Volunteer Says County Fee Blocked 26-Year Thanksgiving Giveaway; Officials Point to 2016 Permit Rule
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Summary
A long-time volunteer complained that a newly enforced road-closure fee prevented her from running a 26-year Montana Vista Thanksgiving turkey distribution. County staff said the fee stems from a 2016 special-events policy and a waiver request was denied; commissioners agreed to consider the policy for future agenda review.
A Montana Vista volunteer told the El Paso County Commissioners on Monday that a $150 road-closure fee charged for her Thanksgiving turkey giveaway amounted to retaliation and had impeded her 26-year volunteer effort.
Tina Silva, a longtime resident and precinct chair, said the event—run from her home for more than two decades—had never before required a fee and that the charge prevented her from feeding dozens of seniors. "I'm 70 years old... What do you want me to do?" she asked the court.
Attorney Jaime Abatea and other public commenters described the collection of the fee as improper and urged the court to change the policy. Abatea said the fee appeared retaliatory after public criticism of a competing event.
Betsy Keller, who oversees special-event permits in the county, explained the administrative record in detail. Keller said a policy adopted in 2016 governs road-closure permits and fee waivers; in this case an application was submitted and a request to waive the fee was denied because the staff found no waiver authority in the applicable policy. Keller said she had not previously waived the fee for any special event and that constable Javier Garcia paid the fee at Silva's request so the event could proceed.
Commissioners said they could not deliberate the policy in public comment but directed staff and the county attorney to investigate whether the item could be placed on a future agenda for review. Keller said the office could bring back an item for reimbursement or policy revision but would need time to analyze the policy language and recommended processes.
Next steps: commissioners asked county attorney staff and policy owners to study the 2016 special-events policy and return with recommended amendments and potential reimbursement options; the court encouraged Silva and community partners to engage with commissioners after the meeting.