Photos by Lyndsie Ferrell Rio Grande County honors Jack Rudder for his service to veterans across the San Luis Valley during the commissioners meeting on June 30. Rio Grande County welcomes new administrator Craig Barraclough on June 30. Barraclough comes to the Valley from Texas and Park County.

Commissioners hire new administrator — Craig Barraclough

RIO GRANDE COUNTY — Rio Grande County Commissioners on June 30 welcomed Jack Rudder who has spent the last year servicing veterans throughout the entire San Luis Valley. During the pandemic, Rudder was the only person helping veterans in all SLV counties while training new personnel.

“We are so grateful for the work and dedication you provided during the past year and years before,” said Rio Grande County Commissioner Gene Glover.

Rudder stated that he now has confidence in the staff member he trained over the last year and that he was simply doing what was needed.

“I was just doing what I needed to do to be there for my brother and sisters here in the Valley,” he said.

Rudder was presented with two plaques thanking him for his service and a reception followed the board meeting.

Rio Grande County Commissioners also announced the hiring of a new administrator that started in his new position last week. Craig Barraclough has been coming to the Valley for many years and is eager to begin working for the county. He graduated with a geography and geology major but has worked in town and county government for several years.

Barraclough comes originally from Texas but has spent the past 11 years in Park County working in the Planning Department and DIS Department.

“We wanted to come back to Colorado and be closer to family. Being here in the San Luis Valley allows us to be close to both my and my wife’s relatives which is really nice,” Barraclough said.

Barraclough enjoys being in the outdoors and fishing. He also has an interest in minerals and a love for maps of all kinds. As administrator, he hopes to get familiar with the county he will be serving and working closely with county employees.