BOCC Minutes September 8, 2026

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO

September 8, 2026

STATE OF COLORADO           )

                                                     ) ss.

COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA   )

At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday September 8, 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

CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of September 8, 2026 with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners for Montezuma County, for the scheduled special meeting on August 31, 2026 and Tuesday, September 1, 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 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.   Mr. and Mrs. Likes were present.    Planning Director, Don Haley, was present.  County Attorney Tarnowski reported that the public notice read included an incorrect date of the hearing.  After reviewing the publicized notice, it was recommended to postpone the hearing and properly publish the notice.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to postpone the hearing to the earliest possible date, to be determined by Planning and the applicants, due to a publication error.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.  (See attached)

Deletions / Changes to Agenda:

SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk Jerri Frizzell presented for approval a Special Event  Permit application from the Hisatsinom Chapter – Colorado Archaeological Society located at 32171 Hwy. 160 Cortez Co. 81321.  The event is scheduled for October 3, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Special Event Permit for the Hisatsinom Chapter – Colorado Archaeological Society, located at 32171 Hwy. 160 Cortez.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.  (See attached)

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was presented. 

Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, met with the Commissioners to present for approval, the Federal Highway Utility Certification.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Federal Highway Utility Certification, as presented. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)

NATURAL RESOURCES, PLANNING & PUBLIC LANDS: Resource Director, James Dietrich, also presented the proposed Paths to Mesa Verde survey received from Land Surveyor Gerald Huddleston.  Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the survey proposal research field survey and plat for a portion of the Paths to Mesa Verde right of way crossing of the Sipes/Segel property at 7763 Road 38 Mancos.  Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)

DISCUSSION: A discussion was held related to the approved Resolution #8-2026. Chairman Candelaria gave an overview of the approved resolution and updated the Board on the proposed independent review of the internal affairs investigation.  The internal affairs investigation was delivered to an outside agency for determination.  No further action was taken at this time. (See attached)

COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski reported that he had been out of office last week and had reviewed his email inbox and would work on the follow up to those emails.  Emails received related to the Ironwood case, CORA requests and the nuts-and-bolts details.

COUNTY ADINISTRATOR REPORT: No report given  

PAYABLE EXPENDITURE REPORT: Interim Administrator Travis Anderson presented for approval the July 2026 Accounts Payable Expenditure Reports in the amount of $3,965,544.67.  Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Payables for July, in the amount of $3,965,544.67.  Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.   (See attached)

COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Clerk & Recorder Kim Percell reported that the 2026 November ballot will include 14 State questions as well as 4 local questions and discussed letters that were mailed to the 17-25 registered voters from the Clerk’s office as per Colorado Election Rule 7.7.14. 

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

Commissioner Lindsay mentioned a visit to the Landfill, the scheduled Cortez City Council meeting and the scheduled Dispatch meeting.  

Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed scheduled employment interviews for a position with the  Southwest Water Conservation Board and the scheduled Town of Mancos Board meeting. 

Commissioner Candelaria mentioned day-to-day normal business within the office.

CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:  August 2026 Emergency Management Monthly Situation Report. (See attached)

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

ADJOURNED: 9:22 a.m.

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Clerk        September 8, 2026                                     Chairman