BOCC: New Tourism AG Effort, Money
for Nothing, Epp and Politics
by George Gramlich, News and Commentary
Screenshot BOCC L to R Vogelsong, Canda, Epp
The February 27, 2025 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting was held at the meeting room at All Aboard Westcliffe and started at 9 a.m. All three Commissioners were present: Chair Bill Canda and members Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong.
In Commissioner Items, Vogelsong said he had attended a Weed Board meeting. Canda noted that Road & Bridge is building a secondary parking lot next to the courthouse for employees freeing up space for visitors in the regular parking lot. Canda also said that the Public Comments segments are not for debate but for comments and he will be enforcing that. Continue reading February 27, 2025 BOCC: Tourism, Finance resolutions, Politics→
(Editor’s Note: This is a longer version that Dale Klingbeil submitted, which, due to space constraints, we were not able to place in the hard copy of the Sentinel.)
Maybe even common sense. This should be part of the DOGE movement for common sense savings and the future of “cents”.
I have some experience with manufacturing and metal forming operations. I am not a tool maker. I am however an engineer. I have purchased tooling for metal stamping/forming machines around the world.
I have seen many high-volume operations. I have stood on the platforms of some of the largest presses in the United States. In other countries I would stand on the second floor to be on the same level and the bed of the press. This same press would be another 2 stories above me as well.
As I have watched the Denver Mint operations video online, it is obvious that the machines and systems that produce “cents” are very dated. The numbers of cents processed per day does not calculate with the output denoted in the video.
My office used to be on the other side of the wall of a press that ran consistently at over 800 strokes per minute. I am familiar with the rhythm. In one part of the video the notation is that the striking process runs at 750 per minute. This, by sound seems to be closer to my remembrance of 800 per minute. The statement at the lead of the video provides information stating that the press runs at 14,000 per minute. If you listen to the cycles and the rhythm this is a huge difference and seems to be miscalculated. I could believe 1,400 cycles per minute, or if the total output was 14,000. This is a huge difference and should be easily discerned by investigation.
The point of this writing is to bring to light the production of the penny. Clearly changes have been made over the years in its production. From investigation, it has been stated that a major modification was made in 1982. The composition of the materials. The material was changed from a high composition of copper to a high composition of zinc. The understood composition is 97.5% zinc with a copper coating. The price of copper has escalated in recent years and will likely continue to escalate. This material was reduced to its current level of less than 2.5%. It is difficult to learn exactly the process for the processing of this base material. I would seem that this material if rolled into a sheet and coiled for processing onto the stamping presses. The video shows a 9,000 Lb. coil being loaded onto a decoiler. By hand almost. The video shows a person feeding the lead edge of the material into the press to begin the process. Again, hand labor.
During the early 1940’s the penny was produced for a short period of time with steel being its major material. After WWII the penny returned to a copper material as we have come to know it.
Pennies at that time were popular in vending machines and steel vs. copper material causes issues as well. Today, you would be looking for a long time to find a current vending machine that would take a penny. Weight and magnetism are issues, and current materials should be available to accomplish either or both. Elon Musk likes stainless steel. It is very likely that a stainless steel-based material could be used in this application. Stainless steel is far less expensive than copper. Zinc is heavy and has properties that allow it to be more formable than stainless steel. However, much improvement and advancements have been made in tooling and processing.
In this processing the current system used an annealing process to stress relieve the blank, (the name for the round shaped part) before it is “upset” to form a rim around the blank. Again, this process may be eliminated with the use of more current materials and/or processing. Annealing is another process of high energy utilization. If removed, it could result in another cost savings measure.
The rate the design is stamped in the blank to finish-form the coin, is stated to run at 750 per minute. A group of machines complete this feature. As the video shows, a certain amount of scrap is produced with this process as each machine has a scrap bin sitting next to it. Waste again.
The coins are washed during the process and treated so they do not tarnish over their life in circulation.
The coins are conveyorized and counted on their way to the bagging stations. The finished coin is stored in containers fully loaded at some 2000 Lbs. Again, it does appear from this video that these containers are hand loaded onto the warehouse floor in stacks of four-high.
This may seem a lot overboard for an explanation, of a penny/cent coin production. The idea of eliminating the penny from our monetary system may seem like a simple reduction. But the mathematical fact is that the number 1 is an integral part of our monetary system. Mathematicians are most interested in what happens between the number, zero and one. If you eliminate 1 then the next is 2 and that is a 200% jump in value. It may not seem like a lot until you do it a few trillion times. Think about this in a store that does use coins. Who gets the difference between 1 and 2? That is a 200% jump. My guess is that the customer will be on the short end of that. And of course, our government will be watching to learn how this 200% increase is accounted for. Again, for calculation purposes, you are to divide a summary by two how does a computer figure this. 7 divided by 2 is 3.5. Round up to 4. This is a cost increase. When you calculate percentages, the numbers become more difficult for the computer. 33,666 divided by 3 equals…11,222 but if the total is 33,668 and it is divided by 3, then the result is 11,222.6666666666666666666
If the computer is asked to pay this amount in three installments, then which one is going to be rounded up or down? And again, who gets the extra penny?
This may seem absurd, but you get the idea.
Denver Mint produces all of the penny/cent coins and distributes them west of the Mississippi. Philadelphia produces penny/cent coins also. I addition Philadelphia has ample time to produce coins for foreign countries. As the videos show both Philadelphia and San Fransico produce commemorative coins as well. The additional funds produced from the commemorative coins has driven San Francisco to be exclusive in this production.
Peak production volume is stated to have been 15.4 billion coins in the Denver Mint in year 2000. The information on the video does not state how many coins of each; cents, nickels, dimes, quarters or others were produced.
“Last year, the Mint issued over three billion pennies, according to its annual report, at a loss of about $85.3 million.” Since the volume has dropped drastically, the logic would be to streamline the manufacturing of this coin. One facility and improved processing and materials will bring this cost within range of acceptable cost for the historic and basic necessity of the US currency system.
Bottom line, Mark Amodei has proposed that the penny/cent minting be reviewed. The legislation that he proposed is:
“Coin Metal Modification Authorization and cost savings Act.”
Introduced in House (04/25/2023)
Representatives Mark Amodei (NV-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Rich McCormick (GA-7) released the following statements after reintroducing the Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2025
Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2023
A BILL 118H2817]
To amend title 31, United States Code, to save Federal funds by authorizing changes to the composition of circulating coins, and for other purposes.
The “Schuler” presses that are currently being used could be faster and more efficient. An idea of using rotary presses could be investigated. The streamlining of the processing is certainly an avenue for cost savings. The improved materials and automation of the production line is a great opportunity to reduce waste and cost. I have personally watched different metals being stamped/pressed into one part. With the use of “AI” the inspection and transfer to packaging has huge cost savings available. By the way, why would we update two factories in the USA to support a reduced penny/cent usage as electronics become more in play. Penny forever… Maybe, just to the future, but not forever!!!
Marketing a Wet Mountain Valley Agricultural Collective
Press Release
Custer County Tourism
The Custer County Tourism Board, under the direction of Bianca Trenker and Debbie Adams, is very excited to be building momentum with a fresh Valley Proud initiative to market the Wet Mountain Valley
Agricultural Collective. We are thrilled so many of the valley’s ranchers, farmers, and producers will be participating in an ambitious enterprise to give them the opportunity to showcase the amazing products raised and grown here. Continue reading A Fresh Valley Proud Initiative→
Thomas Jefferson has a very famous quote: “A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.”
At a conference this past weekend, I saw a great example of how well (or poorly) informed we are that came from a recent study conducted by the The Institute for Citizens and Scholars (formerly Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.) According to the report, only 39 percent of Americans can pass a multiple choice test with questions taken from the U.S. Citizenship Test (the passing score is 60% correct). Less than a quarter (24%), knew why the colonists fought the British and 2 percent thought we fought World War II over climate change.
If one looks deeper into the numbers, they would see that 74% of my generation of +65 year old Americans can pass the test. Contrast that with Americans aged 45 or younger and only 19% passed. With the median age of +60 years in Custer County, perhaps that is why we have so many self-avowed patriots. But more importantly, it is clear we have failed to educate several generations of Americans on the timeless principles of liberty in America’s founding and that
is tragic.
If you feel we are failing today’s younger generations on our founding principles, there is hope. Colorado has a very unique program that teaches the timeless principles of America’s founding with the mission to preserve and celebrate the greatest free country the world has ever seen. The Leadership Program of the Rockies (or LPR for short) has trained over 2,000 Colorado citizens on America’s founding principles over the last 25 years- why they were important when Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and how they apply to our challenges today. In fact, LPR alumni have become local and national elected officials, top state leaders, federal judges, and presidential cabinet members. Others have become prominent activists in the political process, policy change, business, and especially in education.
LPR is not run by a political party, nor is it a one-time seminar or conference; rather, it’s a class of nine-full day sessions. Each class focuses on the preservation of the American idea and builds capabilities of the attendees to become screaming advocates for freedom. Four Custer County citizens are graduates of LPR and even includes an LPR Faculty member that is an expert on laissez-faire capitalism and Ayn Rand’s writings.
If you are interested, you can learn more at leadershipprogram.org and there is no other program like it in the remaining 49 states. Each year, LPR conducts an Annual Retreat that just occurred at the Broadmoor on February 19 & 20 and included about 600 past graduates and followers- the second largest gathering of liberty-lovers in Colorado. Speakers this year included Daniel Krauthammer, Buck Sexton, Newt Gingrich, Jonathan Turley and many more.
This year’s LPR Retreat focused on the preparation and an early celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to be celebrated next year. Who will own the 250th celebration next year in Custer County? Maybe we should use this celebration to find our way to a better informed citizenry in the Wet Mountain Valley?
Press Release
The Office of the District Attorney for the 11th Judicial District has completed the review of a tasing incident that occurred in Custer County on January 18, 2022.
In January 2024, Custer County Sheriff Lloyd Rich Smith was provided a copy of a civil suit regarding the tasing by a Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy of a 16-year-old runaway. The incident happened in January 2022 under the administration of CCSO Sheriff Shannon Byerly. Continue reading DA Lauds Sheriff Smith for Transparency→
Three Commissioners Q&A
Courthouse Land Purchase Details,
Illegals, County Attorney Issue
Fred Hernandez, News and Commentary
The February 18 Liberty Rocks at Tony’s Mountain Pizza was called to order by Chairperson Ann Barthrop shortly after six to a fully packed room in the tavern area. It was to be a special session with all three Custer County Commissioners in attendance; a rare occurrence not experienced in a long time, if ever there even was one. After the usual opening procedures, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation by Dr. Ann Willson, The Chair, unexpectedly, called the first speaker; local real estate realtor, Bob Senderhauf. This session of Liberty Rocks then became a two-part event not only featuring the Q&A with the commissioners but also, a presentation by Mr. Senderhauf. Continue reading Liberty Rocks Special: LIBERTY ROCKS SPECIAL: Three Commissioners Q&A Courthouse Land Purchase Details, Illegals, County Attorney Issue→
Eva Joyce Adams Rathbun Colgate, the second of three girls, was born on July 9,1929 in the Rocky Ford Hospital in Rocky Ford, Otero County, Colorado to Lea and Celesta Adams. She lived there until 1931-1932 when her parents moved their family to Custer County. A few years later the Adams bought the Willow Glen Dairy. She went to the one room Willows School House from 1-8 grades and then attended and graduated from Custer County High School in 1947. She attended Colorado A and M College and graduated with a B.S in Vocational Home Economics in 1952
She met William (Bill) B. Rathbun and they were married in Madison, Wisconsin in 1954. She gave birth to a daughter, Joan, in 1955. They moved to Lauderdale, Minnesota, a suburb of St Paul, for Bill to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. In 1961 they adopted a toddler, Kirk.
After many decades of marriage, they divorced. Eva moved back to Custer County and reconnected with and married George T. Colgate. They lived for years on the Colgate family ranch near Hillside, Colorado. Health concerns moved them to lower altitude in Canon City. Later as a widow, she continued to live independently in Canon City.
Throughout her life she was an exceptional seamstress, homemaker, teacher, school bus driver, entrepreneur, award winning quilter, and dedicated community volunteer.
She died on January 31 at the age of 95. She is survived by her daughter, Joan and her 2 grandchildren Gillian and Travis and extended family throughout the area.
A private immediate family only interment is planned.
The February 13, 2025 Custer County Board of County Com-missioners’ (BOCC) meeting took place at the All Aboard Westcliffe meeting room and started at 9 a.m. All three Commissioners were in attendance: Chair Bill Canda and members Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong.
In Commissioner Comments, Epp mentioned a bunch of meetings he attended since the last BOCC gabfest: CCI (a lobbying group for counties who are a member), a wages workshop with Human Resources, a Public Health meeting to talk about the impact of grants disappearing, met with CDOT on the courthouse sidewalk project and with Redmonds Consulting re: audit strategy. Epp noted as part of the courthouse sidewalk project, a new county employee parking lot will be built which would help with citizen parking next to the courthouse.
In New Business, the monthly Accounts Payable amount ($291k for January) was approved.
Resolution 25-03, Moving $146k
from the Tourism Fund to the Tourism Board was approved.
Next up was Resolution 25-04, approving $5,560 to the Airport from the Capital Improvement fund was ok’d. This was for the three airport gate upgrades.
Vernon Yoder’s Short Term Rental (STR) application was then approved.
The Horton STR application was recommended to be not approved by the Planning Commission, but the Commissioners approved it anyway. Some of the issues surrounding the application was that there were too many STR’s already in the area, the septic size and the shared driveway access. Continue reading BOCC: County Attorney Showdown→
Custer County School Board Prioritizes Supporting Staff and Community
by Laura Vass
At the end of the February 11 Regular School Board meeting, The Custer County School Board went into executive session to discuss Superintendent Thom Peck’s annual performance evaluation, typically performed this time of year. The agenda item was, “The Board will vote to convene in executive session pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f)(I) to consider a personnel matter, specifically to conduct the superintendent’s performance review.” (We anticipated that the written review/appraisal would be more thorough than the last board’s short summary of the previous superintendent (Jackie Crabtree) in 2022 which did not appear to meet state requirements. The Superintendent’s 2025 evaluation for Thom Peck indicated areas of improvement needed on follow-through, policy adherence and improving academic performance. Though not a glowing evaluation, it left room for growth and stated clearly what remaining annual goals he should work on for the school as a whole. It’s available to the public on the school’s website.)
The following day, February 12th, school board members learned that information from the executive session was being shared by Mr. Peck with staff and members of the community. In doing so, the breach caused a major disruption and created discord in both the school and community, forcing the Board to take immediate action. For the Board to discuss Mr. Peck’s breach of executive session and resulting discord an emergency public meeting had to be held. Based on the full board’s availability and urgency of the matter, the best available date chosen was Thursday, February 13th. The agenda listed a public comment section and “DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS:
A: Superintendent Employment
B: Interim or Acting
Superintendent.”
School Board President Reggie Foster’s opening statement included, “Colorado’s Open Meeting Law has confidentiality protections around executive sessions. As the Superintendent of Schools, implicit in Thom’s participation in executive sessions with the Board is his obligation to maintain the confidentiality of those communications. Pieces of that confidential and protected conversation were inappropriately shared, but not in full context, with select members of the staff and public. I am sorry that any of you were put in that position.” Foster continued, “Such behavior is unprofessional and undermines the working relationship between the Board and the Superintendent.”
More than 70 people attended, including parents, community members, and staff. (This came on the heels of Facebook posts on February 11th, both complaining about and supporting Superintendent Thom Peck and the school’s bussing schedule. Apparently, those posts had little or nothing to do with the issues at hand but based on audience questions and comments contributed to the high meeting attendance.)
Board President Foster told the panicked crowd at the meeting that she wrote the agenda items “in a specific way because I did not know what was going to transpire today. We have really hard decisions to make. We pride ourselves on taking [in] all the information before we make a decision. And we are the only ones with all of the information.”
The Board did not comment much during the special meeting. (This is typical since meetings are held “in the public” but not “of the public”. All of those who wanted to speak were given two minutes to voice their concerns.) Note that the Board cannot discuss personnel matters outside of executive session so answers to questions were limited.
Responding to accusations of secrecy, hiding information and blindsiding the staff Foster said, “When a board, of any kind, is doing its job and upholding its oath, then personnel matters are maintained in confidence.”
True to Foster’s earlier professions of considering all information, the Board’s inactions demonstrated that they heard and were contemplating the messages of those who spoke in support of Superintendent Peck. Stories of Mr. Peck’s hallway interactions, outreach to the homeschool community and knowing the names of students appeared to resonate some importance with the members of the Board.
In what was a clear show of Board support for the staff and community and a possible willingness to put aside Mr. Peck’s breach of executive session, the meeting closed without utilizing the latter agenda items. In the end, it appears that the Board has set aside its business focused priorities of performance in favor of the staff’s pleas for stability.
Peck, who came aboard in 2024, currently has a salary of $123,000 per year. If the Board does make a future decision to terminate him, they would have to pay a portion of his remaining salary per his contract. The District would then have to determine an interim and possibly pay an interim’s salary. There would be no cost for another Superintendent search per the District’s contract with search firm McPherson and Jacobsen.
Mr. Peck, viewed by the hiring committee as the best candidate for the position last spring, was removed as a high school principal in Big Fork, Montana and faced a non-renewal of his contract in 2024 with Lewiston Public School Board, with no details available.
