News Now Blog

The Fremont County Commissioners are seeking a person for appointment as a member to County Board of Building Code Appeals. The board meets three times annually and as needed to hear appeals of the county's building code. If you have building experience or a background in contracting, you are encouraged to apply.

Letters of interest for appointment to a three year term on the Fremont County Board of Building Code Appeals should be submitted no later than 4 p.m. November 16th to the County Commissioners' office at 615 Macon Avenue in Canon City.

The Fremont County Tourism Council is now accepting applications from community organizations for 2008 tourism funding allocations. Community organizations and non-profit groups that conduct special events which attract tourists and visitors to the area are invited to submit applications for funding assistance. The Tourism Council by-laws require that at least five percent of County Lodging Tax revenues each year be distributed to community groups to support their special events.

The Fremont County Commissioners took action on a Model Traffic Code Ordinance as they dealt with a brief agenda of business at Tuesday's regular meeting. The Fremont County Sheriff's Department worked with the county attorney to bring the county's model traffic code in line with current state guidelines for traffic fines and point assessments on driver's licenses. Among changes in the traffic code, an additional $12 will be assessed for all speeding violations in unincorporated areas of the county.

The Colorado Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform was created by the legislature to identify ways to make health coverage more affordable and accessible for all Coloradans. As recommendations are developed for legislators, the Commission wants to hear from people throughout the state about what matters to you. One of the fourteen meetings being conducted across the state is scheduled in Canon City on October 6th.

A zone change that will allow for expansion of a Lincoln Park business was approved by the Fremont County Commissioners at their regular meeting September 11th. Vicky Lippis sought a zone change from low density residential to business zoning for her property which is the site of Elm Avenue Greenhouses at the corner of Highway 115 and Walnut Street in Lincoln Park. The Commissioners approved the zone change and the site development plan which will allow Lippis to build another greenhouse on the southwest corner of the property.

The Fremont County Commissioners approved two resolutions at a special meeting Wednesday to place two fiscal issues on the November 6th mail ballot. Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker is putting forth a sales tax question that would ask voters to increase the county sales tax by one-half percent from 1.5% to 2%.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs has notified Fremont County that following review by the state Energy and Mineral Impact Advisory Committee the county will receive a $200,000 grant to help build salt-sand sheds for the Road and Bridge Department. Fremont County had sought $234,000 in grant funds to build salt-sand sheds at each of the four road department shops in the county as part of an estimated $361,000 project.

A 2 ½ hour public hearing concluded Tuesday with the Fremont County Commissioners approving a conditional use permit for a controversial gypsum mine in western Fremont County. The Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to approve the permit for the Holcim Company to reopen the gypsum mine which closed seventeen years ago at Coaldale. Commissioners Ed Norden and Larry Lasha voted to approve the mine while Commissioner Mike Stiehl cast the 'no' vote.

The Fremont County Nursing Office reports two human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Fremont County. County Nurse Clarice Little says the two cases involve a Canon City resident and a Florence resident. They are among sixty human cases of West Nile Virus confirmed in Colorado this summer.