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Commissioners fill planning, advisory and housing authority seats after lengthy housing board debate
Summary
The Chaffee County commissioners appointed new members to the planning commission, Common Ground Citizens Advisory Committee and the Chaffee County Housing Authority, approving several nominations and triggering discussion about lived‑experience representation on the housing board.
The Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners appointed members to three county advisory bodies after interviews and debate, including a contested decision over two seats on the county housing authority.
For the planning commission the board appointed Joanne Allen, Jim Clark and Alex Lunsford as regular members and named Jessica Downing and Jeffrey Keidel as alternates, citing geographic and occupational representation. "I put together a slate... I’d like to appoint Joanne Allen, Jim Clark, and Alex Lunsford," a commissioner said during the discussion.
On the Common Ground Citizens Advisory Committee, the board reappointed Denise Schnur and approved appointments for Michael Hannigan and Joe Stone to fill open district representation and expertise in forest health, outdoor recreation and nonprofit work.
The most heated discussion centered on the Chaffee County Housing Authority (CHA) board. Commissioners debated three finalists and repeatedly emphasized the need for measurable results, fiduciary oversight and inclusion of lived‑experience perspectives. Commissioners discussed the value of passionate advocates as well as the risk that highly vocal members can create friction in a volunteer board setting. Commissioner remarks reflected a desire both to harness community energy and to see operational progress and measurable return on community investments in housing.
After extended discussion the commission moved and seconded a motion to appoint Salty Riggs and Brett Landon to two open seats on the CHA; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioners asked the CHA board to consider a formal lived‑experience subcommittee or other mechanisms for including people with direct housing experience in decision‑making, and they encouraged the CHA board to consider other finalists for future roles.
All appointments referenced specific resolutions in the meeting packet: the planning commission resolution (to be finalized as 2025‑06), Common Ground advisory committee resolution 2025‑09, and the CHA resolution 2025‑10.
Commissioners said they were encouraged by the high number of applicants for volunteer boards and emphasized the importance of diversity in geography, profession and lived experience when making appointments.
