You elected me to get results. I will continue to build healthier communities and stronger economies. Below is what I have accomplished in 5 years. Each item was certainly not done by me alone but rather, through partnerships including with my fellow Commissioners and the La Plata County staff.  I am honored to work collaboratively with so many entities and people, and will continue to in my 2nd term.  

Public Health and Mental Health  
- worked to place the successful "1A" question on the '25 ballot, a 1 cent sales tax that will, in part,  fund core health and human services
- working with SWORD (SouthWEST Opioid Response District), a regional group, we are deploying State of Colorado national opioid settlement funds to help people in recovery and ensure a "recovery ready" region across southwest Colorado
- establishment of the La Plata County Public Health Department -- successfully launched 1/2/24
-supported first harm reduction program in the region to stop the spread of disease and reduce deaths due to overdose 
- supported the launch of a mental health/law enforcement co-responder program carried out by the LPC Sheriff's Office 
-continue to support Manna's Navigation Center to help unhoused people get back on their feet; support all efforts for transitional housing, community safety, and meeting essential/basic needs (i.e., warming center) 

Environment, Conservation, Renewable Energy
- directed $2M to LPEAs solar garden acting as an "anchor tenant"; gives eligible families help with energy bills and ensures the County meets State energy requirements 
- replaced outdated oil and gas regulations with new ones; strongest on the Western Slope 
- passed a new Energy Code for energy efficiency
- initiated and passed a State bill that set up a grant fund for closed land fill remediation costs
- leading the effort to find do-able roles for the County in climate resilience and sustainability (see our new Web page):  https://www.lpcgov.org/departments/board_of_county_commissioners/sustainability_climate_resilience_.php) 

Infrastructure 
- worked to put the successful "1A" question on the '25 ballot, a 1 cent sales tax that will, in part, fund priority road and bridge project including maintenance 
-making targeted investments in County properties to ensure visitor and employee safety
-passed a new Fairgrounds Master Plan; now making incremental and targeted improvements 
- established the first-ever "County Maintenance Fund" to ensure county buildings and properties are taken care of 
- completed road projects ; examples including repaving part of CR 501+ work on Florida Road and Wildcat Canyon 
- completed a multi-modal and safety project with the City of Durango; 32nd Street and CRs 250/251   
- supporting Durango-La Plata County Airport terminal and facility upgrades 
- passed road impact fees so that new growth partially pays its own way 
- provided funding for a new water dock in Marvel (ARPA investment) 
 
Housing and Childcare
- serve as Vice Chair of the Regional Housing Alliance (RHA) 
- advocated that 70% of existing lodger's tax dollars be reallocated to housing and child care; successful 2024 ballot campaign established a new grant fund 
- supported the Rock Creek project in Ignacio led by the Town 
- supported Residences of Durango (a City of Durango project) 
- helped Westside and Triangle Mobile Home Parks with purchasing their property via a co-op model; assisted with grants to obtain needed infrastructure dollars
- supported a Catalyst Fund to help with pre-development costs, operated by the La Plata Economic Development Association 
- improved broadband: east-county project on Hwy 151 with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, LPEA and Archuleta County 
- ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act); deployed millions of this one-time money meant to help with pandemic recovery to:  public safety; housing; broadband; homelessness; youth mental health; water infrastructure; education supports and more  
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 Wildfire, and Healthy Watersheds and Lands 
- Wildfire and Watershed Protection Fund (WWPF) kicked off in '21; ensures multi-jurisdictional planning and action; raises funds for grant matches and helping with wildfire mitigation; mitigated key County Road rights-of-way safely using State Prisoner Inmate crews; leveraged $2M in grant funding (so far)
- Appointed a Wildfire Advisory Board with their centerpiece project being a new Web Site and facilitating implementation of the new Statewide WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) Code:  https://www.co.laplata.co.us/livingwithfire.php
 
 
Questions? Let me know and go to the "Contact" section. 
Date: 11/25
 
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