To clear away the confusion, we’ve put together a simple Q&A that explains what it means to live in an unincorporated community, how county districts are divided, who represents Pinehaven, and what makes District 2 unique. And for those who want to go deeper, you’ll also find a video interview with Commissioner Jim Chamberlain sharing his vision, priorities, and insights for District 2 in his own words.
1. Is Cuchara a village, town, or city? Cuchara, Colorado is not an incorporated town, city, or village. It is an unincorporated community in Huerfano County. That means it does not have its own municipal government (like a mayor or town council) but is instead governed directly by the county.
2. What exactly is an unincorporated community, and how does it affect Pinehaven? Living in Pinehaven means being part of an unincorporated community, a place that looks and feels like a village but doesn’t govern itself. Instead, the big decisions like law enforcement, zoning rules, roads, bridges, the maintenance of county owned properties, public improvements, code enforcement, public safety, human social services, elections, records, treasury, veteran services, economic development, tourism, airport and aviation services and workplace support are made at the county level.
In certain cases, local service districts like the Cucharas Sanitation and Water District and San Isabel Electric step in to provide essentials that the county doesn’t cover. However, the Pinehaven HOA and its covenants also play a distinctive role in community governance where shared resources, aesthetics, architectural guidelines, Firewise participation, conflict resolution, community standards, and safety are critical.
For representation, Pinehaven and the greater Cuchara area fall under District 2. That means your voice on county matters is carried by the District 2 commissioner, who sits on the three-member Huerfano County Board of Commissioners. In short, instead of a town council meeting on Main Street, your local issues are heard at the county courthouse, with your commissioner acting as your link between mountain living and county governance.
3. How many county commissioners make up Huerfano County? Huerfano County is guided by a three-member Board of County Commissioners.(1) Each commissioner represents a distinct district within the county, ensuring that every corner-mountain villages, rural ranchland, and the county seat-has a voice at the table. At the current time, Mitchell Wardell represents District 1, Jim Chamberlain District 2, and Karl Sporleder District 3. The county map below illustrates the boundaries of these three districts and shows how representation is divided across Huerfano County.
4. What County District is Cuchara a part of, and who represents that district? Cuchara and the Pinehaven community fall within Huerfano County District 2.(2) This district is currently represented by Commissioner Jim Chamberlain. As the voice for District 2, Commissioner Chamberlain represents the mountain villages and surrounding communities, ensuring their concerns and priorities are carried to the county level.
5. If I own property in Huerfano County can I vote for initiatives there? In Colorado (including Huerfano County), you can only vote in elections in the place where you are legally registered as a resident. Residency for voter registration is defined as your primary living address (your principal residence) in Colorado.
6. Who is Commissioner Jim Chamberlain? James “Jim” L. Chamberlain currently serves as the Huerfano County Commissioner for District 2 in Colorado. He began his term on January 14, 2025, and will serve through January 8, 2029. A longtime Huerfano County resident, Chamberlain has been active in local affairs for years and previously ran in county elections, including a campaign for sheriff in 2018. Following his successful 2024 bid for county commissioner, he was sworn in alongside fellow commissioner Mitch Wardell.
Jim has a substantial background in law enforcement and military service. He spent 18 years in law enforcement, beginning with the La Junta Police Department and later working 13 years with the Walsenburg Police Department, rising through ranks from patrolman to Chief of Police. He also served as the Deputy Marshal of La Veta for a period. In addition to his law enforcement roles, Chamberlain has had a long career in the U.S. Air Force Reserves (Security Forces), where over ~26 years he specialized in military law enforcement, counterterrorism, and combat operations. He was deployed overseas multiple times after 9/11, including to Baghdad in 2004 and to Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2009.
As a member of the Huerfano County Board of County Commissioners, Chamberlain plays a key role in overseeing county operations, public infrastructure, and local governance. In addition to his commission duties, he has been appointed to the Huerfano County Asset Management Corporation, where he helps manage county-owned assets and property. Known locally for his practical leadership style and community involvement, Chamberlain represents a commitment to public service and accountability within Huerfano County’s government.
7. What makes Huerfano County’s District 2 unique? Huerfano County is divided into three commissioner districts, each with its own character. District 2 of Huerfano County, Colorado, stands out for its diverse mix of geography, land use, and community character. While the county has not formally published detailed district descriptions, District 2 encompasses much of the scenic southern and central portions of Huerfano County. These areas are defined by rugged mountain terrain, dense forests, and historic rural settlements. This region includes proximity to the Spanish Peaks, Cuchara Valley, and portions of the San Isabel National Forest, all of which contribute to a local economy centered around tourism, recreation, and seasonal residents. The district’s landscape also presents unique infrastructure challenges, including mountain roads, snow management, and wildfire mitigation that require hands-on coordination between county government and local homeowners’ associations.
In contrast to Huerfano County’s other districts, which may include more agricultural plains or urban concentrations such as Walsenburg, District 2’s communities tend to be smaller, more dispersed, and deeply tied to the area’s natural beauty and outdoor lifestyle. Residents include long-time ranching families, cabin owners, and retirees drawn to the tranquility of the forested valleys. As a result, local governance in District 2 often balances land preservation with sustainable development, road maintenance, and emergency preparedness in remote mountain settings. This blend of natural resources, recreation-based economy, and frontier-style independence makes District 2 a defining piece of Huerfano County’s identity where the challenges of rural living meet the rewards of life in Colorado’s high country.
8. What is County Commissioner Jim Chamberlain objectives, values, and vision for District 2? To help the Pinehaven community better understand the goals and perspectives of their elected representative, Gene sat down with Commissioner Jim Chamberlain for a recorded video interview. In their conversation, Jim was asked a series of questions designed to reveal his leadership priorities, his view of District 2’s culture and challenges, and his vision for its future. The questions included:
- What are three things you want to use your leadership influence to accomplish in District 2?
- How would you describe District 2 as a culture?
- What are District 2’s greatest needs?
- What are the three dangers or threats Huerfano County is facing?
- What are District 2’s greatest strengths?
- What are three ways you have seen District 2 change over the past five years?
- What needs do most organizations in District 2 feel unqualified or unable to meet?
- From your perspective, how can the Pinehaven community make a positive contribution to District 2?
The full video interview is available below for those who would like to hear Commissioner Chamberlain’s answers in his own words.(3)
9. How can Jim Chamberlain be contacted? Email: jim@huerfano.us. Office phone: (719) 738-3000 ext. 200. Office address: 401 Main St., Suite 201, Walsenburg, CO 81089.
Conclusion
Understanding how Cuchara and Pinehaven fit into the structure of Huerfano County helps us see our community in a new light. While we may not have a town council or mayor, our voices still matter and are carried through District 2 and Commissioner Jim Chamberlain. By learning how our governance works, we’re better equipped to preserve the unique character of our mountain home while staying connected to the wider county that supports it.(4)
Footnotes
Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.
1. Board of County Commissioners,” Huerfano County, accessed September 26, 2025, https://huerfanocounty-co.municodemeetings.com/bc-bocc/page/board-county-commissioners-1?utm.
2. Board of County Commissioners,” Huerfano County, accessed September 26, 2025, https://huerfanocounty-co.municodemeetings.com/bc-bocc/page/board-county-commissioners-1?utm.
3. Jim Chamberlain (Huerfano County Commissioner, District 2), interview by Gene Roncone, Zoom recording, on December 17, 2025.
4. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. The narrative, analysis, and historical interpretations are the author’s own, and responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the author. The blog’s research methodology statement is available at:
https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2019/03/methodology-sources-and-use-of-research.html
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