Description 

The County Attorney’s Office provides legal advice and representation for the Board of County Commissioners.  The County Attorney, with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners, also advises and represents all other Archuleta County elected officials, the County Administrator, department and division heads, and appointed commissions, boards, and committees.  The Attorney’s office consists of a County Attorney and a Paralegal.  It is anticipated that an Assistant County Attorney (budgeted in 2023) will be hired shortly. 

Core Services 

• Provide legal counsel to the Board of County Commissioners 
• Draft and review resolutions, ballot questions, ordinances, contracts, memoranda of agreement and various policies and procedures 
• Attend judicial and administrative legal proceedings on behalf of County in Federal, State, and local jurisdictions 
• Manage contractual relationships with outside legal counsel 

2025 Goals 

• Complete the hiring process for an Assistant County Attorney. 
• Revise and update the County Marijuana Ordinance. 
• Revise and update the County Nuisance Ordinance. 
• Revise and update the Noxious Weed Ordinance 
• Assist in developing rules and regulations regarding Natural Medicines 
• Other goals as determined in conjunction with the BoCC 

Continued enforcement of nuisance actions and short-term rental violations. 
Drafted the necessary documents and/or negotiated the following: 

• Sale of 449 San Juan Street Building 
• Lease Agreements with LPEA for Carrier Neutral Locations for Broadband 
• Underground Utility Easement Agreements for Cell Tower Installation 
• Donation of land parcel for Wings Early Childhood Center expansion  
• Revision to County Residential Property Tax Incentive policy  
• Resolutions for the transfer of Certificates of Purchase for specific real estate  
• Incentive Award Agreement for 311 S. 7^th Street 
• Multiple contracts for road reconstruction and/or maintenance 

Finalized taking 35 county-owned properties through the Treasurer’s Deed and Quiet-Title process to put them out to auction. 

Provided legal counsel to the Board of Equalization through over 120 petition hearings. 

Provided legal counsel to the BoCC and drafted and reviewed multiple documents related to the dissolution of San Juan Basin Public Health and the creation of the Archuleta County Public Health Department. 

Provided legal counsel on amendments to the county land use regulations, specifically for special event centers and tiny homes. 

Challenge:  Completing all the tasks that are requested of the Attorney’s Department with a staff of two