PITKIN COUNTY, COLO. (September 9, 2024) - Last week, Deputy County Manager, Rich Engelhart, announced his plan to retire in the spring of 2025. Rich has been with Pitkin County for the last eight years, most recently for the past four years as Deputy County Manager overseeing the Infrastructure team.
“I want to express my appreciation and thank all those I have had the privilege to work with during my tenure with Pitkin County. While pondering the timing of my decision I was reminded of a song lyric, ‘I know I’m only human, don’t know how many sunsets I got left’. I believe it is time to take a step back and enjoy my two most favorite things, family and sunsets,” said Englehart. ”What I am most proud of are the impacts made in this service-driven profession through leadership roles and the relationships formed with numerous peers, citizens, employees, appointed boards and elected officials.”
For over 28 years, Rich was with the City of Delta and played a part in the development and renovation of numerous parks and playgrounds; renovated and revitalized a downtown with multiple murals and public/private building renovations of which two were placed on the State Historic Register; major upgrades to a softball complex and local cemetery; designed and built an 18 hole golf course and was afforded the privilege of hitting the very first ball to open that new course; also converted an 80 acre site with an abandoned sugar beet factory and sewage lagoon into a regional park that houses a 40 acre fishing lake a large recreation center, living history museum, wildlife refuge and miles of trails.
During his seven year tenure as the Assistant City Manager and City Manager of Grand Junction, he collaborated with a new group of professionals to complete the law enforcement and fire station complex in downtown Grand Junction as well as additional fire stations that serve the city. He also oversaw major renovations of Avalon Performing Arts Center, a Grand Junction landmark and the addition of the press box and hospitality suite at Stoker Stadium.
While at Pitkin County, Rich was instrumental in efforts that significantly contributed to the advancement of infrastructure and programs that served both the Pitkin County community and organization. His leadership helped in the completion of the Sheriff and Administration building, Veterans Park, and the Aspen Ambulance Facility. Additionally, under his guidance, the county has acquired several homes for affordable employee housing. In recent times, Rich has been deeply involved in initiatives that will leave a lasting impact on the county's future, including potential projects for a new or remodeled justice center, the microgrid and heating district, the Phillips Mobile Home Park development, the continued deed restriction program, and the modernization of the Aspen Airport.
“It has been a privilege to work with Rich over the eight years that I have been a commissioner. Rich brought decades of experience as a city and county official, having served in several capacities on large, difficult and sophisticated challenges. So, Rich was a perfect fit for Pitkin County. He has an unflinching and polite way of handling tough situations and the inevitable vitriol flung his way, and I learned a lot from him. He’s one tough hombre, and I think we were the perfect last career challenge for him as he moves into viticulture. I’ll miss him.” said Greg Poschman, Pitkin County Commissioner.
“We have been so fortunate to have Rich with the county the past eight years. He is a talented and experienced public servant who embodies servant leadership and has an amazing legacy on the Western Slope of Colorado. I am so happy he capped his career here. Rich’s departure will leave an immense void, that said, he is leaving a very strong team, and as he has done throughout his distinguished career, is leaving things better off than when he came,” said Jon Peacock, Pitkin County Manager, “ I wish Rich and his family the best as they chase sunsets in this next chapter of their lives.