Montrose County adopts West End Vision Plan to guide regional recovery and coordination

The Montrose County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution No. 7-2026 on March 4, endorsing the West End Vision Plan a two-year, community-led strategy intended to guide regional recovery and coordinated decision‑making.

The plan — developed with Community Builders and local partners — sets eight long-term goals and roughly 45 strategies, with 15 policy recommendations, five proposed collaborative structures and 16 potential projects, presenters told the board. “We have engaged with the community at every single step of the process. We’ve chatted with over 700 individual residents since September 2024,” said Mikaela Gordon, executive director of West End Economic Development.

Mackenzie of Community Builders, who presented the plan’s structure, emphasized that adoption is a statement of local support rather than a new regulatory code. “Adoption does not mean that the plan becomes enforceable policy or mandate,” Mackenzie said, describing the plan as a guide to align towns and counties and strengthen grant applications and regional partnerships.

Presenters highlighted several priorities that residents elevated during outreach: improving access to health care and services, expanding housing options, and strengthening economic health and job pathways. As examples of next steps, speakers described “quick wins” such as creating a regular coordination team of town and county leaders, compiling a centralized directory of health and social services, and growing apprenticeship programs to connect youth with local employers. They also described larger “big move” projects including staffing and funding to enable regional coordination, investments in reliable utilities and supporting clinics to seek critical‑access status.

Local health providers and regional partners spoke in support. “We are here to support the visioning statement as it’s been presented,” said Chuck Porth, executive director of Uncompahgre Medical Center, noting UMC’s role in serving West End residents and in local partnerships. Christina Pierce, executive director of Basin Clinic, said the plan and the proposed stewardship structures could help sustain action and avoid having the work “sit on the shelf.”

During discussion, commissioners praised the community engagement and asked about early implementation steps and sustaining momentum. Presenters asked each jurisdiction to nominate one board member to serve on a stewardship committee that would track actions, convene partners and help pursue funding. The board’s adoption strengthens the region’s unified voice when seeking grants, presenters said.

A commissioner moved to adopt Resolution No. 7-2026; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board’s action recognizes the West End Vision Plan as the county’s preferred framework for coordinating decisions that affect the West End and positions the county to participate in the plan’s stewardship and implementation work.

Next steps identified by presenters include local leaders nominating stewardship committee representatives, continued coordination with towns that have or are scheduled to consider adoption, and using the plan to support grant applications and joint projects.