The Gunnison Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held their regular morning meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the county courthouse to discuss matters of artificial intelligence and the Lower Verzuh Ranch subdivision.
County manager Matthew Birnie started the meeting by presenting the consent agenda. The board moved to approve the consent agenda after discussion of line eight, the boundary line adjustment.
Birnie moved forward with the county manager report regarding the disposition of a manufactured home left to several entities throughout the county, including numerous non-profits. The board discussed deed restrictions and ultimately decided to work with other stakeholders and the homeowners association to ensure that the sale does not impair marketability or price.
“Ultimately, I see they want to maximize the benefit,” said Birnie. “We didn’t think it was a good fit for us to buy out the other partners and manage it as a rental. It’s a good for-sale opportunity for locals.”
The BOCC met with county Information Technology (IT) director Chris Lindner to discuss adopting Policy 1.2.7.1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2026-30.
Commissioner Liz Smith took a moment to express concern about data security involving AI tools that county employees may currently be using. Smith requested that the county implement an interim process to safeguard Gunnison County data while the AI policy is being implemented.
“AI is really just the tip of the iceberg that we’re addressing,” said Smith. “These questions about data privacy are really relevant and important.”
The board discussed AI adherence for contract workers. Smith expressed concern about protecting Gunnison County data when using contractors that might have AI policies; Commissioner Laura Puckett-Daniels echoed her concern about data sharing while doing contract work with health and human services.
Puckett-Daniels asked Lindner what data is subject to AI, as it is embedded in most modern tools used by the county.
“I think every software needs review, whether it’s AI or not,” said Lindner. “I think it would fall into the scope of analyzing it and figuring out where the data flows are going, how that data is being used, and what decisions are being made based on that data.”
Commissioner Jonathan Houck motioned to approve 2026-30, seconded by Smith.
The BOCC moved on to discuss a resolution adopting policy LUC-25-00004, a land use change permit application for sketch plan review of a major impact project for the Lower Verzuh Ranch subdivision, with most of the discussion focused on whether the board was on the same page.
Puckett-Daniels asked for clarification of language regarding water impacts for condition number 12 and whether it should explicitly reference the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition, as well as two other wording changes, requesting more specificity. The board ultimately decided against a direct reference to avoid elevating one piece of evidence over others.
The BOCC also discussed whether to add a "whereas clause” recording Puckett-Daniels’ dissent into the document, and whether or not she had to sign it.
“In terms of transparency and documenting decision-making, I’m okay having the document reflect how we got to this decision,” said Puckett-Daniels.
County Attorney Matt Hoyt described that Puckett-Daniels was not required to sign the document. Still, since the majority ruled, if Puckett-Daniels persuaded Smith and Houck, they could incorporate changes.
Ultimately, Smith moved to approve the wide resolution, which would use language broadly and conceptually. Houck seconded; Puckett-Daniels voted nay.
Commissioner items included many events, such as attending Western Colorado University’s 125-year celebration and block party and the Gunnison County Cookout, both deemed big successes.
Smith attended the Gunnison Valley Health Coalition and spoke about the Healthy Kids Colorado survey data and the economic impact of early childhood education. She attended the Western District CCI, welcome week steering committee, and joint alignment committee meetings.
Houck mentioned that state land board work had concluded. He also met with the River Map group and the Headwaters to Home work group.
Puckett-Daniels attended the Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance meeting, where she discussed Proposition 137 and the Public Lands Integrity Act. She also attended a water congress and drove to Denver to attend the Colorado Water Trust annual dinner.
Puckett-Daniels and Houck each endorsed Proposition 137, a ballot measure diverting already-collected sales taxes on sporting equipment toward conservation, water protection, wildfire prevention, and the promotion of outdoor recreation, all without raising taxes.
The BOCC discussed an endorsement as a board, ultimately deciding on a verbal endorsement now and a formal endorsement to come once the board has seen the written proposition.
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