by Fred Hernandez
Like a lightning bolt out of the blue a surprise candidate for commissioner just stepped up unexpectedly. This one has much experience on the job and is ready to move in at a moment’s notice. Lynn Attebery, who was commissioner for two terms, from 2006-2014 (then term limited), had not originally planned to get back into the political fray. However, when one of the incumbent commissioners decided to throw in the towel, Lynn saw the opening and decided, on the spot, to re-enter the arena. With only days to go before the deadline, he quickly filed his application as a write-in candidate for the November elections.
Lynn was gracious enough to give the Sentinel staff some time for an interview.
Born in Houston, Texas, raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, he studied Mass Communications at Auburn University in Alabama. Since 1976, he has lived and worked in Custer County for the last forty years doing different jobs in the community. His family purchased the local Pines Ranch in the mid 1980s. For some time now he has managed the Trout Ranch and has, over time, turned it into an RV park which has been quite successful with local tourists and out-of-county travelers.
Lynn has been happily married to Sandra Attebery for thirty-one years. They both worship at St. Luke’s Episcopal.
Once again, the same old question; why are you running? Well, as mentioned previously, that plan was not in the cards until the last minute when the incumbent abruptly withdrew from the race. At that moment, the idea came to light that here was an opportunity presenting itself, once again, to do the work he enjoyed so much. It was a well-liked job of moving the county forward, of binding the community together. Besides, the board could use someone with such extensive on the job experience that he felt obligated to the community to step up and do the best he can in these challenging times.
Then the real questions began: What is your opinion of the proposed new justice center? With the courthouse being almost a hundred years old things need to change for the future needs of the county.

There are options; (A) a new courthouse with one courtroom, new Sheriff’s Office and jail and (B) two courtrooms, Sheriff’s Office and jail? Cost estimates hover around the twenty-million-dollar mark. Lynn’s response: One has to step back and look farther, look at the bigger picture. Where the new construction is proposed, which is Bassick Road next to the Post Office, a huge building as the one being proposed would greatly congest the area. When that courthouse was built almost a hundred years ago it was on a hill half a mile away from town. Why not go out into county, on the plains north/northwest of town were land maybe more reasonably priced? And would reduce the congestion? Then, go for the many grants available both from the Federal government and from the State. But first, acquire the land. Nothing can begin to happen if the land is not already on hand. In addition, Lynn states that if the problem for wanting a new justice center is the “inmate problem”, which in his opinion is what is driving this move, that problem can be solved by looking at less expensive solutions.
On the question of building codes, Attebery believes that will be driven by the lending institutions who supply the money needed for construction. With regard to Dark Skies, Lynn says people love it and he has seen for himself at the Trout Ranch that tourists come to enjoy the dark skies. However, imposing regulations that are overreaching is not acceptable in any way. There has to be a balance in all things and that, he emphasizes, is where experience on the job, in the office of commissioner, experience all around, plays a critical part in governance.
How about the Board of Health lockdown policies? What did he think of that? What would he have done? Again the voice of experience spoke and quite candidly expressed his well thought opinion that there is a need to seriously consider
the political subdivision between state and the county.
Of course there is the overreach yet again. This Covid virus is real but is over-politicized. In his case he would have as he says it; “I would have communicated daily saying, ‘it’s not us, it’s not us, it’s not us’”, in reference to communication with the governor. Custer County cannot be placed on the same level as the cities. One-size-fits-all solutions do not work well across the board. Our county had only two confirmed cases March to June and now the county is at 16 with zero deaths, as compared to thousands in the cities when it was placed in total lock down. But, there is money tied to some of these decisions and that is what drives them. The best example is between Weld County and Custer. Weld, with all their funds from gas and oil, can afford to bypass government directives. Custer on the other hand goes for the monetary incentive because of need. In any case, and in his personal opinion, Lynn would not have agreed with the actions taken by the commissioners. For one, they should have had a more relaxed attitude towards businesses and allowed the owners more leeway to make their own decisions. One size does not fit all. A small business is closed but the corporate stores are allowed to remain open. This was not fair to the small independent business owner trying to make a living.
Then the big question about water: The Blue Line Mitigation Plan. The Lynn response: Water issues in the state go back to the mid to late 1800’s. If I was a local water rights holder, I would be more concerned with the potential actions of the State of Colorado in its current political environment and the actions it could take in regard to the water usage.
On miscellaneous items, Lynn’s personal opinion is that we should not be doing line of sight towers for our communications because in a very short time satellites will be in place and that will cover all areas. More and more people are working from home and the future is satellites. In fact, at the moment many hundreds have already been launched by several
companies. On another matter, Lynn said that there is strong pressure from the Front Range coming toward Custer County. The paradox is that Custer does not want massive growth, but it needs to have a plan because, like it or not, growth will come. If he gets back in office he is eager to work on resolving the ambulance issue for the eastern portion of Custer County.
On more than one occasion during the interview Lynn expressed how much he had enjoyed his work as commissioner. He credited his love of the work and his relative success to his mentor, Commissioner Downey, who mentored him on most aspects of the work particularly the financial aspect which has to be taken most seriously as a trust given by the citizenry.
A trust which must be upheld and respected at all times. For Lynn Attebery, who brings a mountain of experience to the job of commissioner, we wish the best of luck in his forthcoming campaign.
Lynn can be reached at (719) 783-2227 or (719) 371-3036. His email address is lattebery@centurytel.net.