A Message from Paul 

​My wife and I have raised five kids here, yet they would find it difficult to return and build their lives in this community. Our family’s story reflects the story of our community, and far too many who grew up here cannot come back to create the lives they want. Many who want to call this place home cannot afford it, and many who live here are forced to leave. Let’s work together to change that.

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San Miguel County stands at a crossroads, and the imbalance of wealth and income sources in our county poses a threat to the future well-being of those who call our county home. According to the 2025 San Miguel County Housing Needs Analysis, nearly half of all local income now comes from investments and retirement income, rather than wages earned locally. The average worker earns about $57,000, while the median home price exceeds $2.6 million. Property values have soared, but property taxes, insurance, the cost of food, childcare, and other expenses have also risen, putting our communities at risk.

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Teachers, healthcare workers, hospitality workers, and those who make our community function face long commutes or are being priced out of the market entirely. Families who have lived here for generations are struggling to stay. Our population is both aging and shrinking, with long-term impacts on schools, healthcare, housing, and transportation. These conditions contribute to worsening mental health outcomes for many of us.

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To keep San Miguel County a place where people can call home, we must envision a pathway to a more affordable future while ensuring that our government makes decisions with us rather than for us. Our county government functions best when it is transparent, accountable, collaborative, and efficient, and plans regionally while listening to local voices and community values to guide its decisions.

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My vision is for a vibrant, resilient San Miguel County where bold, collaborative leadership ensures that people from all backgrounds can build meaningful lives, afford to live them, and actively shape our shared future. Through innovative planning, fair access to housing and essential services, and a strong commitment to workers, families, and communities that support us, we can thrive together in a place we are proud to call home.