Hello Amanda,

Here are some friendly reminders from our Road & Bridge Department:

There are several roads that get minimum to no winter maintenance and are closed during the winter months. With the recent snows, all county roads beyond Winter Maintenance have just about snowed themselves shut. Anyone who travels into these areas should know that they are doing so at their own risk and take precautions in case they cannot get out. Please check the Routt County Public Works website for updated road closures here https://co.routt.co.us/374/Road-Work-Closures. The Bureau of Land Management has updated their seasonal closures. You can find updated information here https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-emerald-mountain-special-recreation-area-seasonal-closure-2 . 

Our staff plows and maintains approximately 160 miles of paved roads and 500 miles of graveled roads in the winter. Routt County does not maintain state highways, streets in incorporated towns or private roads. “Don’t Crowd the Plow.” Give our plows at least 150’ of space so they can do their job to keep the roads free of snow. Plow drivers can't see you in their rearview mirrors if you are following too close. The safest road is the one behind the plow. If motorists elect to pass the plow, please do so in an area with adequate sight distance. Giving the plow space will also result in fewer bits of scoria hitting driver’s cars and windshields. 

Residents are reminded to remove all objects from the Right of Way before the snow really hits. This includes cars, campers, boats, trailers, basketball hoops, garbage cans, etc. Anything that would get in the way of our team doing the very important work of clearing the roads of snow needs to be removed. 

Residents are also reminded to not plow snow from their driveway out onto, or across the road. This creates a hazard for our operators. The windrow at the end of a resident’s driveway, left by the plow, is the responsibility of the resident. That snow is to be disposed of on their own property.

More information about winter road maintenance can be found online at https://www.co.routt.co.us/878/Winter-Maintenance. Please contact the Road & Bridge Department at 970-870-5552 if you have questions.

General Updates

Upcoming County Office Closures:

• December 25, 2023, regular hours will resume on Tuesday, December 26.
• January 1, 2024, regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2.

Official Elections Results from the Routt County Clerk and Recorder: The Clerk and Recorder Elections Division is happy to report the 2023 Routt County Coordinated Election has been finalized after the audit and canvass. Official results can be found online.

9,323 votes were cast across Routt County and zero discrepancies were found in the Risk Limiting Audit.

The Elections Division would like to give a very big THANK YOU to all of our community members who serve as election judges and help facilitate the elections process in our county. It takes a team of people working together from both sides of the aisle to make our elections happen. If you are curious how you can help, talk to your party chairs about the precinct caucuses in 2024. Or, give us a call at 970-870-5558 for more information. The next county-wide election will be the March 5 Presidential Primary. 

Mountain Community Survey: The Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG), in collaboration with the Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST), Western Mountain Resort Alliance (WMRA), and Insights Collective, is pleased to announce the launch of the Mountain Community Survey. This initiative aims to address the evolving landscape and challenges in mountain communities by utilizing survey research to gather current data on social dynamics and tourism trends. Please follow this link to access survey: mountainlifesurvey.org

Get Involved on a Board or Commission! There are numerous volunteer boards and commissions that Routt County community members can be involved in to make a difference. View the board descriptions and see vacancies by visiting http://co-routtcounty.civicplus.com/105/Vacancies. Complete the Boards & Commissions Application to apply.

Clerk's Office Offers NEW Records Search: The Clerk's Office has added a New Public Records Search to our site. The new search is through GovOS, a third party vendor and not a part of the Routt County Clerk's office. Here, you can search for recorded public documents in a mobile device friendly application. This new search site is faster, has greater search capabilities and you can see the document prior to purchasing. If you set up an account through GovOS, you have the option of creating a multi-user account. Let us know once you have set up an account and we will get you access. This site also features a property fraud alert. You can choose to set an alert on your property so that you are notified if any document is recorded that has your name or property description on it. Note that this alert system cannot distinguish between individuals with the same name. The Old Records Search is still available, but will be discontinued in 2024. 

Updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan: The newly updated Routt County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) has been completed, signed, and is ready to view! The CWPP will be used to guide the future of wildfire preparedness and identify strategies for wildfire resilience and mitigation across our community. We encourage you to take a look at the CWPP and send us your thoughts. For more information or to provide feedback, contact Alyssa Ingles, Emergency Management Specialist, at aingles@co.routt.co.us or 970-761-9168.

News from the municipalities:

• Hayden
• Town of Oak Creek
• Town of Yampa

Stay Connected! There are lots of ways to stay connected to Routt County! For non-emergent news you can sign up for County News, follow Routt County on Facebook, Twitter Instagram or LinkedIn, and of course visit the County website.

Building Department Update

November CY2023 Permit Reports: Please take a moment to view our November CY2023 Permit Reports.

2021 Building Codes Effective January 1, 2024: Building Department 2021 Code Adoption Ordinances/Resolutions can be found online: Building Codes and Policies

Grant and tax credit opportunities for those seeking to green their operations. Colorado Energy Office Senior Policy Advisor Christine Berg joined YVSC’s November Community meeting to give an overview of the Colorado GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0 and upcoming climate action-supporting funding opportunities for local municipalities and partners.

Federal funding:

• Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (IRS)
• Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (EPA)

State funding (Colorado Energy Office):

• Geothermal Energy Grant Program
• Geothermal Electricity Tax Credit
• Public Building Electrification Grant

EV grant programs:

• Charge Ahead Colorado
• Fleet Zero Emission Resource Opportunity

Planning Office Update

Zoning & Subdivision Regulations Update: A follow up joint hearing is scheduled with the Routt County Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Planning Staff to complete the review of draft language for Module Two. Please join us on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the Board of County Commissioners Hearing room to discuss the following key subject areas of Module Two:

• Subdivisions
• Land Uses
• Development Standards
• Planned Unit Developments 
• Zone Districts

The above hearing will take place in the Commissioners Hearing Room in the Historic Courthouse at 522 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, CO, 80487. Agendas/packets can be viewed online prior to the hearing by visiting the Agenda Center. Please visit www.navigateyourroutt.com/ to learn more about the project, sign up to receive updates, and review draft language for, and comment on, Module One. Please direct questions to Planning Staff at 970-879-2704 or planningdept@co.routt.co.us.

Public Health Update

December 4-8, 2023: National Influenza Vaccination Week: National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a critical opportunity to remind everyone 6 months and older that there is still time to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this flu season by getting their annual flu vaccine if they have not already. CDC data shows that flu vaccination coverage was lower last season, especially among certain higher risk groups, such as pregnant people and children. When you get a flu vaccine, you reduce your risk of illness, and flu-related hospitalization if you do get sick. Routt County Public Health continues to offer flu vaccines to the community. Please click here to schedule an appointment online, or feel free to call us at 970-870-5341. 

CDC’s Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines: Adults 18 years and older without health insurance and adults whose health insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs can get updated COVID-19 vaccines at no cost through the Bridge Access Program at Routt County Public Health. Please click here to schedule an appointment online, or feel free to call us at 970-870-5341.

December 3-9, 2023: National Handwashing Awareness Week: Washing your hands is easy, and it is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. If soap and water are not available for handwashing, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Maternal RSV Vaccine: Respiratory viruses, including RSV, are circulating in Colorado and the nation. While most people who get RSV will only have mild cold symptoms, it can be serious — and sometimes deadly — especially for babies. Coloradans who are pregnant can protect their newborns from severe RSV illness by getting a vaccine called Abrysvo. While there is another immunization (nirsevimab) that can be given to babies after birth to prevent severe RSV illness, there is currently a shortage of doses for this RSV season. An unprecedented surge in pediatric RSV cases last year hospitalized thousands of babies and young children in Colorado.

There are several steps that you and your loved ones can take to stay healthy.

• Ask your health care provider about Abrysvo and if your health insurance covers it. This vaccine can reduce your baby’s risk of being hospitalized from RSV by 57% in the first six months after birth.
• Stay home when you’re sick, when you can. Avoid people who may be at higher risk, including older adults, young children, and infants. What might feel like a mild cold for you can be very serious for another person. This is important for preventing the spread of viruses and causing outbreaks, which may put additional strain on the hospital system.
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or upper arm sleeve when you cough or sneeze, throw away the tissue after you use it, and clean hands as instructed above.
• Clean potentially contaminated surfaces, like doorknobs, tables, handrails, etc.
• Avoid sharing cups, eating utensils, and touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Some people may choose to wear a mask for extra protection from respiratory viruses. Be respectful of everyone’s choice.

Treasurer's Office Update

Routt County Tax Notices will be sent electronically and/or mailed USPS in January 2024 to the owner of record, the name and mailing address listed on the Tax Roll at the time of the Assessor’s certification. Please visit your online property account to verify the mailing address your tax notice will be mail to at https://property.spatialest.com/co/routt#/

Mailing Address Updates: All mailing address and email updates as well as electronic notice can be made by completing and submitting this online form. Or visit https://www.co.routt.co.us/FormCenter/Treasurer-16/Change-Your-Address-52

Electronic Notices: As part of the Treasurer’s Office's commitment to being environmentally friendly and simplifying tax payment processes for our residents, Routt County offers an electronic tax notice option that allows residents to receive their future tax notices electronically to a designated email address.  If you wish to participate in this program and would like to have property tax notices sent electronically, please complete this  form. 

As a reminder, failure of a taxpayer to receive your tax notice shall not preclude collection by the treasurer of the amount of taxes, fees and interest due from and payable by the taxpayer. C.R.S. 39-10-103, as amended.

Legislative Changes: Legislative changes enacted by the Colorado Legislature to accommodate property tax relief will delay the certification of the County tax rolls. The new deadline for the later tax roll certification is January 24, 2024. The reason for the delay in the deadline calendar by the legislature is to give taxing authorities sufficient time to certify their mill levies and to give county assessors more time to gather data.

Please be aware that these changes do not alter the first-half payment due date for property taxes on February 29, 2024, which is a Leap Year. The Colorado Legislature chose not extend the payment deadline to ensure that special districts like fire departments, school districts, health districts, hospitals, and other public entities have the revenue to continue to operate. Once the tax roll process is complete property owners will receive their statements which takes about two weeks by mail. Property owners can also sign up for E-notices which saves time, postage and paper. If you wish to participate in this program and would like to have property tax notices sent electronically, please complete this form.  

Employment Opportunities

One Fun Thing

Friday, Dec. 15: Earthshine (after sunset): On the evenings surrounding Friday, Dec. 15, the young crescent moon will shine low in the southwestern sky after sunset. Watch for Earthshine, also known as the Ashen Glow and "the old moon in the new moon's arms". That's sunlight reflected off Earth and back onto the moon, slightly brightening the dark portion of the moon's Earth-facing hemisphere. 

The phenomenon appears for several days after each new moon but is strongest in springtime at mid-northern latitudes when the moon is positioned directly above the sun when it sets.

https://www.space.com/16149-night-sky.html