BOCC Vacancy | Lpcdems

La Plata County BOCC

Official Call: Vacancy Committee to Convene

On June 23rd, 2025, Commissioner Clyde Church announced he is retiring early from the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). His resignation will be effective July 1st, 2025. La Plata County Democratic Central Committee will convene as the Vacancy Committee to fill the seat that will be vacated by Commissioner Clyde Church.

Meeting details:

Date: Tuesday July 1, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM Mountain Time

Location: Online via Google Meet [RSVP here for the link]

As voted during our 2025 Re-Organization, all elected Democrats and Precinct Organizers on the Central Committee are also members of the Vacancy Committee and are eligible to vote.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes 1-12-206, the Vacancy Committee must appoint a replacement that 1.) is a resident of the county and resides within the district in which the vacancy exists and 2.) is a member of the same political party. The appointment must be made by a majority vote of those present. A quorum requires at least half of the voting members. Proxies are not allowed.

The individual appointed will serve the remainder of Commissioner Church’s term, which runs through the end of 2026. They will be eligible to run for election in November 2026 if they choose.

The following individuals have expressed interest in filling the District 1 seat:

Candidates for La Plata County Board of County Comissioners - District 1

Elizabeth Philbrick

Elizabeth Philbrick was raised just south of Seattle and began her career in public service at age 19, working for U.S. Senator Patty Murray in Washington, D.C., where she focused on education, civil rights, and fiscal policy. Her interest in how public spaces shape communities led her to earn a master’s in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University, where she met her husband. In 2017, they moved to La Plata County and launched EsoTerra Ciderworks - now expanding into the region’s only estate winery. A Hesperus resident and mother of two, Elizabeth is deeply invested in La Plata County’s future. After five years working within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, she’s committed to building a more resilient economy, reducing barriers for small business, and ensuring the region thrives for the next generation.

Erica Henner Max

Erica Henner Max has called La Plata County home since 1997, raising two children and building a life that bridges both town and country. A former Wall Street trader and the first female member of the London Commodity Exchange, she went on to lead in global finance before launching her own executive search firm. In Southwest Colorado, she shifted focus to family, agriculture, and community, spending 25 years breeding sport horses and serving in key volunteer roles—from leading school bond campaigns to helping revive The Powerhouse Science Center. During the pandemic, she launched “Shopping for Seniors,” a grocery delivery program that earned national recognition. Today, she continues her commitment to community through workforce housing development and civic leadership, bringing decades of experience in both boardrooms and barns to the challenges facing La Plata County.

Robert Logan

Robert Logan is a fifth-generation La Plata County resident with deep roots in the region and a lifelong commitment to community service. Born in Durango and a graduate of Durango High School and Fort Lewis College, he served in the U.S. Air Force before earning a master’s in theology and returning to teach social studies at Durango High School for 27 years. In 2022, Logan ran for CU Regent, visiting 27 counties and logging more than 15,000 miles across Colorado—an experience that strengthened his political insight and built lasting relationships with fellow leaders. As candidate for La Plata County BOCC, Logan is focused on diversifying the local economy, improving the Land Use Code, addressing workforce housing, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring long-term quality of life for future generations.

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