by Ruth Stodghill

LAS ANIMAS —  Thanks to changes at the state level, property taxes are about to get a major facelift—though not necessarily a prettier one—and Las Animas County officials spent their Oct. 21 meeting making sense of what it all means for folks back home. During the session, the Board of County Commissioners tackled changes that will soon land in residents’ mailboxes, studied the future of clean energy in southeastern Colorado, and approved long‑overdue security upgrades at the historic courthouse. 

Property Tax Changes
Raise Transparency Concerns

County Assessor Jodi Amato took the podium with a warning and a fresh stack of legislative updates. Thanks to House Bill 24B‑1001—passed in last year’s special session—Colorado will soon implement a two‑rate system for residential property assessments: 7.05% for school districts and 6.25% for all other taxing entities. The policy is designed to curb the surging tax bills homeowners have recently been facing while preserving education funding. 

Amato cautioned that the switch won’t be easy for everyday taxpayers. For the first time, she said, assessed values will no longer appear on the tax bill—and she described the resulting lack of transparency as “a disservice to our taxpayers… it’s going to be as transparent as swamp mud.”

Commissioners quickly voiced concern. Chair Felix Lopez reminded the board, “We operate on the people’s money… transparency is critical.” Especially vulnerable, commissioners noted, are seniors and residents on fixed incomes who rely on comparing year‑to‑year assessed values to follow trends. 

The timing is especially uncomfortable: property taxes already account for 17 percent of household expense increases statewide, and homeowners in some cases face projected tax hikes of 32 to 54 percent between 2024 and 2026 for a $500,000 home. With incomes generally lower in rural counties like Las Animas, the burden is potentially starker. Amato said her office is drafting plain‑language guides to help taxpayers navigate the new system, and the commissioners agreed to launch a public education campaign ahead of the January billing cycle.

Eastern Plains
Renewable Energy Impact Study

Commissioner Lopez then reported on a newly commissioned $500,000 renewable energy impact study led by the Eastern Plains Council of Governments. Over the next six months, the study will map existing and proposed solar, wind, and nuclear facilities across southeastern Colorado, evaluate environmental and economic effects, and recommend strategies meant to ensure local communities benefit—rather than simply seeing their land used for exports. “We don’t want energy studies that end up sending power out of state with no local benefit,” Lopez emphasized.

The study reflects a major pivot in Colorado’s energy policy: nuclear energy is now classified as “clean energy” under state law, making it eligible for both financing and inclusion in renewable portfolios. Supporters say small modular reactors could replace retiring coal plants and stabilize rural economies, while critics warn of safety and waste issues. 

For Las Animas County, job creation, tax revenue, and infrastructure by Ruth Stodghill

LAS ANIMAS —  Thanks to changes at the state level, property taxes are about to get a major facelift—though not necessarily a prettier one—and Las Animas County officials spent their Oct. 21 meeting making sense of what it all means for folks back home. During the session, the Board of County Commissioners tackled changes that will soon land in residents’ mailboxes, studied the future of clean energy in southeastern Colorado, and approved long‑overdue security upgrades at the historic courthouse. 

Property Tax Changes
Raise Transparency Concerns

County Assessor Jodi Amato took the podium with a warning and a fresh stack of legislative updates. Thanks to House Bill 24B‑1001—passed in last year’s special session—Colorado will soon implement a two‑rate system for residential property assessments: 7.05% for school districts and 6.25% for all other taxing entities. The policy is designed to curb the surging tax bills homeowners have recently been facing while preserving education funding. 

Amato cautioned that the switch won’t be easy for everyday taxpayers. For the first time, she said, assessed values will no longer appear on the tax bill—and she described the resulting lack of transparency as “a disservice to our taxpayers… it’s going to be as transparent as swamp mud.”

Commissioners quickly voiced concern. Chair Felix Lopez reminded the board, “We operate on the people’s money… transparency is critical.” Especially vulnerable, commissioners noted, are seniors and residents on fixed incomes who rely on comparing year‑to‑year assessed values to follow trends. 

The timing is especially uncomfortable: property taxes already account for 17 percent of household expense increases statewide, and homeowners in some cases face projected tax hikes of 32 to 54 percent between 2024 and 2026 for a $500,000 home. With incomes generally lower in rural counties like Las Animas, the burden is potentially starker. Amato said her office is drafting plain‑language guides to help taxpayers navigate the new system, and the commissioners agreed to launch a public education campaign ahead of the January billing cycle.

Eastern Plains
Renewable Energy Impact Study

Commissioner Lopez then reported on a newly commissioned $500,000 renewable energy impact study led by the Eastern Plains Council of Governments. Over the next six months, the study will map existing and proposed solar, wind, and nuclear facilities across southeastern Colorado, evaluate environmental and economic effects, and recommend strategies meant to ensure local communities benefit—rather than simply seeing their land used for exports. “We don’t want energy studies that end up sending power out of state with no local benefit,” Lopez emphasized.

The study reflects a major pivot in Colorado’s energy policy: nuclear energy is now classified as “clean energy” under state law, making it eligible for both financing and inclusion in renewable portfolios. Supporters say small modular reactors could replace retiring coal plants and stabilize rural economies, while critics warn of safety and waste issues. 

For Las Animas County, job creation, tax revenue, and infrastructure investment are potential stakes in play. Lopez, acting as an RFP evaluator, confirmed that four firms have already submitted proposals ahead of interviews scheduled to begin by late October. The commissioners stressed the importance of assessing local tax impacts, workforce needs, and land‑use conflicts—cautioning against another scenario where rural areas bear the environmental cost with little return.

Courthouse Security
and Infrastructure Upgrades

In the midst of broader policy discussions, commissioners approved a series of renovation plans for the historic county courthouse building. The most significant item: replacing six aging entry doors on Maple Street, plus courtyard access, with modern sliding glass systems under contract with Trinidad Construction Group for a base bid of $142,776 and an additional $54,262. While a bullet‑resistant option had been considered, it quickly became impractical once officials learned it would require cutting into marble walls and widening frames from 74 to 90 inches—something that pushed beyond budget and feasibility. Instead, Stanley’s Dura‑Fit telescoping doors, offering reinforced construction, ADA compliance, and security features like full‑height hooks to resist forced entry, will be installed, with work to be completed by June 30, 2026.

Further updates included two Adams Electric change orders totaling $9,068 to replace outdated cloth wiring and improve conduit systems. And in a somewhat unorthodox move, the board approved a one‑year trial for an ATM on the courthouse’s first floor. The vendor, GB ATM, carries no insurance on the machine, prompting a discussion about liability and protection for the marble‑floored lobby. 

In Other Business

Commissioners honored Lori Arnold of the Extension Office for her 35 years of service, awarding her the 2025 Alton Scoffield Award. 

On the financial front, Finance Director Kristee Coberly reported a fund balance of $1.1 million as of September—though severance tax revenue had plunged from $400,000 to $13,000. Payroll and bills for the first half of October topped $268,821, with additional invoices of $656,928 paid mid‑month. 

Also approved: a liquor license for Royal Car LLC, a correction to the third‑quarter Public Trustee Report, and proxy representation for the Southside Ditch Company. A rail‑crossing agreement with BNSF was tabled due to liability concerns, prompting a closed session later in the meeting.