Routt County staff presented an analysis of heating, ventilation and air conditioning options for the historic courthouse, recommending the board plan for a multi‑year effort that could include electric heat pumps for rooftop units and either a higher‑efficiency gas boiler or an electric boiler for the central plant.

Iconergy, the county’s mechanical consultant, produced a report that compared options including all‑electric boilers, high‑efficiency gas boilers, electric rooftop heat pumps and dual‑fuel rooftop units with gas or electric resistance backup. Staff warned that large commercial heat‑pump rooftop units do not yet reliably provide heat at very low winter temperatures and that a backup heat source will be required for cold spells.

The most significant cost and lead‑time risk is upgrading electrical service to the building; staff said an upgrade to the utility service could add roughly a year to the project timeline and would be the largest single cost. Commissioners discussed phasing: install electric-compatible rooftop units first if existing service permits, then schedule a separate service upgrade to support an electrified boiler plant in a subsequent year.

Commissioners discussed lifecycle and ROI. Staff estimated the typical equipment life for the rooftop units at about 15 years, which factored into deliberations about whether to adopt newer technologies now or delay for further improvements. Commissioners and staff flagged climate goals — including a forthcoming grid emissions reduction tied to the county’s utility provider transition to Guzman — and a potential Colorado Energy Office grant (Impact Accelerator) with an August 1 application deadline that could offset installation costs.

No formal procurement decision was made during the work session. Staff was directed to continue design planning, to contact the local utility to scope service‑upgrade requirements and lead times, and to pursue grant opportunities that could change the project financials.

Why it matters: The courthouse is a historic, high‑use county building; decisions about rooftop units, boiler electrification and electrical service upgrades will determine near‑term capital needs, ongoing utility costs and the county’s trajectory toward building decarbonization.