With a service center coming in Divide, improved fairgrounds, responsible growth, debt-free, an award-winning hospital and collaboration among elected officials, Teller County is distinct.

Speaking Sept. 24 at State of the County breakfast at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams reported the good news and some challenges.

The city of Victor, for instance, recently hired a community and economic development director, Jessica Thurman, who also oversees the city’s Main Street program.

As a result of the snowstorm of March 2024, when two residents died, Victor invested in a generator.

“I want to give a shoutout to Bobby Tech and Barb Manning,” Williams said, referring to Victor’s city manager and mayor, respectively. “Their focus is on historic preservation.”

In Cripple Creek, Williams noted the work of Mayor Annie Durham and city manager Frank Salvato who are committed to responsible growth with the comprehensive development plan.

The city has partnered with the Community of Caring/Aspen Mine Center to open a “It’s a Place for Kids,” childcare center. Williams paid tribute to Mary Bielz and Ted Borden, chair and executive director, respectively of the nonprofit organizations, for bringing the center to Cripple Creek.

The cities of Victor and Cripple Creek each saw record crowds for their events this summer, Williams said.

With tourism and mining the economic drivers within the county, Williams highlighted the role of SSR MiningCreek & Victor Mining Co. since purchasing the mine from Newmont Corp.

“This is the first time the mining company’s CEO, COO and CFO have sat down with the commissioners to develop a relationship,” Williams said. “As well, the new owners continue to invest in the community.”

SSR, in fact, sponsored the breakfast that morning and contributed funds for updates to fairgrounds in Cripple Creek.

Next year, the county expects construction to be completed on the Divide Service Center. When all county offices are in one building, the county will save more than $82,000 in annual rent payments for offices in Tamarac Business Center, Williams said.

The last county in Colorado to remain debt-free, Teller’s budget for the past three years has stayed the same, around $48 million, Williams said.

“We paid cash for the sheriff’s office,” he said.

The last county in the state that does not regulate short-term rentals, the commissioners have held six listening sessions, in addition to gauging opinions about STRs from the residents. While the county does have land-use regulations for 16 zones, to date, STRs are not regulated, Williams said.

In Woodland Park, the Tava House project, opening next year, will help increase sales taxes for the city, Williams said, while praising the leadership of Kellie Case and Aaron Vassalotti, mayor and city manager, respectively.

Williams noted that UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital recently won an award and congratulated the hospital’s president, Ron Fitch, who was in the audience. The hospital in Woodland Park is ranked second nationally among 154 hospitals in critical access hospitals.

The hospital was a resource for what Williams termed the “unsafe summer” in Teller County, due to the increase in traffic and ATV accidents. With the hospital’s launch of the whole blood program, in cooperation with Ute Pass Regional Ambulance District, lives were saved over the summer, Williams said.

Among the challenges are the unease within officials about the expected loss of federal and state funding, which has affected the four food banks.

“One in three county residents use our food banks,” said Williams, who secured a grant from El Pomar Foundation to fill gaps. “We are not going to not help our food banks.”

As he has in the past, Williams noted the division within the county, exacerbated by social media.

“Please take a break from social media,” he said.

With a service center coming in Divide, improved fairgrounds, responsible growth, debt-free, an award-winning hospital and collaboration among elected officials, Teller County is distinct.

Speaking Sept. 24 at State of the County breakfast at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams reported the good news and some challenges.

The city of Victor, for instance, recently hired a community and economic development director, Jessica Thurman, who also oversees the city’s Main Street program.

As a result of the snowstorm of March 2024, when two residents died, Victor invested in a generator.

“I want to give a shoutout to Bobby Tech and Barb Manning,” Williams said, referring to Victor’s city manager and mayor, respectively. “Their focus is on historic preservation.”

In Cripple Creek, Williams noted the work of Mayor Annie Durham and city manager Frank Salvato who are committed to responsible growth with the comprehensive development plan.

The city has partnered with the Community of Caring/Aspen Mine Center to open a “It’s a Place for Kids,” childcare center. Williams paid tribute to Mary Bielz and Ted Borden, chair and executive director, respectively of the nonprofit organizations, for bringing the center to Cripple Creek.

The cities of Victor and Cripple Creek each saw record crowds for their events this summer, Williams said.

With tourism and mining the economic drivers within the county, Williams highlighted the role of SSR MiningCreek & Victor Mining Co. since purchasing the mine from Newmont Corp.

“This is the first time the mining company’s CEO, COO and CFO have sat down with the commissioners to develop a relationship,” Williams said. “As well, the new owners continue to invest in the community.”

SSR, in fact, sponsored the breakfast that morning and contributed funds for updates to fairgrounds in Cripple Creek.

Next year, the county expects construction to be completed on the Divide Service Center. When all county offices are in one building, the county will save more than $82,000 in annual rent payments for offices in Tamarac Business Center, Williams said.

The last county in Colorado to remain debt-free, Teller’s budget for the past three years has stayed the same, around $48 million, Williams said.

“We paid cash for the sheriff’s office,” he said.

The last county in the state that does not regulate short-term rentals, the commissioners have held six listening sessions, in addition to gauging opinions about STRs from the residents. While the county does have land-use regulations for 16 zones, to date, STRs are not regulated, Williams said.

In Woodland Park, the Tava House project, opening next year, will help increase sales taxes for the city, Williams said, while praising the leadership of Kellie Case and Aaron Vassalotti, mayor and city manager, respectively.

Williams noted that UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital recently won an award and congratulated the hospital’s president, Ron Fitch, who was in the audience. The hospital in Woodland Park is ranked second nationally among 154 hospitals in critical access hospitals.

The hospital was a resource for what Williams termed the “unsafe summer” in Teller County, due to the increase in traffic and ATV accidents. With the hospital’s launch of the whole blood program, in cooperation with Ute Pass Regional Ambulance District, lives were saved over the summer, Williams said.

Among the challenges are the unease within officials about the expected loss of federal and state funding, which has affected the four food banks.

“One in three county residents use our food banks,” said Williams, who secured a grant from El Pomar Foundation to fill gaps. “We are not going to not help our food banks.”

As he has in the past, Williams noted the division within the county, exacerbated by social media.

“Please take a break from social media,” he said.

With a service center coming in Divide, improved fairgrounds, responsible growth, debt-free, an award-winning hospital and collaboration among elected officials, Teller County is distinct.

Speaking Sept. 24 at State of the County breakfast at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams reported the good news and some challenges.

The city of Victor, for instance, recently hired a community and economic development director, Jessica Thurman, who also oversees the city’s Main Street program.

As a result of the snowstorm of March 2024, when two residents died, Victor invested in a generator.

“I want to give a shoutout to Bobby Tech and Barb Manning,” Williams said, referring to Victor’s city manager and mayor, respectively. “Their focus is on historic preservation.”

In Cripple Creek, Williams noted the work of Mayor Annie Durham and city manager Frank Salvato who are committed to responsible growth with the comprehensive development plan.

The city has partnered with the Community of Caring/Aspen Mine Center to open a “It’s a Place for Kids,” childcare center. Williams paid tribute to Mary Bielz and Ted Borden, chair and executive director, respectively of the nonprofit organizations, for bringing the center to Cripple Creek.

The cities of Victor and Cripple Creek each saw record crowds for their events this summer, Williams said.

With tourism and mining the economic drivers within the county, Williams highlighted the role of SSR MiningCreek & Victor Mining Co. since purchasing the mine from Newmont Corp.

“This is the first time the mining company’s CEO, COO and CFO have sat down with the commissioners to develop a relationship,” Williams said. “As well, the new owners continue to invest in the community.”

SSR, in fact, sponsored the breakfast that morning and contributed funds for updates to fairgrounds in Cripple Creek.

Next year, the county expects construction to be completed on the Divide Service Center. When all county offices are in one building, the county will save more than $82,000 in annual rent payments for offices in Tamarac Business Center, Williams said.

The last county in Colorado to remain debt-free, Teller’s budget for the past three years has stayed the same, around $48 million, Williams said.

“We paid cash for the sheriff’s office,” he said.

The last county in the state that does not regulate short-term rentals, the commissioners have held six listening sessions, in addition to gauging opinions about STRs from the residents. While the county does have land-use regulations for 16 zones, to date, STRs are not regulated, Williams said.

In Woodland Park, the Tava House project, opening next year, will help increase sales taxes for the city, Williams said, while praising the leadership of Kellie Case and Aaron Vassalotti, mayor and city manager, respectively.

Williams noted that UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital recently won an award and congratulated the hospital’s president, Ron Fitch, who was in the audience. The hospital in Woodland Park is ranked second nationally among 154 hospitals in critical access hospitals.

The hospital was a resource for what Williams termed the “unsafe summer” in Teller County, due to the increase in traffic and ATV accidents. With the hospital’s launch of the whole blood program, in cooperation with Ute Pass Regional Ambulance District, lives were saved over the summer, Williams said.

Among the challenges are the unease within officials about the expected loss of federal and state funding, which has affected the four food banks.

“One in three county residents use our food banks,” said Williams, who secured a grant from El Pomar Foundation to fill gaps. “We are not going to not help our food banks.”

As he has in the past, Williams noted the division within the county, exacerbated by social media.

“Please take a break from social media,” he said.