health and Hospital Authority through 2028. Wingate said the amendment updates the contract dates and “allows for a 3.5% increase year over year for cost of living.” Commissioners voted to approve the amendment.

Wingate also presented a letter from the Foothills Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council (REMTAC) awarding a $5,000 grant to the county for EMS-related basic needs; the board voted to accept the funding and authorize signature.

On ambulance equipment, Wingate said the new medic chassis is expected to be delivered in July and that staff requested direction to lock in pricing and place an order for a Stryker stretcher system to avoid anticipated October price increases. The stretcher system price was presented as $66,135. Commissioners directed staff to move forward with ordering the stretcher; staff noted there is a possibility supplemental capital funding may be necessary at year end.

EMS Station 1 (Granby): $5,013,153.56 change order to begin site work

County project manager Jeff Hickam described a change order to the pre‑construction contract for EMS Station 1 in Granby, explaining the county has a conditional award from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for $1,800,000 but cannot contract for those DOLA funds until the award is final. Hickam said the $5,013,153.56 change order covers early work items — insurance, portable toilets, fencing, utilities, foundation and earthwork — so the project can start within the short local building season without jeopardizing the DOLA award. "This change order is for $5,013,153.56," Hickam said. The board approved the change order and directed staff to continue negotiating a guaranteed maximum price for later stages of the project.

Road and Bridge equipment financing

Zach Brody of Grand County Road and Bridge presented an equipment lease application with U.S. Bank to finance three motor graders. Brody said the county will finance $878,904 at an interest rate of 4.31% with one annual payment over seven years of $141,992.04. Grand County staff and the treasurer said borrowing at that rate is more economical than drawing on reserves; commissioners approved the leasing contract and authorized the chair to sign.

Human Services: authority for confidential child‑welfare placements

Deb Rutenberg, director of Grand County Human Services, asked the board to authorize her to sign two confidential, child‑specific placement agreements for Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs). Rutenberg explained the agreements are confidential because they name youth and therefore are not put in the public packet; the board voted to grant the director authority to sign those confidential placement agreements.

Treasurer resolution: cancel tax lien

Grand County Treasurer Marcy Wheatley presented Resolution 2025‑4‑1, authorizing cancellation of a tax lien (tax lien number 2017‑00196) pursuant to Colorado law. Wheatley said the mobile home referenced has not been on the tax roll since February 2018 and that the lien balance as of April 4, 2025 was $209.98. Commissioners approved Resolution 2025‑4‑1 to remove the lien from county books.

Zoning: countywide dark‑sky lighting amendment adopted

Chris Manguso, director of Community Development, presented a zoning regulation amendment to add dark‑sky lighting requirements for new building permits across unincorporated Grand County (not municipalities). Manguso said the change follows standards the county has applied in specific areas for years and that the amendment is not retroactive. Following a public hearing — which included comments from residents urging limits on lights left on 24/7 — commissioners voted to approve the zoning amendment adding dark‑sky lighting regulations.

Resolution opposing state bill on firearms procedures

The board voted to approve Resolution 2025‑4‑3 opposing Colorado Senate Bill SB25‑003 (noted in the meeting packet with variant formatting). Sheriff Brett Sherlund spoke to operational impacts and potential costs, saying the legislation would "potentially make me have to add 1 to 1.2 FTEs to my budget," a staffing expense the county would need to fund. The resolution records the county’s opposition and cites concerns about unfunded mandates for local law‑enforcement agencies.

Support letter and other administrative items

Commissioners authorized a short letter of support for Harms & Sons (estimating/excavating/metal recycling) for a Hot Sulphur Springs special‑use permit process; county staff noted the town is reviewing the special‑use permit and may apply conditions to mitigate impacts.

Vouchers and monthly reports

Curtis Lang in accounting summarized the week’s vouchers and wire transfers — the batch totaled a little over $544,000; Road and Bridge bought two water trucks for about $223,000; Open Lands, Rivers and Trails dispersed $13,000 to Headwater Trails for 2025 trail projects; the county’s first quarter hot‑sulfur water bill was about $39,000; tourism monthly costs were about $58,000. The board moved to approve payment of the vouchers and wire transfers as presented.

Board of Equalization (BOE) procedures: referees and electronic notices

County Assessor staff and County Manager’s Office staff briefed commissioners on the property valuation protest and BOE appeals calendar for the 2025 revaluation. Assessor staff explained the valuation date is June 30, 2024 (the statutory appraisal date for the 2025 tax year) and described the protest window and appeal options.

The board voted to advertise and hire independent hearing referees to preside over BOE appeal hearings (the referees will make recommendations to the BOE, which issues final determinations). Commissioners also authorized the use of electronic notices for scheduling and hearing communications during the BOE process; staff said the county will still provide hard copies by mail if petitioners request them.

What’s next

Staff noted follow‑ups: the DOLA grant paperwork for EMS Station 1 is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, Big Valley (the contractor) and county project staff will continue to negotiate the guaranteed maximum price, and a scheduled meeting with the stretcher vendor will finalize costs on April 15. The assessor’s office will mail notices of valuation on May 1; the protest window and the BOE appeal deadlines were reviewed in the meeting and staff will publish the annual BOE notice.