Gunnison Day News

Ethics Line

County Attorney's Office

County Attorney's Office Mission The mission of the Gunnison County Attorney's office (CAO) is to provide legal advice and representation to the County organization, the Board of County Commissioners, and other elected and appointed officials so they can accomplish the County priorities and carry out constitutional and statutory duties. Duties The County Attorney's Office provides legal counsel to the Board of County Commissioners of Gunnison County, all elected Gunnison County officials, and various Gunnison County departments, including but not limited to: - Assessor's Office - Clerk & Recorder's Office - Community Development - Coroner - County Manager's Office - Gunnison / Crested Butte Regional Airport - Health and Human Services - Public Works - Sheriff's Office - Treasurer's Office The County Attorney also represents various county boards and commissions, such as the Board of Adjustments, Board of Appeals, Environmental Health Board, Gunnison/Hinsdale Board of Human Services, Planning Commission, and Weed Commission. No Legal Advice to General Public Please note, by law we are not allowed to give legal advice to the general public.

Sewer & Water Rates and Payments

Gunnison County operates five Divisions within the Gunnison County Sewer and Water District, including Dos Rios, Antelope Hills, North Gunnison, Somerset and Tomichi. Rate Schedules Available: - 2026 Rate Schedule (PDF) - 2025 Rate Schedule (PDF) - 2023 Rate Schedule (PDF) - 2022 Rate Schedule (PDF) 2025 Utility Rate Study: The Gunnison County Sewer and Water District functions as an "enterprise fund" within the Gunnison County budget. As such, each division in the district that receives water and sewer services is expected to cover the costs of providing services to that division via utility fees. A utility rate study is conducted periodically to ensure that utility rates are financially adequate, legally defensible, and equitable, while also supporting the long-term reliability of the system. A professional study provides the analytical basis for determining how existing rates should be adjusted and how costs are allocated among customers. A rate study for an existing utility includes review of past expenses and projecting known, future expenditures; reviewing rate equity for cost centers; incorporating any regulatory requirements and focuses on explaining the recommended course in a transparent way. The study is necessary to maintain the financial stability of the utility and avoid deferred maintenance or unplanned rate adjustments. View the 2025 Rate Study, Executive Summary, and Board of County Commissioners Presentation here. Tap Connection Fees: Please contact the Finance Office for information regarding current tap fees, as the fee is dependent upon a number of factors including water supply size and service location. Set Up Utility Service: Water and sewer service fees are attached to the real property served. Generally, your new service is set up during the closing process, when charges are appropriately prorated and a deed is supplied to the Finance Office. If you have obtained a property through foreclosure, have not utilized the services of a closing agent, or would like to verify the transfer has taken or will take place, please contact our office. Renters: Gunnison County does not allow anyone but legal owners to change the billing address for sewer and/or water bills since unpaid charges have the potential to become a tax lien upon the property. We generally recommend that lessors bill the charges to the lessee as a part of the rent. If you wish to have future bills sent to a secondary party, please complete a Change of Billing Responsibility Authorization (PDF). The Authorization requires an original signature and can be mailed to: Gunnison County Finance, 200 E. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230 Pay Your Bill Online: You may pay your bill online by visiting our online payment interface. Automatic Recurring Payments: Unfortunately, Gunnison County does not currently offer this service. The insurance costs and legal requirements to maintain private, financial information are excessive and the relatively small user base served does not justify the added costs and risks to our users. We are monitoring options as they are developed as we are interested in providing this service to our customers sometime in the future.

Assessor's Office - Property Valuation and Tax Information

Assessor's Office | Gunnison County, CO - Official Website Recent Legislation: HB24B-1001: 2024 Property Tax Property tax revenue limit. Senate Bill 24-233, concerning property tax, created a limit on the annual growth of specified property tax revenue (property tax limit) for certain local governments excluding school districts. Sections 3 through 7 of HB24B-1001 modify that property tax limit and create a new property tax limit for school districts. For the full version of the Bill Summary, https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24b-1001. Notable points: - Modifies the property tax limit for local governments excluding school districts so that this limit is no longer 5.5% but is instead equal to the greatest amount of qualified property tax revenue collected by a local government in a previous property tax year increased by 5.25% multiplied by the number of property tax years in a reassessment cycle. - Tax Year 2024 maintains the assessment rates and adjustments as defined in SB23B-001. Non-Residential Provisions: - For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, the valuation for most nonresidential and personal property is 27% of the actual value of the property. - For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2026, the valuation for commercial property and agricultural property is 25% of the actual value of the property and the valuation for most other nonresidential and personal property is 26%. - For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, the valuation for most nonresidential and personal property is 25% of the actual value of the property. Residential Provisions (if statewide increase in actual value is less than 5%): - For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 7.05% of the actual value of the property. For a levy imposed by a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.25%. - For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, for a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.8% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property, $70,000 as adjusted for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle, or the amount that causes the valuation for assessment of the property to be $1,000. Residential Provisions (if statewide increase in actual value is greater than 5%): - For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, for a school district levy, the valuation for residential real property is 6.95% of the actual value of the property. For a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.15%. - For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, for a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.7% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property, $70,000 as adjusted for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle, or the amount that causes the valuation for assessment of the property to be $1,000. Property Information Resources: The Gunnison County Assessor's Office offers three different ways to explore property information on the web: 1. Property Record Search - Find an individual property by owner name, address, account number or legal description, and view a complete set of account information, including land and improvement characteristics, recent sales, and valuation and property tax histories. 2. Community Portal - Use a map-based tool to click on properties anywhere in the county, see basic ownership and account details, and explore area summary information like median sales prices, valuation stats and census bureau data. 3. Comparable Sales Tool - Identify a property by account number or address and view nearby sales highlighted on a map. Narrow in on the best comps using filters like distance, living area, construction quality and condition, then create and save customized comparable sales reports. Additional Services: - Sign up to receive Notice of Valuation and Property Tax Statement by email via eNoticesOnline - Quick Links: Property Record Search, Data Downloads, Senior Information, 2023 Gunnison County Assessor's Report (PDF), 2023 Abstract of Assessment (PDF), Pay Your Property Taxes, 2024 Gunnison County Property Assessment Study (Audit), Change of Address Form Mission: The mission statement of the Gunnison County Assessor's Office is to provide property data and valuation services, using industry best practices, to Gunnison County property owners, taxing entities and the public, so that they can understand the characteristics that determine property value, receive fair and equitable valuations and have the information they need to make decisions.

Landfill Rates

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Come Work for Gunnison County

Come Work for Gunnison County County Vision Statement Gunnison County cherishes its sense of community and place. The county strives to preserve and promote the well-being of the county's citizens, natural environment, and rural character. The County will deliver services and set standards that reflect its values and preserve the region's unique quality of life for present and future generations. Gunnison County is governed by an elected three-member Board of County Commissioners serving four-year overlapping terms. Benefits Housing Opportunities: Enjoy potential access to affordable housing options through our employee housing units. Time Off: Start your career with 8 hours of vacation and sick leave per month. Work-Life Balance: Flexible spending accounts for dependent care, medical expenses, and healthcare savings (including employer contributions). Comprehensive Life Insurance: We offer employer-paid basic life insurance, supplemental life and AD&D coverage for you and your family, and employee assistance programs for your well-being. Retirement Savings: Secure your future with mandatory 401(a) contributions and employer match, plus the option for voluntary 457(b) contributions with additional employer match. Employee Discounts: Enjoy discounted pet insurance, and gym memberships to enhance your lifestyle and an employer-paid Norton LifeLock membership for you and your family members for added security and peace of mind. Please contact HR for the full list of benefits Gunnison County offers. Employee Wellness Program Employee Team Building Community Volunteering Employee Softball & Field Day Summer Yoga on the Lawn Chili Cook-Off Holiday Door Decorating Benefest and more! Perks of the Gunnison Valley The Gunnison Valley is famous for both summer and winter outdoor recreation. In summer, explore the two million acres of public lands by hiking and mountain biking. In winter, alpine skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort is unmatched. There are dozens of miles of scenic cross-country ski trails, too. You'll find great restaurants, shopping, arts, and events in the valley's unique mountain towns.

Human Resources

Human Resources About Purpose The purpose of the Human Resources Program is to provide workforce planning, employee performance management and management support services to County leadership and departments so they can develop and sustain a high-performance workforce committed to achieving operational and strategic results for customers. Responsibilities The Human Resources Department: - Administers the classification and compensation plan - Assists with personnel recruitment and training - Maintains compliance with the organization's personnel policies and applicable state and federal employment law. View a copy of the Employee Handbook (PDF). - Maintains the central personnel records system - Manages the fringe benefit programs - Promotes employee relations - Provides information and analysis of personnel functions to the department heads, elected officials, and the public upon request Resources & Links Employee Self Service The Paylocity Self-Service Portal offers employees a streamlined, user-friendly experience for managing their work-related needs. From viewing your timecard, to accessing pay stubs, the portal consolidates essential functions in one convenient location. Employees can easily handle benefit enrollments, and update tax forms, direct deposit, and personal information. The Self-Service Portal can be used directly through the Paylocity mobile app or a web browser. Other Resources and Information: - 2026 Benefits Guide (PDF) - Personnel Policies (PDF) - Holiday Schedules (PDF) - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Imagine360 - Colorado Retirement Program (CRA)

Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport - Flight Schedule, Parking, and Baggage Information

Airport Mission The mission of the Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport is to provide aviation services to residents of and visitors to the Gunnison/Crested Butte community so they can fly in a safe, secure and efficient manner to and from a facility that is a self-funded enterprise. Social Media Visit us on Facebook and Twitter. Notifications You can also sign up for NotifyMe by clicking here to receive cancellation and delay information via email or text messages. Flight Schedule July 2026 flights include: - Sun, Jul 12: UNITED AIRLINES (DEN) / Operated by SkyWest Airlines: UA 5602 - Depart 7:15 am - Sun, Jul 12: AMERICAN AIRLINES (DFW): AA 2856 - Arrive 12:05 pm / Depart 12:45 pm - Sun, Jul 12: UNITED AIRLINES (DEN) / Operated by SkyWest Airlines: UA 5343/4767 - Arrive 12:24 pm / Depart 1:05 pm Parking Passes Effective Immediately: Short-Term Parking Lot is LIVE with a new automated system. Please take a ticket upon entry and pay for duration of parking when exiting. Pre-paid payments are no longer accepted for the Short-Term Lot. All Long-Term parking over 45 days, please contact Airport Operations by calling 970-641-2304. Short Term Parking (Directly in front of Terminal) First 30 minutes – Free Short Term (Directly in front of Terminal) - $8/day Pre-Paid Long Term Parking (East Parking Lot) Monthly Parking – $80 Annual Permits (Application Required) – $800 Online Payment Is only available for long term parking of 46 days or more. The long term parking lot is located in the Airport East Parking Lot and not in Short Term Parking in front of the Airport Terminal. You may pay for your Long-Term parking pass online by clicking here. If paying online for a monthly parking pass, please note this is not available for the short-term lot directly in front of the Terminal. Please contact the Airport for additional information. NOTE: For online transactions paid via credit card, there is a portal administration fee of $0.75 plus 2.25% of the total transaction amount. For online transactions paid with cash via a debit to your checking account (eCheck) there is a portal administration fee of $1.00 per transaction. Baggage Information Baggage Requirements by Airline United Airlines - click here American Airlines - click here

Financial Reporting

Financial Reporting Financial Reports Independent Audits & Audit Requirements Audited Financial Reports To review the audited financial reports use the links below. You can view the most recent version or view the entire list. All files are in PDF format. Most Recent Audited Financial Report Audited Financial Report List Independent Audits The Board of County Commissioners of Gunnison County contracts with an independent auditor to perform an annual audit of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of Gunnison County, Colorado. Audit Requirements Pursuant to Title 29 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), the audit is conducted annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Governmental Auditing Standards issued by the comptroller general of the United States. All reports on audits of Gunnison County contain at least the following requirements as detailed in CRS 29-1-605: "Financial statements, insofar as possible, in conformity with generally accepted governmental accounting principles setting forth the financial position and results of operation of each fund of the county and a comparison of actual figures with budgeted figures for each fund for which a budget has been prepared; the unqualified opinion of the auditor with respect to the financial statements of the county or, if an unqualified opinion cannot be expressed, a qualified opinion or disclaimer of opinion containing an explanation of the reasons therefore; full disclosure by the auditor of violations of state or local law which come to their attention." Hard copies of financial reports may be obtained via request by calling (970) 641-2203. Electronic versions of the documents can be found on the Financial Reports tab above.

Emergency Preparedness Kits

Halloween is near, the fog is rolling in, the chill is starting to bite and there are groans coming from the woods. In addition to your healthy supply of wooden stakes, silver bullets and garlic, it would be wise to put aside a few other items and create an emergency preparedness kit. You will be happy you prepared an emergency kit, just in case there is a zombie apocalypse, vampires attack or other natural disaster occurs. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started a Zombie Preparedness campaign in May of 2011 and recommends setting aside a few items in your Zombie Preparedness kit. Click on the link provided for a full list of suggested emergency preparedness supplies. Also, visit the Emergency Management Emergency Preparedness page on the County website, where there is a link to the CDC's recommended emergency supplies.

Safety Tips when Recycling Batteries

Did you know that a 9 volt battery can start a fire in your home? Click on the link provided for some safety tips when recycling batteries.

Winter Weather Preparedness: Outlooks, Watches & Warnings – What do they mean?

WHAT DOES THAT WARNING MEAN? When a warning is issued during the winter season, will you know what it means, and will you know how to respond? During this Colorado Winter Weather Preparedness Week, please become familiar with our list of potentially life-saving winter weather products. This statement contains warning and advisory criteria for Colorado west of the continental divide. Criteria east of the divide will be provided today in a separate issuance by the Boulder forecast office. OUTLOOKS A Hazardous Weather Outlook is issued daily by each National Weather Service office serving Colorado. The outlook provides information on potentially hazardous weather out to 7 days into the future. Also, the Weather Story, a graphic of expected hazardous weather, is posted daily on National Weather Service web sites serving Colorado. WATCHES AND WARNINGS A Winter Storm Watch is issued when hazardous winter storm conditions are possible within the next 3 to 4 days, but the timing, intensity, or occurrence may still be uncertain. In contrast, a Winter Storm Warning is issued for potentially life-threatening winter storm conditions, such as heavy snowfall or a combination of snowfall and blowing snow, which are likely to occur within the next 1 to 2 days. Warning criteria for heavy snow is defined by the following amounts: Mountains...12 inches or more per storm event. Lower Elevations...6 inches or more per storm event. Or an early season or late season snowfall event having a significant impact but not meeting the above criteria A Blizzard Warning is issued when the following conditions are expected to occur for at least 3 hours: Sustained winds of 35 mph or greater, and considerable falling and/or drifting snow with visibilities frequently less than 1/4 mile. A High Wind Warning is issued for the following conditions: Mountains...sustained winds 50 mph or more, or gusts of at least 75 mph. Lower Elevations...sustained winds of 40 mph or more, or gusts of at least 58 mph. A Wind Chill Warning will be issued for the following wind chill temperatures... Mountains...minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Lower Elevations...minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. A Dust Storm Warning will be issued for the following conditions: Visibility reduced to 1/4 mile or less in blowing dust, and sustained winds of 25 mph or greater for at least one hour. ADVISORIES Advisories for winter weather are issued for potentially hazardous conditions which are considered more of a nuisance than a life-threatening situation. However, if caution is not taken the advisory events could become life-threatening.

Accounts Payable-Purchasing

Accounts Payable-Purchasing | Gunnison County, CO - Official Website Gunnison County Vendors In order for a check to be released, a W-9 form (PDF) must be on file. If one is not on file, please download, complete, and return via email to [email protected]. Checks Typically, checks are released after the Board of County Commissioners approves the monthly check cycle. This takes place approximately on the third Tuesday of each month. Outstanding Bills For specific questions regarding an outstanding bill, please email Erny. Central Purchasing Gunnison County does not utilize a central purchasing system and vendor registration is not required. Vendors wishing to provide goods or services to any Gunnison County department should contact those departments individually. If your organization can serve all county departments, please email Erny. Use the following link to view our Purchasing Policy & Ethical Standards. Accounts Payable Reports Each month, the Commissioners approve all disbursements made on Gunnison County accounts. Please note that payments made to Human Services clients are confidential. Those payments have been redacted from the reports and are shown as a lump sum under "Human Service Expense". View Most Recent Report | View All Reports For reports prior to 2022, please email Erny.

Preventing Mosquito Bites & West Nile Infection

West Nile Virus is transmitted by mosquito bites to humans and can cause anything from mild flu-like illness to serious illness including meningitis or paralysis. Avoiding getting bitten by mosquitoes will prevent exposure to this disease. Avoid mosquito bites by practicing the 4 D's: D-DAWN & DUSK: Don't be out at these peak mosquito activity times. D-DRESS: Dress in long sleeves & pants during dawn & dusk or where there is mosquito activity (can use mosquito netting or thin fabric over baby stroller). D-DRAIN: Drain standing water (drill drainage hole in tire swings, change wading pool water weekly, empty plant saucers). D-DEET and Repellants: DEET is the most effective repellent available. It is very important to follow the specific DEET product directions. DEET Concentration refers to how long the protect lasts and does not mean more effective protection: - 23.8% DEET lasts 5 hours - 20% DEET lasts 4 hours - 6.65% DEET lasts 2 hours - 4.75% DEET lasts 90 minutes Use the minimum concentration needed for amount of time to be outside. DEET is considered safe when used as directed. Cases of serious reactions have been related to not following directions such as swallowing DEET, using over broken skin or using for multiple days without washing skin in between uses. How to Apply DEET: Adults should apply DEET products to children by putting it on adults' hands & then rub onto child. Be sure no DEET is on child's hands that could go in child's mouth or rub eyes. Authorities such as CDC and American Pediatric Association differ on their recommendations for the minimum age for DEET application. The maximum DEET concentration for children should not exceed 30%. Application to outer clothing can be effective. Do not apply under clothing. Do not apply to broken skin such as cuts or rashes. Do not spray face but apply to hands and rub face avoiding eyes and mouth. For More Information: - American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Phone: 800-433-9016; Web: www.aap.org/en-us/Pages/Default.aspx - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Phone: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636); Web: www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html - Colorado West Nile Virus Hotline: Phone: 877-462-2911 (7am until 11 pm); Web: www.fightthebitecolorado.com - Gunnison County Public Health: Phone: 970-641-0209; Web: www.gunnisoncounty.org/152/Public-Health - National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC): Phone: 800-858-7378; Web: www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/npic.htm - US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Web: www.epa.gov/

government

Emergency Management - Latest Updates

The Emergency Management page for Gunnison County provides ongoing updates regarding active emergencies affecting the region. The Gold Mountain Fire represents the primary concern, with the following documented progression: As of July 10, 2026 (Update 7.10.26): The Gold Mountain Fire is at 33,185 acres with 7% containment. Evacuation zones in southwestern Gunnison County remain in the same designation as the previous day, with Zone 32 remaining Mandatory. As of July 9, 2026 (Update 7.9.26): Warm, dry weather continues to increase fire potential across the incident through the end of the week. Forecast calls for lower humidity, warmer temperatures, and west to northwest winds. As of July 8, 2026 (Update 7.8.26): Fire activity remained relatively quiet on Tuesday as increased humidity, cloud cover and light rain helped limit fire spread. Rainfall totals throughout the fire zone varied. As of July 7, 2026 (Update 7.7.26): The Gold Mountain Fire is at 31,420 acres with 2% containment. 928 personnel are actively working the fire. Fire movement overnight did not trigger additional evacuation changes. As of July 6, 2026 (Update 8:00 a.m.): The Gold Mountain Fire entered southwestern Gunnison County, triggering a MANDATORY EVACUATION notice for Zone 32 and a VOLUNTARY EVACUATION notice for Zone 33. As of July 5, 2026 (Update 11:45 a.m.): The Gold Mountain Fire is at 26,405 acres with 0% containment. 824 personnel are working the incident. As of July 4, 2026 (Update 10:00 a.m.): The Gold Mountain Fire is at 25,460 acres with 0% containment. The fire has spotted into the Cimmaron drainage but is positioned further south than initial reports. Additional alerts issued include: - Extreme Heat Alert (July 11-12, 2026): Dangerously hot conditions will occur in portions of northwest, southwest, and west central Colorado from Saturday afternoon, July 11 to Sunday evening, July 12. - Air Quality Health Advisories: Multiple advisories issued for July 4-5 and July 7-8 due to fires in Utah and western Colorado transporting smoke into Gunnison County. The page provides resources for residents including registration for Regional Alerts, active incident searches, evacuation maps, Watch Duty for monitoring Colorado wildfires, emergency preparedness information, and emergency kit guidelines.

Winter Weather Preparedness: AVALANCHES!

Thousands of avalanches occur each winter in the mountains of Colorado. With the enormous popularity of winter sports in Colorado, this poses a risk to skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and people traveling in the backcountry. On average 6 people die in avalanches in the state of Colorado every year. Anyone who travels into the high country in the winter should be prepared for avalanches and know how to avoid them. The most important thing to know is how to get information on current avalanche conditions. Check the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website http://www.colorado.gov/avalanche for the current avalanche forecast and the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov for the current weather forecast. Knowing the current and future conditions will help you make good decisions in the backcountry. A little information about avalanche safety can go a long way. Most avalanches occur during or just after snowstorms on slopes between 30 to 45 degrees. A significant snowfall may result in an unstable snowpack. By waiting at least 36 hours after a big snow event or wind storm before you go into the mountains may allow the snowpack to become more stable and less likely to avalanche. If you stay in valleys away from avalanche chutes, in stands of dense trees, or on gentle slopes you can decrease the risk of being caught in an avalanche. If you are a skier or snowboarder at a commercial ski area the risk from avalanches is lower than in the backcountry. Ski patrols work to reduce the chance of an avalanche on open slopes. Respect the rules of the ski area, stay on open slopes, and do not stray out of bounds or into closed areas. The avalanche risk is higher outside of the ski area boundaries. If you want to enjoy the great outdoors in areas prone to avalanches, you can reduce the danger by following a few simple suggestions: • Check the current avalanche forecast to get information on current and forecast avalanche conditions. Also check the latest weather forecast to see if conditions are likely to change while you are in the backcountry. • Never travel alone. Always have one or more companions. Even small avalanches can be fatal. If you are alone and get trapped, you may not be found until spring. • If crossing a slope that may be prone to avalanches, do it one person at a time. You want to minimize the impact on your party if an avalanche is accidentally released. • In avalanche country, all members of your party should carry avalanche rescue equipment, including an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe pole. This increases your chances of affecting a successful rescue and finding your friends alive. Avalanche conditions in Colorado are monitored and forecast by the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, CAIC. You can get more information on avalanches, avalanche forecasts, and avalanche safety from CAIC. Go to their website @http://www.colorado.gov/avalanche or call the center at 303-499-9650.

Clear Snow Away from Fire Hydrants, Dryer Vents & Meters

For your safety and to help out first responders, please clear snow away from fire hydrants, electrical meter pedestals & gas meters on or near your property. Also remember to clear snow away from dryer vents that take fumes outside of your home. Please also take into consideration clearing snow away from windows to ease evacuating your home in case of a fire. If you have questions about your gas meter, call Atmos Energy at 641-2729. If you have any questions about locating utilities call 8-1-1 or 1-800-922-1987. If you smell gas, call 9-1-1.

Dam Safety: Are you prepared for a dam emergency?

If you live in Colorado you are aware of the above average precipitation we have had and the saturated conditions of our ground in much of the state. Rivers are running high as is typical for this time of year, and the added moisture is making flooding more likely than ever. These conditions put added pressure on dams. The extra runoff can make streams run that normally don't and fill small ponds and reservoirs that are typically dry. Below are some facts about dams and preparations and actions that community members can take to keep themselves and their neighbors out of harm's way in the event of a dam emergency in their area. Facts: - The larger dams you see in your area with large concrete structures and wide open spillways were designed for extreme amounts of rain. Those structures were designed specifically handle and safely pass the volumes of rain and moisture we are currently experiencing. - Even during normal operations, some spillway flows may be damaging and hazardous to the downstream channel and care should be taken around spillways discharging to those channels - Smaller neighborhood dams, farm ponds, livestock ponds and erosion control ponds are less hazardous due to their small size, but can still be dangerous if someone finds themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. - Water flowing from spillways, outlet works or even over a dam generally follow established and defined stream channels or drainage paths. - More useful information about dams and their safe operation can be found in the Dam Safety Manual provided by the Colorado Dam Safety Branch at: http://water.state.co.us/DWRIPub/Documents/DS_Manual.pdf - Or on our dam safety website at: http://www.water.state.co.us/damsafety/dams.asp Preparation: - Now is a great time to make yourself aware of your surroundings and the likely numerous dams in your area. Take notice of reservoirs in your area and areas of normal travel and recreation. - Take notice of the stream channels and drainage ways that affect you every day. - Notice low areas and channels and find the highest surrounding ground nearest to them. Memorize where those high places are - Seek out sources of current weather information and stay tuned to those sources when conditions dictate. Actions: - In the event of high stream flows, sheet flows down streets or flows in ditches, always seek the higher ground - Never travel in or cross a flooded area or a path of moving water on foot or in a vehicle, Turn around, don't drown! - Pay attention to weather and weather alerts in your area

Got Sandbags?

With the large snowpack in the Gunnison River Basin this winter, low-lying areas could be at risk of flooding during the run-off this spring. Sandbags can be purchased from several sources, including local hardware stores and lumberyards. Local governments may also have sandbags available to purchase. Prepare early – don't wait until the last minute. For more information, including instructions on the filling and stacking of sandbags, check out Gunnison County Emergency Management's Flood Info webpage.