BOCC Minutes September 22, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

September 22, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday September 22, 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

Malinda Fuller, Chief Deputy Clerk

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of September 22, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, held on Tuesday, September 15, 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 Amendment Application to the Freeman-Likes Single Lot Development, 1st Amended, submitted by Cody & Ashlynn Likes and Deric Freeman & Alana Klase-Freeman, on properties located at 20839 Road 20 & 20700 Hwy 491, Lewis, CO, consisting of 3.57 & 52.96 acres, more or less, both located north of Hwy 491, west of Road 20, situated in Sections 35 Township 38N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M.  The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record.  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 Amendment Application to the Freeman-Likes Single Lot Development, 1^st Amended, submitted by Cody & Ashlynn Likes an Deric Freeman and Alana Klase-Freeman located at 20839 &20700 Hwy 491 Lewis, CO, consisting of 3.57 & 52.96 acres, more or less, both located north of Hwy 491, west of Road 20, situated in Sections 35 Township 38N, Range 17W, N.M.P.M. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)

PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley presented  for discussion and approval of an Amendment to  Exemption #P-7-11, submitted by Nathaniel Waller & Susan Ann Stein and Arthur & Carol  Van Der Harten on properties located at 10682 & 10726 Road 41.2, Mancos, CO, consisting of 3.18 & 169.29 acres, more or less, all located east of Hwy 184, situated in Section 21, Township 36N, Range 13W, N.M.P.M. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Amendment  to Exemption #P-7-11 submitted by Nathan Waller & Susan Ann    Arthur & Carol Van Der Harten at property located at 10682 and 10726 Road 41.2, Mancos, CO, consisting of 3.18 & 169.29 acres, more or less, all located east of Hwy 184, situated in Section 21, Township 36N, Range 13W, N.M.P.M Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

 PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley presented discussion and approval of an Amendment to Exemption #P-7-11, submitted by Timothy Hunter and Arthur & Carol  Van Der Harten, on properties located at 10686 & 10726 Road 41.2, Mancos, CO, consisting of 4.7 & 169.29 acres, more or less, all located east of Hwy 184, situated in Section 21, Township 36N, Range 13W, N.M.P.M. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Amendment to Exemption #P-7-11, submitted by Timothy Hunter and Arthur & Carol  Van Der Harten, on properties located at 10686 & 10726 Road 41.2, Mancos, CO, consisting of 4.7 & 169.29 acres, more or less, all located east of Hwy 184, situated in Section 21, Township 36N, Range 13W, N.M.P.M. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

Deletions / Changes to Agenda: Possible decision on rescinding the Fire Ban

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was presented. 

CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda which included Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol Testing, approval of letter of support for the City of Cortez Raw Waterline Program. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

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

• Approval of Policy 26-05 Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol Testing. (See attached
• Approval of letter of support for support for the City of Cortez Raw Waterline Program. (See attached)

• Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

• Updated Employee Handbook

• Update on Resolution 8-2026.

• IGA with the City of Cortez

Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Updated Handbook as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Commissioner Lindsay moved to authorize the Chairman to sign a letter of Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Cortez as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed recycling program, Ironwood case and elections and lodger’s tax.

COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: Interim Administrator Travis Anderson discussed CCA request regarding jail maintenance staff and training, meeting with City Manager, junk property, contract with the Town of Dolores regarding law enforcement, fiber issues with City of Cortez, Fire Ban, and dispatch meeting.

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell

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

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed Southwest Water meeting and water efficiency.

Commissioner Lindsay discussed Dispatch meeting and City Council.

Appointment: Commissioner Candelaria moved to appoint Commissioner Lindsay to the legislative committee commissioner designation for CCI, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Commissioner Candelaria discussed CCI form, Public Lands Committee,

Commissioner Lindsay moved to designate Cole to make the decision on the new leased vehicle. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Commissioner Lindsay moved to recommend naming a finalist for the Administrator position and Chairman will work with staff. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Executive Session: Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into Executive session pursuant to CRS Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(B) that the Board may move into executive session for receiving legal advice on any item appearing before the Board on this agenda. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Commissioner Lindsay moved to come out of executive session.  Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

Commissioner Lindsay moved to direct staff to move appropriate records to the office of the D.A. and other appropriate agencies.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.

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

ADJOURNED: 10:18 a.m.

___________________________                              ____________________________

Clerk        September 22, 2026                                   Chairman