For assistance with the Montezuma County Website and its contents, please reach out to a department manager click here.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, COLORADO
November 18, 2025
STATE OF COLORADO )
) ss.
COUNTY OF MONTEZUMA )
At a regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Montezuma County, Colorado, held on Tuesday November 18, 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 November 18, 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 Monday October 27, 2025 for the special meeting and for the regular meeting on, October 28, 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 review and consideration of either adopting new Land Use Code revisions concerning alternate energy sources or issue another moratorium prohibiting acceptance or processing of utility-scale energy development (particularly and including solar energy) applications in the unincorporated area of Montezuma County for 6 months, or until appropriate standards for such development have been developed. The roll was called, the public notice read, and the proceedings were recorded for the record. Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan were present. Attorney Tarnowski gave an overview of the proposed land Use Code Amendment. Commissioner Candelaria opened the hearing to public comment. Public comment was made by Eleanore Macfarlane, Elise Goggin, Marianne Mate, Adrianna Stimax, Rebecca Busic, Kelly Reagan, Louise Jackson, Angela Montgomery, Sharon Bradford, Julie Hudak, Kate Bennett, Bob Waggoner, Scott Calhoun, Don Howell, Colleen Edwards, Allen Maez, Beth Howell, Miriam Dunbar, Josephine Lare, Elisabeth Wilson, Myra Kay, Tamara Hamilton, Aaron Cato, Landan Wilson, Ed Rice, Bruce Anderson, Jim Ward, Jessica Cowen and Cathrine Vogel. Hearing no further public comment, that portion of the hearing was closed. After hearing all the evidence presented Commissioner Lindsay moved to adopt the Planned Land Use Code additions 11.18.2025 with the changes to the setbacks of 500 feet, from the property line. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time. (See attached)
PLANNING: Planning Director, Don Haley along with Assistant, S. Jane Duncan presented for discussion and approval of a Boundary Line Adjustment & Rezoning Application, submitted by John Rutledge and Lisa Buchanan, on properties located at 26505 & 26455 Road N, Cortez, CO, consisting of 12.65 & 20.07 acres, more or less, both located north of Road N, west of Hwy 145, situated in Section 1, Township 36N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M Mr. . Rutledge was present. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the application for the Boundary Adjustment & agreement for John Rutledge owner in care of Jon Lewis Kelly and Lisa Buchanan, address given is 26505 Road N Cortez. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for Single Lot Development and AR10-34 Rezoning submitted by Joe & Jo Anna Benson, on property located at 15248 Road 22, Dolores, CO, consisting of 47.10 acres, more or less, located south of Road S, west of Hwy 491, situated in Section 39, Township 37N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar for a 10 Lot Major Subdivision & AR3-9 Rezoning submitted by Elevated Smoke, LLC, agent: Cole Clark, on property located at 7185 Road 25, Cortez, CO, consisting of 35 acres, more or less, located north of Road G, west of Road 25, situated in Section 3, T.36N, R.16W, N.M.P.M.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar Subdivision Amendment Application & Rezoning to Lot North of the Hema-Casey Subdivision, submitted by Waldey Harris Mikkelson Family Trust; agent: Michael Mikkelson, on property located at 14902 Road 29.75, Dolores, CO, consisting of 20.32 acres, more or less, located east of Road 29.75, south of Hwy 184, situated in Section 33, Township 37N, Range 15W, N.M.P.M.
PLANNING: Planning Director, Haley along with Assistant Duncan presented for signatures of a Mylar Boundary Line Adjustment & Rezoning Application, submitted by John Rutledge and Lisa Buchanan, on properties located at 26505 & 26455 Road N, Cortez, CO, consisting of 12.65 & 20.07 acres, more or less, both located north of Road N, west of Hwy 145, situated in Section 1, Township 36N, Range 16W, N.M.P.M
Commissioner Candelaria closed the hearing at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Public comment was made by Allen Maez.
Deletions/Changes to Agenda:
CONSENT AGENDA: The Resolution adopting a prohibition against non-functional turf to conserve water in accordance with SB24-005 was removed from the Consent agenda.
Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve the consent agenda as proposed. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
The Consent Agenda items acted upon by the Board were as follows:
COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney, Stephen Tarnowski mentioned child protection cases trials, the Leaf Properties case, working with the Planning Department on various projects and contract reviews.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: Administrator Anderson mentioned meeting with Enterprise related to county vehicles, the Assessor office Eagleview software, a meeting with Bechtolt Engineering the Road 25 and Hwy 184 project, the Summitt Food Service Contract, a review of the gravel tonnage at the Beaver Rim pit, a meeting with Travelers related to Workmen’s Comp evaluations, a proposed cost share transition IGA, the Road & Bridge temporary lead Foreman position and follow up on the Rule 31 cost.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER: County Clerk, Kim Percell, discussed the November Coordinated Election.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT: Topics within the Commissioners’ reports included:
Commissioner Koppenhafer discussed the attended Mancos Town meeting and constituent phone calls.
Commissioner Lindsay reported that he had not made the City of Cortez Council meeting, but they were available to the public online. He also mentioned constituent discussions.
Commissioner Candelaria discussed the attended Dolores Town meeting, the Land Use Code issues and concerns, short term rental fees, and the joint 6 County Commissioner meeting held in La Plata County.
EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session for a conference with the attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b). Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski and Clerk Percell. The specific topic to be discussed is the terms of the proposed contract for the Sheriff’s services with the town of Dolores. Commissioner Lindsay moved to go out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Attorney Tarnowski’s suggestion, Commissioner Lindsay moved to go into executive session for a conference with the attorney for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(b). Seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Included in the session will be Commissioners Candelaria, Lindsay and Koppenhafer, Administrator Anderson, Attorney Tarnowski, Clerk Percell and HR Manager Dennis Bugg. The specific topic to be discussed is the Peace Officer Mental Health Agreement. Commissioner Lindsay moved to go out of executive session, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. Commissioner Lindsay moved to approve and sign the Peace Officer Mental Health Agreement by and between Randolph A West and the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners, including the substitute paragraph 10 accepted for offsite location. Second by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried. (See attached)
MOTION TO ADJOURN: Commissioner Lindsay moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Koppenhafer and carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The following correspondence was read and noted:
ADJOURNED: 12:09 p.m.
___________________________ ____________________________
Clerk November 18, 2025 Chairman
Embedded calendar showing upcoming events for the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.
