The 150th anniversary of the day Colorado was admitted into the union as the 38th state and the “Centennial State” will be marked on Saturday, Aug. 1.
It will also be recognized by many, Commissioner Kevin Grantham says, for “the greatest abridgement of our constitutional freedoms that we’ve ever witnessed here,” a day when Senate Bill 25-003 goes into effect.
Signed into law on April 10, 2025, by Gov. Jared Polis, the Democrat-led bill prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transfer, sale, and purchase of certain commonly-owned semiautomatic firearms with detachable magazines and, among other elements, requires gun buyers to have taken certain hunter education and firearms safety courses to qualify for a purchase.
The bill stands as the most meaningful curtailment of 2nd Amendment freedom ever in Colorado, Grantham said during Tuesday’s meeting of Fremont County commissioners, “and that’s saying something, considering what has gone on in the last 15 years.” Some estimate there have been more than 20 anti-2nd Amendment, gun-grabbing laws passed by the state legislature in that time.
He criticized SB 25-003 in that it requires a firearms safety course, “drumroll please, [taught by] Colorado Parks and Wildlife.” Grantham continued, “They are completely ill-equipped to do this function.”
The sale, purchase or transfer of a semiauto firearm on July 31, 2026, requires none of which the law stipulates by Saturday. He’s hopeful litigation filed on behalf of pro-gun ownership advocates will result in an injunction to the law’s implementation.
“If that doesn’t happen, we will need to comply with this law or our constitution,” Grantham said. “I will not comply with this law.”
Added Commissioner Dwayne McFall, “It is unconstitutional.”
“It is unconstitutional,” Grantham said. “I simply will not comply with this law.”
He failed to detail what his unwillingness to comply might mean. The commissioner would serve no role, as the bill reads, in implementation of the law, but he could be personally affected by it.
Fremont County Fair & Rodeo
It is entirely possible attendees at the Fremont County Fair & Rodeo may run into an elected official or two. But, might they participate?
That was the idea McFall suggested on Tuesday, as he reviewed a portion of Friday’s schedule.
“There will be a watermelon eating contest,” he said. “I think [Commissioner] Debbie Bell is going to enter that.”
“Or, she might not,” Bell responded.
The point, McFall said, is to attend the fair and support those participating in a variety of activities, from livestock exhibitions to events like the watermelon eating contest.
“There’s a lot going on, not just for children,” he said.
Motor vehicle sales are down
Fremont County auto sales have slipped, causing a revenue shortfall in the county clerk’s office.
Total revenue from sales tax, motor vehicle fees and recording fees is down $88,662 in comparison to year-to-date totals a year ago, County Clerk Justin Grantham reported. Recording fees were also down in June to the same period in 2025 by $156,788.
“That is a pretty big difference,” Bell said.
“People aren’t buying [vehicles],” Clerk Grantham responded. “This is a reflection of less buying and more renewing.”
In other business…
• Fremont County Public Trustee Kathy Elliott reported 21 new foreclosures in the second quarter of the calendar year, two more than in the first quarter. At the courthouse sale, two foreclosures were sold.
• Roadway striping will continue through Thursday, Aug. 6, reported County Administrator Tony Carochi. Where striping is taking place, pilot vehicles and signage will be used. Motorists are being asked to slow down and use caution when approaching striping crews.
• Commissioners Bell and McFall reported on their attendance at the National Association of Counties conference in New Orleans. McFall said he was able to continue conversations with such federal resources as the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Bell noted she successfully lobbied to get an ag bill she annually pursues included in the organization’s platform.
• Auditor Kyle Logan of Logan and Associates, LLC, presented findings of a “clean” audit for Fremont County, saying any minor issues found did not merit a change of his position.
• Fremont County native Makenna Long has been named to the Fremont County Fair Board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.
• A public hearing was set for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25 related to a zoning change from business to residential-1 on property owned by John Carr.
Brian Porter is a special government and politics contributor to the Cañon City Daily Record.