McKinstry and Huerfano County Celebrate Opening of New Emergency Operations Building in Walsenburg, CO

McKinstry and Huerfano County, Colorado, are celebrating the opening of a new Emergency Operations Building in downtown Walsenburg. The project marks a major investment in public safety by bringing critical services together in one location for the first time. The facility is also designed to accommodate the growth of county departments, allowing them to expand and adapt to meet evolving community needs.

The remodeled facility houses public safety dispatch, emergency operations, county IT services and public meeting space, creating a coordinated hub designed to strengthen response during emergencies.

“This project reflects what is possible when we partner with communities to solve complex challenges,” said DJ Hubler, regional director at McKinstry. “By modernizing an existing building, Huerfano County now has a resilient, efficient facility designed to support emergency response for years to come.”

The project converts a historic former health care building into a modern emergency operations center while preserving its role as a long-standing civic asset. Originally built in the early 1900s, the three-story masonry structure now includes upgraded infrastructure, improved accessibility and modern technology to support current and future response needs.

Upgrades include dedicated dispatch and operations areas, a new elevator, ADA-accessible restrooms, enhanced electrical and IT systems and high-efficiency all-electric heating and cooling. The building is designed to remain operational via newly installed backup generators during major incidents while improving communication across departments.

County leaders said the project also supports downtown revitalization by repurposing an existing structure, extending the life of a historic building and reducing long-term costs and emissions.

“In rural communities like ours, reliable emergency response can make all the difference,” said Karl Sporleder, chairman of the Huerfano County Board of County Commissioners. “This facility gives our teams the tools, technology and space they need to serve residents when it matters most. We are excited to see everything come together and watch this dream become a reality.”

The facility is now fully operational and supports emergency response efforts across Huerfano County.