In a meeting that covered everything from transit and rail development to community events and youth sports fields, the Craig City Council on April 8 advanced several issues important to the present and future state of the city.

While the meeting saw passage of a two resolutions regarding the future of transportation within the Yampa Valley, Mayor Chris Nichols urged the public to take a more active role in shaping the city’s future in regards to local and regional transportation.

The evening marked the second public hearing to advance the processes surrounding the formation of the RTA following a March 25 hearing and council workshop.

RTA representative Bill Ray gave an abbreviated overview of the proposed intergovernmental agreement, outlining the governance, service goals and funding framework for a regional transit authority that spans Moffat and Routt counties, describing an RTA as “a public entity formed by two or more local governments” with the purpose of working together “to address regional transportation issues.”

He added that RTAs must be approved by voters and follow the same transparency laws as local governments across Colorado.

Although Craig voters must ultimately approve membership and its conditions through a ballot initiative, Ray said approving the language surrounding the IGA allows the process to move forward.

A ballot issue, following extensive public outreach and input efforts, could potentially land on the ballot in November. 

Outlined service goals for Craig include assuming and expanding the regional bus route between Craig and Steamboat Springs, implementing an intra-city circulator and investing in infrastructure such as improved bus stops, park-and-rides and pedestrian safety features. 

Additionally, Ray emphasized that the RTA could serve as a stakeholder in the proposed Yampa Valley passenger rail project, an aspect that was mentioned earlier in the evening by Paul DeRocher, Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Division of Transit and Rail.

“What the RTA will do for Craig is provide us a circulator,” said Councilor Randy Looper. “Yes, it’s going to give us a lot more transportation for folks working in Steamboat back and forth. An important part is that it’s going to buy us a way to get around Craig that we don’t really currently have, and on a regular basis.”

Looper then added, “Yes, it’s going to cost us, but Steamboat is who’s going to be paying for most of it. …We’re going to get something we don’t currently have… mainly (paid for) by Steamboat.”

Despite the project’s regional scope, and its potential to create significant changes to local and regional transportation, few public comments have not come to the city council during public hearings on the issue. 

That fact prompted Mayor Nichols to directly call on residents to provide more input at meetings and workshops. 

“I guess I’m concerned that this is a major issue and we’ve now had two public hearings and nobody spoke on it,” said Nichols.

The council also honored Sergeant Brian Soper with the Life-Saving Award for his swift action during a Feb. 23 emergency.

According to Craig Chief of Police Mike Cochran, and Sergeant Dalton Caudell, Soper applied a tourniquet to a man who was bleeding profusely on Yampa Avenue due to a severed artery. 

Cochran stated that Soper’s actions, which are believed to have saved the man’s life, showed “conspicuous initiative, capability and attention to duty.”

New corporals Tracy Mendoza and Izauro Gonzalez Garcia were also sworn in by Chief Cochran during a joint oath-taking ceremony.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Kandee Dilldine, of the Downtown Business Association, who outlined a full schedule of community events that will be hosted in Craig throughout 2025. 

Paul DeRocher, of the Colorado Department of Transportation, presented an update on the proposed Colorado Mountain Rail Project, highlighting Craig’s readiness with existing infrastructure and downtown planning for potential future station development.

DeRocher noted that a lot of credit should be given to the city’s leadership for their planning efforts, and that Craig is ahead of other communities in regards to the potential Mountain Rail project.

The council, later in the meeting, unanimously approved a resolution in support of a Colorado Mountain Rail Station in the City of Craig. It also passed a resolution approving the IGA in regards to the formation of the RTA. 

The latter vote, while unanimous, did draw concern from councilmember Luke Tucker. 

” …When it comes to our tax dollars … voters are usually pretty tough on it, especially when we have priorities … like our school district and other things that are going to need those dollars down the road,” he said before voting in favor of the IGA resolution. “So, while I don’t mind sending this to voters to decide, I do have reservations. When I’m going to make a list of priorities, this is not at the top of my list.”

City Manager Peter Brixius also informed the council of a temporary river closure between Pebble Beach and Loudy-Simpson Park from April 15 to May 15 due to construction of the whitewater park and high water risks. He added that a workshop is being planned to discuss the Craig Business and Industrial Park project, which has secured funding and is approaching a critical development phase.

Councilors also shared a variety of updates from committees ranging from airport improvements, ball field maintenance, energy policy, park renovations, mental health services, and the pumped hydro energy storage project.