Issues & Ideas

Grand County is fortunate to have multiple economic drivers, including agriculture, tourism, and mining. However, true long-term resilience requires diversification. The Henderson Mine will eventually close, and as we saw during the 2020 pandemic and East Troublesome Fire, as well as the drought this last winter, tourism is vulnerable.

To build a profitable, resilient, and diverse economy in Middle Park, the county government must step up as a proactive leader for the community, such as:

• Support Small Business: We can partner with local owners and economic development consultants to streamline growth and creativity.

• Invest in the Workforce: We can participate with local schools to expand internships, apprenticeships, and vocational training.

• Attract Innovation: We can collaborate with universities and larger businesses to bring research, resources, and high-paying, resilient jobs to our region.

From changes to zoning codes to contracts with private security companies, we all deserve to know how our local government representatives are making decisions and using our tax dollars.

It is vital that our county government be transparent and forthcoming with their decision-making process, including being open to hearing and addressing concerns and requests from every citizen of Grand County. As commissioner, I will listen to my constituents and will ensure the decisions I make about out land use, road safety, economic development, and every other issue which touches the lives of everyone in Grand County are thoughtful, collaborative, and responsible.

I am already deeply involved and invested in Grand County. Through my work across the county, I have a strong understanding about the unifying issues of our community, and will bring this understanding to my work as commissioner.

Affordability is an issue felt throughout the Mountain West, impacting everyone from multi-generational residents to seasonal workers. While we cannot stop growth, we can and should manage it responsibly.

We need a diverse housing stock to ensure that the people who power Grand County can actually afford to live here. This means expanding low-income and workforce housing for both young professionals and seniors, while actively supporting local organizations who provide housing and housing assistance programs in every town.

As development continues county-wide, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) must take responsibility regarding variances granted to developers in unincorporated Grand County. Developers should know the regulations before they build and design their projects to fit those rules. We can no longer afford to bail out short-sighted planning with structural allowances.

This issue is close to my heart, as my career has been in natural resource management and conservation in the American West. Many of us chose Grand County for its breathtaking natural beauty, and it is the duty of all of us to protect it through responsible agriculture, sustainable outdoor recreation, and active stewardship.

I was proud to serve on the committee that helped pass the voter-approved Open Lands, Rivers, and Trails (OLRT) Fund renewal in 2023. Passing with over 70% approval, this sales tax proved that conservation, trail management, and wildfire mitigation are unifying priorities across the county.

I will bring this proven experience to the Board of County Commissioners, ensuring that as Grand County grows, we protect and steward our public lands, sustain our agricultural heritage, and safeguard the free-flowing waters that define our region.

The county recently passed moratoria on solar and wind energy developments and data center development. The pauses are meant to give county staff time to develop the necessary regulations.

Done right, renewable energy offers long-term economic lifelines for both private landowners and our local co-op, Mountain Parks Electric, Inc. Integrating solar or wind with existing agricultural operations keeps ranchers on their land while offsetting energy costs for consumers. By utilizing strict contracts, tying agreements to easements, and requiring robust decommissioning bonds, we can protect our viewsheds while localizing energy independence.

Conversely, data centers present massive environmental and infrastructural burdens with very little community payoff. Their immense energy demands, water usage for cooling, large land footprints, and noise pollution frequently result in developers shifting hidden infrastructure costs onto local taxpayers.

I support drafting strong regulations to welcome responsible, community-aligned renewable energy projects while heavily restricting or even blocking data center developments which can threaten our resources and quality of life.

The last few years have been very difficult for Grand County, between the pandemic, wildfires, and road accidents. I am endlessly grateful to our first responders for their quick, decisive actions, and I know firsthand the immense effort and sacrifice they make for our community.

We must better support these agencies while empowering our communities to care for themselves so our emergency services aren’t stretched so thin. Road safety is a non-negotiable priority.

I will be a vocal advocate for securing increased state funding for our major highways. This will reduce road fatalities and create a safer driving experience for everyone. I will also work with the county Road & Bridge Department to catalogue, prioritize, and manage our county roads. No resident should have to live on a severely washboarded or potholed dirt road that is supposed to be maintained by the County. Whether through paving or routine maintenance, it is the County’s responsibility to keep our roads safe.

Grand County is larger than the state of Rhode Island but with far fewer people, meaning our communities are much more spread out. While each town offers unique resources, traveling across the county for basic errands, medical appointments, or community events can be a major challenge, especially for those without a personal vehicle.

We are fortunate to have public transit support from private businesses as well as the state, and several of our towns are already piloting successful transportation projects. As a county, we can learn from these successes.

The county government can take a leading role in connecting our communities. I will work closely with municipal and regional partners to explore reliable public transit options, ensuring residents can get where they need to go safely and efficiently.

Wildfire mitigation is an environmental, economic, and safety imperative. We have all experienced the impact of wildfires in Middle Park. Every single issue listed here, from road access and safety to smart zoning and development to economic diversification, plays a role in how we prepare for and recover from wildfires.

The county can and should do more to support local forest management and enforce wildfire-resilient building codes, and we must also ensure homeowners have the tools they need to prepare.

While property mitigation and recovery involve individual responsibility, the County should act as an educational hub, resource provider, and logistical and emotional partner before, during, and after a wildfire event. I come at this issue with direct personal knowledge, having been through the East Troublesome Wildfire myself alongside my neighbors.