NEDERLAND — The Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) took action on the last issues this iteration of the Board will vote on before the results of the April election changes the roster. These included increasing the compensation levels for both Trustees and the Mayor, and approving two major agreements that solidify the validity of the Town’s pursuit of Eldora Mountain Resort. 

Eldora acquisition

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Trustees immediately voted to approve both the Cross Resort Pass Product Agreement with Alterra Mountain Company for the use of the IKON Pass, and the Ski Area Term Special Use Permit with the US Forest Service to allow parts of the ski area to continue to operate on federal land. 

Resolution 2026-09 allows Eldora Mountain Resort to participate in Alterra’s “multi-resort pass program,” which, according to the Agenda Information Memorandum prepared by Town Manager Jonathan Cain, will support the ski area’s “continued operations and revenue generation.” 

Resolution 2026-08 authorizes the Town to use and occupy US Forest Service land “consistent with federal law and regulations.”  

Considering that the acquisition and subsequent operation of the ski area was contingent on the approval of both agreements, the passing of the resolutions serves as a milestone in the Town’s journey to acquire Eldora Mountain Resort.    

BOT compensation

The BOT also voted on Ordinance 889, setting new compensation levels for Trustees and the Mayor, as well as establishing whether such Town employees will be eligible for health insurance, retirement benefits, and potential non-cash compensation options, including passes to Eldora.  

The acquisition of Eldora Mountain Resort was listed by Town staff and some Trustees as a major reason for considering a compensation increase, as the BOT agenda is sure to become more involved once the Town fully takes over operations of the ski area. 

Currently, the Mayor receives $250 a month and Trustees earn $150 a month. These compensation levels have not been adjusted since 2014. After two discussions on the subject, Trustees directed Town staff to draft an ordinance with the compensation increased to $377 a month for Mayor and $202 for Trustee. 

Both Trustees and Mayor would be eligible for retirement and medical benefits. However, the BOT had yet to direct whether the Town should provide a matching contribution to retirement participation or contribute towards medical premiums. 

As for compensation for the members of Nederland’s other six boards, Trustees previously agreed that the Planning Commission should be the only board considered at this time, starting with Commissioners earning $25 a meeting. However, Town staff was recommending for the ordinance that the BOT defer this specific matter to a later time.  

Before passing the ordinance, Trustees were also required to provide final guidance on whether Nederland Community Center passes and Eldora season passes should be considered as non-monetary benefits, as well as the logistics of instituting an automatic Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase to compensation, and how the percentage amount will be assessed and adjusted yearly.

Currently, the Town budget is still operating at a large deficit, with a supplemental budget draft and vote to come up soon. Cain noted that Trustee and Mayor compensation may come out of the Town’s enterprise funds, as those positions deal specifically in matters involving those funds, including the Water and Wastewater and Nederland Community Center enterprise funds. 

Trustee Tania Corvalan urged the Town to consider providing more detailed matrices regarding establishing expectations of the Trustee and Mayor positions, and tracking their progress within a merit-based system.

Cain answered that the Town is wanting to propose drafting clearer ethics and guidelines in regard to those governmental positions in the near future, though he reiterated that a merit-based compensation system for municipal officials would not be possible under state law. 

Following clarifying questions, Trustee Andrew Joslin recused himself from any following discussion and vote, as the issue could directly affect him if he were to be voted back onto the Board next month. Joslin was required to leave the room as the discussion progressed. 

The bulk of the Board’s discussion revolved around medical benefit eligibility, in terms of what would happen if the BOT opted for a buy-in benefit plan for future Trustees and Mayors. They also asked whether to settle with the minimum increase based on the 12-year inflation adjustment, or not to increase the compensation level at all and revisit the conversation in two years. 

“As someone who's being scrutinized quite heavily in a campaign, optics matter,” Mayor Billy Giblin said, “and I think it looks terrible for the BOT to spend a penny on themselves right now, even if we are about to close on the ski area.” 

Trustee Tierney Maris stated that the optics of the matter are always going to be skewed to some degree by those determined to view any government plan negatively.

“Whether it’s us making the decision today getting flak for it when people recreate the narrative, or it’s two years from now and it’s a different Board making the decision and getting the flak for it—it’s who gets the flak,” Maris said, arguing against kicking this particular can down the road. 

A motion was made to approve Ordinance 889 with no increase to Trustee or Mayor compensation at this time, with the option for retirement benefits but with no matching contribution from the Town at this time as well as no medical benefits included at this time.

Compensation for Planning Commission members was left off the table for now, with the currently offered Nederland Community Center gym passes to remain the only non-monetary compensation at this time, and with a 2.5% to 3.5% CPI increase to be automatically added annually.  

The Nederland Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 7 p.m. and can be attended either online or in person at the Nederland Community Center. 

For more information go to: https://townofnederland.colorado.gov/board-of-trustees.