BOCC Minutes October 6th 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

October 6, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday October 6, 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

Interim Administrator, Travis Anderson

Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney

Kim Percell, County Clerk, Absent

Deputy Clerk Jerri Frizzell

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of October 6, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

ABATEMENT: It being the time set aside for the Garrett Cisek, Mountain Creek Estate LLC Abatement hearing on property located at 36011 and 36341 Hwy 160 Mancos Co. 81328, accounts #R5744 and #R13794.  The proceedings were recorded for the record.  Commissioner Koppenhafer recused himself from the hearing.  Assessor, Leslie Kennedy Bugg along with Appraiser, Michael Bourbeau were present.  Mr. Cisek joined the hearing by Zoom.  The Petitioner along with Assessor, Bugg gave an overview of the valuation of said land.  Assessor Bugg presented her recommendations to the Board.  After hearing the evidence presented, Commissioners Lindsay moved to stay with the Assessors, recommendation of denial, based on the fact that there was no agriculture use in that year and that the property’s agricultural value was not destroyed by a natural cause requiring reclamation.  Second by Commissioner Candelaria and carried.  (See attached)

ABATEMENT: It being the time set aside for the R.W. (Mike) Moore Abatement hearing on property located at 42305 FS 556 Mancos CO. 81328, account # R000443.  The proceedings were recorded for the record.  Assessor, Leslie Kennedy Bugg along with Appraiser, Michael Bourbeau were present.  Mr. Moor joined the hearing by Zoom. The Petitioner along with Assessor, Bugg gave an overview of the valuation of said land.  Assessor Bugg gave her recommendations to the Board that there was no agricultural use on the property. After hearing the evidence presented, Commissioners Koppenhafer moved to accept the Assessors, recommendation on this tax matter.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

ABATEMENT: It being the time set aside for the Anthony & Marie Roan Abatement hearing on property located at 101 S. 5^th Street Dolores CO. 81323 account #R2707.  The proceedings were recorded for the record.  Assessor, Leslie Kennedy Bugg along with Appraiser, Michael Bourbeau were present.  Mr. Roan was present.  The Petitioner along with Assessor, Bugg gave an overview of the valuation of said land.  Assessor, Bugg gave her recommendations to the Board.  After hearing the evidence presented, Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to change the assessed valuation to a 60% commercial and a 40% residential on the building based on the actual use.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for Subdivision Amendment & Rezoning to the J & J Lanier Single Lot Development , submitted by Joseph & Jennifer Lanier, on property located at 27193 Road 10, Pleasant View, CO, consisting of 10.09 acres, more or less, located west of Road 10, north of Road CC, situated in Sections 30 Township 39N, Range 18W, N.M.P.M.

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented

for signatures of a Mylar for a 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.

Deletions / Changes to Agenda:

PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Susan Kemnetz.

PROCLAMATION: Extension Office Administrative Assistant, Ashley Nolan along with  4H County Council Officer, Emma Smith met with the Commissioners to present for approval a Proclamation to set the National 4H Week in Montezuma County as October 3-10, 2026. Commissioner Lindsay moved to proclaim October 3-10, 2026, as Montezuma County 4H Week.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.   (See attached)

CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

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

• Approval of MediDrive Colorado Transportation Provider Contract (See attached)
• Approval of Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program grant proposal (See attached)
• Approval of Overdose Data in Action/Toxicology grant proposal (See attached)

Item(s) Needing Individual Consideration:

LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy, Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a liquor license renewal application for Booze Stop LLC, located at 18794 Hwy 491, Lewis Co. 81327.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Booze Stop LLC, located at 18794 Hwy 491, Lewis, CO.  retail liquor license renewal application. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

APPOINTMENT: The discussion related to the appointment of new members to the Montezuma County Fair board was postponed to a future date. 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT: During the Monday workshop Interim Administrator Anderson along with IT Director Jim McClain presented an Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Temporary Sharing of Information Technology Management Services for approval.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding Temporary Sharing of Information Technology Management Services with the City of Cortez.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the current Racetrack Contract / Lease.  Attorney Tarnowski presented for approval a Notice of Termination of Racetrack Lease.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to sign the Notice of Termination of Racetrack Lease for Montezuma County.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski, mentioned the United States Supreme Court oral argument for the Boulder County vs Suncore Energy litigation, gave updates on the Ironwood Property case, the revised Land Use Code proposal and the Planning Procedure Resolution.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Interim Administrator Travis Anderson discussed the City of Cortez IGA, a meeting attended with the HR manager and the FOP,  a discussion held related to H1 and Snap, the Racetrack tenant conversations, the Monday workshop presentation from Shak Powers related to the fiber project, and the completion of the Sheriff’s office IA -26-02 investigation.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell was absent from the meeting.  Deputy Clerk Frizzell reported that the ballots had been mailed.  

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

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended personnel committee meeting for the Southwest Conservation Water District and the Monday workshop.

Commissioner Lindsay reported he had attended a virtual CCI County initiative meeting, and the attended Traveling Town Hall meeting held in Lewis. 

Commissioner Candelaria gave a report on the attended Western Interstate Region Board of Directors meeting.

RESOLUTION: Resolution 11-2026, A resolution Lifting the Ban of Open Fires and the Use of Fireworks was presented for approval.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to suspend the fire ban and authorize the Chairman to sign the resolution.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session Pursuant to C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b), for the purpose of receiving legal advice from counsel on any item appearing before the Board on this agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Interim Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski, Deputy Clerk Frizzell and HR Manager Dennis Bugg.  The topic for the executive session was Review of Employer’s Council’s HR Services for the Public Health Department.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to come out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Attorney Tarnowski reported that within the executive session the topic noticed was discussed, no other topics were discussed, no decisions were made and those who were noticed as participating were present. Commissioner Lindsay moved to cancel further review by the Employers Council Services for the Public Health Department. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: The Montezuma County Senior Services October 2026 newsletter.

BOARD OF COUNTY HEALTH: Chairman Candelaria announced the meeting would reconvene at 1:30 p.m., as the Board of County Health

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

ADJOURNED: 11:20 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk                   October 6, 2026                               Chairman