Park County commissioners approve conservation grants, conveyance to Fairplay, form health service study committee and OK vehicle leases

The Park County Board of Commissioners on May 12 approved several local funding and administrative actions affecting conservation projects, county fleet procurement and intergovernmental property conveyance.

In a series of motions carried unanimously, the board approved three Land & Water Trust Fund projects after presentations by Liz Biggs. Commissioners approved the Bailey Water and Sanitation District treatment plant improvement (motion by Commissioner Gemmer, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, carried 3-0). The board also approved Colorado Open Lands’ Riparian Reconnect wetland restoration and science project with modified funding of $376,200.00 (Mitchell motion; Gemmer seconded; carried 3-0). The Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative 2026 proposal was approved with funding of $193,448.00 for community-based conservation and recreation work (Gemmer motion; Mitchell seconded; carried 3-0). The ParkCo Burland Equestrian Park arena improvement project was presented but tabled; the board asked for a future presentation with a more comprehensive plan including partners and matching funds (Mitchell motion to table; Gemmer seconded; carried 3-0).

The board accepted a Board of Adjustment recommendation and appointed Michael E. Lockette as a BOA member (Wissel motion; Gemmer seconded; carried 3-0).

Commissioners approved a letter of intent and a companion resolution to convey real property identified as Parcel #472, Lot 2 Front Street, to the Town of Fairplay by quitclaim deed, subject to conditions of public use and intergovernmental cooperation. The board adopted Resolution 2026-024 to authorize the conveyance; Janell Sciacca, Town of Fairplay administrator, spoke during that agenda item. Both the letter of intent and the resolution were approved by unanimous vote (Mitchell motion; Gemmer seconded; carried 3-0).

On county governance and public health, the board adopted Resolution 2026-025 to establish the Park County Health Service District study committee to evaluate viability, governance and financial management of a possible health service district (Gemmer motion; Mitchell seconded; carried 3-0). The board also approved Public Health’s Child Fatality Prevention Services scope of work for $4,500.00 after a presentation by Michaela Mani (Mitchell motion; Gemmer seconded; carried 3-0).

In procurement actions, presenters including Jared McQueer, April Chabot and a representative from Enterprise Rental outlined lease options for a light fleet. The board authorized Enterprise light fleet lease agreements covering 3 Ford F-150s, 2 Ford Expeditions, 22 Ford Mavericks and 2 F-250s (Gemmer motion; Wissel seconded; carried 3-0).

There were no public hearings and no public comments recorded. Staff noted intermittent Zoom audio problems early in the meeting but that recording continued after a restart. The meeting adjourned at 2:42 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Bailey Water & Sanitation District treatment plant improvement — approved (3-0). - Colorado Open Lands, Riparian Reconnect — approved, $376,200.00 (3-0). - Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative 2026 — approved, $193,448.00 (3-0). - ParkCo Burland Equestrian Park arena improvement — tabled for more comprehensive plan (3-0 to table). - Board of Adjustment appointment: Michael E. Lockette — appointed (3-0). - Quitclaim conveyance to Town of Fairplay (Parcel #472 Lot 2 Front Street) and Resolution 2026-024 — approved (3-0). - Resolution 2026-025 establishing Health Service District study committee — approved (3-0). - Public Health Child Fatality Prevention Services scope of work — approved, $4,500.00 (3-0). - Enterprise light fleet lease agreements — approved (3-0).

Next steps noted by the board: the Burland Equestrian Park project will return with a more comprehensive plan that includes partnering organizations and matching funds; the Health Service District study committee will undertake evaluation work as authorized by Resolution 2026-025.