Montezuma County Commissioners Reject High Impact Permit, Discuss Local Developments in April Meeting

The Montezuma County Board of Commissioners met on April 30, 2024, at the county administration building in Cortez, Colorado. The meeting included Chairman Jim Candelaria, Vice Chairman Kent Lindsay, Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer, County Administrator Travis Anderson, County Attorney Ian MacLaren, and County Clerk Kim Percell. Chairman Candelaria led the Pledge of Allegiance to start the session.

During the session, the commissioners approved the minutes from their last meeting on April 23, 2024. Commissioner Koppenhafer proposed the approval, seconded by Commissioner Lindsay, and it passed unanimously.

A major topic was a public hearing on a High Impact Permit Application from Leaf Properties, Inc. for a property at 27078 Road N, Dolores, CO, covering about 3.78 acres. After reviewing the documents and discussing, the commissioners voted to deny the application. Commissioner Koppenhafer moved to deny, seconded by Commissioner Lindsay, with a vote of two to one; Chairman Candelaria was opposed.

Additionally, Planning Director Don Haley and Assistant S. Jane Duncan presented items needing the commissioners' signatures. These included a High Impact Permit for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and a Mylar for a 2 Lot Minor Subdivision and rezoning request by Braden Jones.

Other discussions involved administrative and operational topics. Cortez City Clerk Linda Smith and Deputy City Clerk Donna Murphy, along with Election Deputies from the County Clerk & Recorder’s office, talked about the recent Municipal elections. Interim Veteran Service Officer Rick Torres also gave an update on the Veterans Service Department, mentioning his new certifications, client interactions, and local event participation.

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