Scott Steward

After four years with the same face as chair of the Park County commissioners, there’s a new leader at the helm. 

Commissioners unanimously voted to approve former sheriff and first-term Commissioner Scott Steward as chairman for the 2026 year, replacing Dossie Overfield in the role.

Overfield took over the chair position in 2022 from outgoing Commissioner Lee Livingston. While the chair position traditionally rotated between the commissioners, Overfield’s colleagues voted to keep her in the post each of the last four years.

On Tuesday, all of the commissioners thanked Overfield for her service as chair.

“In almost 35 years in Park County … I’ve never seen anybody more dedicated than you have been,” Steward told Overfield, who has served on the commission since 2019.

Commissioner Lloyd Thiel was unanimously chosen to remain as vice chairman. 

Thiel said last year that someone else should step up to take some of the load off Overfield, but she said she wanted to remain chair for 2025 to shepherd a new commissioner and the development standards and regulations.

“I think it’s very important that all commissioners have to undergo what you have had to go through,” Thiel said Tuesday.

Steward, who was elected in 2022, will have that opportunity this year, as he leads meetings and acts as a spokesman and representative for the Park County Commission going forward.