Elections, wolves, guns and property-tax exemptions for seniors over 65 and disabled veterans, all issues are on the table for Teller County commissioners. As the November 2026 election moves closer, Commissioner Dan Williams offered assurance about elections in Teller County. “I have full faith and confidence in our election process,” he said. “I say that because already we’re starting to hear election-integrity things. I stand by our clerk recorder (Stephanie Kees).” With the legislature now in session there is the potential for lawmakers to privatize the state’s Pinnacol Assurance, which offers workmen’s compensation insurance.  Over the years, premiums paid by business owners have built up a fund of $400 million, said Commissioner Erik Stone. However, if the state sells the fund, premiums will increase for business owners, Stone said. “Frankly, it’s not the state’s money,” he said. “It’s wrong; I don’t think they should do it and we’re going to be working against it. It’s an issue that affects all our small-business people.” For now, $240 million of Pinnacol’s $400 million is marked to cover the Homestead Exemption for senior citizens and disabled veterans, said Kurt Schoenberger, the county’s assessor. In the past several years, the state funded the exemption with funds from the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, TABOR.  However, to help plug the $1.4 billion deficit, the state is removing TABOR refunds this year for Colorado taxpayers; thus, the move to use Pinnacol Assurance funds. Schoenberger cautioned that if legislators decide to sell Pinnacol, the privatization would remove the funding shift. “We’ve been advised to tell our seniors and disabled veterans to plan on not having those exemptions,” Schoenberger said. Due to livestock kills and wolves that have died after Colorado voters approved the re-introduction of wolves in 2023, there is a moratorium on introducing more wolves. “We lost another wolf in Colorado which is 11,” said Williams, who is on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Council. “The order was given to us by the Trump Administration and has the potential for us to lose control.” In line with national statistics, Teller County is seeing an increase in alcoholism, child abuse and domestic vioilence, according to a report from the county’s Department of Human Services and Public Health Environment, Williams said. With cuts to social programs by the federal government and the potential for more cuts by the state, Williams asked for help. “If you see something, say something,” he said. “Check on your neighbors and friends. Many people up here live on the edge.” With the legislature now in session, Stone is renewing his efforts to halt rules governing the use of guns in Colorado, particularly through SB25-003. “Ninety-seven percent of gun sales are now illegal, unless you take an education classes, 8-12 hours, with no exemptions,” said Stone, who is a licensed NRA firearms instructor. In a change of leadership at SSR’s Cripple Creek Victor Gold Miming Co., officials are close to making a decision on selecting a general manager to replace Bjorn Meyer, Williams said. In other business, Keri Ptak, environmental health officer for Teller County Public Health Environment, received a five-year employee service award. Following the meeting, the commissioners met with members of the public to gauge opinions on regulating short-term rentals. ...read more read less