La Plata County Budget Update
La Plata County adopted the 2026 Budget including reduced staff benefits. For example, the county will not contribute to staff Health Savings Accounts and paid parental leave has been reduced. Most vacancies are still being held open. The Board of County Commissioners approved $136 million in expenditures for 2026.

La Plata County Moratorium Update
The Board of La Plata County Commissioners extended the moratorium on battery energy storage systems (BESS) until January 21, 2026. After a lengthy hearing with more than two dozen public comments, commissioners opted to direct staff to draft additional changes to the land use code related to BESS and setbacks.

La Plata County Housing Update
La Plata County has retained consultants whose purpose is to establish a broadly supported housing framework and land use development code recommendations that enable the county to increase housing options that are attainable and affordable. This is to help the county meet the requirements of Proposition 123, which voters approved in 2022. Prop 123 created Colorado’s Affordable Housing Fund and requires an expedited review process for qualifying developments. The consultant’s next steps involve stakeholder outreach, creating a draft framework, and a Land Use Code audit before developing recommended code changes and a redline.