Being a County Commissioner isn’t about fancy titles—it’s about serving your neighbors and doing the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps a place like La Plata County running strong.

There are three Commissioners in La Plata County, each elected by district but working together on behalf of the whole county. They meet regularly to make decisions on things like:

Setting the county’s budget—deciding how taxpayer dollars are spent on roads, public safety, housing, health, and more.

Managing county services—from the sheriff’s office and emergency response to public health and community development.

Protecting our natural resources—working on wildfire readiness, clean water, and sustainable land use.

Supporting local jobs and housing—helping working folks afford to live here and small businesses stay strong.

But more than anything, being a commissioner is about listening and responding. That means taking calls about potholes, showing up to neighborhood meetings, sitting down with a rancher to talk water rights, or hearing from a young family worried about housing costs.

It’s also about looking out for the people who don’t always get heard—like immigrants, seniors, and folks in the far corners of the county who don’t make it to every meeting but still deserve a voice.

A good commissioner doesn’t just make decisions from behind a desk—they go out into the community, get their boots dusty, and ask, “What do you need? How can I help?”

They work to bridge the gap between rural and urban, between government and everyday life. Whether it's helping a new mom find access to child care, or working with farmers to preserve land, or sitting with tribal leaders in meaningful partnership—this job is about connection, compassion, and common sense.

At the end of the day, a county commissioner helps make sure La Plata County stays the kind of place where:

• Families can build a life

• Neighbors look out for each other

• And every voice matters

That’s the heart of it—and that’s why the work matters so much.

Since moving to La Plata County nearly 30 years ago, I’ve consistently rolled up my sleeves and gotten involved where I saw a need.

Back in 1998, when my children were enrolled at the Fort Lewis College Child Development Center, I brought together a group of parents and community members to advocate for a new, dedicated child development building. Thanks to that effort—and broad community support—the Nighthorse Child Development Center eventually became a reality.

When my kids attended Park Elementary, I saw how hard our diverse student body and teachers were working—and I wanted the community to know it. I helped form a PR committee to highlight that, even though 30% of our students spoke a language other than English at home, the school consistently scored in the top percentiles on statewide English-language assessments.

In 2001, I served as treasurer for the campaign to pass an $85 million bond referendum for Durango School District 9-R. I was responsible for raising the funds to run the campaign and successfully secured $50,000 in commitments. The initiative passed, securing much-needed funding for our schools.

In 2008, I worked closely with my kids—then 12 and 15—on the Obama for America campaign. As a Staging Location Director, I coordinated more than 400 volunteers across 15 precincts, managing logistics and building grassroots energy.

In 2010, I once again stepped up to help the school district pass a crucial ballot initiative. As Chairperson of the campaign, I gave more than 50 speeches around the community. That year—despite a nationwide wave of anti-tax sentiment during the Tea Party movement—Durango was one of just five school districts in the entire country to vote in favor of raising taxes to support education.

In 2017, I joined the board of the Powerhouse Science Center, and became president of the board in 2019. I’ve also spent two decades volunteering with Destination Imagination, a creative problem-solving program for kids, and have judged both Science Fair and History Day competitions. I served one term on the Southwest Colorado Rural Workforce Board.

I currently volunteer on the Durango Education Foundation Scholarship Committee, helping determine which graduating students from Durango High School and Big Picture High School receive local scholarships—a role I find deeply rewarding.

Whether it's been through education, civic engagement, or support for working families, I’ve always tried to say "yes" when my community calls. Being a reliable, long-term volunteer and advocate is simply part of who I am—and it’s work I plan to continue as a La Plata County Commissioner.

My direct experience has been more with the departments that report to the Board of County Commissioners—like the County Planning Department, the Clerk’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Department—and I’ve always found the staff to be professional, helpful, and committed to serving our community. I’ve been really impressed by their responsiveness and the care they bring to their work.

In addition, I helped caucus and coordinate caucuses for two of our current commissioners when they first ran for office, so I’ve also seen firsthand the dedication it takes to step into public service. That experience gave me a greater appreciation for the role and the importance of strong, thoughtful leadership at the county level.

1. Expanding Workforce Housing

Advocate for policies that increase affordable and attainable housing for local workers, teachers, healthcare staff, first responders, and others who are priced out of the current market.

Support smart land-use planning and changes that make it easier to build workforce housing while preserving community character.

Partner with developers, nonprofits, and state/federal programs to create housing solutions, especially in rural or underserved parts of the county.

2. Elevating the Agricultural Community

Act as a strong voice for farmers, ranchers, and land stewards in county decisions, especially around land use, water rights, and regulation.

Work to reduce barriers that make it harder for ag producers to stay in business—like expensive permitting processes or incompatible development.

Support programs that protect agricultural land and encourage young or beginning farmers.

Promote local food systems and explore ways to connect ag products with local schools, markets, and institutions.

3. Bridging Rural and Urban Voices

Help ensure the concerns of rural and agricultural residents are heard alongside those of more urban areas like Durango.

Build partnerships between landowners, housing advocates, and economic developers to find win-win solutions.

Act as a bridge between newer residents and multi-generation families who’ve been part of the region’s fabric for decades.

4. Working with the immigrant community

Immigrants are an essential part of our community—from agriculture and construction to education and local business. I’ll work to make sure they feel seen, supported, and included in county decision-making.

That means accessible public information, bilingual resources, community partnerships, and listening sessions that meet people where they are—not expecting them to come to us.

To increase revenue and funding I propose:

1. Pursue Grants More Aggressively

Invest in or partner with skilled grant writers to secure state and federal funds for housing, infrastructure, wildfire mitigation, broadband, and public safety.

Collaborate with municipalities, nonprofits, and tribes on joint applications.

2. Support Strategic Development

Encourage growth near existing infrastructure (Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio) to lower service costs and boost tax revenue.

Use voluntary development agreements to help fund roads, emergency services, and housing.

3. Form Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Partner with developers and nonprofits to co-fund housing, broadband, and infrastructure.

Support job-creating businesses that enhance tax revenue while preserving rural character.

4. Maximize Lodging Tax and Visitor Revenue

Leverage lodging taxes to fund essential services like roads and emergency response.

Consider impact fees on short-term rentals to support housing and community needs.

5. Advocate for State Policy Reform

 Push for local authority over funding tools for housing, fire mitigation, and transportation.

 Work with other rural counties to fix inequitable state funding laws.

6. Promote LPC at Targeted Conferences

Share costs with partners to attend economic development conferences.

Showcase LPC as a great place for businesses offering living-wage jobs—balancing growth with community values.

To improve public-facing communications, I propose LPC:

1. Modernize Digital Outreach

Use Facebook, Instagram, and short videos to share updates and simplify complex issues like land use or taxes.

2. Add an AI Chatbot to the Website

Introduce a conversational chatbot (like Durango Herald’s) to guide users. This human-like interface will allow residents to ask questions in their own words and be quickly directed to the right resources, whether they’re looking for permit applications, road conditions, or emergency alerts. By making the site more responsive and easier to use, we can help more people find what they need—faster and with less frustration.

3. Hold Listening Sessions Countywide

Host regular town halls in rural communities (Ignacio, Bayfield, Marvel, etc.), with in-person and virtual options for accessibility.

4. Use Direct Mail to Reach All Households

Mail newsletters and budget updates in plain language with visuals.

Include ways to contact commissioners or get involved.

5. Be Transparent and Accessible

Share simple post-meeting summaries and launch a monthly newsletter or podcast to keep residents informed.

6. Encourage Two-Way Communication

Use surveys and online platforms to gather public input—and follow up to show how it was used.

I bring a unique blend of financial expertise and community-centered collaboration. I have extensive Wall Street experience in sales and trading, where I learned how to assess risk, move quickly, and build trust across complex negotiations. I also ran an executive search firm, which taught me how to connect the right people to the right opportunities—a skill that’s deeply useful in regional partnerships and workforce development work.

More recently, I partnered with a prominent local architect to explore housing development solutions, which has given me hands-on experience with the opportunities and challenges of building in La Plata County.

I’m especially interested in joining the Regional Housing Alliance, the La Plata Economic Development Alliance, Compañeros, and the Southwest Rural Workforce Board. These are all organizations where I believe my background in finance, deal-making, and connecting people would add real value—particularly when it comes to housing solutions, job creation, and advocating for underrepresented voices in our community.

At the heart of it, I’m a connector. I know how to bring people together to get things done, and I’m ready to apply that energy and experience to help La Plata County thrive.

ericaforlaplata.com @ericaforlaplata (instagram) I have not yet formally initiated the instagram account and the website is currently under construction by my campaign team. I intend to have a running Instagram feed of daily interactions with community members throughout the county.