State auditors accuse Grand County of misusing tourism funds
Jun 11, 2025, 4:58 PM | Updated: 7:30 pm
Canyonlands National Park backcountry river ranger and former river district ranger Steve Young, nicknamed Tberry, stands to drive a boat while teaching a Swift Water Incident Management training course on the Colorado River near Onion Creek rapids in Grand County on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)
GRAND COUNTY — State auditors are asking Grand County to reimburse over $1 million that they say was incorrectly spent on recreation programs.
A letter from the state auditor said that the money was only allocated for tourism promotion. However, Grand County disagreed.
Pointing to the state’s website as evidence, the county said the money was spent correctly on tourism promotion and recreation programs.
Grand County commission members frustrated
County commission members said they are frustrated by the audit, expressing feelings that goal posts for the area keep getting moved. They also want to know if other counties are being examined as closely as theirs.
“To me, the ambiguity does not come from us; it’s coming from the state auditor,” said Trish Hedin, a commission member. “We’re trying to be in compliance. Nobody was ever nefarious in their actions here, ever.”
The county auditor said the funds were used correctly. However, their legal counsel is suggesting they pay the reimbursement and move forward.
No action was taken during a meeting that happened earlier this month. The money and reimbursement are still being reviewed.
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