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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
December 9, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday December 9, 2025 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 December 9, 2025 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, November 25, 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 of a proposed 14.5 acre Single Lot Development & Rezoning Application submitted by GCU, LLC; agent: Jessamin Joanne Goode, on property located at 10420 Hwy 491, Cortez, CO, consisting of 67.22 acres, more or less, located east of Hwy 491, south of Road L, situated in Section 22, Township 36N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Ms. Goode and Tanner Young were present. Planning 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 Koppenhafer moved to approve the proposed 14.5 acre Single Lot Development & Rezoning Application submitted by GCU, LLC; agent: Jessamin Joanne Goode, on property located at 10420 Hwy 491, Cortez, CO. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
PRESENTATION: The following employees were presented YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS: 5 Years: James Spratlen- Emergency Management, Mallorye Bane- Public Health, Tyler McKinney- Detentions, Andrew Daulton – SO, Daniel Ruiz- SO, Peter Schmalz- SO, Marc West- SO, Linda Hill- Public Health, Melissa Markhart- Social Services, Nina Dattola- DA’s Office, Cassandra Robinson- DA’s Office, Fawn Allen – MoCo.
10 Years: Katherine Harris- Road & Bridge, Courtney Sikes- Public Health, Ellen Black- Treasurer, Steve Nowlin- SO, Faedra Grubbs- Administration, George Deavers- Coroners, Gary Nelson- Landfill, Oliver Millican- Maintenance, Gary Hampton- Road & Bridge, Heath Higgins- Road & Bridge.
15 Years: Laurel Schafer – Public Health, Junial Hurst- Road & Bridge, Ryan Hancock- SO, Clarisa Osborn- DA’s Office.
20 Years: Kim Percell- Clerk & Recorder, Tommy Endres- Detentions, Brenda Jarmon- Social Services, Tyson Cox- SO.
25 Years: Lori Higgins- Social Services, Chris Veach- Social Services.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Allen Maez.
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:
Item (s) Needing Individual Consideration:
TRANSFER ORDER: Finance Director, Robert Dobry presented the following Transfer Orders:
#12-2025 – Transfer $346,524.51 from the General Fund (001) to Capital Fund (055) to move $207,161.12 of Paths to Mesa Verde grant funds and $139,363.39 of Generator grant funds to the correct fund. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Order #12-2025, a transfer $346,524.51 from the General Fund to Capital Fund. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
#13-2025 – Transfer $10,924.42 from Clerks Cash (040) the General Fund (001) move ERTB grant funds to the correct fund. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Order #13-2025, a transfer $10,924.42 from Clerks Cash the General Fund move ERTB grant funds to the correct fund. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried (See attached)
#14-2025- Transfer $205,280.00 from Conservation Trust Fund (052) to General Fund (001) for the operation of the County Fairgrounds from December 28th 2024 through November 30th 2025. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve Order #14-2025 a transfer $205,280 from Conservation Trust Fund to General Fund for the operation of the County Fairgrounds from December 28th 2024 through November 30th 2025. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried (See attached)
LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk, Jerri Frizzell, presented for approval and signatures a Retail Liquor License Renewal Application for Pleasant View Liquors LLC., located at 26060 Hwy. 491 Pleasant View Co. 81331. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the Retail Liquor License Renewal Application for Pleasant View Liquors doing business as, Pleasant View Liquor LLC., at 26060 Hwy. 491 Pleasant View Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed the Ironwood Property case, the Leaf Properties briefing, child support court cases that the Assistant County Attorney, Gus Maxwell has completed, working with the Health Department and Administration on some different issues.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson discussed the attended CCI conference, reported that he would be representing the Western Region County Administrators for the ACCA and gave an overview of the sessions attended. He also mentioned the Distinguished Service Award presented to Commissioner Candelaria during the Conference.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, no report given.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended CCI conference and the attended Colorado Department of Agriculture’s meeting related to Colorado’s wolf reintroduction program.
Commissioner Lindsay discussed the attended CCI conference and the scheduled City of Cortez Council meeting.
Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended CCI conference, transparency, the attended Dolores Town Meeting, and serving on Special District Boards.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted: December 2025 Senior Services newsletter,
ADJOURNED: 9:53 a.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk December 9, 2025 Chairman
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