Dolores County board approves $11,475.38 impact assistance grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The Dolores County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a 2026 impact assistance grant request totaling $11,475.38, board members confirmed.

A staff member told commissioners the request is a straight funding request from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and requires no local match. "Coming from Colorado Parks and Wildlife," the staff member said, "the total amount that we're requesting is $11,475.38." The staff member added that this was the final copy of the application and that they would submit it today and could email a copy of the packet to commissioners.

Commissioners discussed the broader reason the amount rose this year: a county reappraisal increased assessed values. One commissioner noted the county had requested about $10,000 last year; staff said the increase largely reflected the recent reappraisal and the way 10-year averages of yields are used in valuation. A commissioner remarked that farmers are feeling taxed higher in a drought year, and staff explained the valuation process uses multi-year averages that can produce lagging effects when climate and yields change.

The motion to approve the 2026 impact assistance grants was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the board recorded unanimous affirmative responses. Staff confirmed they would submit the paperwork the same day.

The approval addresses the county's request to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and does not create a local match obligation. Further administrative follow-up will occur through staff to finalize the submission and provide copies to commissioners.