Briefs: Gunnison County

By Katherine Nettles

Commissioner appointments and designations

County commissioners assigned their various roles for 2026 during their meeting on January 6. Commissioner Laura Puckett Daniels will continue as the board chair; commissioner Liz Smith will continue as vice-chair.

Smith and Puckett Daniels will serve on the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) board; commissioner Jonathan Houck will serve on the Region 10 board; Smith will serve on the Early Childhood Council, the Rural Welcoming Initiative Committee and the Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council; Puckett Daniels will serve on the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee.

For 2026, the county’s official posting place for meetings will again be online at the county website and in the county courthouse on the bulletin board outside the entrance to the commissioners’ meeting room. 

Questioning Club 20

Commissioners agreed for commissioner Houck to reapply to the Club 20 board through their caucus process to remain a voice for Gunnison County.

There was some discussion among commissioners about whether to continue as Club 20 members in 2026, based on its relevance as some other counties have discontinued their membership. “I have found Club 20 to be helpful in relationship building…I do question its relevance,” said Smith. Houck pointed out that state elected officials often use it as a hub to get “a quick hit of opinions and ideas” from business members and elected officials among communities across the state. He said with the board’s support, he would continue participating as Gunnison County’s representative there for another year to keep the group connected to Western Slope issues and perspectives. The other commissioners agreed.