Weld County Assigns 2026 Commissioner Roles Over Oil and Gas, Public Health and Regional Boards
Weld County commissioners named Scott James chair and Jason Maxey chair pro tem on January 5, launching annual assignments that place Lynette Peppler over oil and gas and planning decisions—a central flashpoint in a county where drilling regulation remains contentious.
Under Weld County's Home Rule Charter, adopted in 1976, the five-member Board consolidated county government into departments assigned to individual commissioners. The annual assignments determine who shapes decisions on drilling oversight, health policy, emergency response and major transportation and economic development projects in 2026.
Peppler will oversee the Department of Planning Services and Oil and Gas Energy Department, placing her at the center of land-use and drilling decisions. Maxey will coordinate the Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications, connecting him directly to recent debates about county powers under state law.
James will coordinate the Department of Finance and Administration and related offices. Kevin Ross will oversee the Department of Public Works, Facilities Department and Fleet Services. Perry Buck will coordinate the Department of Human Services and the Veterans Service Office, according to a January 5 county news release.
The commissioners' regional board appointments shape infrastructure and economic decisions across Weld County. James will serve on the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization Planning Council, giving him direct influence over which transportation projects receive regional funding priority. According to NFRMPO materials, each participating local government chooses an elected official to serve as its representative on the Planning Council.
James also joins the Bright Futures Advisory Board and Upstate Colorado Economic Development Board. Maxey will serve on the Federal Mineral Lease Act Board, Greeley-Weld County Airport Authority, Pre-Trial Services Advisory Board and Regional Communications Advisory Board.
Ross will serve on the Airport Authority and Upstate Colorado Economic Development Board. Buck's appointments include the Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board and Human Services Advisory Commission.
These positions link commissioners to decisions affecting a 1,200-acre joint city-county airport and countywide business recruitment efforts.
A February 2025 Colorado Supreme Court decision reminded home rule counties that they "must comply with the redistricting statutes," emphasizing that commissioners execute state-required duties regardless of internal structure.
The full charter and county code are available at library.municode.com/co/weld_county/codes/charter_and_county_code.