BOCC Meeting, July 06, 2026
Main Subject
The primary focus of the July 6, 2026 special meeting of the Custer County Board of County Commissioners was the Aspen Acres Fire, including ratification of the local disaster emergency declaration, ratification of the assumption of fire control by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), and a detailed operational and community-impact update.
Summary
This special afternoon meeting on July 6, 2026 (two days after Independence Day) was called specifically to address the ongoing Aspen Acres Fire that began near the Aspen Acres campground in eastern Custer County near the Pueblo County border. The board formally adopted Resolution 26-33, ratifying the Chairman’s June 29, 2026 declaration of a local disaster emergency so it would not lapse under the seven-day statutory limit. Commissioners also ratified the Sheriff’s assumption of fire-control duty that transferred operational and primary fiscal responsibility for the fire to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), while clarifying the county’s remaining cost-share obligations under the county operations plan.Reggie (emergency-management representative) provided a current-status briefing: the fire had grown to approximately 91,000–92,000 acres, with good progress protecting Wetmore through strong local and mutual-aid efforts the previous night. More than 1,400 personnel were engaged, including National Guard support for traffic control. High winds continued to pose challenges. Official information channels, public meetings (including a livestreamed Alaska Team briefing and an in-person meeting for 165-corridor evacuees), evacuation-center operations at Lang Hall, re-entry card procedures, air-quality concerns, road closures, and impacts on local events/businesses were discussed at length. Public comments focused on evacuation-center capacity, electrical/generator readiness, air purifiers, pet policies, and the re-entry card process.
Key Points
Disaster Declaration
- Resolution 26-33 adopted, formally ratifying the June 29, 2026 local disaster/emergency declaration for the Aspen Acres Fire.
- Declaration remains in effect until terminated or modified by the Chair or Board (or expires under statute).
- Purpose: activate response/recovery plans and position the county for state/federal financial assistance.
Assumption of Fire Control
- Board ratified the Sheriff’s transfer of fire-control and primary fiscal management to DFPC (effective end of operational period on June 29).
- DFPC responsible for costs not covered by mutual aid during the state-responsibility period.
- County remains responsible for costs outlined in its operations plan.
- Sheriff retains investigation responsibility for suspected human-caused fires.
Fire Status Update (as of meeting)
- Size: ~91,000–92,000 acres.
- Strong overnight progress protecting Wetmore homes and structures thanks to local fire departments and partners.
- Over 1,400 personnel involved; National Guard assisting with traffic-control points.
- High winds continue to drive fire behavior and cause local impacts (tents blowing over, etc.).
- Official information sources: Custer County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and Aspen Acres Fire 2026 Facebook page.
Community Support & Logistics
- Evacuation center at Lang Hall (Westcliffe), open 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; serving ~30 people/day; open to evacuated residents from Custer, Pueblo, Fremont, and related areas.
- Yellow evacuee cards issued upon verification of address (utility bill, ID, etc.); zone cards required later for re-entry into assessed fire-boundary areas.
- Air quality is poor; links to real-time monitors posted on official pages.
- Only limited highway access into the valley (primarily via Texas Creek / Hwy 50 and Walsenburg routes); 255 and Copper Gulch restricted.
- Public meetings: Alaska Team briefing (livestreamed) the evening of July 6; Sheriff-led in-person meeting for 165-corridor evacuees the following evening (no livestream; grief counselors and property-status info available).
Summarized Transcription
OpeningChairman:
“Good afternoon everybody. It’s… one two days after Independence Day… We’re going to have a special meeting today on Monday, July the 6th, 2026… the time now is 3:30… Please stand for the pledge.”Resolution 26-33“This is a resolution authorizing declaration of the local disaster emergency regarding the Aspen Acres fire… the Chair… issued a disaster/emergency on June the 29th, 2026… the Board… desires to enact this emergency declaration… I would move that we adopt resolution number 2633…”Motion approved unanimously.Assumption of Fire Control“Assumption of fire control duty… to be assumed by… the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control DFPC… I will move that we adopt or ratify the assumption of fire control…”Motion approved.Fire Update – Reggie“Twoish hours ago we were about 92,000 acres… They are still working and they are making good progress down in Wetmore… We have over 1,400 people involved… Official information will be on the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page or the Aspen Acres Fire 2026 Facebook page… Evacuation center is located at Lang Hall… hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.”
