Rio Blanco commissioners approve emergency watershed contract increase, multiple EWP bid awards and ratify middle‑mile broadband grant

RIO BLANCO COUNTY — The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners on June 30 approved a series of emergency‑watershed and infrastructure actions aimed at clearing culverts, repairing a failing bridge and advancing a middle‑mile broadband link between Meeker and Rangely.

County staff told the board they were asking first to raise a cap on the county’s existing Emergency Watershed Protection contract with Whites Construction and Excavation LLC from $500,000 to $1.5 million to ensure crews can respond if heavy rains cause debris flows. Staff reported Whites has $21,661.75 remaining on the current contract and said the additional funds would cover culvert cleaning, debris removal and potential regrading. Staff also noted the NRCS EWP program ceiling cited in the meeting is $7 million and that the project is funded mainly through NRCS with a 12.5% county match.

Why it matters: county staff said rapid access to a qualified contractor is critical after wildfire‑affected areas are exposed to debris flows; increasing the contract cap aims to avoid delays when work is needed immediately.

The board moved and approved the Whites contract modification; the roll call record shows one commissioner voiced opposition.

Bids and contract awards

Staff reported competitive bidding on several EWP construction projects. For County Road 33, five bids ranged from $72,160 to $246,000; CRC of Craig was the low bidder at $72,160 and the board awarded the contract to CRC following staff recommendation (one commissioner opposed). For the State Highway 13 Old Maker Landfill EWP project staff recommended Bolton Construction as the low bidder; the board approved that award (one recorded opposition was noted during roll call). Staff said all considered bidders attended mandatory pre‑bid meetings and were deemed qualified.

Landowner agreements and power of attorney question

The board approved three landowner participation agreements tied to the County Road 33 EWP work: agreements with Vernon D. and Thelma Adams, the Anderson Trust and the Miriam Revocable Trust. Staff said the Anderson and Joe Mariam families offered to pay the Adamses’ cost share so the Adamses would have no out‑of‑pocket expense. Staff told commissioners that a daughter, Annette, holds a power of attorney but had not signed the agreement; the county attorney advised the board to review the power‑of‑attorney paperwork before executing the Adams agreement.

Commission action: commissioners amended the motion to make execution of the Adams agreement contingent on county attorney review and approved the amended motion.

Bridge design task order

The board approved Task Order 007 under the SGM master services agreement to design a concrete box‑culvert replacement for a failing County Road 4 bridge. Staff said the $106,200 task order would deliver design milestones (30% through 100%) and a construction cost estimate so the county can proceed to bid and construction in the fall if desired. Staff emphasized the design is needed to produce load ratings and construction specs for heavy truck traffic.

Broadband grant ratification

County staff and Eric (county broadband lead) briefed the board on a submitted Middle‑Mile grant application to the Colorado Broadband Office. The application, as stated in meeting remarks, totaled approximately $1,547,000 with a proposed 30% match (in‑kind or cash) and would fund the construction of roughly 50 miles of conduit and 144‑strand fiber to link Meeker and Rangely and strengthen connectivity for schools, health care and utilities. Commissioners moved, seconded and ratified the grant application by roll call; one commissioner recorded opposition.

Executive session and adjournment

After action items the board voted to enter an executive session “pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24‑6‑424B” for legal advice related to MCCIC matters; County Attorney Rose Paglesi advised turning off the recorder for the legal‑advice portion. The board later reconvened in open session, attested the recording satisfied open‑meeting requirements, and adjourned at about 4:44 p.m.

Who said what (selected attributions)

- Liz (county staff) summarized EWP contract balances and bids and told the board Whites had about $21,661.75 remaining on the existing contract. - Eric (county broadband staff) summarized the middle‑mile grant scope and the 30% match. - County Attorney Rose Paglesi advised the board to review power‑of‑attorney paperwork before executing the Adams agreement and recommended turning off the recorder during legal advice.

Next steps

Staff said they will provide documentation requested by the county attorney for the Adams agreement, complete design work under the SGM task order to provide construction estimates and proceed with EWP construction under the newly awarded contracts as weather and approvals allow.