As the sun rose on 2024, the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners embarked on a journey colored with fresh faces, invigorating propositions, and robust procedural shifts. Longstanding figures in local governance—Mike Samson, Tom Jankovsky, and John Martin—navigated through spirited discussions on pivotal topics such as the library district board of trustees, regulation of community events, and intricate budget allocations. All this unfolded while Samson campaigned for another term, and Martin prepared to bid farewell after a remarkable 28 years of dedicated public service. Below is a tapestry of the most noteworthy narratives emerging from this year’s board activities.
Samson Triumphs in Re-election, Perry Will Steps into the Commissioner Role
The electoral arena witnessed a spirited contest for two critical seats in the three-member county commission. Incumbent Republican Commissioner Mike Samson and outgoing Republican State Senator Perry Will emerged victorious in the high-stakes race on November 5, eclipsing their Democratic adversaries, Steven Arauza and New Castle Town Councilor Caitlin Carey.
With the dawn of the new year, Martin formally announced his retirement, paving the way for Will, who clinched victory with 15,731 votes, translating to a solid 53%, against Carey’s 47%. Meanwhile, District 3’s Samson edged out Arauza by a mere 772 votes (15,001 to 14,229), gearing up for his fifth term in January alongside Will and Jankovsky.
Declaration of Non-Sanctuary Status Sparks Controversy
In a pivotal March 4 assembly, the commissioners enacted Resolution 2024-05, marking Garfield County’s official declaration as a “non-sanctuary county for undocumented immigrants.” This resolution, championed by Commissioner Mike Samson, sought to dismantle the long-held misconception that the county functioned as a bastion of refuge. Sheriff Lou Vallario’s remarks reflected the complexity of the situation, revealing past state mandates compelling his office to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a practice that has since undergone significant revisions.
The newly clarified stance underscores that the sheriff’s office will refrain from detaining undocumented individuals unless tied to criminal actions, a shift aimed at rectifying the county’s misrepresentation as a sanctuary haven. Furthermore, the resolution delineated that while emergency services remain accessible, no additional support would be extended to undocumented residents, reiterating the commissioners’ commitment to prioritize the needs of local citizens.
In response, State Representative Elizabeth Velasco decried the resolution, emphasizing that over 30% of Garfield County’s population identifies as Latino. Advocacy groups like Voces Unidas de las Montañas and Voces Unidas Action Fund vehemently criticized the resolution, rallying the community in protest and encouraging participation in the upcoming election.
Library District Oversight Reformed
On March 18, the board embraced a transformative approach with Resolution 2024-12, reclaiming control over the appointment of trustees for the Garfield County Public Library District. This pivot was spurred by a contentious 2023 petition aimed at restricting Manga access for adult readers, which the existing trustees chose to uphold.
The resolution now stipulates that whenever a board vacancy arises, the county commissioners—acting as a deliberate committee—will appoint a suitable candidate. In previous procedures, the library board retained the power to recommend candidates, which led to confusion during the recent reappointment cycle when the trustees re-elected Jocelyn Durrance and Susan Use, contradicting the commissioners’ independent interviews that occurred later.
This discord underscored the need for a clearer, unified appointment process, which remains in active development alongside the library district.
Opting into Affordable Housing Initiatives
In an overwhelming display of consensus on October 21, the Garfield County commissioners unanimously opted to participate in Proposition 123, the Colorado State Affordable Housing Fund, following impassioned appeals from community members and residents of the 3-Mile Mobile Home Park.
This fund, originating from a 2022 passage, earmarks a portion of state income tax revenue for grants and loans aimed at local developers and nonprofits seeking to bolster affordable housing projects. The need for action became urgent as all six municipalities within Garfield County had previously entered the program, yet were hindered from collaborating with the county under its guidelines.
To harness these funds, Garfield County is tasked with augmenting the annual affordable housing stock by approximately 41 units over the next two years, a challenge that necessitates creativity in both new constructions and conversions. Failing to meet this commitment risks exclusion from future funding cycles, but the door remains open for reapplication in subsequent years.
