News Now Blog

A 28-year-old Alamosa County woman has died from hantavirus, the first case of the disease in Colorado this year, health officials said. The source of the infection had not been determined by Tuesday, said John Pape, an epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Pape said a preliminary investigation indicated she contracted the virus in her home, which he said is not unusual.

The Fremont County Commissioners appointed a new Veterans Service Officer, made some 2007 budget amendments, and conducted a public hearing on some language amendments to the county zoning resolution dealing primarily with definitions for group homes and assisted living facilities.

The Fremont County Board of Commissioners is soliciting letters of interest from Fremont County residents for appointment to the balance of a three year term on the Fremont County Tourism Council (FCTC). The Tourism Council develops and administers a Tourism Marketing Plan for Fremont County utilizing the proceeds from the Fremont County Lodging Tax.

The Fremont County Commissioners are accepting letters of interest from citizens wishing to serve on the Fremont County Airport Industrial Park Advisory Board. The Board provides guidance on management of the Fremont County Airport and the Airport Industrial Park. Terms are for 2 years, and meetings are held the first Tuesday of every other month at 7:00 a.m. Please send letters of interest to: Fremont County Commissioners, 615 Macon Ave., Room 105, Canon City, CO 81212. The deadline for letters of interest is Tuesday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m.

The Fremont County Commissioners dealt with a lengthy but mostly routine agenda of business for Tuesday's regular meeting.

The Fremont County Commissioners took final action on a gravel pit application southeast of Florence, approved a final plat for a new subdivision in the Four Mile area, and conducted a hearing on a liquor license renewal after receipt of loud noise complaints at Tuesday's regular meeting.

Final action approving a list of conditions for the Northfield Coal Mine conditional use permit was taken by the Board of County Commissioners at the March 27th regular meeting.

Fremont and El Paso County officials last week testified in support of a measure now in the Colorado House of Representatives that would provide another finance option for public safety needs. HB 1344, sponsored by Colorado Springs Representative Mike Merrifield, would allow counties to seek voter approval of up to two percent additional sales tax in excess of the present 6.9 percent sales tax limit under state law.

The Board of County Commissioners is accepting letters of interest from citizens of Fremont County wishing to serve on the Fremont County Planning Commission.

The Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. to review land use proposals, such as subdivisions, zone changes and use permits and make recommendations to the County Commissioners who render a final decision on land use proposals. The Planning Commission is also responsible for updating the Master Plan, a county-wide guideline for reviewing land use proposals.