Resolution aims to preserve 2nd Amendment


CREEDE— The Mineral County Board of County Commissioners held an extra afternoon session on Tuesday, March 19 to finalize resolution 2019-7, the county’s reaction to state-level legislation called the “Red Flag Bill” (HB19-1177).
Commissioners passed Resolution 2019-7 unanimously, echoing a message sent by more than a dozen Colorado counties who oppose the bill.
During their morning session, commissioners heard public comments and discussed the resolution on speaker phone with County Attorney Randy Nicholson. Nicholson said he is confident the law will be challenged if passed.
But he also cautioned against disregarding a court order, a situation that could put the county in jeopardy if a court issues a temporary extreme risk protection order (ERPO), the sheriff chooses to not enforce it and the feared tragic event becomes a reality.
At the state capitol, the bill moved from the State, Veterans & Military Affairs Senate committee to the Senate Appropriations on March 19, the day the Mineral County resolution passed.
Although state legislation was still pending, Terry Wetherill from the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office was definite about using discretion. Regardless of the scenario, Wetherill said, “we’ll do what’s right. We’ll take guns if it’s the best solution.” Wetherill agreed with other sheriffs: Due process is the guide.
The commissioners tackled a number of other topics during their morning meeting, and they received two forest reports on top of staff updates.
Mineral County Administrator Janelle Kukuk sparked a discussion for replacing light bulbs in the clinic. Should crews swap them out all at once or as bulbs and ballasts fail? The commissioners sought to get the most life out of existing bulbs and chose the replace-as-you-go approach.
Adam Moore presented the 2018 Colorado forest health report, specifically comparing San Luis Valley metrics with the rest of the state. According to Moore, 2018 was the second-driest year on record since measurements began in 1895.
Spruce Beetle activity has increased from 590 to 1,400 acres in the Valley, Moore noted. Throughout the state, an estimated 40 percent of spruce forests have been affected by beetles. Estimates in the Valley range from 80 to 90 percent. Although pockets within the forests and along the fringes may still be in jeopardy, the infestation is generally moving north.
Moore described fire mitigation efforts, and he credited the Firewise Community program for saving a few structures from the Spring fire. Moore also noted municipal fire and hazard mitigation. In addition to making “sick tree visits” with residents, Moore will work with the town of Del Norte to manage city-owned trees that need attention.
Moore also noted expansion at the Wolf Creek Ski Area, expressing gratitude for the cooperation. Ski area crews cull and deck logs in tidy piles for the Forest Service to measure.
Representing the Divide Ranger District of the Rio Grande National Forest, Martha Williamson discussed landfill and cell tower issues, as well as other areas where Mineral County and the Forest Service intersect. The current landfill lease with the Forest Service expires in 2020.
Mineral County Assessor Libby Lamb has spent considerable time manually entering data to rebuild land models, and she discovered details to fix during the process, some dating back decades. Valuations have increased overall, particularly mining claims and properties in town, but two subdivisions lowered in value.
The next Mineral County Board of County Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 1.


Video News