Resident faults county retrofit program for unsuitable installation and vendor problems

A Boulder County resident criticized a county retrofit program and a past county-selected vendor, saying the county spent $25,000 on an air handler in her attic that she says did not support her planned geothermal and solar improvements and that a different, less expensive option would have been better.

"The county spent $25,000 putting an air handler in my attic...when they could have spent $7,000 for a mini split," Lynn Siegel told commissioners. Siegel said the retrofit removed her access for future geothermal equipment, alleged vendor mistreatment a decade ago and said a county staffer had "blackballed" her after she raised concerns. She also said a prior vendor performance issue left her excluded from the program.

Commissioners did not respond with an operational review at the meeting; staff were not recorded as giving an immediate remedy. Chair Lochanin invited the resident to submit additional documentation by email to the commissioners' office. No action, refund, or contractual change was approved or directed at the meeting.

The resident's remarks describe dissatisfaction with a specific county program, past vendor selection and oversight, and impacts on her ability to pursue energy upgrades. Commissioners encouraged the resident to provide records for staff to review.