Park County DUI Task Force approves FY27 work plan, adds pilot funding for safe-ride service

Travis Horton, chair of the Park County DUI Task Force, said the group approved its FY27 work plan on June 17 and will present the plan to the county commission next week. The task force decided to reallocate $1,500 toward a SaveRide pilot intended to provide paid rides during high-traffic events such as the July 4 rodeo.

The vote followed a brief review of the state-provided problem statement and goals in the draft work plan. Horton said most language in the document came from the state and that the group adjusted only local meeting dates and budget line items. “We can either shift around this money or add some of that $8,000 into that,” Horton said while discussing options for funding one-way rides.

The move to shift funds was prompted by Theresa, who raised concerns about the lack of local transportation alternatives and described an operator who could run a route from the fairgrounds to hotels during rodeo nights. Theresa said the operator runs buses for other events and could offer a scheduled route, though not for free. Horton proposed a two-week outreach window to determine whether AngelLine or Windrider could operate a fixed route and suggested starting a pilot with $1,500 if the service can be secured.

Corey Foll moved to approve the work plan as edited; the motion was seconded and the task force approved the plan by voice. Horton said he will present the approved plan and the budget edits to the Park County commission next Tuesday.

Members discussed advertising the pilot if a service is secured: paid social media, posters along parade and fairground routes, and announcements at the fairgrounds. Horton assigned Theresa to check pricing with transportation providers and asked Lanny Knight to prepare a generalized poster for distribution. Horton said the task force could also seek donations or grant funding to expand the pilot in future years but noted that county accounting and commission approval would be required before accepting or disbursing donations.

The task force also reviewed recurring line items, including training, high-visibility enforcement overtime, PBT supplies and an estimated $7,000 in DUI reinstatement fees as revenue; Horton said those numbers were largely carried forward from prior years. He estimated an ending balance of about $18,050 for the current fiscal year and about $8,500 projected at the same point next year after the proposed expenses.

The task force’s immediate next steps are for Theresa to contact AngelLine and Windrider to confirm availability and pricing, for Horton to present the work plan to the commission, and for members to finalize poster and social-media messaging for July events.