Weld County commissioners approve RFP for Justice Center construction as one project; vote 5–0

Weld County commissioners voted unanimously to direct staff to issue a request for proposals for a construction-manager/general-contractor to build the Weld County Justice Center as one unified project.

Commissioner Kevin Ross said the decision follows more than two years of study and public outreach tied to the county’s facilities master plan and insisted the board was complying with Section 14-8 of the county charter: “We are complying with 14-8. We are not raising anybody’s taxes to do this,” Ross said, noting the county would use existing reserves rather than a new mill levy.

Commissioner Jason Maxey, citing research by county attorneys and historical charter commission records, said Section 14-8 is contextually tied to ad valorem taxation rather than a spending cap and invoked CRS 30-11-104 as part of the county’s statutory duty to provide suitable court facilities. “Section 14-8 as written is tied to ad valorem taxation,” Maxey said, adding that building the center as one project is the most fiscally responsible approach.

County staff member Matt Conroy told the board he had no formal presentation and was present to answer questions. “I don’t really have much of a presentation, but [I’m] here to answer any questions,” Conroy said.

Commissioner Buck thanked the county legal team and the County Council for their work and said the board must be “the best stewards of the citizens’ tax dollars.” Mr. Collins also spoke briefly in support, urging stewardship and action after extensive study.

Commissioner remarks repeatedly emphasized three points: multiple studies and experts led the board to conclude current courthouse facilities are inadequate; the board was advised that the charter’s Section 14-8 governs taxing authority rather than routine project spending; and proceeding with a single coordinated project would be materially cheaper than staging separate projects over multiple years. One commissioner said the unified approach could save “tens of millions of dollars” compared with splitting construction into separate contracts.

Commissioner Ross moved to approve the resolution directing staff to issue the RFP for a CM/GC to build the justice center as a single project; Commissioner Jason Maxey seconded. The chair called a roll call vote; Harry Baughk, Lynette Pebler, Kevin Ross, Jason Maxey and Scott James each voted yes and the motion passed, recorded as Resolution 2026-1553.

The board’s action directs staff to begin the procurement process to select a CM/GC. The resolution does not itself appropriate construction funding; commissioners said funding will come from existing reserves and the project will remain subject to future budget approvals and any additional procedural or legal requirements.