Archuleta County Public Health Director Ashley Wilson recently provided the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) with a semiannual update, highlighting that four additional grants have been received since the county approved its 2026 budget.
Some of those “were anticipated,” Wilson noted, explaining that two of the additional grants came after initially being denied and the county was later awarded smaller amounts from the grant’s leftover funds.
Wilson indicated that funds from these additional grants will be used for infrastructure at the community center and support staff training.
She also explained that one of the grants received was a technology grant through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) that will allow the county to implement platforms needed to communicate with local nonprofits to easily send referrals.
Wilson noted that this is “something the community wanted.”
In response to a question from Commissioner Veronica Medina, Wilson noted the county will be using a platform called CredibleMind, which is a mental health platform.
Wilson also explained that nonprofits can use the platform for free, and that the CDPHE grant will cover the county’s fee to host the platform for three years.
Medina commended Wilson’s work, noting that this platform has been a “missing piece” discussed by local nonprofits.
Wilson indicated that she is planning on reaching out to the county’ s nonprofit health partners with information on the platform.
Wilson also explained that the additional grant funds should cover the health department’s approximate $41,000 budget deficit that was incorporated into the county’s 2026 budget.
She then spoke more about potential cuts to the state’s upcoming budget and what that could mean for the Archuleta County Public Health Department’s next budget.
“Some cautionary things from the state around the federal pass-through funds,” Wilson said, explaining that she has not heard “any chatter that those federal funds will be going away,” just taking longer.
“I appreciate how upfront and honest you were during this budget,” Commissioner John Ranson said, asking Wilson if she anticipates having to do a budget adjustment in July.
Wilson explained that budget amendments were not needed the past two years, but that if a drastic reduction in funds occurs then a mid-year budget amendment would be needed.
She further explained that last year cuts were made to the general fund for local planning and support, and environmental health, and those would likely be where cuts are seen again.
“Those are our two most flexible funding streams from the state,” she said, explaining that those funds can cover multiple different areas whereas other funds get very specific on what can be covered.
“If we do see cuts, it’s likely going to be to those two most general funds again,” Wilson said.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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