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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
January 6, 2026
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday January 6, 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 January 6, 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, December 30, 2025 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 Subdivision Amendment & Rezoning Application of the Nelson Single Lot Development, submitted by Ronnie & Ruth Stockwell, on property located at 13106 Hwy 491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 11.72 acres, more or less, located east of Hwy 491, north of Road N, situated in Section 4, Township 36N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Mrs. Stockwell and her daughter were present. 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 approve the proposed Subdivision Amendment & Rezoning Application of the Nelson Single Lot Development, submitted by Ronnie & Ruth Stockwell, on property located at 13106 Hwy 491, Cortez, with the stipulation that it comes into compliance with the Land Use Code, after the survey, within 9 months. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
APPOINTMENT: Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan reported that both Mike Lynch and Ted Neergaard had requested to be reappointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission Board. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to reappoint Mike Lynch and Ted Neergaard to the Planning and Zoning Commission Board for 3-year terms. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures Exemption Resolution #RES-04-2025 and the associated mylar for the Exemption Application for 1.5 acres, more or less, submitted by Eric & Mackenzie White; agent: Angela Rohwer, PV Fire Protection District Chief, on property located at 25386 Road 10, Pleasant View, CO, consisting of 149.44 acres, more or less, located north of Road BB, east of Road 10, situated in Section 5, Township 38N, Range 18W, N.M.P.M.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a Subdivision Amendment, boundary line adjustment & Rezoning Application of the Walck Minor Subdivision, submitted by Lewis & Elsie Walck and Annie Walck, on properties located at 6206 Hwy 160-491 & 6176 Road 24, Cortez, CO, consisting of 4.04 & 35.91 acres, more or less, both located east of Hwy 160-491, south of Road G, situated in Section 9, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Lenetta Shull.
Deletions / Changes to Agenda:
CONSENT AGENDA: The Appointment to the Southwestern Water Conservation District Board was removed from the Consent Agenda.
Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda as presented, with the exception of the appointment to the Southwestern Water Conservation District Board of Directors and to determine that separately. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:
Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:
APPOINTMENT: The Appointment to the Southwestern Water Conservation District Board was presented. Commissioner Candelaria moved to accept Commissioner Koppenhafer to the Southwestern Water Conservation District Board, for a 3-year term. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried (See attached)
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned the retirement of legal assistant Naomi Lennon-Lamke, along with his appreciation for the 16 years of service to the county. Other topics discussed included: the Leaf Properties briefing, recent child welfare appeal notifications, working with the Health Department related to septic systems, Land Use actions, the Federal Court trial for the jail house death case and the possible criminal offenses for Land Use issues.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson mentioned working with the Road and Bridge Department, the attended Six by Six County Commissioner meeting and concerns related to gas lines across Montezuma County.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Organizing the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for 2026. Commissioner Lindsay moved that all chair appointments and Board appointments remain the same. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, discussed a Motor Vehicle Software Update scheduled for February 2026 and reported that the County Motor Vehicle Department will be closed to customers on Monday, February 16, 2026.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Lindsay mentioned constituent phone calls related to offensive smells coming from local ponds, reported that there was no City of Cortez Council meeting scheduled and announced that the Cattleman’s Association meeting is scheduled for February 14th at the County Fairgrounds.
Commissioner Koppenhafer mentioned the 2024 La Plata County gas pipeline spill and current cleanup efforts, also discussed concerns related to the safety and replacement of the pipelines across Montezuma County.
Commissioner Candelaria discussed collaboration with the local CO2 oil companies related to repair or replacement of pipelines, including State leaders in the discussions related to the pipeline regulation, reported that Representatives and Congressional staffers attended the Six by Six County Commissioner meeting, a collective County Commissioners stand as related to unfunded mandates, the regionalization of Social Services with Montezuma County as the Hub for the region for 7 or possibly 8 counties.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: Senior Services January 2026 newsletter, and the December 2025 Emergency Management Monthly Situation Report.
ADJOURNED: 9:44 a.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk January 6, 2026 Chairman
Embedded calendar showing upcoming events for the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.
