Dear Editor:
After reading your October 15, 2026 article regarding the proposed renovations to the old courthouse/jail building, a few questions come to mind.
Archuleta constituents were told that the old courthouse/jail had major health and safety issues that the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) deemed unfixable or too costly to remediate. If this was the case, then why has the current owner been able to hire Reynolds Ash & Associates to do “facade and parking lot improvements” with the assumption being that the future scope of work would include renovations inside the building?
The article does not mention what measures will be taken by the new owner to address the reputed unhealthy/unsafe conditions that the public were told existed, which precipitated the abandonment of the building by the sheriff and the courthouse staff. However, the article does state that “Brad Ash, the lead architect on the project, explained that the renovations would aim to attract business opportunities for mercantile, boutiques, and restaurants . . .” One must assume in order for businesses to populate the renovated building, the planning and building department, along with any reputable architectural firm or construction company, would ensure the reputed health hazards are addressed properly and safety codes adhered to.
Therefore, the question remains: If this building is now a prime location for renovation and refurbishment, why did BoCC push through the costly new construction of a jail, sheriff’s office and courthouse stating that the old courthouse was too costly to renovate? More costly than the new construction of said buildings? And to add insult to injury, on the jail they did so despite taxpayer and voter disapproval.
People of Archuleta take heed: Be sure to question and speak out regarding future county spending for buildings we arguably do not need and cannot afford.
Joanne Lucariello
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