January 2024 Larimer County Highlights
by Project Editor Sonia Koetting
The full reports by Citizen Observers for the League of Women Voters of Larimer County are linked below.
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Summitstone’s Longview Facility for Acute Care opened in December and already has nearly 900 clients, having reached capacity in the first 36 hours. The new behavioral health facility has 10 exam rooms and 24 crisis stabilization and withdrawal beds. Managers say capacity will be added for 32 more.
Larimer County embarks on a strategic plan for homelessness with Homeward Alliance.
Red Feather Lakes community will receive $3.5M for its annual budget, equal to 1% of Larimer County’s revenue. Beyond that, County Planner Matt Lafferty says Larimer County is ready to review future projects and funding requests from its rural towns, including Livermore, Red Feather Lakes and LaPorte. The Red Feather Planning Advisory Committee has hopes for a public safety plan, medical center, revision of town boundaries and a wastewater treatment plant.
The County Health Director offers an update on air quality and non-attainment of EPA’s ozone standards. Half of the county’s homes have harmful levels of radon. (Free test kits are available through the state). Larimer County investigated 59 air quality complaints in 2023. Every year the county inspects nearly 30 identified air pollution sources. Timnath and Loveland will receive new air quality monitors in 2024. Two county staff are now certified to use Optical Gas Imaging (FLIR camera purchased by the county) to help monitor oil and gas production sites. Point of sale discounts are now available for residential electric equipment.
Larimer County Rodeo Board and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association won Best in Class for first time in 75 years.
Wellington citizens ask for reassurance that “turbidity” in potable water is not unsafe. Saddleback subdivision has final plat approved and aims to be Wellington’s first water-wise community.
Larimer County’s Environmental and Science Advisory Board has an early draft for Larimer County’s Water Master Plan. It improves long-term planning for unincorporated areas, addresses risks, and promotes water sharing for agriculture. Over half of the county’s water is locally sourced, and 43% is redirected from the Colorado River. The county is not a water provider, but has over100 different providers serving 385,600 people. Roughly half the county is state and federal lands. The board has many questions on topics such as fire risks, yards and riparian ecosystems. Four public outreach events are planned and the board intends that all of its questions will be answered.
Wellington Planning Commission predicts a freeze on building permits will lift when a new wastewater treatment facility is completed in Sept. of 24.