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Chaffee County honors outgoing Commissioners Keith Baker and Greg Felt at board meeting
Summary
Commissioners, colleagues and community members offered tributes reflecting on eight years of service by Commissioners Keith Baker and Greg Felt, citing pandemic leadership, the Code Blue shelter, housing efforts and conservation initiatives.
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners and local residents used the meeting to recognize outgoing Commissioners Keith Baker and Greg Felt for their years of service.
Speakers — including current commissioners, agency partners and residents — praised the pair for leadership during major events such as the Decker fire response, the COVID‑19 pandemic coordination and vaccination clinics, and for initiatives including the Code Blue shelter and steps toward creating a county housing office. Robert Secada, who identified himself as having served with Commissioner Felt on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, thanked Felt for “amazing thoughtfulness, his insight, and his dedication” and for representing Chaffee County on water and land‑use issues.
Commissioner Keith Baker used his remarks to describe priorities he pursued while in office and to offer advice to incoming commissioners. Baker said, “When I was running, I told people a few times that I thought this would be the pinnacle of my career of public service, and I still feel that way.” He highlighted efforts to convene partners to address homelessness, noting early conversations that contributed to the Code Blue shelter.
Colleagues also emphasized long‑term projects: county housing officials and community members credited commissioners with supporting the Housing Policy Advisory Committee, formation of the county housing office and later steps toward a housing authority. A representative speaking for the Chaffee County Community Foundation said the board’s endorsement and financial support were crucial to that organization’s success.
Speakers repeatedly praised the commissioners’ ability to convene stakeholders, to pursue collaborative solutions on contentious matters such as fire district boundary changes and gravel‑pit hearings, and to shepherd long‑range planning work including the comprehensive plan adopted in 2020.
The meeting concluded with thanks and best wishes to both commissioners as they step down; both commissioners thanked staff, family and community partners in turn.
