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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
April 7, 2026
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 31, 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 (absent)
Malinda Fuller, Chief Deputy Clerk
April 7, 2026
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, March 31, 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 Subdivision Amendment & Rezoning Application of the High-Duran Subdivision, submitted by Johnnie & Allison Duran and Tyson & Jaime Cox, on properties located at 20508 & 20390 Road S, Cortez, CO, consisting of 16.68 & 3.03 acres, more or less, located east of Road 20, south of Road S, situated in Section 25, Township 37N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M. 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 Lindsay moved to accept the proposed High-Duram Subdivision Amendment & Rezoning Application submitted by Johnnie & Allison Duran and Tyson and Jamie Cox on properties located 20508 & 20390 Road S, Cortez CO. 2nd by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented
Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented a mylar for signatures.
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding of a proposed 5-acre Single Lot Development & Rezoning Application, submitted by Alissa Baxstrom & Shannon Stephenson, on property located at 19041 Road S, Cortez, CO, consisting of 160 acres, more or less, located north of Road S, west of Hwy 491, situated in Section 23 Township 37N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M. 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 Lindsay moved to accept the 5-acre Single Lot Development & Rezoning Application, submitted by Alissa Baxstrom & Shannon Stephenson, on property located at 19041 Road S, Cortez, CO. 2nd by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination of a proposed a proposed High Impact Permit Application, submitted by Wynn Sanders & Lauren D’Abate; agent: Bryan Davis, on property located at 30550 Road H, Cortez, CO, consisting of 37 acres, more or less, south of Road H, east of Hwy 160-491, situated in Section 34, Township 36N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M. 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. Public comment was made by Brian Baratlett and Billy Akers. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Koppemhafer moved to approve the proposed High Impact Permit Application, submitted by Wynn Sanders & Lauren D’Abate; agent: Bryan Davis, on property located at 30550 Road H, Cortez, CO consisting of 37 acres more or less. Second by Commissioner Lindsey and carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mary Dodd made public comment.
Deletions/Changes to Agenda: The proposed Acceptance of Health and Wellness Program Check for $50,000.00 from Anthem Insurance and proposed Approval of Mines And Associates Employee Assistance Program (EAP) were removed from the Consent Agenda. Approval of CU-Boulder Horses Connecting Communities Fairgrounds Rental proposal was moved to items for individual consideration. Decision regarding county-wide fire ban Pursuant to C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b) was postponed.
Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda, as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:
Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:
Approval of Employee Handbook Revision
Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Approval of CU-Boulder Horses Connecting Communities Fairgrounds Rental with the conditions set for of $700 and be treated the same as any other rental of the Fairground facility. Second by Commissioner Lindsey and carried.
Commissioner Lindsey moved to sign the MOU between Montezuma Public Health and Southwest Health Systems for the Colorado vaccines for children program.. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
Commissioner Lindsey moved to not pursue the Summer Food grant proposal. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski , discussed briefs and drafts to the planning and zoning commission. He also discussed the Ironwood and court dates.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson discussed Road and Bridge, acca, grants finance and HR. Also included were fleet and sales tax.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Chief Deputy Malinda Fuller mentioned the upgraded system for Motor Vehicle.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Lindsay mentioned the Election and Health week..
Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the management position at the Southwest Water Conservation District and the Colorado River.
Commissioner Candelaria mentioned day-to-day operations, the Public Auction, approval of oil, the Monday Workshop, and the Public Health walk in the park.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:
ADJOURNED: 10:26 a.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk April 7, 2026 Chairman
Embedded calendar showing upcoming events for the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.
