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eCounty Lines
May 7, 2026
News, Grants, Service Opportunities and More for County Leaders
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REGISTER TODAY!!!
CCI Foundation Summer Conference
June 1-3, 2026
Summit County
Registration for the CCI Foundation Summer Conference is OPEN! Click here to visit our website and learn more.
CCI Summer Conference Baskets
If you are attending the upcoming CCI Foundation Summer Conference in Summit County, please bring a gift basket from your county that showcases regional and local products. One basket per county. Please keep the value of the basket below $75. These baskets will be given out at the Tuesday night dinner. All county staff are eligible for the drawing. Drop your basket off at the CCI registration desk in Keystone no later than 1pm on Tuesday, June 2.
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County Fiscal Conditions: New Communications Resources Available
Thank you to the 60 counties that participated in CCI’s recent survey on county fiscal conditions. County input helped shape a set of new communications resources designed to help share consistent, nonpartisan information about the budget pressures facing counties statewide.
Based on survey responses, the materials highlight rising costs, staffing challenges, service reductions, and delayed infrastructure investments affecting counties across Colorado. To support counties interested in sharing this information locally, CCI has developed a short communications toolkit that includes social media templates, visual guidance, and a customizable letter‑to‑the‑editor template.
The full toolkit and all related materials, including the statewide infographic and shareable visual segments, are available here: link.
Counties are welcome to use or adapt these materials as helpful for local audiences.
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Recap: Annual Board of Health Training
April’s Webinar Wednesday event featured the Office of Public Health Practice, Planning, and Local Partnership (OPHP), who conducted the annual board of health training for county commissioners, per CRS 25-1-508. All commissioners who serve on their board of health must complete this training.
Staff recognize the fact that many commissioners could not attend the virtual training due to scheduling conflicts. Therefore, all the materials from this session are posted in the Resource Library on our website. Click here to access them.
Anyone needing to complete the training may do so by following the instructions on that page. The materials will remain on our website as a reference for those who need. Please share with your county staff as you see fit. For questions, contact Kieran Boes.
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CDPHE Carcass Management Presentation
During a recent CDA-CCI monthly check-in, CDPHE provided a brief overview of carcass management requirements and disposal options, emphasizing public health and environmental protection. The presentation slides are available here.
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CCI Summer Conference Session Preview - State of Leadership
Attendees at the annual Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Foundation Conference will have the opportunity to provide input on an initiative to strengthen leadership across Colorado.
CCI leaders from across the state are encouraged to convene for this next phase of the Boettcher Foundation’s State of Leadership effort. The CCI and ACCA concurrent session will take place on June 1 from 3:15–4:45 p.m.
In 2025, CCI helped Boettcher launch a statewide conversation about the future of leadership across Colorado’s counties. More than 100 county leaders shared insights on the realities they face and the opportunities ahead.
“Our county commissioners, mayors, town and city council members bring essential, on-the-ground insight into the challenges shaping Colorado communities, and their voices are critical to driving real progress,” said Katie Kramer, president & CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. “This session is about turning that insight into action as we develop practical solutions and aspire to strengthen community leadership for what comes next.”
Last year’s convening surfaced a clear picture: county leaders are navigating increasing complexity with limited resources, but they are doing so with strong relationships, deep commitment, and a shared desire to lead more intentionally.
Participants identified persistent challenges across regions, including funding constraints, workforce shortages, and growing service demands. Rural counties highlighted limited staffing and volunteer capacity, while Front Range communities noted pressure from funding cuts and rising needs in housing, mental health, and human services.
Across the board, leaders pointed to time, capacity, and resources as ongoing constraints.
At the same time, the strengths were also clear. Leaders emphasized the power of relationships, collaboration, and a values-driven approach grounded in perseverance, humility, and service. Many expressed a desire to shift from reactive problem-solving to more proactive, strategic leadership that emphasizes communication, delegation, and building the next generation of leaders.
Now, that conversation continues as the momentum builds. This second convening between CCI and the Boettcher Foundation is designed to move beyond reflection and into action.
Building on last year’s insights, the session will focus on identifying practical strategies to strengthen leadership pipelines, better leverage existing strengths, and address shared challenges collaboratively. Returning participants will deepen relationships and advance ideas started last year, while new voices will bring fresh perspectives and momentum.
This work is part of the broader State of Leadership initiative, a multi-year effort to map and strengthen Colorado’s leadership ecosystem.
In 2025, the Boettcher Foundation engaged more than 1,000 leaders across all 64 counties through convenings, interviews, and discussions to better understand leadership challenges, identify gaps, and strengthen connections statewide.
Insights from this work are already shaping conversations and can be explored further here: https://boettcherfoundation.org/colorado-leaders-speak-insights-from-the-state-of-leadership-initiative/.
“This convening offers a unique opportunity to come together, learn from one another, and help shape the future of leadership across Colorado,” Kramer said.
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Meet our CCI Foundation
Corporate Partners
Public Alignment Communication
Public Alignment Communication is a minority and women-owned business launched in 2017 to help public sector and nonprofit clients with communications, stakeholder relations, and public engagement strategy. We have worked with dozens of school districts, counties, and special districts to build awareness of a local funding or infrastructure challenge; identify a community-supported solution; and establish a transparent education process that will result in a successful ballot initiative. Of the 35+ ballot questions we’ve helped our clients communicate to their constituents, nearly 90% have passed.
Contact: Sara O’Keefe
Phone: 303-324-8466
Email: sa...@publicalignment.com
Website: www.publicalignment.com
Click here to visit the CCI website and view all of
CCI Foundation's Corporate Partners.
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Community Accelerated Mobility Project (CAMP) R2 Grant Funding Available
Through the Community Access Enterprise (CAE) and Colorado Energy Office (CEO), the Community Accelerated Mobility Project (CAMP) grant program is a funding opportunity designed to support communities in meeting a variety of community-defined mobility needs. The program provides funding for community-driven projects with an electric mobility component, which may include electric carshare, electric vanpool, community e-bike share, and more. CAMP offers two phases of grant funding: a Technical Readiness Planning Phase; and an Implementation Phase.
We are pleased to announce that the next application round for CAMP Technical Readiness Planning Phase grant funding will open on April 9, 2026! Applications are due by June 2, 2026. Please visit the CAMP website on April 9, 2026 to learn more about this opportunity and apply for Technical Readiness Planning Phase grant funding.
CAE and CEO plan to open additional funding rounds for both phases of the CAMP program. More information about these additional rounds will be available in the coming months. Questions may be directed to Ed Piersa, Senior Program Manager with the Colorado Energy Office at edward...@state.co.us.
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Wild Horse Advisory Committee - Western Slope Opportunity
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is seeking applications for the Wild Horse Advisory Committee, specifically for a member to represent the Western Slope.
Formed through HB25‑1283, the committee advises CDA on wild horse management issues, including adoption support, coordination with federal and local partners, outreach, and education efforts, and ensuring the welfare of adopted wild horses. The committee also evaluates and recommends scientifically proven fertility control methods.
Committee members serve until the committee sunsets in 2030, with meetings held periodically throughout the year. Members should be willing to participate in meetings and provide regional insight on wild horse and land management issues.
Anyone interested in serving can complete the simple application form available here: Boards and Commissions | Department of Agriculture.
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Commissioner Opening on CO Coroners Standards Board
The Colorado Coroners Standards and Training Board is seeking individuals interested in the following positions on the Board:
· A County Commissioner of a County with a population of fifty thousand or more. See C.R.S. 30-10-606.6(IV)
To apply, complete the online Governor Boards and Commissions Application and ensure all pertinent documents are attached. You will receive an email confirming the submission of your application.
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Lead Your County into the AI Future
The question isn't whether AI is coming to your county—it's how effectively you will lead the transition.
Join the next NACo AI Leadership Academy cohort starting May 11th. This program moves past the hype, giving you the practical tools to navigate risks and implement technology successfully.
Master the Pillars of Modern Leadership:
- Innovation: Empower your staff to explore new technological frontiers.
- Collaboration: Build cross-functional teams for seamless implementation.
- Strategy: Align tech investments with your organization's specific needs.
- Equity: Ensure new initiatives benefit all employees and residents.
Enrollment & Exclusive Discounts
Maximize your budget by enrolling your entire team.
- Individual Price: $1,000
- Team Discount: $750 per person (for groups of two or more)
Click Here to Secure Your Spot for May 11th.
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Save the Date: Trees in the West Conference
May 13, CSU Spur, Denver
Colorado State University, CSU Spur, and the Colorado State Forest Service are organizing a professional meeting in which county staff are invited to participate. Trees in the West is a one-day conference exploring complex and shared sustainability challenges for urban forests in the Western US. Connect with your colleagues, learn from experts, and share your insights on urban and community forestry. The 2026 focus is Community Engagement—effective approaches for working with residents and partners to develop and maintain urban tree canopy.
Save the date
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
CSU Spur, Denver
Register at the link HERE. View the schedule HERE. Learn more about Trees in the West HERE.
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