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PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
June 24, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday June 24, 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, (Absent)
Stephen Tarnowski, County Attorney
Kim Percell, County Clerk, (Absent)
Danielle Wells, Deputy Clerk
CHAIRMAN CANDELARIA opened the meeting of June 24, 2025, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES: Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Montezuma County, for Tuesday, June 17, 2025 as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lindsay and carried.
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a continued public hearing is held for New Evidence on Remand for review and determination regarding a proposed High Impact Permit Application to approve a Retail Sales use, submitted by Leaf Properties, Inc, on property located at 27078 Road N, Dolores, CO consisting of 3.78 acres, more or less, located South of Road N, east of Highway 145, situated in Section 7, Township 36N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Doug Kinsey, Cristina Pitts, Andrew Peters (by Zoom), Vic Romano (by Zoom), and May Gormley (by Zoom) were present. Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan were present. County Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski discussed the history of the application and remand that was issued by the District Court on April 11, 2025. Due to technical difficulties, Commissioner Candelaria announced a recess until the issues could be resolved.
NEW BUSINESS:
LIQUOR LICENSE: Deputy Clerk Jerri Frizzell met with the Commissioners to present a liquor license renewal application for G-Whil Liquors, located at 7033 Hwy 160, Cortez CO 81321. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the retail liquor license renewal application for G-Whil Liquors, located at 7033 Hwy 160, Cortez CO 81321. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
RESUMED PUBLIC HEARING: After the technical issues were corrected, Commissioner Candelaria resumed the public hearing for Leaf Properties, Inc. Doug Kinsey, Andrew Peters (by Zoom), Vic Romano (by Zoom), and May Gormley (by Zoom) presented the new evidence to the board. Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Public comment was made by Brad DeMond, Rick Collin, Pete Montaño, Stacy Gallaher, Phil Schmitt, Laura Bauer, Wendy Watkins, Ken Porter, Molly Cooper, Carolyn Landis, Paul Koops, Mona Porter, and Shelia Wheeler. Hearing no further public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to continue the public hearing for Leaf Properties, Inc, until July 8th at 9:30 am to review the newly presented materials and evidence. No new written submittals will be accepted at the continued public hearing. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
RECESS: Commissioner Candelaria announced a recess for lunch and that the meeting would be reconvened at 1:30pm.
RECOVENE: Commissioner Candelaria reconvened the meeting at 1:30 pm.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Commissioner Candelaria addressed a City of Cortez Transportation Master Plan flyer being placed into people’s mailboxes. The meeting is on June 25, 2025, from 5 to 7 pm. The placing of flyers or other non-postmarked materials is illegal and a federal offense. Please contact the US Post Office with other questions. (See attached)
PUBLIC HEARING: It being the time set aside a public hearing is held for review and determination regarding a proposed 4 Lot Moderate Subdivision and Rezoning Application submitted by Ellis Lewis, on property located at 14171 Road 36.75, Mancos, CO, consisting of 39.66 acres, more or less, located south and west of Hwy 184, situated in Section 34, Township 37N, Range 14W, N.M.P.M. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Ellis Lewis was present. Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan were present. Planning Director, Don Haley presented a review of the application. Ellis Lewis presented his application and materials. Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Public comments were made by Wray Boswell, Andrea Martin, Dan Greene, and Mary Katherine Rousset. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Candelaria moved to deny the 4 Lot Moderate Subdivision and Rezoning Application submitted by Ellis Lewis, on property located at 14171 Road 36.75, Mancos. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached Resolution of Denial of Subdivision Application)
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant, Duncan presented for discussion and approval of a Boundary Line Adjustment Reversal Application submitted by Janice Lyons & Elbert & Donna Colcord, on properties located at 5732 Road 25, Cortez, CO, consisting of 9.98 acres, more or less & 5754 Road 25, Cortez, CO, consisting of 2.32 acres, more or less, both located south of Road F, east of Road 25, situated in Section 14, Township 35N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M. Commissioner Lindsay moved to grant the Reversal Application submitted by Janice Lyons & Elbert & Donna Colcord, on properties located at 5732 Road 25, Cortez CO. Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was made.
SENIOR SERVICES & MONTEZUMA COUNTY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (MCCO): Director, Kelli Hargraves met with the Commissioners to present the May 2025 minutes and financial reports. (See attached)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
GRANT DISCUSSION: At the Monday Workshop, Sheriff Steven Nowlin met with the Commissioners to discuss the Peace Officer Mental Health Grant. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Montezuma County Grant Application Submission Form for the Peace Officer Behavioral Health Support Grant for the Sheriff’s Office through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs in the amount of $30,000 reimbursement with no cash match. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
CONTRACT: During the Monday Workshop Sheriff Steven Nowlin met with the commissioners to discuss the Jail-Based Behavioral Health Contract. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to approve the Professional Services Agreement between the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office and Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, D.B.A Axis Health, amend contract #25 IBEH 196557 for Jail Based Behavioral Health Services. Second by Commissioner Lindsay and carried. (See attached)
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski reported that he had some court hearings, made one offer for the assistant county attorney position, and spent time preparing for today’s land use planning issues. Preparing for depositions next week in child protection cases. Next week he will be out of town but will be available for calls and emails.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: Deputy Clerk, Danielle Wells no report.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioner reports included:
Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed a meeting with Southwest discussing Colorado River issues and river commissioner concerns.
Commissioner Lindsay no report.
Commissioner Candelaria no report.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
ADJOURNED: 3:09 pm
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk June 24, 2025 Chairman
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