Commission approves extension on search‑and‑rescue podcast contract after contractor cites extra work

The commission approved an amendment extending the completion date of an independent‑contract podcast project about Grand County Search and Rescue until Nov. 30 in order to finish remaining episodes and the distribution setup.

County staff originally contracted with KZMU (community radio) for six podcast episodes focused on outdoor rescue stories, responsible recreation and Search and Rescue operations. Project managers told the commission the planning and interview phase required substantially more hours than estimated because locating and clearing interview subjects and reviewing incident reports took far longer than anticipated.

Contractor Molly Marcello, who produced the episodes, said she and station partners spent extra time securing permissions, working with Search and Rescue and the sheriff’s office and shaping the tone to emphasize safe outcomes: “The workload to make the phenomenal product that these podcasts are — was much more complex than was anticipated,” Marcello said. She said several episodes were complete and additional material would be finished in the coming weeks.

County Attorney Steven raised legal and policy concerns about new contract language that would allow underwriting or a broadcasting right; he cautioned that any arrangement that effectively sells advertising or allows third‑party underwriting tied to government content creates additional obligations and potential appearance problems. Commissioners debated whether to approve a station‑broadcasting option and an underwriting add‑on; a substitute motion to extend the contract’s completion date to Nov. 30 without approving additional underwriting passed unanimously.

What the extension covers: the amendment extends the contract timeline so the county can receive the remaining episodes, and gives staff time to prepare distribution (RSS feeds, artwork and hosting) and any editorial credits. KZMU representatives and the contractor told the commission the podcasts will be ready for county review in late June or July; the county asked for a short window to complete publishing infrastructure without repeating extensions.

Ending: commissioners emphasized oversight of contractor deliverables and thanked Search and Rescue, the contractor and station staff for completing episodes that officials said could also advance safe‑recreation messaging to visitors. The commission did not approve the additional underwriting payment at this time; staff said they could return with a separate request if the county wanted to underwrite broadcast placement or purchase slots on community radio.