By Shannon Lukens.
A Settlement Agreement has been reached for a long-time partnership between Tri-State Generation and Transmission, with Moffat County and the City of Craig.
One part of the settlement is that the communities will receive $22 million dollars, as a direct benefit for the Community Economic Development Trust Fund. That money will come in payments of $5.5 million a year, from 2026-2029.
A second part of the settlement is $7 million a year in “backstop” payments. These are minimum payments of property tax revenues up to $48 million through 2038. If Tri-State provides resources that help the local economy, those payments can be offset.
The third part of the agreement involves water rights for the Lower Yampa River Augmentation Plan.
Craig City Manager Peter Brixius explains the settlement and what it means to the community.
“This is a groundbreaking agreement which was negotiated between the communities, which are Moffat County and Craig, and Tri-State. Everybody functioned and negotiated in good faith, and what we came up with for the first time what we thought was a great way to generate a trust fund for economic development.”
Craig and Moffat County are expected to lose significant property tax revenue with the impending closing of the Tri-State, Trapper, and Colowyo mines. Tri-State’s preferred plan includes the accelerated retirement of Craig Unit 3 by Jan. 1, 2028.
More on the Story — TRI-STATE SETTLES WITH MOFFAT COUNTY AND CRAIG FOR MILLIONS
Local Colorado State Patrol officers have asked us to pass along that they are doing some extra focus on finding impaired drivers in Routt County Friday night, until early Saturday morning. They’ll have extra patrols out, looking for impaired drivers, so find a sober, designated driver.
If you think you see an impaired driver, call CSP at *277, or dial 911. Be prepared to provide the following information: vehicle description, license plate number, location and direction of travel, driver description, and the driving behavior being demonstrated. All emergency calls can be made to 9-1-1.
The concrete work on Lincoln Avenue is finished until this Sunday night, when workers will do some final cleanup and asphalt work, and wrap it up by Tuesday.
The Yampa Valley Electric Board of Directors is looking for a new director for District 9. That’s mostly South Routt County, including Yampa, Toponas, and Bond. Ken Rogers has announced he is stepping down as the representative on the board. If you’re interested, email info@yvea.com or call 970-879-1160.
Steamboat Springs City Council is holding a special retreat today. It’s a mid-year tune-up to check in with Council members, get updates on major staff projects, and discuss roles and goals.Agenda
Steamboat Ace Hardware is celebrating its 40th anniversary this Saturday. Stop by for discounts, giveaways, a BBQ, and say hi to Brian Harvey who will also be giving away prizes. Lots of former Steamboat Ace managers and employees will be there.
Friends of Wilderness is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Ralph Swain will be speaking at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28, in Library Hall in Steamboat Springs. The topic is “Why Wilderness: 1964 to Today.” Swain is retired from the U.S. Forest Service where he spent 38 years managing wilderness areas in Colorado.
Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and Steamboat Creates are hosting a fundraiser called, “Insight: Art for Climate Action.” It’s Saturday, June 29, at the Larson Barn in Steamboat Springs. It’s to raise awareness and support the organizations work to reduce emissions and increase resiliency throughout the Yampa Valley to climate change. All art in the exhibition will be up for auction both online and in person. Bidding opens June 7. For more information about the “Insight: Art for Climate Action” fundraiser and to purchase tickets, please visit https://yvsc.org/insight-art-for-climate-action/
Saturday night is Movies on the Mountain at the base of Steamboat Resort. This week’s movie is Barbie, and it starts when it gets dark, and it’s all free.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar on our website.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.