Pitkin County outlines $8.8M regional dispatch center at Station 42, explores staff housing options

Pitkin County officials presented design and financing details on Jan. 6 for a new regional 9-1-1 dispatch center at Roaring Fork Fire Station 42 that will occupy the entire second floor of a station redevelopment and is budgeted at about $8.8 million.

Project manager Jeff Krueger said the dispatch component comprises roughly 4,200 square feet on the second floor plus supporting vertical circulation and first-floor telecommunications rooms. “One of the bigger areas is that we’re increasing operational space,” Krueger said, noting the current North 40 facility supports five consoles while the new operations floor will support eight consoles and room for future growth.

Krueger described a three-phase schedule: Phase 1 (core and shell; exterior/roof/utilities) is nearly complete and expected to finish in spring; Phase 2 (interior tenant improvements and specialized dispatch infrastructure such as whole-building UPS, lightning protection and generator) is planned to begin after permit approval in January/February; Phase 3 (systems integration, consoles, server rooms and the North 40 move) is expected to start in August with project closeout by year-end. The capital budget presented to the board shows Phase 1 at about $4.1 million, Phase 2 at about $4.3 million, and Phase 3 additional costs, for a total around $8.8 million.

Krueger also emphasized a decompression and wellness space for dispatcher mental-health and safety needs: “A 9-1-1 dispatch operator is one of the most stressful jobs out there...this can actually lead to burnout and in some cases PTSD,” he told the board, describing plans for relaxation seating, bunks, a TV and an on-site shower to support staff during shifts and severe weather.

The project is a partnership with Roaring Fork Fire Rescue (station host), with Wember serving as owner’s representative and shared architectural and contracting teams to gain efficiencies. Staff said financing will use certificates of participation allocated according to the IGA percentages among public-safety agencies; a condominiumization survey is required before finalizing financing.

Board members asked whether the second-floor program could include employee housing. County staff said the building is permitted for public-safety use and conversion to residential occupancy would require reopening zoning and renegotiating IGAs; staff noted Roaring Fork Fire is exploring adjacent townhome-style housing on the campus that could offer priority units for dispatch staff. Commissioners asked staff to explore prioritization for employees (lottery or preferential placement) and to return with financing and permitting implications.

Why it matters: The center aims to improve dispatch resiliency, provide room for future staff growth and address dispatcher wellness—factors staff say will help recruit and retain dispatchers in a high-cost labor market.

What’s next: Staff will extend the existing North 40 lease as needed, complete condominiumization and permit work, negotiate ongoing shared-cost IGAs with Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, and continue exploring workforce-housing collaborations with local partners.

(Reporting based on the Pitkin County BOCC work session presentation, Jan. 6, 2026.)