District Attorney Press Release Feb. 6, 2025: District Attorney’s Office reaches diversion agreement with school superintendent

For Immediate Release

Feb. 6, 2025

Contact: DAInfo@co.montezuma.co.us

District Attorney’s Office reaches diversion agreement with school superintendent

Cortez, Colo. (Montezuma County) – The 22^nd District Attorney’s Office has reached a diversion agreement with the superintendent of Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 Schools. Harry “Tom” Burris was charged with a class 2 misdemeanor for violating Colorado’s mandatory reporting law. Under the agreement, Burris must create a reporting safety plan for the district and receive additional training on the mandatory reporting law.

“The diversion agreement negotiated in this case provides for an appropriate level of accountability as well as an important opportunity to provide heightened awareness and understanding of mandatory reporting laws for the entire school district. This is a fair outcome that we would offer to any defendant with no criminal history who is accused of a low-level misdemeanor crime, regardless of their status in the community,” said Assistant District Attorney Justin Pierce.

The mandatory reporting law in Colorado applies to a multitude of professions, including school district employees. Mandatory Reporters in Colorado must immediately report suspected or alleged child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services, Law Enforcement, or the State Child Abuse Reporting Hotline. An investigation found Burris had received information that may have indicated a potential abuse situation involving a student in the school district, but Burris did not report that information to any of the entities outlined in the law. A subsequent investigation uncovered no evidence that any abuse actually occurred in this situation.

If Burris completes the requirements of this diversion agreement the charge will be dismissed. All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

###