Fee hikes, not taxes, likely to bite you more during 2025

Confusion from D.C. hurts rural Colorado

By State Sen. Dylan Roberts

Hello from the Capitol, where one month into

the legislative session, the Colorado State Legis-

lature is hard at work. This session has already

emphasized the importance of a functional

symbiotic relationship between federal, state and

local governments. With a new administration in

Washington, we face day-to-day uncertainty and

ongoing announcements that threaten federal

support when providing essential services to rural

Colorado has never been more important. The

Trump Administration will stop playing politics

with these existing funds – because it could be

catastrophic for rural Colorado. Here’s why:

Senate District 8 is home to nine rural hos-

pitals, including five considered “critical access

hospitals.” A funding freeze impacts most hospi-

tals, but rural and critical access hospitals tend

to serve older and lower-income populations,

meaning they serve a disproportionate number of

Medicaid patients and, as a result, rely more on

Federal funding. In 2023, rural hospitals in Colo-

rado delivered almost 5,000 babies and cared for

nearly 500,000 outpatients. They also employed

16,000 community members and had an indirect

economic benefit of $6.6 billion. Rural hospitals

are a crucial resource in our communities, where

my constituents have limited healthcare options.

The closure of a rural hospital forever changes the

landscape of that community.

In addition to our rural hospitals and Med-

icaid users, federal funding supports rural

telehealth options and support for community

health centers. Mountain Family Health Center,

Northwest Colorado Health, Summit Community

Care Clinic, and Clinica Family Health provide

essential care across my district while operating

with limited funding. The Colorado Community

Health Network, an organization representing the

20 community health centers at work across the

state, stated that a freeze would have the “imme-

diate impact of preventing nearly $9 million in

monthly payments that are used to cover payroll

and other costs.” Uncertainty about federal sup-

port, even for a few days or weeks, can have long-

term consequences for organizations on the front

lines providing care in rural Colorado.

Agriculture producers are a significant part of

our economy and character, providing the state

and the country with high-quality food. Farm-

ers nationwide received more than $10.5 billion

in direct government support in 2024, nearly

half of which came from conservation-focused

programs. The recent temporary federal funding

freeze would have paralyzed efforts to encour-

age sustainable agriculture practices, farm loan

programs, and/or disaster assistance for farmers

that Congress passed in December. Supporting

our farmers and ranchers means ensuring they

have reliable access to innovative developments

and federal support.

I am incredibly proud of the work done by

the Colorado River District, local governments,

counties, and the state to secure half the funding

needed to protect Shoshone water rights per-

manently. In January, the federal government

announced a $40 million commitment to match

state funds and ensure water rights, which would

forever increase water security on the Western

Slope without changing existing flows into the

Front Range. That $40 million has been tempo-

rarily frozen by the new administration, along

with another $95 million specifically focused on

supporting the Western Slope areas of the Colora-

do River Basin. Protecting finite water resources

is not a partisan issue, and we should all urge the

Trump Administration to un-pause this crucial

funding for Western water security.

Federal funds make up 31.7 percent of Colo-

rado’s budget. The attempted federal funding

freeze, even though it has been rescinded, caused

widespread concern and confusion. Head Start

programs provide childcare and preschool edu-

cation to 11,600 children in Colorado and create

5,000 jobs across the state. Dozens of programs

across the country are still unable to access their

federal funding. The Medicaid portal was shut

down nationwide, slowing down reimbursement

for Colorado hospitals. More than 25,000 Colo-

rado seniors rely on Meals on Wheels to access

revoked.

working with Republicans and Democrats who

share my goal: to lower costs, protect our rural

communities, and improve my constituents’ lives.

In a state where an estimated 11.2 percent of the

population is food insecure, we don’t need to cut

funding to food banks. We need to make sure

groceries are as affordable as possible. In a state

where almost 34 percent of people spend more

than 30 percent of their income on housing, we

don’t need to make it more difficult to afford a

home. We need to work to build more affordable

units and create a path to affordable rentals and

homeownership.

Making Colorado more affordable, keeping

Colorado safe, and supporting the Western Slope

way of life are my top priorities, and I will never

stop advocating for them—and you. You can con-

tact me directly at SenatorDylanRoberts@gmail.

com or 970-846-3054.

Community Event Calendar

Clear Creek County Ice Melt Contest—Place your bets. Join us for the first-ever

Clear Creek County Ice Melt contest. Guess the exact date and time to the minute/sec-

ond when the barrel falls through the ice on Georgetown Lake lagoon. For a tiebreaker,

also guess the high outdoor temperature for the day. Prize money will be awarded to the

three closest times. This fundraising event will directly benefit the kids of Clear Creek

County. Sponsored by Clear Creek 2000 Rotary Club and Cabin Creek Brewing. Tickets

start at $5. The contest ends on April 1, or when the barrel falls into the lake, whichever

comes first. For tickets, go to clearcreek2000rotary.org. To see the rules, go to clear-

creek2000rotary.org/stories/clear-creek-2000-ice-melt-contest-rules,

Clear Creek Recreation Center Opens on Sundays—98 12

Springs. Starting Sunday, Feb. 23, the Rec Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CCMRD Summer Adventure Camp — Registration is open for camps run from

June 2 to Aug. 1. Clear Creek Recreation Center, 98 12th Ave, Idaho Springs. Camps are

available for three levels of experience and age groups: Beginner, Ages 5 to 10, Interme-

diate – Ages 6 to 11 and Advanced – Ages 9 to 15. Each level will offer activities that are

appropriate for the age group. $70 per day if registered before March. The cost is $75

per day after that. Payment plans are available. $25 non-refundable registration fee.

See clearcreekrecreation.com for more information or contact caitlin@ccrmd.com for

questions.

CCMRD Friday Adventures—Clear Creek Recreation Center, 98 12

Springs, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Put your child in outdoor adventure fun Fridays. Feb.

14 – sledding; Feb. 21 – Marvel Superhero Day; Feb. 28 -Colorado History Museum;

March 7 – Dr. Seuss Day; March 14 – Mines Museum of Earth. Science. For ages 5-15.

$60 per child per day. More info at clearcreekrecreation.com.

Devil’s Gate History Club—Friday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Georgetown Community

Center. 150 years of the First Presbyterian Church of Georgetown,” presented by Pam

McCoy. Donations are graciously accepted.

Idaho Springs Library Monster Mash Party—219 14

th Ave., Thursday, Feb. 27,

3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Spooky games, monster dances, refreshments provided by Tommyk-

nocker Brewing Company. Info at cccld.org.

Mill Creek Valley Historical Society Mardi Gras—Saturday, March 1, 5-9 p.m.

The Mill Creek Valley Historical Society is celebrating Mardi Gras at the old school, 150

Dumont Lane, in Dumont. Homemade southern food and a cash bar serving wine, Loui-

siana beer and Hurricanes. Drawings and best costume prizes. The cash-only entrance

fee is $25 at the door. Visit mcvhs.org for more information.

CCMRD Youth Cooking Class—Clear Creek Recreation Center, 98 12th Ave., Idaho

Springs, Mondays, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. March 3 – teriyaki chicken and rice; March 10 –

chicken tacos; March 24 – macaroni and cheese, March 31 – meatballs and rice. No class

during Spring Break week. $60 per child. Please send a water bottle with your child.

Register at clearcreekrecreation.com

Free Dog Behavior and Training Info—Sunday, March 9, noon, Charlie’s Place,

500 W. Dumont Rd, Dumont. Gilpin and Clear Creek County residents can spend some

time with professional dog trainer Gina DeSteffany of The Joyful Dog Company on the

second Sunday of every month. Get answers to dog training and behavior questions. If

you want to bring your dog, please email shelter@clearcreekcounty.us in advance or call

303-679-2477.

Clear Creek Game Night —Saturday, March 15, 7 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver. CC-

MRD has partnered with the Denver Nuggets for a night of basketball action. Watch the

Denver Nuggets take on the Washington Wizards. For tickets, go to nuggets.ksetickets.

com/ClearCreekRec.

CCMRD Adult Craft Night, Gallery Glass—Friday, March 21, 6 p.m. Slaymaker

Cellars, 1428 Miner St., Idaho Springs. Unleash your creativity at our Gallery Glass craft

night via this unique painting and stained glass combination. Prepaid $35 (plus ticket

fee) includes first beverage for ages 16+. For tickets, go to clearcreekrecreation.com/

adult-activities.

CCMRD Spring Break Camp—March 17 -21, Clear Creek Recreation Center, 98

th Ave., Idaho Springs. Outdoor Youth Adventure Camp offers an action-packed week

of hands-on activities where campers will learn essential wilderness skills like shelter

building, fire-starting techniques and animal tracking. With expert instructors leading

the way, kids will dive into nature with exciting challenges – scavenger hunts, team-

building games and exploration. $60 per day per child. More information at clear-

creekrecreation.com.

Slacker Half Marathon/4-Mile Relay—Loveland Ski Area to Georgetown, Sat-

urday, June 28. Registration is open for the 2025 Slacker. Info at slackerhalfmarathon.

com.

CCMRD Youth Intro to Backpacking—June 30 – July 2, Ages 10 – 18. This ad-

venture introduces the essentials of backpacking: how to pack and carry a pack, navigate

trails, set up a campsite, and follow Leave No Trace principles. Hike through alpine

scenery, build confidence and discover the wonders of nature. Guided by expert instruc-

tors. Gear provided/participants bring their own food. $300 per person for three days

and two nights. clearcreekrecreation.com.

CCMRD Youth Intermediate Backpacking—Aug. 4-7. Ages 10 – 18 with prior

outdoor experience. Are you ready to take your backpacking skills to the next level? Join

us for this trip to Herman Gulch. Skill building will include advanced navigation, meal

planning, efficient packing techniques and campsite selection in diverse terrains. Led by

expert guides and includes all essential gear (food not provided.) $400 per person for

four days and three nights. clearcreekrecreation.com.

CCMRD Adult Survival Skills Retreat—Aug. 22-24, Tomahawk Ranch,

Bailey. Join renowned survival expert Roary Archibald for an immersive three-day

retreat designed to teach you the essential skills to survive and thrive in the wilder-

ness, including shelter building, fire starting, foraging and cooking food, navigation,

water disinfection and first aid. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain confidence in your

outdoor abilities and prepare for any adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoors

enthusiast or a beginner, this retreat will challenge and empower you. Spaces are lim-

ited now to secure your spot! $631 per person for all three days of the event. Includes

all materials and food and a $31 registration fee. See clearcreekrecreation.com/adult-

activities for more information.

Save the Date— May 17, Canine on the Creek

State Sen. Dylan Roberts

State Senator for Clear Creek,

Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand,

Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco,

Routt, and Summit counties

Fee hikes, not taxes, likely to bite you more during 2025

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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