On Tuesday, April 22, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a special meeting with Rep. Jeff Hurd at the county’s administration building, with only one matter on the posted agenda as a new business item, “Discussions With Congressman Hurd.”
That meeting was met with discord in the days leading up to it.
During a work session held by the BoCC earlier that day, Commissioner John Ranson acknowledged a Facebook post from a community group, Equality Pagosa, that encouraged anyone interested in being in Pagosa Springs to show up for the meeting dressed in all black for a silent protest.
During the work session after Ranson read the Facebook post, he stated, “and I can’t tell you how irritated I am,” expressing concerns that the post was inviting people from outside the Archuleta County community to show up and protest during Hurd’s visit with the BoCC.
The county noticed the meeting with Hurd on Friday, April 18, at 12:02 p.m., with the county closing its offices at noon that day for Good Friday. The Facebook post describes the county’s action of noticing the meeting and closing offices as “very sneaky.”
Ranson addressed two members of the audience, Candace Jones and Lee Stopher, asking them to “do what you can” as leaders in the community to address the post, while stating that his wife moved to Pagosa Springs in the 1980s and is now “afraid to come to town today for the meeting.”
Ranson also stated, “You guys have every right to protest and do whatever you want.”
Ranson then referenced an April 14 letter that Hurd and other congress members have signed addressed to the speaker of House of Representatives and other leaders that expresses concerns over recent cuts to Medicaid programs.
That letter states, “As Members of Congress who helped to deliver a Republican Majority, many of us representing districts with high rates of constituents who depend on Medicaid, we would like to reiterate our strong support for this program that ensures our constituents have reliable healthcare. Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security.”
Ranson went on to comment, “This is disgusting,” referring to the Facebook post.
He added that Hurd has been away from his wife and children for months doing his job.
Jones explained that she was planning on attending the meeting with Hurd, and that she had nothing to do with the Facebook post that Ranson was referencing, though she expressed that people should attend the meeting.
Jones acknowledged Ranson’s statement about Hurd being away from his family, stating that she appreciates that, “but his job is to represent the entire district.”
“Which he’s doing,” Ranson interjected.
“Which he has not been here to hold a town hall,” Jones replied.
Jones mentioned the meeting was to be held in the commissioners’ room at the county administration office, noting it is a “small space,” claiming the county could’ve planned to hold the meeting in a larger setting with room for a bigger audience and to have Hurd take questions from the public.
Jones also mentioned that Hurd ran for his position “to represent the entire district.”
Hurd is the congressional representative for the 3rd District of Colorado, which encompasses 27 counties, primarily on the Western Slope.
“No,” Ranson commented during Jones’ statement about Hurd’s job.
Jones replied, “No? That’s not his job to listen to his constituents?”
“You can make excuses any way you want. He’s making the effort … he’s been to [Washington, D.C.] for three months battling for us,” Ranson said.
Jones explained that she wanted to hear Hurd speak on topics of concern, also expressing she wants a civil interaction.
“I want to hear what he has to say and I want it to be civil,” Jones said, also mentioning that because Hurd represents the entire 3rd District, other people from surrounding communities may want to attend the meeting.
Jones explained that there are people in the community who are “anxious” and “concerned” over actions taken by the current presidential administration.
“Yes, and I am, too. This is not our community,” Ranson said, with Jones asking for clarification on his statement.
“This is not how Pagosa Springs has been since I moved here in 1996,” Ranson said, mentioning this all started happening since the most recent presidential election.
In the past eight presidential elections, from 1996 to 2024, the majority of Archuleta County voters have voted for Republican presidential candidates, according to Dave Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
Ranson continued to express concerns about the protest organizers calling for people from other communities, while Jones insisted that anyone from the district may want to attend the meeting.
Ranson then claimed that he would be speaking with another community member about the issue, encouraging Jones to “step up as a leader” and “act like Archuleta County people.”
Jones questioned how standing and being silent at the meeting would not be civil.
“How is it not civil when my wife is afraid to come to downtown Pagosa?” Ranson replied.
Jones questioned why Ranson’s wife is afraid, with Ranson interjecting, stating, “You’re not gonna stand up. You’ve answered. I’m done, but I’m gonna make sure they know it this afternoon. I’m tired of it.”
Ranson went on to explain that public comment is usually not included in work sessions (the Facebook post indicated public comment would not be taken at the work session), suggesting that Jones and Stopher attend BoCC work sessions and meetings frequently, adding, “You know how work sessions work.”
The BoCC gathering with Hurd was noticed as a special meeting.
Ranson also mentioned that a county employee stayed late after work on Friday to notice the meeting.
“This wasn’t sneaky,” he said, adding that Jones could “straighten that out,” referencing the Facebook post.
Jones indicated that she did not make the Facebook post.
“Please don’t tell me that,” Ranson replied, suggesting Jones could respond to the post.
Jones indicated that a town hall-style meeting could have been an option and thanked the commissioners for having him come here.
She added, “Look at what has happened in the country the last 100 days,” reiterating that people are concerned.
“That’s your opinion and it’s in the nation. We don’t bring it here,” Ranson said.
Stopher specifically mentioned cuts to the U.S. Forest Service resulting in a loss of staff in and around Archuleta County.
“Take it somewhere else,” Ranson replied, explaining that topics such as Medicaid and the hospital “and the things that are important for this community” would be discussed at the meeting.
“Take your national political stuff somewhere else,” he added.
Commissioner Veronica Medina explained that the county received the notice from Hurd’s representative, adding that the congressman would not have much time as he was planning other stops in Bayfield and Durango that day.
She added that the purpose of the meeting was for the commissioners to be able to talk Hurd about things that are happening in D.C.
Medina also mentioned that her understanding of Hurd’s trip was to have “quick meetings to update the commissioners,” and that Hurd is planning to hold town hall-style meetings at a later date.
She noted that the county received a “short notice for us even,” as Commissioner Warren Brown was only able to attend the meeting online.
Medina went on to explain that, according to Hurd’s staff, he understands that “the constituents in his district are upset with things that are happening.”
She then mentioned that she has been able to speak with Hurd in regard to wildfire adaptive grants, indicating Hurd has helped get funds unfrozen for programs “which directly affected us here in Archuleta County.”
She added, “There are local issues he is working on on our behalf.”
Medina also mentioned that it is important to work together to support our current leadership and that she would prefer to “respectfully disagree.”
Stopher acknowledged Ranson’s concerns about his wife being “scared” to come to town, saying, “that same fear is on the other side too,” noting she deals with the same issue.
“You can’t do anything about that. We can here,” Ranson said.
Attending virtually, Brown offered comments recalling a visit from Sen. John Hickenlooper a couple of years ago, explaining although there were political disagreements, “yet the senator was treated with complete respect from everybody.”
Brown added that whether constituents can agree or not, it is important to support the current leadership, noting that the commissioners make a “diligent effort to serve all constituents of the county regardless of political affiliation.”
“I appreciate the comments today from every angle,” Brown said.
Special meeting
When Hurd arrived at the special meeting, he was greeted by a group of protesters displaying signs that expressed concerns over public lands and other measures taken by the Trump administration.
Before entering the meeting, Hurd engaged with each protester, asking what the major concerns were while offering explanations to some of those concerns.
Hurd explained that he has introduced legislation that would limit the president’s ability to impose tariffs.
More protesters and community members filled the commission’s room, with other elected county officials as well as members of the Pagosa Springs Town Council.
“Whether or not you agree with or vote for me, I represent you and it’s an honor to have you here,” Hurd said.
Hurd explained that he is a Colorado native, having grown up in Grand Junction, with a professional background as an energy lawyer focusing on rural electric co-ops similar to La Plata Electric Association.
He mentioned that through that work he saw challenges and opportunities across rural Colorado, “and that was my fundamental reason for running, was to create economic opportunities” to help families stay and thrive living in southern Colorado.
Hurd noted that when he started his professional career he did not intend to become a politician, describing himself as an “accidental politician.”
Hurd then explained that he is on three committees in the House of Representatives: natural resources, transportation infrastructure, and science space and technology.
He also mentioned that he is the chairman of the Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over issues in Indian nations.
Hurd noted that one of the “top” things he wanted to work with the commissioners on is identifying high-priority transportation projects in the county in order to make requests in the federal budget for those projects.
He also spoke about concerns relating to the national forest, mentioning the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his support of that initiative.
He added he believes the U.S. Forest Service may not be the ideal place to make budget cuts.
“I do think that fundamentally the project of government efficiency and DOGE is a good project, making government more efficient, we just need to make it in the right spots,” Hurd said, adding that, “on the ground in the Forest Service is probably not the place to be cutting.”
He explained that his understanding is that wildland firefighters have not been cut, but that their support staff has.
Hurd indicated that he is working on a piece of bipartisan legislation that would see to it that employees who have been terminated “do not lose their place in line” if they come back, describing the initiative as a “common sense, good public policy” to incentivize folks who “we need to come back.”
He noted that he has had success in other parts of the district in getting workers rehired.
Hurd also mentioned that he is concerned about the upcoming fire season with a low snowpack in the region.
He explained that one of his first speeches in the House of Representatives was on the Fix Our Forest Act, mentioning that it is important to reduce fuel loads in the national forest.
Hurd also noted that he is supporting a piece of legislation that would permanently relocate the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to western Colorado with the thought that those making the policies should live in the region it’s affected most.
He then addressed his stance on the president imposing tariffs, explaining that he has helped introduce legislation that would limit the president’s ability to do so.
“I do believe that Congress has done a terrible job of farming out its powers to the executive branch and we need to bring those back in,” he said, noting that he believes Congress should have a say in tariff authority.
Hurd added that whether or not constituents voted for him, “I owe it to you to listen to you.”
Ranson commented that he is appreciative of Hurd’s efforts in “working across the aisle,” adding that Hurd is one of the few he has seen trying to work with both parties.
“I appreciate that as a taxpayer,” Ranson added.
Brown commented on the fire concerns, stating, “As you can see from our community, we are a ticking time bomb.”
Brown explained that a catastrophic wildfire event would have significant economic effects to the entire area, as well as causing problems with water supply.
“So, I appreciate what you’re doing there,” he said.
Brown also mentioned that he is concerned about issues relating to medical services available to veterans.
Hurd described the issues around care and pharmaceutical needs for veterans as a “critical priority,” inviting anyone who knows someone struggling with those matters to reach out to his team.
“What matters is what we do,” he said, explaining that he can say all these things, but that his actions are more important and that he hopes that is what his constituents hold him accountable for.
“There is so much that I love about this district,” Hurd said, noting that Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County are a “core” part of that.
“I hope to be down here many times,”he added. “This is not the only time I’ll be visiting here.”
Hurd also urged constituents who may disagree with him on the majority of items to express when he is doing something they do agree with, as it helps in getting bipartisan legislation approved.
Following the meeting, Hurd explained in an interview that he was informed by the commissioners that there was a group of constituents in Archuleta County who would disagree with him, but that they would be polite, “and that is what I found.”
Hurd commented that he was impressed with the thoughtfulness of the people he spoke with, even though “almost all” of them disagreed with him, adding they did so in a thoughtful way.
Hurd described the occasion as “an example of a good kind of interaction.”
He also mentioned that he has great memories of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County, and that he now feels he has a “special responsibility” being the district’s representative.
He noted that his visit encouraged him to be open-minded and to listen to constituents while still being able to “stand up for my principals.”
In a later interview with Ranson, he explained that he felt Hurd handled the meeting well, along with addressing the protesters.
“The people were calm,” Ranson said, mentioning that he was appreciative of Hurd’s efforts and saying Hurd “didn’t sound like a politician” and presented the commissioners with important information.
clayton@pagosasun.com
