Commissioners approve insurance waiver so Grand Lake Trail Grooming can keep OLRT grant

Grand County commissioners voted to approve an amendment to a grant memorandum of understanding that reduces an umbrella insurance requirement for Grand Lake Trail Grooming from the county's governmental immunity cap of $1.2 million to $1 million.

Anna (representing the group) told the board Grand Lake Trail Grooming received a $32,000 operational grant for fall 2024 under an OLRT program but that paragraph 7 of the MOU required combined single‑limit and annual aggregate insurance limits of $1,200,000, which the group has been unable to secure. Cam Stone, the organization's operations manager, told the commissioners insurers refused to increase limits above the group's existing $1,000,000 policy and that an umbrella policy quote would run roughly $5,000–$5,500 in premiums plus taxes and broker fees. "We received, our agent received an email from the underwriter saying that they will not allow for an increase in limits or an excess," Stone said.

County legal counsel reviewed liability and insurance implications, recommending the board maintain governmental immunity limits when possible but noting the grant funds at issue are administrative and the exposure appears minimal. "My legal advice is always to maintain your governmental immunity limits," the county attorney said, while acknowledging the specific grant's low exposure and the practical difficulty the group faces obtaining higher limits.

After discussion the board moved to amend the MOU to require $1,000,000 in general liability, rather than $1,200,000, and authorized the chair to sign the amendment. Commissioners also directed staff and the group to explore adding umbrella costs into future grant budgets and to pursue broader coverage next grant cycle.

The waiver applies only to the noted OLRT grant cycle and does not change the county's standard insurance requirements for other contracts or vendors.