For more information on water testing and previous years reports visit our Water Quality page.

At an Election held in the Town of Simla in the County of Elbert and State of Colorado on the 7th day of April, 2026, the following named persons received the number of votes annexed to their respective name for the following described offices, to wit:

Office: Mayor: Ryan Fulmer = 68 (sixty - eight)

Trustee - Vote for a total of 3 (three)

Stephanie Soto = 20 (twenty)

Samuel Lucas = 14 (fourteen)

Wesley Golanoski = 12 (twelve)

Shawn Nehl = 53 (fifty three)

Sasa Ivanovic = 62 (sixty two)

Janette Nipple = 53 (fifty three)

The Town of Simla is seeking proposals for the construction of a pole barn structure to be used as a permanent bathroom facility with the Town Park.

• Deadline for questions: 4/29/2026
• Deadline for submissions: 5/1/2026
• Request for Proposal RFP - Simla Park Bathroom

Bid submission closes Tuesday, October 7, 2025

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees for April 2024 will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd, at 7:00 p.m.

• For meeting Agenda, and other information, please visit Board of Trustees page.

Please note that we will be using a street sweeper on Tuesday, October 21st which will create a large amount of dust.

Please contact Town Hall 719-541-2468 with any questions.

Meeting ID: 968 399 9667\ Passcode: f5SJUw

Meeting ID: 968 399 9667\ Passcode: f5SJUw

Meeting ID: 968 399 9667\ Passcode: f5SJUw

We will burn the brush pile as needed and with guidance from the Simla Volunteer Fire Department.

How to protect your health from wood smoke

Most healthy people have no more than minor and short-term health difficulties with wood smoke. However, excessive smoke can result in unhealthy or hazardous air quality. If smoke is affecting your health, contact your doctor or other health professional. Also, if possible, temporarily relocate in situations like wildfires — or if you’re outside in poor air quality to go inside, and follow the tips below.

Tips

• Close windows and doors and stay indoors. However, do not close up your home tightly if it makes it dangerously warm inside.
• Be extra vigilant at night. Nighttime the air is usually more still than during the day and smoke can be worse. Smoke in nighttime air often flows down valleys and settles in low lying areas. Close windows at night.
• Filter your air by running your air conditioner or evaporative cooler, but only if the system is filtered. You may also run the fan on your home heating system, with the heat turned off, if the system is filtered. Keep the outdoor air intake closed and be sure the filter is clean. Running these appliances if they are not filtered can make indoor smoke worse.
• Use HEPA room air filtration units if you have them.
• You can also make a filter fan to help clean your indoor air. All you need is a box fan, furnace filter (MERV-13 or better), and a bungee cord or tape. See these Step-by-step instructions from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
• Avoid exercise or other strenuous activities in heavy smoke.
• For those that need to be outdoors during heavy smoke episodes, or those that are feeling health impacts even while indoors, an N95 respirator can provide protection.
• Cloth face coverings that are used to slow the spread of COVID-19 offer little protection against harmful air pollutants in wildfire smoke because these coverings do not capture most small particles in smoke.
• Consider temporarily locating to another area if it is safe to do so. Seek out locations where air is filtered such as malls, movie theaters or recreation centers.
• Be prepared to evacuate by planning ahead. Plan your evacuation route and your destination. Put together a kit that contains medications and other important items that you can’t be without.

Who is most likely to be affected by smoke?

• Elderly people.
• Young children (especially under 7).
• Pregnant women.
• People with pre-existing respiratory or circulatory conditions like asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease.
• People with respiratory infections such as colds or flus.
• People with smoke allergies, although this is rare.

What are symptoms related to smoke exposure?

• Eye, nose and/or throat irritation–runny eyes and/or nose.
• Coughing, sore throat.
• Trouble breathing or tightness of the chest, which may be symptoms of a health emergency.
• The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.
• Weakened immune system after prolonged exposure to smoke.

What is the air quality like where I am?

You can refer to the chart below and estimate the visibility in smoky air to come up with a corresponding air quality category based on the federal Air Quality Index.

What is the air quality like where I am?

You can refer to the chart below and estimate the visibility in smoky air to come up with a corresponding air quality category based on the federal Air Quality Index.

For current air quality data and analysis visit AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

More Information

• Today’s Smoke Outlook.
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management.
• National Incident Information Center – information about individual large fires.
• Rocky Mountain Area Fire Coordination Center.

Always observe fire safety guidelines and check the National Weather Service fire weather pages for local fire weather forecasts

We will burn the brush pile as needed and with guidance from the Simla Volunteer Fire Department.

How to protect your health from wood smoke

Most healthy people have no more than minor and short-term health difficulties with wood smoke. However, excessive smoke can result in unhealthy or hazardous air quality. If smoke is affecting your health, contact your doctor or other health professional. Also, if possible, temporarily relocate in situations like wildfires — or if you’re outside in poor air quality to go inside, and follow the tips below.

Tips

• Close windows and doors and stay indoors. However, do not close up your home tightly if it makes it dangerously warm inside.
• Be extra vigilant at night. Nighttime the air is usually more still than during the day and smoke can be worse. Smoke in nighttime air often flows down valleys and settles in low lying areas. Close windows at night.
• Filter your air by running your air conditioner or evaporative cooler, but only if the system is filtered. You may also run the fan on your home heating system, with the heat turned off, if the system is filtered. Keep the outdoor air intake closed and be sure the filter is clean. Running these appliances if they are not filtered can make indoor smoke worse.
• Use HEPA room air filtration units if you have them.
• You can also make a filter fan to help clean your indoor air. All you need is a box fan, furnace filter (MERV-13 or better), and a bungee cord or tape. See these Step-by-step instructions from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
• Avoid exercise or other strenuous activities in heavy smoke.
• For those that need to be outdoors during heavy smoke episodes, or those that are feeling health impacts even while indoors, an N95 respirator can provide protection.
• Cloth face coverings that are used to slow the spread of COVID-19 offer little protection against harmful air pollutants in wildfire smoke because these coverings do not capture most small particles in smoke.
• Consider temporarily locating to another area if it is safe to do so. Seek out locations where air is filtered such as malls, movie theaters or recreation centers.
• Be prepared to evacuate by planning ahead. Plan your evacuation route and your destination. Put together a kit that contains medications and other important items that you can’t be without.

Who is most likely to be affected by smoke?

• Elderly people.
• Young children (especially under 7).
• Pregnant women.
• People with pre-existing respiratory or circulatory conditions like asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease.
• People with respiratory infections such as colds or flus.
• People with smoke allergies, although this is rare.

What are symptoms related to smoke exposure?

• Eye, nose and/or throat irritation–runny eyes and/or nose.
• Coughing, sore throat.
• Trouble breathing or tightness of the chest, which may be symptoms of a health emergency.
• The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.
• Weakened immune system after prolonged exposure to smoke.

What is the air quality like where I am?

You can refer to the chart below and estimate the visibility in smoky air to come up with a corresponding air quality category based on the federal Air Quality Index.

What is the air quality like where I am?

You can refer to the chart below and estimate the visibility in smoky air to come up with a corresponding air quality category based on the federal Air Quality Index.

For current air quality data and analysis visit AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

More Information

• Today’s Smoke Outlook.
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management.
• National Incident Information Center – information about individual large fires.
• Rocky Mountain Area Fire Coordination Center.

Always observe fire safety guidelines and check the National Weather Service fire weather pages for local fire weather forecasts

• Sign up for alerts when you have a new bill
• Set up autopayments to never miss a due date
• See your usage and history
• Its’ fast, easy and secure

Click the link below to create your new account or pay as a guest.

SimlaCommunityConnectPortal

• Flow Alerts:

  This alert covers four different categories of possible alerts, Back Flow (meaning water is flowing in reverse), Continuous Flow (meaning water is continuously flowing), No Flow (meaning there has been no water flow for a while), and Excessive Flow (meaning water flow is flowing more than average)

• Vacation Alerts:

  This alert is designed to allow you to have alerts scheduled while you are away on vacation. Simply enter the date range you will be away from home and set a water usage amount trigger. If there is water usage beyond what you have set as the trigger point, you will be alerted once you configure and subscribe to this alert.

• Cold Weather Alerts:

  Whenever the temperature goes below the value that you enter below (32°F by default), you will be alerted. This is useful so you can drip your faucets to avoid pipes bursting in freezing temperatures.

• Water Usage Alerts:

  Whenever water usage over a 24-hour period exceeds the previous 30-day water usage average by more than the percentage that you set, you will be alerted.

If you would like to get a customer portal account set up, please contact Town Hall staff at 719-541-2468 option 1, and we will be happy to help you.

Election Day: Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Polls Open: 7 am - 7 pm

Town Hall - Board Room - 323 Pueblo Ave

Open to locals in our Simla area, class will be held at 320 Pueblo Avenue (across from Town Hall).

For full details and how to register for the training, please see our Town of Simla Facebook page/Event posting.

Please make sure you register for the correct time, per your summons.

Register to attend court via zoom - 9 am court

Register to attend court via zoom - 1 pm court

The Town of Simla is accepting applications for the position of Deputy Clerk. This 32 hours, 4 days per week role involves performing a variety of clerical and administrative duties, including acting as the municipal court clerk and utility clerk and maintaining official records, assisting the public, processing documents, and supporting office operations.  

Salary & Benefits:

Salary range: $20-22 per hour

Benefits:

• Full benefits package (health, dental and vision) paid by the Town
• Vacation (PTO) and sick leave
• Paid holidays - New Years Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving (2 days) and Christmas (2 days)
• Retirement plan eligibility after one year of employment

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit all of the following:

• A completed application - Link to application
• A signed copy of the job description - Link to job description
• A current resume

How to Apply:

Submit your application, signed job description and resume via:

• Email to townhall@townofsimla.com or
• In person to Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, CO 80835. Town Hall is open Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Apply By: Friday, January 16, 206 by 4:30 pm

For more information, call 719-541-2468.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Town Administrator Job Description

The court in consultation with the Town and the Town Prosecutor has concluded that the Courts regular docket date for March 2025 will need to be continued due to impending dangerous weather on the eastern plains. The court will therefore will continue the regularly scheduled March date of March 4th to March 5th at 1:00 p.m.

The court notes the unavailability of the town prosecutor; however given that unavailability the court had decided to proceed by allowing the prosecutor to review the files in advance and submit written plea offers on all new cases, and to submit his thoughts on any review cases.

In addition the court has instructed the court clerk to have as many individuals scheduled for court to appear virtually via zoom.

By the court this 3rd day of March 2025

Stephen Jones

Municipal Judge

What to know:

• Water will be shut off for 10-15 minutes
• You do not need to be home for the installation
• We will knock before shutting water off

The new meters have a customer portal. Each water user will have the ability to log into their personal portal and monitor water usage. The portal will also send an alert to your phone or email if a leak is detected, there is excessive water usage, or if the meter pit is nearing freezing temperatures.  

If you would like to sign up for a customer portal, please:

Please contact Town Hall (719) 541-2468 or townhall@townofsimla.com 

Or

Myke with Public Works at (719) 368-9178 or myke@townofsimla.com

The Public Works Department will be available to provide instructions on how to access and use the customer portal 

Thank you for your patience during the installation process.

Town of Simla to Hold Municipal Election  

The Town of Simla will hold an election for the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

There are three (3) trustee positions and the position of Mayor available; each are for a four (4) year term.  

Qualifications: 

• 18 years of age; 
• A registered elector in the Town of Simla; 
• Shall have resided in the Town of Simla for a period of at least 12 consecutive months 

The board members are required to attend the regular board meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. and scheduled workshops. The positions of Mayor and Trustee are paid $85.00 per month.  

Petition packets may be picked up from the office of the Town Clerk at Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, no sooner than Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Petition packets are to be returned no later than 4:30 pm, January 23, 2026.  

For additional information or questions, contact the Town Clerk at 719-541-2468, 

 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Megan Taunton 

Town Clerk 

(Published in the Ranchland News 12/25/2025)

Coming soon: What you need to know about being on the Board of Trustees

THE TOWN OF SIMLA, ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO,

CONCERNING A REQUEST FOR VARIANCE

Pursuant to the laws of Colorado and the ordinances of the Town of Simla, Colorado, a request of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Simla, Colorado: THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT VARIANCES, the undersigned applicant hereby requests a variance from the dimensional requirements set forth in Town of Simla Municipal Code §7‑4‑5, which mandates setbacks not less than twenty‑five (25) feet in width and one hundred forty (140) feet in length.

A public hearing will be held concerning this matter, and the Applicant, Bristol Holding, LLC, Erica Ford shall appear before the Town of Simla Board of Trustees on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 7:00 pm, at the Town Hall Board Room, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, CO 80835.

At said time and place, any interested person may appear to be heard wither for or against the issuance of said variance. Petitions, remonstrances and other reports of statements in writing shall be filed with the Town Clerk, Simla Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, Colorado 80835, before four o’clock pm (4:00 pm), Friday, February 20, 2026.

Megan Taunton

Town Clerk

Dates Scheduled for Publication: February 19th & February 26th

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Simla Town Board of Trustees is considering adopting Ordinance 361, an ordinance adopting by reference the 2025 edition of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. A copy of the ordinance is available for review on the Towns website, www.townofsimla.com or a copy may be obtained from Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, CO 80835, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

The public hearing is to be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Town Offices located at 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, Colorado at 7: 00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter comes before the Board  

All citizens and parties in interest are invited to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard. Written comments may be submitted prior to the hearing via: 

Email: townhall@townofsimla.com or  

In person: Simla Town Hall 

               323 Pueblo Ave 

               Simla, CO 80835 

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities.  

Notice to be published in the Ranchland News publications 3/19/2026 & 3/26/2026

THE TOWN OF SIMLA, ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO, 

CONCERNING A REQUEST FOR VARIANCE 

Pursuant to the laws of Colorado and the ordinances of the Town of Simla, Colorado, a request of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Simla, Colorado: THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT VARIANCES, the undersigned applicant hereby requests a variance from the dimensional requirements set forth in Town of Simla Municipal Code §7-3-3-4 (C), which mandates setback minimums from front of ten (10) feet, sides five (5) feet and rear ten (10) feet.  

A public hearing will be held concerning this matter, and the Applicant, Elbert County Road & Bridge, shall appear before the Town of Simla Board of Trustees on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 7:00 pm, at the Town Hall Board Room, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, CO 80835.  

At said time and place, any interested person may appear to be heard wither for or against the issuance of said variance. Petitions, remonstrances and other reports of statements in writing shall be filed with the Town Clerk, Simla Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, Colorado 80835, before four o’clock pm (4:00 pm), Friday, April 24, 2026. 

Megan Taunton 

Town Clerk 

Dates Scheduled for Publication: April 23rd & April 30th

Pursuant to the laws of Colorado and the ordinances of the Town of Simla, Colorado, a request of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Simla, Colorado: THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT VARIANCES, 7-3-3-7; commercial setbacks in the Town of Simla. A hearing will be held concerning this matter, and the Applicant, Maarten vanZoeren, shall appear before the Town of Simla Board of Trustees on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 7:00 pm, at the Town Hall Board Room, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, CO 80835. At said time and place, any interested person may appear to be heard whether for or against the issuance of said variance. Petitions, remonstrances and other reports of statements in writing shall be filed with the Town Clerk, Simla Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla, Colorado 80835, before four o’clock pm (4:00 pm), Friday, May 30, 2025. - Megan Taunton -Town Clerk

Published in the Ranchland News, publications May 22nd & 29th, 2025.

Apologies for the inconvenience, as all of our area recovers from our record snow fall event.

Photo Radar Enforcement Activation Please be advised that photo radar cameras will be activated and operational beginning on December 25,2025 within the Town of Simla.

These cameras are being implemented to enhance traffic safety and enforce speed limits in designated areas. Motorists are urged to comply with all posted speed limits and traffic regulations.

For additional information, including camera locations and enforcement guidelines, please visit our photo radar web page

Starting November 25, photo radar cameras will be active on the east side of Simla, east and westbound Highway 24 between Ute Ave and Dakota Ave. There will be a 30-day warning period during which motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more, will receive warning notices only.

Citations will begin after the warning period ends. Please drive safely and obey posted speed limits to ensure the safety of all residents.

Please note these cameras are photo radar cameras ONLY and not Flock cameras. They will on record a vehicle and its license plate when the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit by 10mph or more.

Rescheduled Board Meeting

Please take notice that the regular meeting of the Simla Board of Trustees originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025 @ 7pm has been rescheduled due to the lack of a quorum.

The meeting will now be held on:\ Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025\ Time: 7 pm\ Location: 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla CO 80835

This notice is issued in accordance with applicable bylaws and open meeting requirements.

https://townofsimla.com/pages/public-notices

The Town of Simla Board of Trustees will hold a workshop to review and discuss the town’s water system and potential future improvements.

• Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Simla Town Hall, 323 Pueblo Ave.

Workshop Topics

The Board will review and discuss:

• The current condition of the town’s water system.
• Recommended upgrades and improvements.
• Future infrastructure planning.
• Funding considerations and potential impacts.

Public Participation

Residents are encouraged to attend, learn about the proposed updates, and provide input during the discussion. Community feedback is important in planning the future of Simla’s water system.

https://townofsimla.com/pages/public-notices

The Town of Simla will be hosting Dog Registration and a Rabies Clinic on:

📅 Monday, February 23, 2026\ ⏰ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM\ 📍 Location: 323 Pueblo Ave, Board Room

💲 Dog Registration Fees\ • $15 per dog — spayed/neutered\ • $25 per dog — not spayed/neutered\ • Payment accepted: cash, check, or credit card

💉 Rabies Vaccination Cost\ • $15 per dog\ • Cash or check only

✅ Dog registration deadline: March 31, 2026

🐕 Please bring your dog on a leash or in a carrier.

📞 Questions? Contact Town Hall at 719‑541‑2468

Help keep our community and pets safe and healthy—we hope to see you there! 💙🐾

Costs: Rabies: $15, Distemper/Parvo $25.00, Feline Distemper/Leukemia $30.00 Cash or checks only.

Town staff will be on hand so residents can register their dog(s). Registration deadline is March 31st

Registration costs: $15.00 for spayed/neutered, $25.00 for non-spayed/neutered.

Licensing Fees:

Fees are Structured based on spayed/neutered status:

• Spayed/Neutered – $15
• Un-spayed/Un-neutered – $25

Resources:

• Visit Article A – Dogs of online Municipal Codes for full details concerning licensing, vaccinations and animal control codes.

Simla Days 2025 Flyer

Simla Days Map of Activates and Vendors

Want to be a vendor at Simla Days 2025:

ALL VENDOR SPOTS FOR SIMLA DAYS 2025 ARE FULL. SEE YOU IN 2026

1. Review Simla Days Map of Activities and Vendors to see open vendor spots
2. Make payment. See instructions below. Payment must be made to reserve your spot. Spot selection is first paid first selection.
3. Complete Simla Days Vendor Registration form below
4. Once we receive your application and verify you have paid for your vendor spot, we will email you for your spot selection.

To make the payment to reserve your vendor spot(s) online click the link below:

• Go to General Payments

  1. From the drop-down menu select Special Events
  2. Enter the amount
  3. Reference: Simla Days Vendor
  4. Add and check out
  5. Check out as guest
  6. Enter name and address associated with the card you are paying with
  7. Enter card information
  8. Click submit payment

https://townofsimla.com/pages/simla-days-2026

Notice is hereby given that a a special meeting of the Simla Board of Trustees will be held:

Date: Thursday, Janauy 29, 2026

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Board Room - Simla Town Hall - 323 Pueblo Ave, Simla CO 80835

Purpose: To review, discuss and vote on Ordinance 358 - AN ORDIANCE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF SIMLA, COLORADO AMENDING CHAPTER 4 TO TITLE 1 REGARDING GENERAL PENALITIES, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 11 TO TITLE 1 REGARDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND REPEALING AND REENACTING TITLE 4 TO THE SIMLA TOWN CODE ESTABLISHING A NEW CRIMINAL CODE

This meeting is open to the public.

Town Hall closed on January 8, 2024 due to weather conditions.

Due to the cold weather, trash service will be delayed until Wednesday, January 17, 2024.