Garfield County expands traveler eligibility to age 70 and reduces reservation window to 24 hours

Garfield County commissioners on Aug. 18 approved recommended changes to the county’s older‑adult traveler transportation program and supporting advisory bylaws.

Human services staff and Sheila Strauss, who has served on the county’s older adult advisory board, described two policy shifts under the 2025 traveler recommendations: widening eligibility to any resident 70 or older (previously eligibility required a functional disability regardless of age) and shortening the reservation window from 48 to 24 hours. Strauss said the board expects the change to increase ridership while keeping program costs steady; the advisory board recommended a pilot year to track demand and priorities for service. The board also approved updated bylaws for the older-adult programs advisory board to meet community services block grant (CSBG) requirements and to formalize the tripartite process to recommend subcommittee members.

Commissioners approved a roster change to appoint Kelly Gunder as a community representative to the 2025 tripartite board. Staff said the county manages CSBG funds for the traveler service (about $60,000 annually is used locally) and noted Huntington County is a $20,000 subrecipient under the current arrangement. The County approved the changes and authorized the chair to sign updated agreements.

Why it matters: The travel program provides rides to older adults across municipalities in Garfield County. The eligibility shift and booking window change are intended to increase access for older residents while giving staff a year to evaluate demand and prioritize riders.