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Colorado Counties, Inc. is a non-profit membership association of and for county
commissioners and consolidated “city and county” councilmembers and mayors. Each CCI affiliate is
designed to represent and enhance the organizations’ ability to provide the best services and solutions
available for county government, including legislative and regulatory representation, education and
research, as well as venues for facilitations and the exchange of ideas. CCI is governed by a board of
directors consisting of eight county commissioners from across the state, who also serve on the boards
of CCI’s affiliate organizations. CCI’s legislative policies are determined by nine subject matter-based
steering committees. CCI also has five geographically-determined districts that provide opportunities
for regional discussions and cooperation.
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Table of Contents
President’s Message……………………………………………………...5
Executive Director’s Message.………………………………………......6
Colorado Counties, Inc.……………………………………………… ....7
CCI Foundation……………………………………………………...…16
CCI Public Lands……………………………………………………….23
Associates……………………………………………………………….27
Staff Page………………………………………………………………..28
County Commissioners, Mayors and Councilmembers………………..29
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President’s Message
Fellow Commissioners and Councilmembers:
2014 has proven to be another busy year for CCI! We faced a challenging legislative session
and worked on several large and very important county issues including: legislation to
assist with ongoing flood recovery efforts, urban renewal and tax increment financing
reform, financing broadband deployment, local OHV regulation, and the ongoing
discussion of oil and gas regulation that led to the formation of the Governor’s Task Force.
At the direction of the membership, CCI also created the Justice and Public Safety (JPS)
Steering Committee to emphasize and more efficiently address county-related JPS issues
like mentally-ill inmates in jails, courtroom security, and emergency management .
This year the CCI Foundation hosted its first-ever Corporate Associate Reception to
recognize and thank the companies and individuals who support the Foundation’s efforts
to make county government work better . We also held a very successful CCI Legislative
breakfast at the State Capitol, where commissioners and legislators were able to network
with one another on policy issues of concern to counties .
Despite being confronted with a fast-paced year, we have also managed to incorporate a
little fun into our work! We conducted an informative and entertaining visit to Summit
County’s solid waste facility that included an opportunity for commissioners to make use
of the new county shooting range. We also held an auction at the Winter Conference tha t
was fun for attendees and raised money for the Foundation to use to support an educational
assistance program.
During my tenure as CCI’s President , I have seen many of you regularly attending steering
committees, district meetings, conferences, and other CCI related events. Your ongoing
participation and support of CCI is imperative to the success of the organization and is
greatly appreciated!
As we move forward into 2015, I encourage you all to stay actively involved with CCI.
Whether it is the development of the state water plan, discussions of the oil and gas task
force or any other of the many policy issues that affect counties, your input and
participation are essential to ensuring that county-sensitive solutions result .
Thank you all for your continuing participation and for the opportunity to serve as your
2014 CCI President!
Shawn Bolton
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Executive Director’s Message
As Commissioner Bolton suggests in his President’s Message, 2014 has been another busy year for CCI,
CCI Public Lands and the CCI Foundation. It has included some noteworthy successes on longstanding
issues and also some accomplishments in new directions. Colorado was fortunate to avoid another year
of devastating fires and floods but Coloradans were subjected to the rigors of a particularly contentious
election season.
CCI was engaged on several important issues at the statehouse. In the succeeding pages, you will find
information on our legislative activities, which take place at the statehouse and on an increasing basis
during the interim between legislative sessions. You will also find reports on the work of the CCI affiliate
company, CCI Public Lands, especially related to reauthorization of the federal payment in lieu of taxes
(PILT) program and the secure rural schools (SRS or “forest payment”) program, as well as its work to
keep members informed about federal activities in the areas of endangered species designation and
environmental protection.
This report also includes information on the two successful conferences put on by the CCI Foundation
that, in addition to drawing more sponsors and non-county attendees than ever before, provided important
educational sessions on local authority over oil and gas operations, transportation funding alternatives and
challenges, approaches to proposed endangered species designations, broadband deployment, and the
ongoing development of the statewide water plan and the operation of the Colorado River Compact.
We have been pleased to have Governor Hickenlooper attend and speak at both conferences and also to
have an enhanced focus on national issues through the participation of Colorado commissioners in
prominent offices at the National Association of Counties (NACo), as well as having NACo staff, including
the NACo executive director Matt Chase, attend these statewide meetings. Finally, CCI was honored and
pleased to host the executive directors of state associations like CCI from around the country for their
annual meeting in El Paso County.
The CCI Foundation was also delighted to work in partnership with the Department of Local Affairs and
county administrators from around the state to prepare the first small and medium size county budget
comparison report since 2002. While this first edition does not contain the level of detail of the budget
comparison prepared by the largest 10 counties, it is exciting to breathe life back into a document that we
hope will help the balance of the state’s counties make better-informed budgeting decisions.
It is truly an exciting time for CCI, the CCI Foundation and CCI Public Lands and we are pleased to
provide this report on our activities!
Sincerely,
John (Chip) Taylor
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Mission: Policy development, legislative services, advocacy on state and federal issues of importance to counties; public relations and affairs; member retention and recruitment; management and support functions for all CCI affiliated entities.
Governance: Comprised of eight members total, five members are elected from each regional district, a secretary and treasurer from the 50,000 plus county caucus, and the past-president.
Revenue: Members dues, affinity/partnership payments, fees for services from CCI Foundation and CCI Public Lands.
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Colorado Counties Inc.
2014 Legislative Priorities - CCI’s legislative process begins in June of each year
when counties are asked to submit their legislative proposals for the upcoming
legislative session. These are discussed at steering committee meetings in July and a t the
CCI District meetings around the state in August. During these meetings, commissioners
and administrators have the opportunity to highlight and bring attention to their
legislative issues and consider both legislative and non-legislative solutions. These are
reviewed again and prioritized by the steering committees in September and receive a
final recommendation at the legislative meeting in October . The final recommendations
are voted on by the membership at the formal membership meeting, also held in
October.
During the 2014 legislative session, CCI had 14 legislative issues. Among these, CCI
successfully pursued legislation in the following areas:
Budget flexibility to respond to emergency road and bridge needs subsequent to the floods
of 2013 and also a pair of bills to better define the allocation of wildland firefighting costs
and to facilitate the use of specialized contractors to protect structures in evacuated areas.
With significant, bipartisan majorities, CCI secured General Assembly approval of real urban
renewal reform legislation. It would have restored some badly-needed county control over
county revenues had it not been vetoed by the Governor in the eleventh hour.
The extent of local authority over oil and gas operations was and continues to be a high-
profile issue for the state and for CCI. It remains to be seen whether the withdrawal of several
controversial ballot measures in exchange for the creation of a gubernatorial task force to
recommend legislative solutions will accomplish the goal of a consensus legislative solution.
CCI continues to tread the line commissioners are asked to tread in balancing the rights of
mineral owners and their interest in developing their property with the rights of surface
owners and their interest in appropriate surface development.
Other county priorities pursued by the CCI legislative team included an increase in the
compensation to counties that provide drivers’ license services, authorization for local
governments to sell tax-exempt fuel to other local governments, and the creation of a
committee to analyze the impacts of retail marijuana sales statewide.
The complete 2015 legislative agenda adopted this October is available on the CCI
website at ccionline.org.
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2014 Legislative Box Score - In addition to CCI’s 2014 legislative priorities noted above, CCI
steering committees considered and adopted positions on a total of 75 bills. Of those 60, the steering
committees took a “support” position on 60 bills and an “oppose” position on 15 bills. As one
method of quantifying CCI’s success in influencing the legislative process, percentages of bills won or
lost were calculated. The table below provides information on overall CCI’s success in supporting or
opposing bills during 2014. The table does not denote those bills that CCI successfully amended or
moved to a position of “monitor”.
Other Legislative Highlights - CCI was pleased to endorse legislation initiated by others that
successfully clarified a public entity’s authority to charge research and retrieval fees related to open
records requests, allocated state funds to clean up flood debris and to repair drinking and waste water
treatment systems, increased the grants available to counties for courthouse remodeling and
renovation projects, provided flexibility in the meeting requirements applicable to the largest counties,
strengthened a grant program to assist counties participating in the child care assistance cliff effect
pilot program and extended the permissible term of business incentive agreements used by counties
for economic development purposes.
Although it was not ultimately approved by the General Assembly, CCI provided support for efforts
to secure better legislative representation for rural Colorado. CCI also worked to protect counties
from legislative proposals that would have given pipeline companies the power of eminent domain,
limited the borrowing capacity of counties by prohibiting them from pledging certain county revenues,
diverted county energy impact fund and conservation trust fund allocations, and mandated
outsourcing of certain county construction projects.
Success Status
CC
I P
OSI
TIO
N
Win Lost Total
Support 52
(87% of “support” bills)
8
(13% of “support” bills)
60
(80% of total bills)
Oppose 14
(93% of “oppose” bills)
1
(7% of “oppose” bills)
15
(20% of total bills)
Total 66
(88% of total)
9
(12% of total)
75
(100%)
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Legislative Report- This year, CCI redesigned the Legislative Report to be more streamlined and
reader-friendly with a format that includes brief updates on bills being tracked throughout the
legislative session, as well as links to more detailed information on the Master Bill Table found on the
CCI website. Additionally, we made the Legislative Report more mobile-friendly so members can read
it on-the-go!
Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee - In an effort to emphasize and more efficiently
address issues including emergency management, fire prevention and control, law enforcement,
courts, mentally-ill inmates, and judicial review, the General Government subcommittee dedicated to
these issues was made a full-fledged steering committee. The creation of the Justice and Public Safety
Steering Committee was approved at the 2014 Summer Conference Business Meeting by the CCI
membership. A chair and vice chair for this committee will be elected for the first time in January
2015.
District Meetings - CCI’s regional districts meet at least three times a year. During each district
meeting, commissioners and administrators have the opportunity to come together and collaboratively
discuss and highlight issues that are most pressing or of most interest to their respective regions. In
addition, CCI travels to each district’s region during the month of August for district meetings. These
regional meetings are a great opportunity for CCI to visit with commissioners from counties that are
further away from the Front Range corridor. This year’s district meetings included discussions of
proposed EPA rule changes related to “waters of the United States”; the child welfare system audit
and workload study, as well as the launch of the child welfare hotline; the deployment of broadband
to rural areas and the creation of a public safety broadband network; landfill regulation; fire agreements
between the state and counties; and county emergency operations.
NACo Participation - CCI continues to support and assist commissioners in their efforts to have
Colorado counties’ federal concerns addressed by the national association. Once again, participation
remains high and commissioners are increasingly involved in the NACo process. This year, Arapahoe
County Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld was appointed chair of NACo’s Finance and
Intergovernmental Affairs Steering Committee, Lynn Padgett of Ouray was appointed as vice-chair
of Public Lands, and El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark was sworn in as NACo’s 1st Vice
President. CCI was pleased to assist and also be a test state for NACo’s initiative to do a better job
letting the public know “Why Counties Matter”, including the creation of a draft “Why Colorado
Counties Matter” brochure and infographic.
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Interim Committees and Studies - In the interim periods between sessions, CCI regularly
helps commissioners take on issues of importance to counties as they serve on various state
committees and study groups.
Works Allocation Committee - Staffed jointly by CCI and CDHS, the WAC is an ongoing
committee that oversees and advises the Colorado Department of Human Services Executive
Director on issues pertaining to the allocation of the Colorado Works Block Grant.
Joint House and Senate Human Services Committee – Presenting jointly, Commissioner
Cindy Domenico (Boulder), Julie Krow of the Colorado Department of Human Services and
CCI Policy and Research Supervisor, Gini Pingenot presented before the Joint House and
Senate Human Services Committees about the work that has been done to date to implement
the Child Welfare Reform 2.0 initiatives including the Child Welfare Hotline, Child Welfare
Training Academy and many more.
Oil and Gas Task Force – During the summer of 2014, Governor Hickenlooper announced
the formation of a special oil and gas task force with the responsibility of providing
recommendations on mitigating land use impacts of the oil and gas industry. Commissioner
Gwen Lachelt (La Plata) was named co-chair of this task force and CCI staff has worked to
ensure that the wide diversity of county perspectives are considered.
Wildfire Matters Interim Committee - Andy Karsian, CCI’s Legislative Coordinator,
provided a report updating the wildfire matters committee members on county efforts to
mitigate wildfire danger in the wildland urban interface (WUI). The report included
information on updating fire codes for building in the WUI, development of wood markets,
county prescribed burn policies, and updates on the wide number of hazardous fuel mitigation
projects across the state.
Transportation Legislative Review Committee - CCI Policy and Research Supervisor, Eric
Bergman made a panel presentation with CML and DRCOG to the Transportation Legislative
Review Committee (TLRC) in June. Bergman detailed the various funding sources that
counties rely on to maintain and improve the local transportation systems around the
state. During his presentation, Bergman reminded the committee members that counties are
responsible for maintaining more than 58,000 center line miles in Colorado – more than six
times the miles that CDOT maintains.
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Appointments - Every year, commissioners are appointed to various boards and commissions.
CCI and the Board of Directors have a significant role in many of these selections. This year, a total
of 30 commissioners were appointed to the following governing boards and commissions either
directly or with input from CCI.
Works Allocation Committee (WAC) Kevin Karney (Otero), Nancy Sharpe (Arapahoe), Eva Henry (Adams), Norm Steen (Teller), Wendy Buxton-Andrade (Powers)
NACo Board of Directors Sallie Clark (El Paso), Keith Goodwin (Otero)
NACo Western Interstate Region Board of Directors John Martin (Garfield), Rachel Richards (Pitkin)
Child Welfare Allocation Committee (CWAC) Sallie Clark (El Paso), Dave Potts (Chaffee), Rose Pugliese (Mesa), Wendy Buxton-Andrade (Prowers), Rocky Samber (Logan)
Direct Distribution Oversight Committee John Martin (Garfield), John Kinkaid (Moffat), Shawn Bolton (Rio Blanco)
Child Fatality Review Team (CDHS) Casey Tighe (Jefferson), Lew Gaiter (Larimer)
Child Welfare Leadership Council Jack Hilbert (Douglas), Sallie Clark (El Paso), Cindy Domenico (Boulder), Steve Johnson (Larimer), Barbara Kirkmeyer (Weld), Nancy Sharpe (Arapahoe)
IV-E Waiver Committee Steve Johnson (Larimer)
Child Protection Ombudsman Advisory Work Group
Cindy Domenico (Boulder)
Marijuana Revenues Interim Study Committee Sal Pace (Pueblo)
Broadband Commission Mike Brazell (Park)
Sex Offender Management Board Pam Bricker (Rio Grande)
Left: Commissioner Rachel Richards (Pitkin) and Commissioner Dave Paul (Teller) Right Jonathan Houck (Gunnison) and Paula Swanson (Gunnison)
at the Foundation’s 2014 Winter Conference.
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Metro Area County Commissioners - Comprised of the seven metro area counties—Adams,
Arapahoe, Boulder, City and County of Broomfield, City and County of Denver, Douglas, and
Jefferson-- this group of commissioners meets the last Friday of the month to discuss relevant policy
and legislative issues. This year, the MACC wrestled with oil and gas issues, toured the NREL facilities
and co-hosted a very successful Legislative Reception at the Denver Art Museum, along with the
Metro Mayors Caucus. Additionally, the MACC has begun to collaborate with the Northwest
Colorado Council of Governments to find common ground on statewide water plans. While the
MACC is not a formally chartered entity of CCI, staff provides scheduling, planning, and research
assistance to the MACC.
CCI Board of Directors-standing: Thomas Davidson (Summit), Lew Gaiter III (Larimer), Dave Paul (Teller), Keith Goodwin (Otero); seated: Barbara
Kirkmeyer (Weld), Dennis Hisey (El Paso), Shawn Bolton (Rio Blanco), and Trent Bushner (Yuma)
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Colorado Counties Financials
Revenue - 84% of CCI’s annual revenues are received from county member dues. Additionally,
CCI receives administration fees from CCI Public Lands and the CCI Foundation, as well as NACo
services payments and interest income.
Expenses - CCI’s commitment to legislative policy development that best fits counties’ needs and
priorities, as well as education and communications, is reflected in CCI’s expense allocations below.
CCI Revenue
CCI - Dues and Assessments84%
CCI - Public LandsAdministration 2%
CCI - FoundationAdministration 9%
CCI - NACo Service Income 4%
CCI - Other Income 1%
CCI ExpensesCCI - Conferences, Training andEducation 12%
CCI - Communications 13%
CCI - General andAdministrative 31%
CCI - Depreciation 5%
CCI - Legislative/PolicyDevelopment 28%
CCI - Research/ Technical andLegal 6%
CCI - Building 5%
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2014 CCI Board Members
Shawn Bolton, President- Rio Blanco
Trent Bushner, President-elect-Yuma
Dennis Hisey, Secretary-El Paso
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Treasurer-Weld
Lew Gaiter III, Board Member-Larimer
Dave Paul, Board Member-Teller
Keith Goodwin, Board Member-Otero
Thomas Davidson, Past-President-Summit
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Mission: To provide training and educational programs for better county management and understanding of county issues; conduct semi-annual conferences; and facilitate county information sharing and problem solving.
Governance: CCI Board of Directors plus four members of the community elected by the CCI Board of Directors.
Revenue: Associate dues, gifts, grants, and donations.
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CCI Foundation
Summer and Winter Conferences - Each year, the CCI Foundation hosts a summer and winter
conference, giving county officials an opportunity to learn and share new ideas to help better govern
their counties. The conference content is developed in consultation with the Board of Directors based
on input received from all county members during the course of the year. As part of CCI’s efforts to
help counties be as effective and efficient as possible, the conference also connects commissioners
with private enterprises and vendors that help counties do business.
CCI Associates Reception - In January, the CCI Foundation hosted its first ever Associates
Reception. Associates and commissioners were able to come together and network with one another,
as well as celebrate the ongoing business and relationships many of the associate members and
commissioner enjoy. This event took place during CCI’s first (and most-attended) round of steering
committee meetings in order to provide the best opportunity for interaction.
County Visits - CCI continues to reach out to individual county members by visiting with
commissioners in their own counties. Each year, Executive Director Chip Taylor visits with
commissioners about achievements and concerns facing their county. During these visits,
commissioners also have the opportunity to make specific recommendations about how the CCI
family of companies can better serve their needs. These meetings are invaluable in helping CCI
understand county issues better and how the association and its affiliates can help address them
individually and collectively.
Highlights from Summer Conference 2014
Interactive tours of the Summit County
Shooting Range and Landfill
Opening Session featuring keynote
address from Governor Hickenlooper
Why Counties Matter presented by
NACo Executive Director Matt Chase
Law of the Colorado River-History and
Future
Broadband deployment in rural
Colorado
Endangered Species designation and
ESA reform efforts
Highlights from Winter Conference 2014
Part One of New Commissioner
Orientation-CCI 101 and Budgeting
101
Keynote Remarks featuring
Governor Hickenlooper
Open Meetings and Records Law
TABOR lawsuit debate
Oil and gas task force report and
feedback
Transportation Funding Challenges
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Small and Medium Budgeting Tool – In furtherance of a longstanding priority, the CCI
Foundation has partnered with the Department of Local Affairs to re-create the small and medium
county budget comparison previously offered by DoLA but discontinued in 2002. The first
installment of this project was released in early October, giving commissioners and administrators a
preliminary tool and a structure for future versions. Ultimately, this tool could contain more detailed
budget comparisons of the 54 small and medium counties, with a focus on issues and data points
identified and selected by the participating counties.
Publications - In an effort to keep commissioners updated on topics of county interest, CCI
publishes a bi-weekly electronic newsletter - eCounty Lines - that includes items of ongoing county
interest, including appointments to committees and advisory boards, availability of workshops and
educational programs, upcoming meetings, opportunities to comment on proposed federal and state
rules, and other news and announcements. This electronic edition supplements the printed County
Lines, which is produced twice a year and summarizes the activities and presentations made at each of
the CCI Foundation conferences.
Each year, the CCI Foundation compiles a comprehensive list of county elections results which is
available to media contacts and other interested parties. Foundation staff also produces the Colorado
County Officials Directory, a directory of county elected officials, staff, and their contact information,
and the County Officials Handbook for commissioners and county administrators with information
concerning areas of county powers and responsibility. Additionally, the Foundation generates policy
reports, surveys and white papers as requested by members.
New Commissioner Orientation - Split into two sessions, the first session during the 2014
Winter Conference and the second planned for January 2015, new commissioner orientation offers
training to newly-elected commissioners on the wide variety of responsibilities they have made taken
including the basics of county budgeting, health and human services, road and bridge operations,
interactions with other elected officials, and the operations of CCI.
Right: Eva Henry (Adams) and Barbara Kirkmeyer (Weld) Left: Amy Lathen and Lew Gaiter III (Larimer) at the Foundation’s 2014 Winter
Conference.
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CCI Executive Director Chip Taylor, Governor John Hickenlooper, and NACo Executive Director Matt Chase at the Foundation’s 2014 Summer
Conference.
Webinars and Workshops - In keeping with CCI’s commitment to enhancing awareness,
understanding and education of county issues, the CCI Foundation participated in workshops and put
together several in-house presentations concerning county activities and issues. In an effort to make
these more accessible to counties outside the Front Range, we have been experimenting with
providing these workshops via online webinars.
Partnering with the Colorado Department of Human Services, Gini Pingenot, shared CCI’s
Health & Human Services 2015 legislative priorities via webinar on November 5, 2014.
The CCI Foundation partnered with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the
Colorado Municipal League, and the Special District Association to conduct a workshop in
Fruita for municipal and county government officials. The workshop featured sessions on
budgeting, intergovernmental cooperation, economic development and human resource
issues.
Presenting at the Special District Annual Conference, Executive Director Chip Taylor and
CCI staff Gini Pingenot spoke to the ongoing efforts to address the impacts of tax
increment financing on counties, special districts and schools.
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Invited by Action 22 to their Annual Conference in Pueblo, CCI Legislative Coordinator
Andy Karsian presented a legislative roundup of CCI’s positions on a variety of statewide
topics ranging from TABOR refunds to oil and gas regulations.
In addition to webinars put on by CCI for Colorado commissioners, CCI Policy and
Research Supervisor Eric Bergman made several presentations to audiences around the
country on the Colorado experience with legalized marijuana. Starting at the Rural County
Representatives of California Annual Conference in Squaw Valley, California, Bergman
spoke to the county experience of regulating recreational marijuana in Colorado. Bergman
spoke on a panel in October at the National Council of County Association Executives
conference in Colorado Springs about the challenges of legalizing medical and recreational
marijuana facing local governments in Colorado and Washington State. Finally, Bergman
presented the county perspective on marijuana legalization during a webinar conducted by
the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Legislature is
considering legislation to legalize and regulate medical marijuana.
Commissioners Lynn Padgett (Ouray), Gwen Lachelt (La Plata), Councilmember Sam Taylor (Broomfield), Mayor Randy Aherns (Broomfield), and
Lew Gaiter III (Larimer) visit at the CCI Foundation 2014 Summer Conference in Keystone.
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CCI Foundation Financials
Revenue - 89% of the CCI Foundation’s annual revenue is derived from the two annual conferences
held in the summer and winter each year. Additionally, the CCI Foundation also receives dues from
associate members who wish to support the enhancement of county government in Colorado.
Expenses - Foundation expenses for the 2014 year are largely devoted to educational programs,
including conferences, training sessions, and workshops, but also include expenses for administration,
as well as research, technical and legal assistance.
Foundation - SummerConference 38%
Foundation - WinterConference 51%
Foundation - AssociateDues 9%
Foundation - Other Income2%
Foundation Revenue
Foundation Expenses
Foundation - Conference,Training and Education 73%
Foundation - Communications7%
Foundation - General andAdministrative 15%
Foundation - Research/Technical and Legal 4%
Foundation - Building 1%
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2014 CCI Foundation Board of Directors
Shawn Bolton, President- Rio Blanco
Trent Bushner, President-elect-Yuma
Dennis Hisey, Secretary-El Paso
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Treasurer-Weld
Lew Gaiter III, Board Member-Larimer
Dave Paul, Board Member-Teller
Keith Goodwin, Board Member-Otero
Thomas Davidson, Past-President-Summit
Burt Burrows, Board Member-Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Chris Castilian, Board Member-Anadarko Petroleum
Ryan Headley, Board Member-Wagner Equipment Company
Scott “Hutch” Hutchings, Board Member-Waste Management
Company
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Mission: To provide policy development and advocacy related to public lands issues important to members; to help develop and foster public relations and affairs; and to recruit and retain membership.
Governance: Comprised the CCI Board of Directors and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the CCI Public Lands Steering Committee.
Revenue: Public Lands member dues.
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CCI Public Lands
CCI Public Lands – Is both a CCI steering committee and a CCI affiliated 501(c)(4) non-profit
corporation. As a steering committee, Public Lands has responsibility for determining CCI positions
on state legislation, identifying state legislative priorities, and adopting a policy statement on its areas
of concern. As an affiliated company, CCI Public Lands is actively engaged at the federal level through
participation in NACo, the NACo Western Interstate Region, and other regional forums, as well as
special lobbying activities such as PILT fly-ins.
Public Lands Steering Committee – Commissioners John Martin of Garfield County and
Commissioner Rachel Richards of Pitkin County were re-elected as chair and vice-chair of the 2014
and 2015 Public Lands steering committee. In addition, CCI Public Lands elects six other
commissioners to represent Colorado at the national level. This six-member delegation, together with
the steering committee chair and vice-chair, ensure that Colorado has the maximum representation
allowed on the NACo Public Lands Steering Committee and, consequently, a strong voice in national
debates about public lands policy.
Payment in Lieu of Taxes – PILT remained a top priority for CCI Public Lands in 2014. As
almost every county in Colorado has some amount of federal land ownership, PILT funds are essential
in assisting the counties in managing these lands and the impacts associated with them. U.S. Senators
Udall and Bennet visited with county commissioners at a 2014 Public Lands meeting at CCI’s offices
to discuss the importance of finding funding for PILT and Secure Rural Schools. These two federal
funding streams offset the loss of county tax revenue on non-taxable federal lands for vital county
functions such as search and rescue, wildfire mitigation efforts and maintenance of county roads. As
a result of the Senators’ efforts and commissioners playing a key part in supporting the National
Association of Counties’ lobbying, Colorado received more than $40 million in 2014. Unfortunately,
funding for 2015 is still uncertain and CCI Public Lands continues to educate legislators and
appropriators about the importance of full funding for PILT in both the short and long term.
Endangered Species – Counties continue to work with the federal government in developing
conservation plans that allow for responsible management of animal and plant species without a Fish
and Wildlife Service endangered listing. CCI Public Lands worked with the New Mexico Association
of Counties to provide information about Colorado’s efforts at developing conservation plans for the
Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. Nine counties in southern Colorado share habitat with New Mexico
counties across the state line. Colorado’s efforts at implementing an MOU for conservation of the
species may be a template for other counties to follow in the future.
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CCI Public Lands Register – Last year, CCI Public Lands began producing a quarterly
newsletter that helps commissioners across Colorado stay up to date on the most pertinent
information concerning public lands. The publication is timed to coincide with NACo’s legislative and
annual conferences, as well as the State’s legislative session.
CCI Public Lands Revenue – CCI Public Lands is funded exclusively through county
membership dues assessed to counties that have federal public lands within their borders. As the
federal government owns more than 24 million acres of land in Colorado, counties recognize the
importance of continuing education and collaboration with the federal government and assess their
dues based on the amount of PILT each county receives annually. The 2014 Public Lands budget was
$140,386.
CCI Public Lands Expenses -Expenses cover the costs of eight county commissioners, elected
by their peers, to travel to various National Association of Counties (NACo) conferences to sit on the
NACo Public Lands steering committee. Colorado’s eight seats on the committee represents the
largest presence of any state and helps to ensure continued input on federal policies affecting
constituents here in Colorado. The other major area of expense in the CCI Public Lands budget covers
CCI administration and support for the elected representatives who serve on NACo’s Public Lands
steering committee, members who participate in fly-ins and other activities, and staff time during the
year that is devoted to researching, developing and advocating on public lands issues.
Left: Keith Montag (former Eagle County Administrator) State Representative Millie Hamner, Commissioner Steve Child (Pitkin), and Commissioner
Karn Stiegelmeier (Summit) Right: Commissioners Cindy Domenico (Boulder) Thomas Davidson (Summit), and Deb Gardner (Boulder).
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2014 CCI Public Lands Board of Directors
Shawn Bolton, President- Rio Blanco
Trent Bushner, President-elect-Yuma
Dennis Hisey, Secretary-El Paso
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Treasurer-Weld
Lew Gaiter III, Board Member-Larimer
Dave Paul, Board Member-Teller
Keith Goodwin, Board Member-Otero
Thomas Davidson, Past-President-Summit
John Martin, Public Lands Chair-Garfield
Rachel Richards, Public Lands Vice Chair, Pitkin
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Associates The companies listed on this page have an interest in the work of counties and believe
it is beneficial to stay connected with them through CCI and its affiliates. The CCI
family of companies greatly appreciates the time and involvement of the companies
listed on this page.
Fourteener
Founder
American Fidelity Assurance Company
Transpan Bridges
Wagner Equipment Company
Pioneer
Colorado Barricade Company
Tri-State Generation and Transmission
Verizon
CRL & Associates, Inc.
Encana Corporation
Trailblazer
4RiversEquipment, LLC Iconergy
ACE/EATON Metals Innovage
AngloGold Ashanti Jviation
BIAS Corporation Lombard & Clayton, Inc.
Big R Bridge MOTOROLA Solutions
Bohannan Huston, Inc Reiter & Associations
Broadnet Teleservices SAMBASafety
Butler Snow Skyline Steel
CCOERA Suncor
CenturyLink United Power, Inc.
CSU Office of Engagement Vicente Sederberg
Developmental Pathways Waste Management
Eide Bailly
FirstSouthwest
George K. Baum & Company
Hall & Evans, LLC
Honnen Equipment
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2014 Staff
John (Chip) Taylor-Executive Director
Kristin Dunn-Deputy Director
Eric Bergman-Policy and Research Supervisor
o Transportation & Telecommunications
o General Government
Jeanne DeHaven-Administrative Associate
Brandy DeLange-Policy and Research Associate
o Tourism Resorts & Economic Development
Andy Karsian-Legislative Coordinator
o Agriculture Wildlife & Rural Affairs
o Justice & Public Safety
o Land Use & Natural Resources
o Public Lands
Annie Olson-Conference and Communications Coordinator
Gini Pingenot-Policy and Research Supervisor
o Health & Human Services
o Tax & Finance
Susan Scott-Administrative Assistant
Lombard & Clayton, Inc. Tony Lombard and Bill Clayton-Legislative
Liaisons:
o Transportation & Telecommunications
o Taxation & Finance
Ratliff & Associates Consulting, Inc. Pat Ratliff -Legislative Liaison:
o Health & Human Services
o General Government
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2014 County Commissioners, Mayors and Councilmembers
Adams County Erik Hansen Eva J. Henry Charles (Chaz) Tedesco Alamosa County Darius Allen Marianne Dunne Michael Yohn Arapahoe County Rod Bockenfeld Nancy Doty Bill L. Holen Nancy Jackson Nancy Sharpe Archuleta County Clifford Lucero Steve Wadley Michael Whiting Baca County Spike Ausmus Peter Dawson Dean Ormiston Bent County Lynden Gill Bill Long Tom Wallace Boulder County Cindy Domenico Deb Gardner Elise Jones
City & County of Broomfield Randy Aherns, Mayor Wayne Anderson Martha Derda Liz Law-Evans Dennis Harward Kevin Jacobs Todd Schumacher Mike Shelton Greg Stokes, Mayor Pro-tem Sam Taylor Sharon Tessier Chaffee County Dennis Giese Frank Holman Dave Potts Cheyenne County Nancy Bogenhagen Rod Pelton Patrick Ward Clear Creek County Phil Buckland Tom Hayden Tim Mauck Conejos County Mitchell Jarvies Steve McCarroll John Sandoval Costilla County Dolores Burns Joe Gallegos Lawrence Pacheco Crowley County Tobe Allumbaugh Gary Gibson Frank Grant
Custer County Lynn Attebery Allen Butler Kit Shy Delta County Doug Atchley Bruce Hovde Mark Roeber Dolores County Julie Kibel Doug Stowe Ernie Williams Douglas County Jack Hilbert* Roger Partridge Jill Repella David Weaver* Eagle County Kathy Chandler-Henry Sara Fisher Jill Ryan El Paso County Sallie Clark Darryl Glenn Dennis Hisey Amy Lathen Peggy Littleton Elbert County Larry Ross Robert Rowland Kurt Schlegel Fremont County Debbie Bell Ed Norden Tim Payne
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Garfield County Tom Jankovsky John Martin Mike Samson Gilpin County Connie McLain Buddy Schmalz Gail Watson Grand County Gary Bumgarner Merrit Linke James Newberry Gunnison County Phil Chamberland Jonathan Houck Paula Swenson Hinsdale County Cindy Dozier Susan Thompson Stan Whinnery Huerfano County Art Bobian Ray Garcia Max Vezzani Jackson County Ben Clayton Jim Murphy Lanny Weddle Jefferson County Faye Griffin Donald Rosier Casey Tighe Kiowa County Bill Koehler Donald Oswald Dick Scott Kit Carson County Dave Gwyn Dave Hornung Gary Koop
La Plata County Gwen Lachelt Bobby Lieb Julie Westendorff Lake County Michael Bordogna Bruce Hix Dolores Semsack Larimer County Tom Donnelly Lew Gaiter III Steve Johnson Las Animas County Anthony Abeyta Gary Hill Mack Louden Lincoln County Greg King Ted Lyons Doug Stone Logan County Dave Donaldson Gene Meisner Rocky Samber Mesa County Steve Acquafresca John Justman Rose Pugliese Mineral County Don Hollenshead Scott Lamb Ramona Weber Moffat County Chuck Grobe John Kinkaid Tom Mathers Montezuma County Steve Chappell Keenan Ertel Larry Don Suckla
Montrose County Gary Ellis Ron Henderson David White Morgan County Brian McCracken Laura Teague Jim Zwetzig Otero County Jim Baldwin Keith Goodwin Kevin Karney Ouray County Don Batchelder Mike Fedel Lynn Padgett Park County Mike Brazell Mark Dowaliby Dick Hodges Phillips County Don Lock Joe Kinnie Harlan Stern Pitkin County Steve Child Rob Ittner George Newman Michael Owsley Rachel Richards Prowers County Wendy Buxton-Andrade Joe Marble Henry Schnabel Pueblo County Terry A. Hart Liane “Buffie” McFadyen Sal Pace
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Rio Blanco County Shawn Bolton Jeff Eskelson Jon Hill Rio Grande County Pam Bricker Doug Davie Karla Shriver Routt County Tim Corrigan Steve Ivancie Doug Monger Saguache County Jason Anderson Ken Anderson Linda Joseph
San Miguel County Elaine Fischer Art Goodtimes Joan May Sedgwick County Gene Bauerle Jim Beck Glen Sandquist Summit County Thomas Davidson Dan Gibbs Karn Stiegelmeier
Teller County Marc Dettenrieder Dave Paul Norm Steen Washington County David Foy Terry G. Hart Lea Ann Laybourn Weld County Sean Conway Mike Freeman Bill Garcia Barbara Kirkmeyer Doug Rademacher Yuma County Trent Bushner Robin Wiley Dean Wingfield
* Indicates commissioners who resigned or where
appointed to their seat.
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