Larimer County commissioners select Jody Shattuck McNally as 2026 chair; John Kefalas named chair pro tem

Jody Shattuck McNally was elected chair of the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners for 2026 after a unanimous voice vote at the board’s administrative matters meeting on Jan. 6.

Commissioner Kristen Stevens moved the appointment, saying, "I move to appoint commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally as the chair for 2026 and authorize her to buy and sell real estate upon approval of the board." Stevens also thanked colleagues for the opportunity to serve as chair in 2025. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote; the record shows, "That motion passes 3 to 0." Stevens then yielded the gavel to Shattuck McNally.

The board also appointed Commissioner John Kefalas as chair pro tem. Stevens moved the appointment: "I move to appoint commissioner John Kefalas as the chair pro tem for 2026 and authorize him to buy and sell real estate in the absence of the chair upon approval of the board." Kefalas accepted the responsibility and pledged to serve the people of Larimer County.

Separately, Kefalas moved to designate the board chair—Commissioner Shattuck McNally—as the official responsible for receiving and reviewing formal problem-solving requests filed by direct reports to the county manager or county attorney. The board approved that designation by voice vote.

The board took no further formal business on the reorganization items and proceeded to other agenda matters; the meeting record shows each reorganization motion was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The chair’s handoff and the designation of problem-solving responsibility are administrative actions that ensure continuity of board authority and a single point of intake for staff escalation in 2026.