The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Colo. Hwy. 67 and U.S. Hwy. 24 in Divide has been scrapped.  The proposal last month by the Colorado Department of Transportation caught Teller County commissioners by surprise.

After officials and nearby landowners voiced opposition, Commissioner Erik Stone delivered the news at the commissioners’ meeting May 7.

“We did get a verbal confirmation from CDOT that they are putting aside on any further move towards a roundabout until more work has been done, including the inclusion of property owners and local governments,” Stone said.

Despite the recent snowstorms, the commissioners extended the Stage 2 Fire Ban.

“We have had requests from landowners to revoke the ban or provide exemptions, due to the snow,” Stone said.

However, on the advice of the county’s fire chiefs, Fire Marshal/Sheriff Jason Mikesell and the U.S. Forest Service, the commissioners agreed to keep the ban.  

“There is a short-term benefit from the moisture to lower fire risk among small fuels, grasses and needles,” Stone said.  “However, one week or 10 days does not erase six months of drought.”

In addition to the drought, some county firefighters are assisting other nearby states, including Nebraska.

“We’re underfunded, under-equipped, with a pine beetle problem,” Commissioner Dan Williams added.

In a drive-through of a dozen subdivisions, each remains a “dust bowl,” despite the snowstorms, said Commissioner Bob Campbell.

As prices continue to escalate around the nation, Williams highlighted the effect on the local economy.

“Everything in your life has gone up,” Williams said, adding that he recently paid an additional $2 for kerosene.  “Those in need are falling further behind so we commissioners were able to work with El Pomar (Foundation) and we got nearly $50,000; our food banks will be made whole again.”

Willilams then paid tribute to those who are helping their clients by providing food and meals.

“The folks at the Aspen Mine Center, Kathy Lowry at the senior coalition, Jodi Mijares at community partnership and the Hesselbergs at Little Chapel Food Pantry,” Williams said. “They are the true heroes.”

Unaffiliated voters will receive two ballots, Republican and Democrat, but can only vote on one of them in the June 30 primary, said Stephanie Kees, Teller County Clerk & Recorder.  While a few members of the state’s Republican Party have filed a lawsuit to bar unaffiliated voters from casting ballots, Kees is going ahead anyway.

“Military ballots go out this Friday,” she said. “We will try our best to get information out to the public.”

Stone added the Colorado’s congressional Republicans as well as the national Republican Congressional Committee, oppose alienating unaffiliated voters 

“It’s a small group of people in the state’s Republican party who have managed to corner enough power to file that lawsuit, I don’t believe it represents the desires of a majority of the Republican party across the state,” Stone said.  “I feel comfortable in saying that Teller County officials support all our voters. In Colorado by law, we have an open primary.”  

With infinite patience, the commissioners continue to hear residents speak in favor, or against short-term rentals in the county.  Over the past year, in addition to listening to speakers at the meetings, the commissioners have held six listening sessions for residents across the county. After a four-hour meeting last week, the commissioners proceeded to hold another listening session afterward.

Some residents are concerned that commissioners have already drafted an ordinance regulating STRs, to which Stone has repeatedly stated in the negative.

“There is no draft ordinance,” he said.

In other business, county administrator Ross Herzog announced that the commissioners have been asked to respond to the Impact Fee Study submitted by Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District.

“There is some additional cost that would be charged for new construction in the NETCO district,” Herzog said, adding that the schedule is on the county website at tellercounty.gov.  The public as well has 60 days to respond.