A week before he died, Dave Calhoon was doing one of the things he loved best — letting public officials know where he stood on Ouray County issues.

He had served as county commissioner himself for 24 years and had a reputation for voicing his thoughts to current elected officials. This time, though, he dictated the letter to his daughter-in-law from the recliner where he spent more and more time over the years as he stuck closer to home.

“I hand-delivered the letter,” Claudia said. “It ...