Weld County commissioners approve routine contracts, road closure and a replacement surety for a solar project

Weld County commissioners on Monday approved a set of routine administrative actions, including an agreement to allow secure electronic exchange of employee benefit enrollment data, a three-year vendor contract for online tax-lien auctions and local road and right-of-way transactions.

Human Resources director Jill Scott told commissioners that with Anthem now the county—s medical carrier, the county needs an electronic transactions trading partner agreement to establish an electronic data interchange connection so employee benefits enrollment data, including protected health information, can be transmitted securely. "There is no cost to the County, and this is a standard requirement," Scott said. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved final authorization for the agreement.

Treasurer Bridgette Grama and Deputy Treasurer Sonia Colegraff presented a three-year agreement with Real Auction to hold tax-lien auctions online. Grama said state statute allows auctions to be held online and that Weld County now conducts its tax-lien, tax-deed and foreclosure auctions online for reasons of cost, conveyance and safety. She told the board the auction carries a pass-through cost of $11 per parcel for winning bidders, "that's a $1 increase from last year," and that because the fee is passed through to investors there is no cost to the county. Commissioners approved the contract.

Public Works asked the board to approve a temporary closure of County Road 50 between County Roads 13 and 15 from Nov. 17 through Nov. 21 so crews can replace an irrigation culvert that is failing beneath the roadway. Sami Muche said the detour for the closure will use paved roads; the board approved the closure.

Also approved was a memorandum of agreement and joint escrow instructions to acquire two easements needed for the design-build project on High Plains Boulevard (County Road 9.5) at its intersection with Weld County Road 34. Cameron Parrott of Public Works described the purchase as a 0.845-acre permanent slope and drainage easement and a 0.923-acre temporary construction easement; total compensation for the acquisitions is $71,155.46.

The board accepted a quitclaim deed conveying 0.071 acres to the county from Public Service Company of Colorado and Xcel Energy to support a roundabout project at County Roads 13 and 54.

In planning business, Matthew Bridal of the Department of Planning and Services presented a request from Sunshare LLC related to USR21-0004, a solar energy facility. Staff recommended releasing an existing surety bond (SU1172321 from Arch Insurance, $84,000) and accepting a replacement bond (800137768 from Atlantic Specialty Insurance, $84,000); Bridal said the new bond complies with condition of approval and with Weld County Code section 23-4-1030(b)(4)(g). Commissioners approved the replacement surety and related resolution.

Votes at a glance - Minutes from Oct. 27, 2025 — approved (motion: Commissioner Jason Maxey; second: Commissioner Lynette Peppler). - Consent agenda including VAC25-0021 (removal of Lot B for Sean Hoffman) — approved (motion: Commissioner Scott James; second: Commissioner Lynette Peppler). - General warrants — approved (motion: Commissioner Jason Maxey; second: Commissioner Scott James). - Commissioner warrants for Lynette Peppler — approved by roll call: Maxey: Yes; Peppler: Abstain; Ross: Excused; James: Yes; Buck: Yes. - Electronic transaction trading partner agreement for Elevent Health Inc. (benefits EDI) — approved (mover: Commissioner Jason Maxey; second: Commissioner Scott James). - Contract for Internet-based tax-lien auction services (Real Auction), three-year term; $11 pass-through fee per parcel — approved. - Temporary closure of County Road 50 (CR 50 between CR 13 and CR 15), Nov. 17–21 — approved. - Contract/memorandum for easement purchases for High Plains Boulevard (County Road 9.5 at CR 34) — approved; compensation $71,155.46. - Acceptance of quitclaim deed conveying 0.071 acres for CR 13 & CR 54 roundabout — approved. - Full release and replacement of surety bond for Sunshare LLC (USR21-0004) — approved (replacement bond $84,000).

What the meeting did not cover: no public commenters approached the board during the public comment period and the meeting was adjourned after routine business.

The board recorded attendance as four of five commissioners present; Kevin Ross was excused. The clerk noted motions and votes were taken by voice for most items and by roll call for the commissioner warrants related to Commissioner Peppler.

Next steps: approved contracts and deeds will be executed by the chair as authorized; construction-related actions (road closure, easement acquisitions) proceed to their implementation phases per county staff scheduling.