The Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) voted 2-1 to keep the county’s business recovery fund program in-house during its regular meeting held on Tuesday, May 6.
Before voting on the matter, Commissioner Warren Brown inquired as to when the program could be rolled out if the county were to keep the process in-house rather than joining with the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation (PSCDC) and Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado.
County Manager Jack Harper explained that it would not take long to have the program opened for business to apply for the funds, indicating it could be ready by June 1.
In February, the BoCC announced it had earmarked $100,000 out of the commissioners’ budget to be awarded as grants to local businesses affected by the U.S. 160 reconstruction project.
During the meeting, Harper also explained that there have been conversations about the PSCDC and/or the Pagosa Springs Main Street Advisory Board assisting the county or if county staff would be responsible for administering the program.
Region 9 has also announced that it has $150,000 available to award as low-cost loans for business being affected by the construction.
County Finance Director Chad Eaton explained during the meeting that businesses would be asked to submit financials “showing that there has been a loss compared to this time last year.”
Harper noted that he and Eaton would review the applications and make recommendations to the BoCC, who would approve the grant awards.
Brown asked if there would be any sort of performance clause included ensuring that businesses are using the funds in an appropriate manner.
Harper provided an example of how the funds would be distributed from the county, explaining the grants could be used for things like payroll or rent and that business would be reimbursed for those costs.
Commissioner Veronica Medina commented that she’s “been thinking about this a lot” and acknowledged statements made by PSCDC Executive Director Emily Lashbrooke during a work session earlier that day about how “tight the market is.”
Medina mentioned that bigger corporations such as McDonald’s and Amazon have reported declines in sales over the first quarter of 2025, “so it makes sense that our small businesses are going to see a decline.”
Medina went on to explain that the former county attorney had advised the BoCC that it could not give away any financial responsibility to a third party.
“To me, this would be giving away our responsibility to a third party,” she added.
Interim county attorney Lance Ingalls was present via cellphone during the meeting and indicated the former county attorney was correct, and explained that certain items can be delegated and that, with the right controls in place, the BoCC could still potentially have the PSCDC and Region 9 assist in facilitating the program.
In response to Ingalls’ explanation, Medina stated, “I would like for the BoCC to keep this within house for two reasons.”
She explained that local businesses have said multiple times how frustrated they are and that they “feel like communication is not flowing freely,” noting not necessarily from the BoCC.
Medina went on to mention that in order to keep the program out of Durango with Region 9, “I think it would better serve our constituents if we kept it in-house and we have staff do the process, and that way we would be able to show our constituents that we do care and we can take the time and effort to be able to allocate these funds to them as needed.”
Brown motioned to keep the county business grant process in-house, directing staff to complete any forms and processes necessary to have the program ready no later than June 1.
The motion was seconded by commissioner John Ranson.
Ranson then explained that his campaign ran on the idea of different entities working together better, noting that Region 9 already has a process in place for its loan program.
Brown explained that he did not want to overload the PSCDC or the Main Street Advisory Board and that he would like to see the grant program kept in-house for at least this year.
“I don’t want to overload either one,” Brown added.
The motion was approved with Brown and Medina in favor and Ranson against after Ranson joked that he was excited the board would have its first 2-1 vote.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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