The Archuleta County Transportation Department will be getting a new Ford Transit electric van that will be compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA), fully funded by the Electric Transit Subaward Grant that was awarded to the county in January 2024.
During a regular meeting held by the Archuleta County Board County Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday, Aug. 5, the board unanimously approved the ordering of the van from Rae Consultants.
According to the agenda, the total cost of the van is $199,300.
Earlier in the day during a work session held by the BoCC, Transportation Director Andrew Mylroie explained that it will be a 2026 model van with an approximate range of 140 miles, but would likely drop to approximately 115 miles depending on the use of heat and air conditioning.
Mylroie explained that there is “no local match whatsoever” with the grant being used to purchase the van, and that his department has a separate grant out for installing the charging infrastructure needed with the van.
He indicated the total project cost is roughly $261,000.
Mylroie also explained that the conduit for the charging station is already in place at the county’s newly opened transportation facility.
Commissioner Warren Brown asked if the grant could be applied retroactively since the county already has part of the infrastructure installed, with Mylroie confirming is the intended plan.
“Absolutely,” he responded, noting he is hoping to have two chargers located in the bus bay and possibly one outside for future electric vehicles if the county were to acquire any more.
Commissioner Veronica Medina asked if the charging station outside could be opened to the public, with Mylroie explaining that it would depend on the federal grant regulations.
Brown also asked if the new electric van is an addition or replacement to the department’s vehicles.
Mylroie explained that it is an addition and that the vehicle will be used primarily for senior transportation.
He also indicated the county would receive the van within one to two months of ordering it, as it is currently being built in California.
Medina also inquired about a previous grant the county was awarded for the purpose of having a transit bus running from Pagosa Springs to Durango.
Mylroie indicated he was unaware of that grant, and Brown explained that the county was awarded the grant almost four years ago and is “still awaiting delivery.”
Mylroie explained that there was a signed agreement with Durango for that bus, and that the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) interregional express bus service, Bustang, backed out on building a new facility in Durango.
Mylroie noted that he started talking with CDOT to see if the allocated funds for the Bustang project could be transferred to the county, and that he informed CDOT that, “we could do a daily route to Durango real easy with the buses we already have and they would give us a lump sum and we would run that route as long as that money was there and then possibly look for more funding in the future.”
Mylroie noted that the county would be able to run the service for “quite a while” with the funds that were previously allocated for the Bustang project.
In response to a question from Medina, Mylroie explained that the charging infrastructure will cost approximately $61,000, to be covered by a separate grant.
Mylroie also explained that a third-party company has assessed the property and confirmed that there is sufficient power to be able to install the chargers.
During the regular meeting, Commissioner John Ranson commended Mylroie’s work, but commented, “I’m not a big fan of the electric stuff, especially in Archuleta County, and I just don’t understand how it’s gonna be better than what we already have.”
He went on to mention that he appreciates Mylroie’s work, and that by having the project fully grant funded, “changes my mind.”
Mylroie commented that it will be a “good learning opportunity for all of Archuleta County to start down this road a little bit.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
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