As the days lengthen and the valleys green, we’re reminded that spring is more than a change in weather – it’s a shift in spirit. Calving season brings new life to our ranches, irrigation water returns to the ditches and we find ourselves lingering outdoors a little longer, taking in the fresh energy of the season. In that same spirit of hope and renewal, we’re excited to share some of the good things happening in La Plata County.
In February, we hired Shawna Legarza, PsyD, as La Plata County's seventh county manager. Shawna served as director of emergency management for nearly six years before being selected for the role. She is focusing on innovation and bottom-up, collaborative leadership, drawing on 30 years of public policy and government experience from her career with the U.S. Forest Service.
The commissioners and employees of La Plata County are deeply grateful for the trust voters placed in us with the passage of the 2025 1A sales tax. Already, the Road and Bridge Department has begun crack-and-seal operations on county roads, with chip-and-seal and overlay projects scheduled for later this year. These improvements simply would not be possible without 1A.
Public safety is another focus of 1A funds. Six detention positions, two patrol deputy positions, and two special investigators have been reinstated. The county has increased the District Attorney’s Office’s capacity to support hiring and retaining attorneys and staff members. We are also rehiring a wildfire and watershed protection plan coordinator to focus on fuels reduction projects, mitigation grants and wildfire preparedness.
With this historically dry winter, wildfire preparedness is a top priority. A weeklong exercise is planned for the first week of May, giving responders from all local agencies a chance to work together, sharpen their skills, test their plans and uncover weaknesses outside a real crisis. Our motto: “Practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect.” The public is invited to a Fire Ready! Expo at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – details coming soon. We are also switching from CodeRED to a new emergency notification provider. Look for test calls and texts in the coming months, and please reregister for alerts at lpcgov.org/lpcalerts.
On March 17, after years of work, we adopted a mandatory state wildfire resiliency code required by State Senate Bill 23-166. This code sets standards for hardening structures against fire and reducing risk in defensible space, triggered by new construction and remodels over 500 square feet. Our choice was to adopt the code locally or leave implementation to the state – we chose local control to ensure flexibility. The benefits are real: less catastrophic loss of homes and property in a major fire – we have had two of the state’s 10 largest – and greater safety for firefighters. Learn more at lpcgov.org/livingwithfire.php.
Affordable housing remains one of the biggest challenges our residents face. Through a planning capacity development grant from the Regional Housing Alliance, the county is exploring land use code improvements to streamline the process. We are also on track to meet our Proposition 123 commitment of 108 units over three years, drawing on this state funding source for affordable housing.
As La Plata County steps into spring, we believe the future is bright. Our mission remains steadfast: to protect the health, safety and welfare of all residents by mitigating risk, strengthening core services and fostering meaningful public engagement.
The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners is Matt Salka, chair; Elizabeth Philbrick, vice chair; and Marsha Porter-Norton, commissioner. Reach them at 382-6219.
