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As the last Town to incorporate into Garfield County, Silt is the youngest of the area’s towns, but she is still mighty, and growing strong! Between 2015 and the 2020 Census, Silt’s population grew by 17% to 3530 residents. Silt, formally named Ferguson after a local property owner at the time, was incorporated in 1915 after a several years-long battle with the railroad companies, which went all the way to the Colorado Supreme Court. Although the railroads fought the incorporation because they did not want to pay city taxes – the Town ultimately won and has been a gem on the Western Slope for over 100 years now.
Silt was a mostly agricultural economy town, and still has many farms in the area today. The main crop Silt grew and sold in its early days was sugar beets. In fact, Colorado used to be the top producer of sugar in the country! Along with saloons, an outdoor jail, the Silt State Bank, and a combined grocery store/post office – Silt was a good example of a burgeoning old Western small Town. Today, relics from these old businesses and farms can be seen at the local Silt Historical Park and Museum at 707 Orchard Avenue.
Join us in Celebrating our Simply Irresistible Small Town’s history this year as we mark 108 years of success and growth!
Silt Board of Trustees to Hear Recommendation Monday
On Monday night, May 22, the Silt Board of Trustees will hear from its Staff and consultants that they recommend that the Board give its blessing to start the loan application process to perform a significant renovation on the Silt Water Plant. The loan may be for as much as $27 M, but up to $7 M in principal forgiveness is available to the Town. Town Staff is also busy assessing other grants and loans to reduce the cost of the project to Town ratepayers.
Staff will outline the factors associated with the decision and compare the pros and cons of applying for the loan now versus waiting until the next loan offering in January 2024. The idea of the May 22 agenda item is to prepare the Board for the decision that must be made.
The Board is likely to convene a special meeting on Tuesday, May 30, for the sole purpose of making the decision to either move forward with the loan application now or not.
Staff and several consultants will be on hand at both meetings.
After careful review of the information available at this time, staff and consultants will recommend that the Board direct staff to apply for a Drinking Water Revolving Fund to cover the costs of the Silt Water Treatment Plant remodel. Once the loan is approved, the amount can be reduced, but not increased. There is no obligation to accept the loan at this time.
Engineers conducted a technical study of the Silt Water and Wastewater plants last year and produced master plans to be used specifically to develop short and long-term plans and costs for implementing improvements. This work was critical in order to complete the “Project Needs Assessment” (PNA) for the State of Colorado by their June 30, 2022 deadline. The PNA is required in order to be eligible for low interest loans and grants offered by the Federal government through the State.
Town Staff has been working with consultants and State of Colorado staff to document the need for the project, how to accomplish it and how to pay for it. Personnel have spent a significant amount of time evaluating and re-evaluating strategies, costs, funding sources, rate structures, etc. in order to prepare a loan application package this year.
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Country Roots 4H Club and Volunteers Clean Up Silt Disc Golf Course
Recently, the Country Roots 4H Club of Garfield County organized a trash clean up day here in Silt. They specifically focused on the Stoney Ridge Disc Golf course, both picking up trash and tidying the area for the upcoming summer season.
The Town of Silt would like to thank Sara Riddle, the leader of the 4H Club, and all of the students and volunteers who helped with this effort! They did a great job! The Town appreciates efforts by the community to keep our public spaces clean and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.
Kid's Bike Rodeo Returns June 3rd
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