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Welcome to Crowley County

Crowley County is a peaceful and welcoming place in southeastern Colorado. It is a great location for outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, boating, jet skiing, bird watching, and bicycling. Crowley County is Colorado as it was intended to be.

The county is located on the high plains of southeastern Colorado. The county seat, Ordway, is about 50 miles east of Pueblo, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 96 and Colorado Highway 71.

Crowley County is a small, rural community with a diverse population. Residents include farmers, ranchers, educators, government employees, and people who work in the correctional system. With a mild climate, relaxed way of life, and affordable cost of living, Crowley County is a great place to call home.

 

 

Rural Irrigation in Crowley County, Colorado

(A wide view of rural irrigation in Crowley County, Colorado)

Current Meeting Agenda and Minutes – Board of County Commissioners

Crowley County Colorado Logo

 

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA
May 30, 2025 – 8:30 A.M.


1. Call to Order


2. New Business

  • a. Approve May 2025 Payroll

  • b. Approve Payroll Benefit Disbursements – May 30, 2025

  • c. Approve Disbursements – May 30, 2025

  • d. Approve SECRETAC Disbursements – May 30, 2025

  • e. Approve OEM Disbursements – May 30, 2025


3. Other Business or Discussion
  • a. Renewal of Copier Contract with Gobin’s Inc.


4. Planning and Zoning Hearing – 10:00 A.M.

Commissioner Work Sessions
Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
The public is welcome to attend.


Notice:
This agenda is provided for informational purposes only. Action may be taken on any or all items listed.
All times are approximate. If an item concludes earlier than scheduled, the Board may proceed to the next item.
Public hearings with specific published times will not begin before their scheduled time.               

 

Current & Previous Meeting Minutes

Commissioner meetings are held at the following location:
Crowley County Courthouse Annex
603 Main Street
Ordway, CO 81063

All scheduled Board of County Commissioners meetings take place in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at this address. Meeting minutes are available online at:
https://crowleycounty.colorado.gov/commissioners-minutes

Commissioner work sessions are held Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
These sessions are open to the public.

For more information or to request accommodations, please contact:
Crowley County Administration
Phone: 719-267-5555, ext. 3

 

Crowley County Employment Opportunities

Applications for Employment

Below are accessible links to employment applications for various departments in Crowley County. If you need assistance completing any application or require accommodations, please contact Crowley County Administration at 719-267-5555 ext. 3.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Crowley County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other status protected by law.

Now Leasing: Smokey Ridge Duplexes

Location: Smokey Ridge Avenue & Grantham Avenue, Ordway, Colorado
Availability & Pricing: Please call for current availability and pricing.
Contact: 719-336-3850

If you require accommodations to access leasing information or need materials in an alternative format, please contact us at 719-267-5555 ext. 3

 

Image of Smokey Ridge Duplexes

(Image of Smokey Ridge Duplexes located in Ordway, CO.)

Colorado Highway 71 (CO 71) Widening Project


Traffic Impacts Notification

Dates: Monday, June 2, through Friday, June 6

Location: Colorado Highway 71 (CO 71), from Mile Point (MP) 20.00 to MP 20.75

Traffic Impacts
 
  • Work will take place on northbound Colorado Highway 71 (CO 71) from Mile Point 20 to Mile Point 20.75.

  • Expect alternating one-lane closures for grinding, seeding, and striping.

  • Drivers may experience delays of up to 15 minutes.

  • The speed limit may be reduced to 40 mph in the work zone.


About the Project

This project is in Crowley and Otero counties, on Colorado Highway 71 (CO 71). Work will happen north of County Road HH 5 and south of Bob Creek, between Mile Point 18.75 and Mile Point 20.75.

The project includes:

  • Building a northbound passing lane

  • Improving the road surface with a full-width overlay and centerline cross slope correction

  • Installing fencing, signs, delineators, and new pavement markings

The work will take place in both northbound and southbound lanes on a two-mile stretch of CO 71 between Rocky Ford and Ordway.

When complete, this project will:

  • Provide a safer passing zone with new pavement markings

  • Improve the slope and drainage of the passing lanes for better safety

Colorado Highway 71 (CO 71) Widening Project Image
Project Schedule
  • Work will happen during daylight hours, starting 30 minutes after sunrise (around 6 a.m.) and ending 30 minutes before sunset (around 7:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday.

  • Some work may also occur on Saturdays if needed.

  • The project is expected to continue through the end of July.


Stay Connected

Stay informed about the CO 71 Widening Project between Rocky Ford and Ordway through the following resources:


If you require this information in an alternative format such as large print, Braille, audio, or another language, please contact CDOT at cdot_accessibility@state.co.us or call 303-757-9986.

 

Request for Qualifications – Crowley County Community Comprehensive Plan

Request for Qualifications – Crowley County Community Comprehensive Plan

RFQ Issued: May 30, 2025
 Proposals Due: June 27, 2025, by 2:00 p.m.

Introduction

Crowley County is soliciting qualifications from planning consultant teams to develop the Crowley County Community Plan. The County has received Department of Local Affairs Energy Impact Assistance funding to support a countywide comprehensive plan, including subarea plans for the municipalities of Crowley, Olney Springs, Ordway, and Sugar City.

The selected firm will prepare a comprehensive plan with the support of the five local governments pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) 30-28-106(3)(a.3) and C.R.S. 31-23-206(1.3)(c).

On June 24, 2024, the Crowley County Board of County Commissioners authorized the formation of a steering committee, led by the Crowley County Chamber of Commerce, to explore and complete the County-wide Comprehensive Plan. The County’s rural nature, with approximately 5,500 residents, allows for a collaborative and engaging planning process.

The steering committee has secured support from the four municipalities to conduct this planning effort with public involvement and community visioning throughout 2025 and 2026. The Plan will guide local government priorities for the next ten years, focusing on growth, economic development, housing, youth engagement, downtown revitalization, and other essential services.

Funding from the Colorado Housing Finance Authority and the Colorado Health Foundation will support affordable housing strategies, small business development, and inclusive public engagement processes such as “Community Heart & Soul.” All proposals should emphasize public participation from all community segments.


Scope of Work

The consultant will develop a Crowley County Comprehensive Plan that includes all four municipalities: Crowley, Olney Springs, Ordway, and Sugar City. The Plan will address:

  • Land use planning
  • Growth and development patterns
  • Resource allocation strategies
  • Transportation planning
  • Parks and open space usage
  • Water and utility infrastructure planning
  • Public facility needs
  • Downtown revitalization
  • Youth engagement and educational facilities
  • Tourism, energy, and aging services

The Plan will:

  • Assess housing needs and propose solutions for affordability
  • Address hazards and vulnerabilities with resilience strategies
  • Include a water component compliant with state planning guidelines
  • Comply with SB24-174 for master planning
  • Recommend land use code updates
  • Develop subarea plans for each municipality
  • Provide three-mile boundary maps per C.R.S. 31-12-105(e)(I)
  • Review existing development agreements

Public engagement, including youth outreach, is a key requirement. The consultant will work with the steering committee to develop a public engagement strategy and conduct meetings across municipalities.


Plan Priorities

The Plan will address the following priority areas:

  • Land use
  • Transportation and road infrastructure
  • Health care
  • Water, wastewater, and utility facility planning
  • Housing
  • Downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and Main Street development
  • Public service and public safety
  • Public fiscal planning
  • Air quality
  • Educational facilities and youth engagement
  • Energy production and local distribution
  • Economic development and industrial park redevelopment
  • Small business development
  • Broadband
  • Power and gas infrastructure
  • Recreation, park planning, open space, and tourism
  • Veteran services
  • Hazard mitigation
     

Water Supply

Respondents must include a water specialist as part of the team. The Plan will address water infrastructure needs to ensure long-term water security, especially given the County’s history of water sales to Front Range communities. The consultant must develop a water supply plan consistent with the Colorado Water Plan and DOLA requirements. A separate water steering committee may be appointed to assist with this task.


Subarea Plans

The consultant must provide subarea plans for Crowley, Ordway, Olney Springs, and Sugar City. Each municipality must host at least one public meeting in collaboration with the consultant team and the Board of Trustees.


Submission Requirements

Responses must be submitted electronically in PDF format no later than 2:00 p.m. on June 27, 2025, to:

Roy Elliot, Board of County Commissioner Chair
Email: roy@crowleycounty.net

Questions may be directed to Michael Yerman at (719) 221-5380 or via email at michael@myruralplanner.com by June 20, 2025.

RFQ responses should include the following:

1. Cover Letter

  • Introduction and background of the firm and team
  • Experience in planning, water, housing, land use, transportation, and public finance
  • Familiarity with Crowley County and similar rural communities
  • Examples of recent comprehensive plans and solutions implemented
  • Relevant project experience
  • Explanation of why the firm should be selected

2. Understanding and Approach

  • Public engagement methods and experience
  • Water supply planning approach
  • Experience with rural land use and downtown redevelopment
  • Understanding of affordable housing markets and funding
  • Familiarity with utility and infrastructure planning
  • Experience with municipal subarea planning
  • Capacity to work with renewable energy and utility-scale projects
  • Detailed scope of work with tasks and assumptions

3. Project Schedule and Timeline

  • Detailed project schedule with milestones
  • Preferred completion by August 31, 2026

4. Project Team

  • Organizational chart
  • Roles and qualifications of team members
  • Team experience with similar projects and community engagement
  • Youth involvement and municipal coordination
  • Housing, tourism, and recreation planning experience
  • Availability and location of team members
  • Two references for similar projects

5. Budget

  • Not-to-exceed budget of $300,000
  • Itemized costs including planning, professional fees, water planning, public meetings, and travel expenses

 


Evaluation Criteria and Review Process

The Steering Committee will review and recommend finalists to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Finalist teams may be asked to present to the BOCC in a special session. The BOCC will make the final selection and enter into a professional services agreement with the selected consultant.

Evaluation criteria include:

  1. Qualifications of the project team
  2. Proposed scope and process
  3. Experience with rural projects
  4. Engagement with municipalities, youth, and businesses
  5. Overall strength of the proposal
  6. Project schedule
  7. Budget
  8. References
     

RFQ Timeline

  • May 30, 2025 – RFQ issued
  • June 27, 2025 – Proposals due by 2:00 p.m.
  • July 7–11, 2025 – Finalist selection and review
  • TBD – Final interviews and contract approval
     

General Conditions

Crowley County reserves the right to:

  • Modify or cancel the process or schedule
  • Waive minor irregularities
  • Reject any or all proposals
  • Request clarification or additional information
  • Evaluate information independently
  • Amend the RFQ or scope
  • Issue a future RFQ if needed

All responders agree to hold harmless Crowley County, its officers, and employees from all claims related to this RFQ process.

All materials submitted will become public record unless identified otherwise. All costs related to submission are the sole responsibility of the respondent.


Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. We look forward to your submission.

SE Colorado Region 19 Opioid Settlement Board

Southeast Colorado Opioid Region 19 Logo

SE Colorado Region 19 Opioid Settlement Board
Meeting Agenda
Date: June 9, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Virtual Meeting via Zoom (Access information provided below)


1. Call to Order

2. Guidance for Guests

  • Please enter your name and agency in the chat upon joining.

  • Remain muted throughout the meeting.

  • This is an observe-only meeting for guests.

  • Comments may be entered in the chat box.

3. Approval of Agenda

4. Approval of Minutes

Public Comment

Anyone wishing to address the Board may do so during this time.
Please state your name clearly.
You will have up to three (3) minutes to speak.


5. Facilitator Update
  • Press Conference – Scheduled for June 12, 2025

  • Use of earned interest funds

6. Discussion Item
  • Criminal Justice Funding for Detention Facilities

7. Voting Item
  • Direction to Facilitator regarding Criminal Justice RFP

8. Discussion Item
  • Harm Reduction Strategies and Implementation

9. Voting Item
  • Ratification of acceptance of a grant from the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council in the amount of $495,000 for the Lamar Facility Expansion

10. Voting Item
  • Ratification of acceptance of a grant from the Colorado Opioid Abatement Council in the amount of $500,000 for the Fort Lyon Infrastructure and Resiliency Project

11. Other Business
12. Next Meeting

Date: July 14, 2025
Time: To be determined

13. Adjournment

Zoom Access Information

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7773976888

Meeting ID: 777 397 6888


Accessibility Note: If you require accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact [insert contact information] at least 48 hours in advance.