Pride Month proclamation read; residents offer both support and opposition at Buena Vista meeting

Mayor Libby Fay read a proclamation declaring June as Pride Month at the June 23 meeting of the Buena Vista Board of Trustees. The proclamation was presented as an executive recognition by the mayor; the board did not record a separate vote rescinding or adopting the proclamation.

During public comment, several residents urged different courses of action. Brian O'Connell of Chaffee County asked the board to delay consideration, saying it "should undergo a multi-month vetting process under Robert's Rules of Order" and requesting the matter be tabled. Dennis Heap and others said they opposed a month-long proclamation because it could divide the community. Speaking for the Buena Vista Pride Coalition, Paula Dylan said the proclamation "affirms that LGBTQ+ residents are valued, welcomed, and belong in the community." Other speakers—including Bill and Patricia Confer—expressed opposition or suggested limiting recognition to a single day.

Trustees later discussed the role of mayoral proclamations during a trustee/staff interaction. Mayor Fay and Trustee Sturm described proclamations as an executive prerogative historically used to recognize various causes. Trustee Rosenoer voiced support for the proclamation as a signal of inclusion, while Trustee Swisher said that government should treat all people with dignity without unnecessarily emphasizing group distinctions. The meeting record does not show the board taking subsequent formal action to alter or rescind the proclamation; the board’s practice and the mayor's authority over proclamations were reiterated.