Colorado Counties, Inc. – which represents the state’s 64 county governments – elected new leadership and honored outstanding members at its 2015 Winter Conference held in Colorado Springs Nov. 30 - Dec. 2. Mesa County Commissioners Rose Pugliese and John Justman were there, as was Mesa County Administrator Frank Whidden.
Otero County Commissioner Keith Goodwin succeeded Yuma County Commissioner Trent Bushner as CCI president, and individual honors went to Commissioner of the Year Steve Johnson of Larimer County, Freshman Commissioner of the Year David Weaver of Douglas County, and Distinguished Service Award winner David Foy of Washington County.
Sponsored by the CCI Foundation, the conference featured keynote remarks by State Demographer Elizabeth Gardner and El Paso County Commissioner and National Association of Counties (NACo) President Sallie Clark, plus a wide range of educational programs on such subjects as water, transportation, broadband, historic preservation, cybersecurity threats, erosion control, children protection, and emergency management strategies.
Bushner, a farmer serving his third term as a Yuma County commissioner, successfully worked as CCI President on state legislation to increase local control over key issues that impact Colorado’s citizens and eliminate unfunded state mandates that can force counties to raise taxes or reduce services.
Goodwin, now in his seventh year as a commissioner in Otero County, entered public service after a career in technology and education.
"The strength of CCI is how we work together for the common good," Goodwin said. "My goal as President is for CCI to continue to speak with one clear and consistent voice on the issues that impact Colorado’s citizens.”
CCI is a non-profit, membership association whose purpose is to offer assistance to county commissioners and to encourage counties to work together on common issues. Governed by a board of directors consisting of eight commissioners from across the state, CCI’s focus is on information, education and legislative representation. CCI strives to keep members up-to-date on issues that directly impact county operations. At the same time, CCI works to present a united voice to the Colorado General Assembly and other government and regulatory bodies to help shape a bright future for Colorado and its citizens.