The Colorado Department of Human Services is seeking public input as the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging prepares to step away from its role coordinating services for older adults across five Southwest Colorado counties.
The agency has notified the state's State Unit on Aging that it will voluntarily relinquish its designation as the Area Agency on Aging for Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties. According to the state, the decision followed what it described as lengthy discussions aimed at ensuring older adults continue receiving services without interruption.
State officials say current recipients of services do not need to take any action during the transition.
The State Unit on Aging says it is beginning the process of identifying a new organization to assume the regional responsibilities while working with local partners to keep existing programs operating. Those services include nutrition programs, transportation, legal assistance and caregiver support.
The department is inviting comments from service providers, elected officials, community organizations and members of the public as it searches for a replacement agency.
Public comments will be accepted through Aug. 10. They can be submitted through an online form or by email to the State Unit on Aging.
Mancos proposal would raise local sales tax
In Mancos, voters will consider a local sales tax increase during the November 2026 coordinated election.
Town officials are proposing increasing the local sales tax from 4.0% to 4.4%, with the additional four-tenths of one percent dedicated to street infrastructure, broadband improvements, and related equipment and maintenance. If approved, the increase would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The town estimates the increase would generate about $325,000 during its first full fiscal year.
According to town materials, Mancos' current local sales tax has remained at 4% since the 1990s. Officials say revenue from the proposed increase would be deposited into the town's general fund but earmarked exclusively for the approved infrastructure purposes.
The proposal follows a community survey conducted in early 2024. Town officials say 94% of respondents identified street and roadway maintenance as very or somewhat important, while 76% said building a reliable broadband network was important. Street maintenance, affordable housing and community development were the most frequently identified community priorities.
If approved by voters, the measure would authorize the town to retain and spend the additional revenue for those purposes under an exemption to Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or TABOR.
