Garfield County adopts ambulance authorization rules, reshuffles Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council

Garfield County commissioners voted to adopt the county’s Ambulance Services Authorization to Operate Rules and Regulations after the state changed ambulance licensing procedures.

Chris Barnhart, who participated in drafting the regulations, told the board the legislature had moved primary licensing responsibility to the state, leaving counties an option to “opt in” and administer county-level authorizations. Barnhart said the county’s proposed rules aim to streamline an initial licensing process while preserving the county’s ability to control which services operate inside Garfield County.

The regulations, approved by motion and a recorded roll call, include an opt-in framework the board said would allow the county to continue licensing local fire districts and a limited private transfer company, following prior practice. Commissioners debated the degree of state control; Commissioner Jankowski said he opposed more state oversight in principle but supported adopting local regulations to maintain local control over which operators work in Garfield County.

Separately, commissioners approved a resolution to perpetuate the Garfield County Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council (MTAC) and approved added representatives for Colorado Mountain College and Valley View Hospital (named in session as Dovi for Colorado Mountain College and Carly DeBeck for Valley View). Board discussion clarified that those entities would serve as seats on MTAC, and the board also corrected clerical names and membership listings.

The board recorded one “nay” during the ambulance rules vote but approved the resolution overall. Commissioners said the rules can be amended later as county staff learn more about the state’s role and implementation.