The Yampa Valley Bugle asked Routt County Commissioner Candidates to answer eight questions about a variety of issues. Here's what they said.
In an effort to inform voters ahead of this year's Routt County Commissioner election, The Yampa Valley Bugle asked candidates to respond to eight issue focused questions in writing. The questions were devised through conversations with local leaders and observations about issues facing the county. Here is how the candidates for District 1, Democrat Angelica Salinas and Republican Brent Romick, responded:
1. What is the single biggest issue facing Routt County in your view and how would you work to impact that issue as a Routt County Commissioner?
Salinas: The biggest issue facing Routt County is that it's becoming harder for people to stay here. Housing, childcare, and economic opportunity challenges are forcing out essential workers—educators, healthcare providers, and service industry staff. This affects our community at every level, including our aging population, who depend on accessible services and a connected community.
We need to make Routt County a place where people can live, work, start a business, and retire with security. Families deserve affordable housing, accessible childcare, and confidence that our community will meet their needs. As commissioner, I’d prioritize supporting community-led housing initiatives, ensuring that solutions are tailored to our residents’ needs. I’d continue partnering with state and federal elected officials to access resources that strengthen our local efforts. Finally, I’d be a proactive voice when the state legislature is crafting policies and advocating for rural resort communities like ours to be represented. My priority is a Routt County where people can thrive, preserving the vibrant community we all love.
Romick: The shortage of attainable housing. Steamboat Springs has little room left to provide housing and the housing problem must be solved at the county level. More importantly, we need to provide young families an opportunity to buy a new home in Routt County, so they are making an investment in their future, not just renting. This can be done by delivering a variety of lower cost housing options by forming public-private partnerships for development and financing. Also, we must evaluate how fees and regulations drive up construction costs to see where we can make cuts without compromising safety. But to adequately address attainable housing at the county level, we must also address our regional transportation problem. We already have 6,000 commuters to and from Steamboat Springs. So, we’re overdue for ensuring a growing population of commuters has safe, reliable transportation and roads year-round.
2. How do you see the key challenges and opportunities in Routt County differing between more rural areas and in Steamboat Springs, and how do these differences influence the decisions you would make as a Routt County Commissioner?
Romick: The challenges and opportunities between rural Routt County and Steamboat Springs are intertwined. Rural Routt County understandably wants to restrict growth and maintain its agricultural economy and heritage. Steamboat Springs needs to manage its growth and begin considering a county level approach to meet growth demands. My decisions will seek to balance a growing county economy with the continued preservation of our natural resources, wildlife habitats, and our agricultural heritage. The opportunities I see will strengthen the economies of towns like Oak Creek, Hayden, and Yampa while ensuring they maintain their agricultural economic heritage and community character.
Salinas: Routt County is a dynamic community, strengthened by its diverse people and landscapes. While Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Yampa, and Oak Creek may have unique needs, we all want a healthy community, high quality of life, and mutual respect. As Commissioner, I want to ensure we are working together—not against each other—toward our common goals.
I’m committed to preserving our rural and agricultural heritage while promoting economic diversification that supports essential services. Living in unincorporated Routt County, I understand the importance of being a voice for everyone, especially underrepresented communities. As commissioner, I will actively seek community input to shape decisions. County elections often provide our only local representation, so it’s crucial that commissioners engage with rural areas. I’ll also respect each community’s unique goals, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to thrive. Together, we can create a Routt County where all voices are heard, valued, and empowered.
3. With the prospects of significant development in the Stagecoach area on the horizon, what is your vision for growth in that area and how will you work to realize that vision?
Salinas: I love living in Stagecoach. It’s where my husband and I purchased our first home together—a place where we’ve been able to put down roots and begin building our family. Stagecoach is designated as a Stage 2 growth zone in the Routt County Master Plan, meaning it’s an area targeted for smart, appropriate growth. But growth for the sake of growth isn’t the goal; we need to ensure that any development positively impacts residents and respects our community’s values.
As Commissioner, I’d evaluate growth in Stagecoach through key lenses: environmental impact, community character, and affordability. It’s essential that any growth aligns with these areas. To achieve this, I’d work collaboratively to create thoughtful development plans that maintain community character while enhancing economic opportunities. Any development must also adhere to the Uniform Development Code and receive Commissioner approval. My vision is a Stagecoach that grows responsibly, meeting needs today and preserving what we love for the future.
Romick: The proposed Stagecoach Mountain Ranch is quasi-judicial in nature, meaning that decisions cannot be predetermined and must be made impartially based on evidence and plans presented during the process. I will ensure all aspects of the project are carefully analyzed and align with the best interests of Routt County. The potential expansion of the tax base may be significant. This could provide critical funding for South Routt Medical Center and the SOROCO school district, to name just a couple.
The Stagecoach Mountain Ranch project, for example, in its current form includes planned improvements to county roads, which is vital for ensuring safe and efficient access to the area, particularly with increased traffic. A strong commissioner with extensive experience and negotiation skills can strike the proper balance to ensure that the project, if approved, enhances safety, and supports future growth, while maintaining environmental standards and preserving the region’s natural beauty.
4. What do you think of the state of housing in Routt County? How active of a role should Routt County have in addressing housing issues?
Romick: As stated in response to the first question, the attainable housing shortage is the top issue challenging Routt County. Routt County must drive the solution at the county level by improving public transportation through a regional transportation authority and engaging other county communities to develop attainable housing opportunities. As county commissioner, I will also work with the Yampa Valley Housing Authority and any and all agencies to derive funding to support a variety of housing types that will facilitate personal home ownership and true investment in Routt County.
Salinas: In my current role, I work with businesses across Routt County, and the number one challenge identified is employee retention and recruitment—primarily due to housing. Housing is an economic issue impacting our workforce, businesses, and overall community health. We need a diverse range of housing options, from affordable rentals to homes that families can invest in that help residents build wealth and stability.
Routt County must be a leader in addressing housing, acting as a facilitator to ensure that local groups are working together toward shared solutions. To address housing holistically, we also need to improve regional transportation. Enhancing transit options would allow people to live where they choose while ensuring equitable access to transportation. As Commissioner, I’d work to leverage state and federal resources to reduce housing costs, so these costs aren’t fully passed to homebuyers. It’s critical that Routt County actively supports attainable housing and transit solutions that strengthen our community and build a sustainable future.
5. How do you view the increased demands of recreation on Routt County and how would you work to mitigate those impacts if elected? How would you determine when enough is enough?
Salinas: Outdoor recreation is central to our community and economy, and it must be balanced with protecting our environment, quality of life, and rural character. Recreation is vital to a healthy, thriving community, benefiting mental health and well-being. Our community deserves the ability to safely recreate here. We must manage the cumulative impacts of recreation carefully—not by shutting down opportunities, but through responsible planning. I am committed to collaborative solutions that embrace both recreation and preservation.
To mitigate these impacts, I will work with local agencies and community partners to disperse recreation and promote responsible practices through education. We need solutions that support sustainable recreation without being divisive. I will advocate for investments in infrastructure to support safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences, while ensuring recreation doesn’t take precedence over core community needs. Preserving what makes Routt County special means we must strike a balance between welcoming recreation and safeguarding our natural assets for future generations.
Romick: I have been a conservationist my entire life and I am dedicated to preserving our pristine wilderness areas and natural resources. I am also an outdoorsman and business owner who appreciates the recreational opportunities Routt County has to offer. And I know when enough is enough and we must balance market demands for recreation with the needs to be good stewards of our natural environment and our cultural ranching heritage. Our land, water, and wildlife habitats are limited. I will work with state wildlife and national forest agencies to monitor recreational capacity to ensure sensitive areas are preserved and protected from damaging development and recreational uses.
6. Routt County is subject to Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights, known as TABOR. As the county faces increasing costs, how will you approach balancing the budget under the restrictions of TABOR? Would you advocate that Routt County ask voters to consider de-Brucing?
Romick: Routt County is doing well with a $112M budget this year. We are one of the wealthier counties in Colorado and with windfall property tax revenues expected from increased property values, we should not expect to ask hard-working taxpayers to forego TABOR refunds. Before de-Brucing is ever considered, other budget adjustments should be explored like spending cuts and broadening the tax base.
Salinas: Managing the budget and overseeing county departments efficiently is a core duty of commissioners. Routt County consistently maintains a balanced budget, spending only within its revenue, and I am committed to continuing that precedent. I bring the experience needed to manage Routt County’s resources effectively. Routt County has done an impressive job within TABOR’s restrictions, and I commend county staff for making every dollar count in supporting essential services.
When it comes to de-Brucing, I believe this decision should involve the community. While TABOR limits our ability to fund our budget in some ways, I’d advocate for educating residents on what de-Brucing would mean and the potential benefits it could bring, like increased funding for infrastructure and emergency services. Ultimately, this decision belongs to the voters, but I would support giving them the opportunity to weigh in on whether or not Routt County should have more flexibility in addressing our community’s needs.
7. Colorado lawmakers have considered changing how short-term rentals are assessed property taxes in recent years and it is “highly likely” the issue will come up again in 2025. How would you advocate that Colorado approach property taxes for properties that are short-term rentals or second homes?
Salinas: The impact of short-term rentals and second homes on housing and community resources is significant, but any policy changes should consider the unique needs of rural resort communities like ours. I believe that property tax decisions should prioritize local control, allowing counties and municipalities the flexibility to address these issues based on their specific circumstances. Legislation that empowers local governments to make these decisions would best serve our community’s diverse needs, potentially creating revenue streams for housing, childcare, and other critical services.
If this issue arises in 2025, I will focus on partnering with the state legislature to educate lawmakers about the challenges faced by Routt County and other similar areas. I am the candidate best equipped to advocate for Routt County on this issue and would be a strong voice for our needs. As Commissioner, I would advocate for a balanced, locally controlled approach that respects the individuality of our region.
Romick: Property taxes are the purview of local and county governments. Routt County and our local towns should determine how short-term rentals are assessed. Local leaders and county commissioners have better insight about how local budgets can be better met through taxation. The state government should not infringe on the rights of local of governments and private property owners.
8. Routt County is exploring investments in capital projects with other partners like a solar farm and childcare center. How do you view these projects and would you support investments like these as a Routt County Commissioner?
Romick: Energy projects that need government subsidies, like solar and wind, are inefficient, and unreliable energy sources that have a huge footprint on our natural environment with potentially very bad consequences on wildlife habitats. Energy projects to replace existing coal should be economically efficient, reliable, safe, and environmentally friendly.
The shortage of childcare services is having a major impact on Routt County’s economy. I will work with state agencies, local businesses, and charities to ensure organizations like First Impressions have the resources they need to meet Routt County’s early childhood education and childcare demands.
Salinas: Projects like the childcare center and solar farm reflect Routt County’s approach to meeting critical needs through strategic partnerships. I view investments like these as opportunities to tackle pressing issues—such as housing, childcare, and sustainable energy—in a way that benefits our community. As Commissioner, I would support investments that offer long-term value by ensuring they’re implemented responsibly, with transparency, community input, and effective use of available funding.
My role would include working closely with partners to maximize resources, secure grants, and advocate for policies that align with Routt County’s values and goals. Responsible investments in key areas like childcare and energy strengthen our community, and I’m committed to fostering initiatives that balance growth with preserving what makes Routt County unique.
Top Photo Caption: Republican Brent Romick, left, and Democrat Angelica Salinas participate in a Routt County Commissioner candidate forum hosted by Steamboat Pilot & Today on Oct. 10. (Shannon Lukens/Courtesy)