On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion featured a large turnout for the annual State of the Community event, organized by the Craig Chamber of Commerce.

City and county officials were joined by businesses, organizations, industries and educational institutions, as well as community advocates, to highlight the achievements of the past year while laying out goals for the future.

State of the City

Mayor Chris Nichols kicked off the event by presenting the State of the City address, which provided updates on community-based issues, pending projects and the financial status of the city. 

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“Our sales and franchise tax is the largest contributor of revenues for the city general fund, and that comes out to about 46.6% of our total budget in that one category,” Nichols said. “Sales tax actually across the whole state of Colorado is down anywhere from 4% to 7%. At the city, we’re showing our sales tax revenues down about 2.5%.”

Nichols said that grants have been the “lifeblood of the city,” with Craig receiving $29.4 million from grant-related sources over the last five years. For 2024 alone, the figure totaled $9.5 million.

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“I have to commend staff, because grants are a lot of work,” he said.

Nichol also defended the city’s involvement in the 8th Street Townhome project.

“We had the largest employers of our city — school district, college, hospital — all saying, ‘We have people turning down jobs because they can’t find suitable housing.'”

He reiterated the fact that the city had conducted a housing needs analysis study before “the city took the bull by the horns” by beginning the housing project. Nichols stated that additional improvements to the development will be made, including landscaping and the construction of carports for each unit. The carports will also be wired with power for electric vehicles or block heaters.

The city also plans on offering new incentives to prospective buyers of the units in coming months. 

Later in his address, Nichols also stated that the Meadowwood Housing Project, which is slated to be built on Mack Lane,  is specifically aimed at the workforce housing gap that was revealed through the housing needs study.

Nichols also brought forward information regarding the Regional Transit Authority, a collaboration with Routt County as well as cities and towns throughout the Yampa Valley. The project aims to improve transportation throughout the region, specifically along the U.S. Highway 40 corridor.

“With over 6,000 commuters traveling up and down (Highway 40) daily, it’s imperative that a regional transit authority is implemented to improve the safety and infrastructure along the corridor,” he said. “The goals are to increase the frequency of buses on the highway between Craig and Steamboat Springs. And, this is really a benefit to the community —  establish an intercity circular bus route throughout the City of Craig that would serve both local transportation needs, as well as connecting to regional transportation.”

Nichols added that Mountain Rail, a passenger and freight rail project that would link Yampa Valley communities together, while also providing services to the Front Range, remains a priority. One key factor, he explained, was the fact that such service would be necessary to keep the rail lines open after the “phasing out” of coal-based usage along the lines.

“The plan will be to use the rail to be unified for both freight and for passengers, opening the doors to new tourism opportunities to our area,” said Nichols. “The next step is for Craig to join other cities and counties developing a resolution to support the service development plan.”

He illustrated that the rail station’s proposed location would be at the south end of Yampa Avenue.

Towards the end of his address, Nichols explained that one of the goals of the 2019 Parks and Recreation Open Space and Trails Master Plan, the Craig Sports Complex, is being pursued. 

“The intent is to replace the aging current aquatic complex that’s nearly 50 years old and include year-round multi-use capability,” he said. 

Nichols also noted that it will serve as an “opportunity for our community to have amenities without having to drive out of town for it.”

He also shared that the in-stream improvements for the whitewater park, which is scheduled to open in May, are also almost complete. 

State of the County

Moffat County Commissioner Melody Villard outlined the county’s $57.3 million 2025 budget, emphasizing the upcoming 46% property tax reduction due to the closure of two coal mines, as well as the power plant.

“A 46% reduction in the property tax of our 2025 budget amounts to $26.4 million in lost revenue that we used to operate on,” Villard said. “So, we are realistically optimistic about how we could replace that type of loss, and we know it won’t come from just one big place or one big opportunity.”

She went on to outline three major projects that the county is working on, including supporting rPlus Hydro as they seek a hydro project in Moffat County. Villard noted that the second priority is to repurpose Trapper and Tri-State infrastructure for other uses. 

“So, promisingly, people are looking at the sites that we have here,” Villard said. “Although nothing’s solidified, the door is still open, and we are still marketing it.”

The third priority lies in the Moffat County multi-use Events and Resiliency Center, which will be constructed on the property of the county fairgrounds.

“It’s a walking distance from historic downtown Craig,” Villard said. “And, it would expand our ability to capture more revenue-generating activities year-round and expand on what we currently offer to diversify revenue streams from the county’s traditional energy focus.”

The funding to complete the design and engineering stage of the facility, which is estimated to cost $8.2 million, is actively being sought from a variety of sources, including grants.

The county already has $4.2 million set aside for the design and engineering phase.

“Once the funding and design and engineering is done, we hope to do our construction phase beginning in the middle of 2026 with the building being open to the public in 2028, coinciding with the final closure of Tri-State,” Villard said. “The total phase one budget of that would be $49.76 million.”

Lastly, Villard provided information on water augmentation related to the Tri-State closure, which will include the county receiving additional water rights and allowances, enhancing the ability to sustain growth and development in the future. 

State of the Chamber

Kirstie McPherson, President of the Craig Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the group’s evolving role in supporting businesses, and the community as a whole, through the expansion of business partnerships and community engagement. 

She also shared the successes that came with renovations to the Yampa Building, which included a commissary kitchen for entrepreneurs and community use, as well as new restrooms. 

McPherson also announced the creation of a community think tank for local problem-solving, which will feature city and county officials working with the chamber to gather community input through focus groups. 

“How can we expand the things that we’re looking at in our community? How can we answer the really tough questions? How do we get the people in the Real Craig Community Chat involved and having discussions in person?,” McPherson asked as she presented the objectives of the focus groups.

She also stressed the importance of the Mountain Rail project, calling it a “huge opportunity for our community” while also pointing out that there would be economic growth through the freight and passenger services it would provide. 

McPherson encouraged continued support for local businesses and chamber members, emphasizing their role in sustaining Moffat County’s economic vitality. She closed by thanking members and urging attendees to support the chamber by considering membership in the group.

Other community updates

Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association’s Travis Sondrol provided an update on the Craig Station closure, confirming that Unit 1 will retire in 2025, with full closure expected by 2028.

Kristara Lee, of Trapper Mine, spoke regarding the “challenges and opportunities” that come with the transition away from fossil-based fuels. 

“In our community, specifically, I think there is a lot of hope,” Lee said. “We have an opportunity to make our community great while still respecting our history. At Trapper, we are deeply committed to contributing to the community’s future in ways that ensure sustainable growth for both Craig and Moffat County.”

Jennifer Bugay, of Yampa Valley Bank, discussed the institution’s role in preventing fraud in the community, a trend which has been increasing over the course of the last several years. 

Scott Beckstead, chief equine programs director for the Wild Horse Refuge, shared the impact of the refuge, which has been in operation for two years and now cares for 220 horses on almost 30,000 acres west of Craig. He also spoke to the economic benefits that come from the wild horse herds in the form of tourism, as people travel from around the world to view them. 

“We are saving American taxpayers millions of dollars by taking these horses off the government’s hands and letting them live in a wild, humane and fiscally responsible manner out on 30,000 acres of open range,” he said. “We are trying very hard to be responsible stewards of this land.” 

He also highlighted upcoming wild horse photography workshops and tourism events that will drive economic benefits.

Memorial Regional Health CEO Jennifer Riley provided an overview of the last year of operations at the hospital, noting that there has been an increase in the utilization of the facility throughout many departments. 

She praised the 340B Drug Discount Program, which saved the hospital $1.2 million and allowed for expanded community-based support such as emergency medical services.

Riley also noted that there was a $500,000 increase in the uncollectable charges, or bad debt, which brought the total to almost $5 million. 

“That is a really concerning amount,” she said. “One of the challenges many hospitals across Colorado are facing is the inability to report outstanding debt to credit companies. It’s getting harder and harder to collect what’s owed to us.”

She also outlined that, despite increasing costs in labor and supplies, the hospital ended with a positive operating margin of 3.1%. 

“In Colorado last year, there’s 42 rural hospitals and half of those hospitals operated on a negative operating margin,” she said.

Riley also presented that staff turnover at the facility was decreasing. Additionally, to bolster staffing, an experiential “grow your own” effort, will be launched in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Colorado and the Moffat County School District.

She outlined the level of community support that the hospital provides, including supporting more than 30 community events, providing a full-time athletic trainer to MCSD and EMS services at district sporting events, as well as other charitable contributions throughout Craig.  

She closed in outlining challenges that the hospital is facing in the form of changes to Medicaid at the state and federal levels. 

Colorado Northwestern Community College President Dr. Lisa Jones opened by celebrating new hires at the institution, including Nick Cocozzella, who was recently appointed as the chief operating officer, and Amanda Ott, who has become the dean of academics.

She went on to outline the multi-faceted approach the institution is taking to becoming more effective in its support for students, staff and the community as a whole.

To further the community’s “grow your own” efforts, CNCC has created a bachelor’s degree pathway for nursing, in addition to an early childhood and elementary program which, in collaboration with other institutions, is a pathway towards a bachelors degree in those areas.  

She also outlined CNCC’s dedication to expanding behavioral health initiatives for students as well as providing increased housing for both students and staff.

“CNCC, in 2024, was ranked first in the state among community colleges for the successful transfer of students to universities,” Jones said. “CNCC has been, for the past five years, and again this year, is ranked fifth in the country among community colleges for graduating students who earn the highest wages.”

Jones closed in reviewing some of the community-based opportunities that will be hosted by the college over the next year, including paleontology and international programs. 

Moffat County School District Superintendent Mathew Neal celebrated a wide range of the district’s successes, including some major steps forward in academics. 

“I am proud to say that for the first time in five years, all of our schools were removed off of watch from the state, and every single one of our schools grew academically,” said Neal in a nod to the efforts of district staff in making such an achievement possible. 

Neal also discussed facility investments, including the new $1.2 million high school gym, as well as increased security measures. He also outlined challenges that the district is facing in regards to budget shortfalls, which will result in what he has described as a “right-sizing” of the district. 

Community awards and recognition

The United Way Volunteer of the Year award went to Jeannie Glimidakis, who was honored for her extensive service to the community.

The Changemaker award was presented to Mackenzie Mixon for expanding student opportunities through her role with Partners for Youth. 

The United Way Youth Volunteer of the Year award was given to the high school students of the Moffat County SWAP program. 

Mountain Man Taxidermy received the Business of the Year award for its investments in local commerce. The Best Customer Service award went to Grant Mortuary, which was commended for its compassionate service for customers. 

Future initiatives

Local Marketing District board member Justin Kawcak underscored the importance of renewing the LMD funding initiative in November 2025.

The LMD tax, which is charged to individuals who book lodging in Moffat County, results in funds that are used for events, improvements and group-support throughout the community.

He noted that without the LMD, critical tourism and economic development projects could face challenges. 

In closing, Chamber leadership encouraged continued community engagement and emphasized local business support.