Delta County Commissioners Adopt 2026 Budget
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2025
Delta County, Colorado — The Delta County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the County's 2026 Budget during Tuesday's Board of County Commissioners monthly meeting, marking the conclusion of a months-long, collaborative budgeting process involving all elected officials, department heads, and the County's interdepartmental budget team.
The 2026 adopted budget totals $53,670,105, representing a $2,022,512 decrease from the 2025 adopted budget. The reduction is largely due to the completion of multi-year construction projects, including the final remodel of the Delta County Jail.
Finance Director Leone Anderson and County Administrator Robbie LeValley were recognized for their leadership, attention to detail, and successful implementation of ClearGov, which again provided full transparency to the public. All budget changes, requests, and departmental submissions were accessible online throughout the process.
Key Highlights of the 2026 Budget:
• Reduced Mill Levy - Delta County's mill levy will decrease from 18.057 to 14.056, reflecting the Board's commitment to conservative fiscal management while responding to increased assessed property valuations.
• Road & Bridge Investments - Significant funding is dedicated to major road improvement projects, including G50 Road, 1400 Road, Redlands Mesa Road, Q25 Road, D Road, and the 5th & Grand intersection in Paonia. Additional dollars will increase chip-seal miles based on annual road assessments.
• Support for County Employees - All employees will receive a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment in 2026. Despite an 11% increase in health insurance rates, Delta County will continue to fully cover employee premiums at the PPO7 level. The total annual cost of employee health insurance is $3,265,575.
• Strategic Staffing - One new full-time position will be added to support GIS and E-911 operations.
• Conservative Revenue Planning - While assessed values increased, the County budget intentionally reflects conservative revenue projections. Sales tax projections were held flat after a noted decrease of 3.14% in the most recent quarter.
• Continued Economic Diversification - The County reiterated its support for One Delta County, recreation projects, and grant-funded infrastructure improvements.
The Commissioners expressed gratitude to all County departments for their diligence and highlighted Delta County's longstanding commitment to maintaining minimal debt. The County currently holds only one lease-purchase agreement, a compactor at the landfill.
"The teamwork, diligence, and commitment to responsible spending reflect the values of Delta County," the Board stated. "Maintaining full employee insurance coverage, decreasing the mill levy, and continuing essential services, while keeping a balanced budget, is a significant achievement."
The Board additionally approved resolutions appropriating funds for 2026 and levying property taxes for the budget year.
The full, final 2026 Delta County Budget is available to the public online on the Delta County website at https://tinyurl.com/53df29nv, and may also be viewed in person at the Delta County Administration Building, 560 Dodge Street, Delta, Colorado."
Delta County Enacts Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
"Delta County Implements Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
DELTA COUNTY, CO (6/28/2026)
Delta County will be entering Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective Monday, June 29, 2026 at 12:01 am. The decision to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions was made after thoughtful consideration by the Sheriff and Fire Protection District Chiefs to work together to prevent human-caused wildfires.
"Given the extremely dry conditions in Delta County, severe fire weather we are experiencing with no significant moisture in the forecast and large, rapidly growing wildfires in Mesa and Ouray Counties which are threatening communities; Stage 2 fire restrictions are needed to help prevent a catastrophic wildfire from starting in Delta County," said Sheriff Mark Taylor.
On Sunday, June 28, 2026, the National Weather Service in Grand Junction issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation, Red Flag Warning for Delta County and most of the Western Slope. These weather conditions are fueling rapid wildfire growth which can quickly threaten communities. Due to multiple large wildfires burning across Western Colorado and neighboring states, wildfire response resources are becoming limited. Delta County needs to take every action possible to prevent a new wildfire from starting in Delta County.
Stage 2 restrictions prohibit the following activities:
• The building, maintaining or use of any fire that is produced by wood or charcoal and is not liquid or gas fueled. This includes but is not limited to camp fires, wood fire pits, portable chimineas, charcoal BBQ grills, and tiki torches.
• All open and agricultural burning is prohibited. As a reminder, the use of burn barrels or the burning of trash is always illegal in Delta County per County Ordinance.
• The use of explosives or fireworks of any kind as defined pursuant to C.R.S. § 30-15-401(1)(n.7) to include the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.
• Driving a motor vehicle (including OHVs) off of an established public road or motorized trail, or parking in an area that is not an established parking area clear of flammable vegetation within 10-feet of the vehicle.
• Smoking outside in an area NOT clear of combustible materials or the disposal of a cigarette butt from a moving vehicle or on the ground in combustible material.
The Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management encourage all residents and visitors to take pro-active steps to mitigate wildfire risk and be extra vigilant with anything that can create a spark!
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions apply to all unincorporated areas of Delta County including Crawford and Sweitzer Lake State Parks and State Wildlife Areas. Restrictions will also apply within the Town limits of any municipality which elects by appropriate ordinance or resolution to adopt and apply the fire restrictions within their jurisdiction. Residents who live in the City of Delta or Towns of Cedaredge, Orchard City, Paonia, Hotchkiss or Crawford are encouraged to check with their Town Hall about restrictions in town limits.
Delta County restrictions do not apply to lands managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the National Park Service as restrictions are implemented on those lands by the managing agency. Residents who are planning recreational activities should check the latest fire restrictions on federal lands and in neighboring counties by visiting WestSlopeFireInfo.com.
For full information on what is and is not allowed, please visit the Delta County Fire Restriction page and download the Stage 2 Fire Restriction Order and infographic.
Violation of Stage 2 Fire Restrictions may result in a citation. If a fire started in violation of Fire Restrictions burns onto the property of another or starts a wildfire, individuals found responsible may be liable for restitution costs including wildfire suppression expenses, property damage and other associated costs.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are being implemented to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and will remain in effect until weather conditions improve and are rescinded by Order of the Sheriff.
Residents, visitors and businesses are encouraged to stay proactive and informed this summer by taking the following steps:
• Sign up for Delta County Alerts – the official emergency alert platform for Delta County by visiting DeltaCountyCO.gov/Alerts
• Mitigate the wildfire risk to your home by creating defensible space and hardening your home to fire embers. Learn more at the CO State Forest Website.
• Build a Go-Kit, gather important documents and irreplaceable belongings and create detailed inventories of your home contents before an evacuation order is issued. Learn more about how to Build a Kit and Evacuation plan at Ready.gov/Plan
Please help us protect the beauty and resources of Delta County by adhering to fire restrictions and exercising caution when recreating this 4th of July Holiday weekend!"
