County authorizes $175,000 capital allocation and awards Tomboy Road repair contract after securing outside contributions

San Miguel County commissioners authorized June 18 the award of a contract to repair Tomboy Road, approved a $175,000 capital allocation to close a funding gap and confirmed outside contributions that together will fund the short‑term repair of a forest‑access road damaged below Matterhorn Falls.

Background and procurement

The county solicited bids to repair roadway sections that had been undermined by runoff below an abandoned mine and waterfall. Staff, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, evaluated bids and met with federal engineers after the first site review. County staff said the winning team — EarthTech West in partnership with Access In Motion — best addressed both surface water and subgrade groundwater percolation in their proposed design. Staff noted the winning team was one of the responsive, locally‑aware bidders and also provided a competitively priced proposal.

Funding and community contributions

County Manager Mike Bordona and staff reported confirmed outside funding: the U.S. Forest Service committed $100,000; Idarado (a private mining company) confirmed a $50,000 contribution; local tour operators and private supporters pledged about $7,000 more (Telluride Outside $5,000, West Slope 4‑Wheelers $2,500, and one private donor $500) bringing confirmed outside funds to $160,000. The winning bid plus required performance bond totaled $335,000. Commissioners authorized awarding the work to the recommended contractor and allocated $175,000 from the county capital fund to cover the remaining cost.

Permitting and schedule

Planning staff confirmed the county application and supporting narrative meet requirements for a single‑step permit needed for construction on the forest‑access road; the project will require the contractor to finalize engineered design and obtain Forest Service review and approval before construction can begin. Staff said the Forest Service and contractor intend to proceed as quickly as permitting allows.

Why it matters: public access and safety

Tomboy Road provides recreational access and is also critical to local guiding and tourism businesses. County and Forest Service representatives stressed the repair is urgent to preserve public access and to reduce risk to travelers and the roadbed.

Speakers - Mike Bordona, County Manager, San Miguel County (government) - Jared Biggs, Deputy County Manager (government)

Clarifying details - Confirmed outside funding total: $160,000 (USFS $100,000; Idarado $50,000; local donors and tour operators $7,000). - Winning bid with bond: $335,000 (contractor: EarthTech West / Access In Motion). - County gap: $175,000 allocated from county capital fund by BOCC motion.

Actions - Motion: Authorize award of the Tomboy Road repair contract to EarthTech West / Access In Motion and allocate $175,000 from the county capital fund to cover remaining project costs. - Mover: not specified - Outcome: approved (unanimous)

Next steps

Staff will finalize the county contract with the awarded contractor, submit the engineered design to the U.S. Forest Service for approval and proceed to construction contingent on permit approval. Staff will also continue to report fundraising progress and provide construction updates to the board.

Ending: Commissioners praised the collaborative funding approach and encouraged staff to move quickly on permitting and contract execution.