BOCC Minutes July 7th, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

July 7, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday July 7, 2026, at the Montezuma County Administration building in Cortez, Colorado, there were present:

Jim Candelaria, Chairman

Kent Lindsay, Vice Chairman

Gerald Koppenhafer, Commissioner of Deeds

Travis Anderson, County Administrator

Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of July 7, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County for Tuesday, June 30 2026, as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding of a proposed 2 Lot Minor Subdivision & Rezoning Application, submitted by Vistas Unlimited, LLLP; agent: Larry Ott, on property located at 45989 Hwy 160, Mancos, CO, consisting of 35.25 acres, more or less, located east & north of Hwy 160, situated in Sections 31& 32 Township 36N, Range 12W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Agent, Ott was present.  Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented the details of the application and the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment.  Hearing no public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed.  After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the proposed 2 Lot Minor Subdivision & Rezoning Application, submitted by Vistas Unlimited, LLLP; agent: Larry Ott, on property located at 45989 Hwy 160, Mancos, CO.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding a proposed Subdivision Amendment and Rezoning Application, to Lot #2 of the Garon Ranch 2-Lot Minor Subdivision, submitted by Douglas & Terri Rankin, on property located at 35511 Road R, Mancos, CO, consisting of 11.02 acres, more or less, located north of Hwy 160, east of Road 35.3, situated in Section 28, Township 37N, Range 14W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Mr. & Mrs. Rankin were present.  Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented the details of the application and the findings of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment.  Hearing no public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed.  After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Subdivision Amendment and Rezoning Application, to Lot #2 of the Garon Ranch 2-Lot Minor Subdivision, submitted by Douglas & Terri Rankin, on property located at 35511 Road R, Mancos.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.  (See attached)

PLANNING: Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for discussion and approval of a proposed Boundary Line Adjustment application submitted by Scott & Mary Ehmke and Ron Louis, on properties located at 25010 & 25000 Road 38.1, Dolores, CO, consisting of 2.75 & 21.54 acres, more or less, both located south of Hwy 145, situated in Section 1, Township 38N, Range 14W, N.M.P.M.  Mr. Ehmke and Mr. Louis were present.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to accept the proposed Boundary Line Adjustment application submitted by Scott & Mary Ehmke and Ron Louis, on properties located at 25010 & 25000 Road 38.1, Dolores.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would convene as the Board of Health

BOARD OF COUNTY HEALTH:  It being the time set aside a continued public hearing is held by the Montezuma County Board of Health, to consider evidence regarding a possible violation of state and local On-site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) regulations at the following property: 29181 Road J.6, Cortez, Colorado 81321.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  Property owner Nelson Smith Jr. and Nelson Smith Sr. were present.  Public Health Director Bobbi Lock, along with Linda Hill Environmental Health Specialist, presented the details.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to continue the public hearing 45 days out but to include effort on the property owner’s part to comply.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  The hearing will continue on  Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.   (See attached)

MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn the Board of Health of Montezuma County, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene as the Board of County Commissioners

Deletions / Changes to Agenda:

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by John Godbout.

CONSENT AGENDA: The Approval of Area Agency on Aging contract for Senior Services was removed from the Consent Agenda.  

Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of the approval of Forest Service SRS payment election and allocation, approval of Policy 26-04 on Political Activity, within the confines of Montezuma County Government,  approval of Resolution authorizing a bank account for the Sheriff’s Office for payment of inmate bonds.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:

Approval of Forest Service SRS payment election and allocation (See attached)

Approval of Policy 26-04 Political Activity (See attached)

Approval of Resolution authorizing a bank account for the Sheriff’s Office for payment of inmate bonds  Resolution # 4-2026, a resolution authorizing a bank account for the sheriff’s office for acceptance and payment on inmate bonds. (See attached)

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

DISCUSSION: During the Monday workshop a discussion was held related to the specifics of the proposed Lodger’s Tax ballot initiative.  Attorney Tarnowski will move forward with the ballot language. 

RESOLUTION: During the Monday workshop Finance Manager Robert Dobry held a discussion related to a proposed Supplemental Budget Request for 2026.  Resolution #3.1-2026, a resolution appropriating additional sums of money to defray expenses in excess of amounts budgeted for Montezuma County.  Commissioner  Koppenhafer moved to approve Resolution #3.1-2026, a resolution appropriating additional sums of money to defray expenses in excess of amounts budgeted for Montezuma County.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski,  Topics discussed within the Attorney’s report included, the Ironwood Property case, the Leaf Properties / Dollar Store Case, working on proposed ballot measure questions the proposed rubbish ordinance, a scheduled Road & Bridge / Sheriff  meeting related to road maintenance and right of way issues.

COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson discussed the follow up meeting with Performance Services related to the Structure Assessment, follow up from Congressman Hurd’s office related to the fire, follow up on collective bargaining questions, met with Enterprise related to vehicle evaluations, attended the Feris Fire Cooperating meeting, the scheduled Road & Bridge / Sheriff  meeting related to road maintenance and right of way issues.

A discussion was held related to the proposed direction of the Commissioners to serve as temporary interim for the Administrator’s position.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to direct the Attorney to create a resolution for the interim administration of Montezuma County, by the Montezuma County Commissioners and the motion to include Commissioner Candelaria as Chairman of the Board to negotiate a contract with Travis Anderson for the interim after and including September 7^th.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell discussed ballot signature cures for the June Primary election.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:

Koppenhafer gave a report on the (Triple A) Area Agency on Aging dissolution and discussed the effects of the Feris fire on the MVI  irrigation water pumps.

Commissioner Lindsay mentioned that there was no Cortez City Council meeting scheduled until next week,  gave an update of the Feris Fire and discussed electrical outages.        

Commissioner Candelaria proposed the appointment of Heath Higgins as the Road & Bridge Superintendent.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to appoint Heath Higgins as the Road & Bridge Superintendent.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

Other topics discussed included transparency, the rules of decorum for Commissioner meetings and expectations of employment with the county.  

MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: the CSU Extension reports, 

ADJOURNED: 10:25 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        July 7, 2026                                                Chairman