May 28, 2015 VOLUME 120 | ISSUE 17 | 75¢
ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
Joel Birchem and 2016 Stampede Queen Kelly Sweigart attach new seating to the west grandstand at the Elizabeth Stampede Grounds on May 16. Photos by Rick Gustafson
Getting ready for a Stampede Volunteers prepare venue for town’s signature event By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media POSTAL ADDRESS
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media, 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legals: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classifieds: Mon. 10 a.m.
PL E ASE RECYCLE T HI S C OPY
After delaying work by a week, the rain took a brief break and the clouds gave way to sunshine long enough for volunteers to complete a second weekend of housekeeping at the Elizabeth Stampede Grounds on May 16. The Elizabeth Stampede runs on volunteers, and about 50 people gathered for the Stampede’s second Funday/Workday, replacing splintered or damaged planks in the grandstands, applying fresh coats of paint to railings and steps, and rejuvenating the seat numbers. “Our goal is to make it a good Stampede experience,” said board member Linda Mai-Snead. “There
isn’t a bad seat in the house, and we’re making them better.” Work on the grounds will continue right up to the start of the event, including preparing the hospitality trailer where most of the food will be prepped for the nearly 2,300 meals that will feed volunteers, VIPs and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) members. This year, the Stampede also began making additional improvements to the Stampede grounds, installing vinyl covers on seats in two sections of the west grandstands. According to Mai-Snead, the plan is to continue the improvements each year as funding allows until all 16 sections are upgraded with the new vinyl seat coverings. The Stampede Rodeo, a nonprofit, relies on ticket sales, donations and sponsors for the capital required to stage the rodeo and to maintain the grounds. It rents Stampede continues on Page 7
Linda Almquist applies a new coat of paint to the grandstand railing at the Elizabeth Stampede Grounds on May 16.
Zoning amendment gets unanimous OK 120-day window in place for county to process applications By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media The Elbert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved an amendment to Elbert County’s zoning laws at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 13. The changes formalize the way both the BOCC and the planning commission conduct business. Most significantly to the public, the new zoning laws specify a 120day window for the commission and county staff to review and pro-
cess applications. Any extensions beyond the 120 days would require a majority vote of the BOCC following recommendations from the planning commission. The new regulations also codify the appointment process, identifying each appointment and its specific range of dates. In addition, each county commissioner may make one three-year appointment annually with the requirement that at least one of the three nominees resides in that commissioner’s district. Each nominee must be a county resident and approved by a majority vote of the BOCC. Commissioner Robert Rowland, who originally opposed limiting any appointments to a commissioner’s district, spoke in favor of the revised paragraph. “I think this is a great compro-
mise,” Rowland said. “It sends a message that it is important to have diverse representation in a diverse county, and clearly the county is different on the east side than it is on the west side. This sends the message that we are striving to keep that mix and keep that diversity alive.” The remainder of the changes to the zoning laws directed the internal processes and procedures of the planning commission, such as appointments by the planning commission of secretaries and individual member professional conduct, an area where there was some disagreement. Commissioner Larry Ross supported reinstatement of language stricken from the document in March recommending a more detailed disciplinary process for sanction or removal of a planning com-
mission member by the BOCC for misconduct. Ross favored a more formalized process, which included the requirement of a written charge. “It does set a guideline to follow and a due process for someone who has been accused of misconduct,” Ross said. Neither Commissioner Kelly Dore nor Rowland agreed with the need to establish progressive discipline for a body made up entirely of volunteers, and the amendment to the regulation was rejected by a 2-1 vote, with only Ross voting in favor. The change to Part 1, Section 2 of the zoning regulations is part of the county’s ongoing effort to formalize its business practices and a likely first step in further changes to Elbert County’s zoning laws, which have been described by many as challenging.