BOCC Minutes March 24, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

March 24, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday March 24, 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 March 24, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, March 17, 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 High Impact Permit, submitted by Country Style Investments, LLC; agent: Kevin Rice, on property located at 7500 Hwy 160-491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 9.60 acres, more or less, east of Hwy 160-491, north of Road G.3, situated in Section 3, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M.  (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments were made.

Deletions/Changes to Agenda:

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:

• Letter of Support for Independent Log Company for USDA funding. (See attached)
• Lease renewal with LMN Properties for use of the Haycamp Gravel Pit. (See attached)
• Appointment (6-year term) Kami Oliver to Fairview Cemetery Board. (See attached)
• Letter of support for the City of Cortez Congressionally Directed Spending funding. (See attached)
• Letter of Support for Southwest Health Systems for Congressionally directed funding for Nurse call systems. (See attached)
• Letter of Support for Southwest Health Systems for Congressionally directed funding for new Ambulances, request is to Senator Bennett and Senator Hickenlooper’s offices. (See attached)

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a Special Event liquor license application for the Ute Mountain Round Up Rodeo.  The event is scheduled to be held at the County Fairgrounds, 30100 Hwy 160 Cortez Co., from June 11, 2026 through June 13, 2026.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the application for a Special Events Permit, for the Ute Mountain Round Up Rodeo, at 30100 Hwy 160 Cortez, held June 11-13, 2026.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL: Deputy Clerk, Frizzell presented a new Colorado Liquor Retail License application for UPOP Holdings LLC. trade name, J.R.’s Country Store #48, located at 27963 Highway 184, Dolores Co., 81323.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the retail liquor license application for UPOP Holdings LLC. trade name J.R.’s Country Store, location 27963 Highway 184, Dolores. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski gave updates on the Leaf Properties / Dollar Store case, the unemployment hearing, appeals for child welfare cases, scheduled jury trials and the filed Land Use Code Enforcement case.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson mentioned discussions held related the Lodgers Tax Committee funds, a follow-up with Purple Wave related to yellow iron issues, a discussion with Magellan Strategies, and the hard surface evaluations from Jones & DeMille Engineering.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, no report given.

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

Commissioner Lindsay mentioned the Pleasant View property cleanup project and reported that he would not be attending the Cortez City Council meeting so that he would be available for the Community Wildfire Information Meeting, scheduled tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ room. 

Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned attending the Montezuma County Republican County Assembly, applications received for the Southwest Water Conservation District manager position and the Community Wildfire Information Meeting.

Commissioner Candelaria mentioned the scheduled Community Wildfire Informational meeting scheduled for tonight, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., in the Commissioner meeting room, scheduling an evening Town Hall meeting in May, the Montezuma County Republican County Assembly, the Monday Workshop, the Town of Dolores meeting, Road & Bridge meetings and applicant interviews. 

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

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:

ADJOURNED: 9:22 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        March 24, 2026                                          Chairman