Despite cuts in both federal and state funding, Teller County commissioners looked for optimism. In the first meeting of 2026 last week, the good nearly outpaced the negative.

“We hope to have the Central Service Center completed by the end of the year, weather permitting,” said Commissioner Erik Stone. “It will be the first time in 30 years that the county will no longer have rented space.”

A new set of grandstands at the fairgrounds will increase audience capacity to 1,500 people, with ADA access, Stone said, adding that the fairgrounds will also have a new steer barn.

“This board will continue to focus on our youth, supporting 4-H, and to help provide opportunities,” he saidf.

In anticipation of the 150^th and 250^th anniversaries of Colorado and the United States, respectively, the county established a 150250 committee whose members will represent the county, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek and Victor.

“The committee will help plan events around the anniversaries,” Stone said.

Another project to be completed this year is the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.

“We’re in great shape on the water side of building and there are other projects coming as well,” Stone said.  “The message her is that we have a great future in Teller County.”

Commissioner Dan Williams credited Rep. Brittany Pettersen for her role in the U.S. Congress awarding Teller County $1 million for the wastewater treatment plant.

“Thank you Fred and Ross in putting that grant together,” Williams said,  referring to Fred Clifford and Ross Herzog, director of public works and county administrator, respectively. “Despite all the dysfunction on display every time you turn your TV on, there are still some funds coming this way.”

On the issue of affordability, Williams is working on solutions to lower the cost of housing as a member of Colorado’s Housing Consortium Board.

Incidents of child abuse have increased, said Williams, who represents the county on the board of CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate.  One advocate reported cases of children being sold for sex trafficking in the Pikes Peak Region.

“It’s sickening,” Williams said. “I’m proud to say that our CASA is solvent and it’s due to the people in this room and our community who stepped up despite the loss of grants.”

In the 30-day holiday period, CASA raised more $215,000, he said. “And a shoutout to students at Cripple Creek/Victor High School who raised $2,500,” he added.  

This month, the federal government stopped payments for parts of the Child Care Assistance program.

“We expect significant changes within the county in how social services are delivered,” said Commissioner Bob Campbell. “The federal funds that were sent out the other day were docked and put on hold for five states.  There will be a major restructuring in how the state delivers human services.”

The federal government recently cut $10 billion for public works and social safety net programs to five states.

“Colorado is one of five states on the president’s hit list,” Williams said. “We did not get our FEMA return; we had the third largest fire in Colorado, applied to the federal government for money and it was all turned down.”

Willliams sees a darker side. 

“It just feels to me, and this is personal, that the federal government is unraveling right now,” he said. “It’s just a fight now. I say that because it’s the strength and power of communities, the municipal leaders, the councils, the districts, the school boards, that have your back.”

With elections in November, Williams highlighted the need for strong leaders. 

“Republican or Democrat, we need strong leaders at every level who have integrity, honor and personal courage to do the right thing,” he said. “In my view the rule of law falls apart with leaders who lack integrity, honor and courage.”  

In the move to cut $1.4 billion deficit, the state legislature is considering taking away the Homestead Exemption, a discounct on property taxes for eligible senior citizens and veterans, said Teller County Assessor Curt Schoenberger. The cuts would come from the TABOR refunds which are going away in 2027, he added.

In other news, county administrator announced that Michelle Boley had resigned as the Teller County Director of the Office of Emergency Management and that Eric Roman has been hired as the county’s code enforcement officer.