It’s hard to think of Garfield County without John Martin in the mix. Even if you don’t know Martin, you’ve probably seen him walking around Glenwood Springs — the tall, Wyatt Earp-like commissioner strikes a distinguishing figure. At the very least, you’ve probably read or heard his name in the news. After all, he’s served nearly three decades in county office.

But this is the year he finally hangs up his hat of public service.

Martin moved to Garfield County in the 1960s. He came right after college and his venture was taking over the Texaco station on 10th and Grand. Martin had little more than a new bride and daughter with him — and no place to live. Martin found a little place in West Bank at a cattle ranch that he and his extended family moved into.

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“This was the ’60s. There was no place to live and rent was outrageous. I had to work two jobs just to live so it (Glenwood Springs) hasn’t changed much,” Martin said jokingly.

Martin did not let any of that slow him down, however. He worked hard and was able to provide a good living for himself and his family. During the time leading up to his work in politics, Martin wore many hats. He worked in construction, was a police officer for 25 years, and even worked as a cobbler for a time. Out of the many ventures Martin has made throughout his life, it’s easy to see his true passion is public service.

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When Martin was first starting as a county commissioner, he hired Ed Green as the county administrator (who later became the mayor of Rifle). Together, the two of them accomplished a lot, much of which focused on county employees. Martin said he was very grateful for everything Green did.

“Thank you, Ed, if you’re reading this. We had our differences but you did a great job for the citizens of Garfield County and the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners),” said an appreciative Martin. 

Martin maintains his pride in everything that he has worked toward, but the first subject he was quick to mention was how the county employees have been taken care of through his leadership. Many of the policies Martin mentioned are things that are commonplace nowadays, but were not when he first started; such the change personnel manuals, retirement plans outside of social security, training, developing department heads as county positions instead of state positions, and much more.

Another focus for Martin is the county budget and revenue that is being brought in. 

“We do not live outside of our budget. We do not borrow money. We do not go for grants. We only spend what we have,” said Martin. 

Martin and the other BOCC chairs focus on building reserves in the budget, which in the past has been close to $200 million. This money does not go to waste and has been used most recently to reduce property taxes for homeowners by dropping the mill levy. The BOCC also took $15 million to give to cities all over Garfield County with no strings attached. This money was used to help with various projects and development.

The county operating within its budgetary means is something he hopes continues when he steps down at the end of his term this year. Martin said that paying cash for projects saves the county money and he hopes leadership continues to focus on revenue and reserves to enable future projects.

Marian Smith was another person Martin recognized in his mentions. He said she has helped him throughout the years and is someone he has looked up to. Martin said he met Smith when he was a police officer. Smith was the first female city councilwoman in Glenwood Springs, the first female mayor of Glenwood Springs, and the first female county commissioner in Garfield County. 

“She was the one who looked at every receipt of every expenditure, for every department, for every elected official, on a weekly basis. She did her job,” Martin said. 

Martin said that Smith opened his eyes when it came to conservation districts.

Smith originally squeezed $5,000 out of the county budget to give to select conservation districts so they could work on such things as irrigation and weed control. Martin said that he continued this trend and followed Smith’s lead, and now that number is up to $165,000 annually, which helps with multiple agricultural projects throughout the county. 

Natural resources are plentiful in Garfield County and two-thirds of the land is public. Unfortunately, a lot of the revenue from these natural resources — water, oil and gas, timber, etc. — goes to the state and federal government and not directly to the county itself. Martin said this is just government at work but he still focused on improving the county’s standing when it came to this. 

The tax and revenue system from natural resources is complicated. Land use and natural resource extraction are taxed and that can produce a limited revenue for the county, which then has to pay a certain amount to the state and federal government.

To help the county retain more revenue, which in turn can be used to help fund more local projects, Martin went to Washington, D.C. While there, he worked with the director of the Department of the Interior to set up a deal that would allow the federal government to recognize the payments from natural resources and county taxes, which would then go directly to the special district within the county. The twist is that then the payment would be diverted to a special district — that was created by the county — without any controls indicating dispersion to federal or state tax. That district has now given out over $36 million, which goes to political subdivisions, or mill levies.

Martin has focused on more traditional revenue streams for the county as well. He worked to pass a sales tax that helps many fund nonprofits in the area. This goes to the nonprofits in the form of a grant that a total of 46 nonprofits have come to rely on. This sales tax also allots money for roads and bridges, and some additional money for the sheriff’s office.

Martin has also implemented a way for the county to help small businesses in the area.

Co-Venture was created as a separate entity to provide county grants to new and existing businesses. Martin said that the county commissioners like to stay out of the way and that, by having this entity outside of county operations, it allows for businesses to operate freely from any government influence. 

Martin also spoke about how the county helped set up water meters along the river. This project benefited the county indirectly by helping municipalities measure and draw their water off of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers. The meters also help to monitor endangered species found in the water and serve sportsmen who enjoy all that the water has to offer.

Reluctant to be interviewed for this story, Martin said that he is not one to boast but agreed to talk about those who helped him along the way and reflect on what he’s most proud of during his time in office. After all, that time significantly impacts Garfield County and its communities — oftentimes more so than actions taken at higher levels of government. Martin still has one year left as the District 2 County Commissioner Chair. 

“I’m not one to talk about myself and I like to work in the background. I do not like to boast and to be honest, I get uncomfortable talking about what I’ve accomplished,” Martin said.