Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

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Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Notice

Date: March 1, 2026

To: Montezuma County Residents and Visitors

Subject: Evacuation Preparedness

Emergencies such as wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters can occur at any time.
The Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office asks for your assistance in planning and preparing for
situations that may require evacuation from your home.

Everyone can help by pre‑planning and being prepared by considering the following steps:

• Watch weather reports and stay aware during daily activities throughout the year.
• Prepare a plan for where you could move and store valuable property—vehicles, RVs, trailers,
  firearms, and farm equipment—in the event of a pre‑evacuation order.
• Provide the Sheriff or Emergency Manager with information about locations where mobility
  assistance may be needed.
• Prepare a plan for how and where you could move livestock, farm animals, and pets.
• Prepare a “Go Bag” containing medications, medical equipment, and important documents for
  every person in the home.
• Prepare an emergency bag for your vehicle with first aid supplies, water, and shelter materials.

In the event of an evacuation order, you will receive information about check‑in sites so all
persons from the evacuated area can be identified and accounted for. You will also receive
information about emergency shelters for people, pets, and livestock within Montezuma County.

Being prepared—especially during wildfire season—can save lives and property. Taking advantage
of available assistance to create defensible space around your home is another important step.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

Steven D. Nowlin, Sheriff
Montezuma County, Colorado