[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5977213,"mediaKeyId","5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74","parentId",5822331,"title","County attorney says renewable-energy moratorium review, notices of claim and a court dismissal are pending","audioSeconds",150,"startMs",2220000,"endMs",2370000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74&start=2220&end=2370","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74/thumbnail_2220000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5977213/Montezuma-County/Colorado/County-attorney-says-renewable-energy-moratorium-review-notices-of-claim-and-a-court-dismissal-are-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977213-670e2ae7220edac277bf182ae3cd2faa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775940030&Signature=n8YRPBTGb5YdEwm8U48M6nFKFK80yMRuPuAO05llpqVzH3-S3GebrWBqXqXFjnIRNEyxJhGcuQb5qiiNoWDFzO-m64S2guOe5M0uaJZQFiyZzowxrMsyeL75AtPdbk2r~ERpXVDK1Wx9iGZ0~1HXw8HpJ2YmE-beZSID0mqrUSLu9B-HDsQ6Fx5dl2FG6fA3LEP2Hs~XjBEkIEkP91I8gfNYS3CEdpwH~sCkwdmMpFtqc0KCz9Lgo7r4Cf8yj8-84nUBGBjM6irEssj9Grn5rJavR6ppCCxtk8yxzojkmNmBbWBSyu6PQOvyBGk8eORnci5884DNeW~BQ-wZBBM8pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montezuma County","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Montezuma County’s attorney, Steven Tarnowski, told commissioners on Sept. 23 the county is preparing draft amendments to the land-use code governing renewable-energy development because a moratorium the board enacted is set to expire Oct. 15.

Tarnowski said staff and planning will \"really try to make a good faith effort to get something back to the board\" before the moratorium expires; if not, the board may need to hold another public hearing to extend the moratorium. He also reported receiving another notice of claim last week related to a March traffic accident on Highway 491; that was the third notice of claim tied to that incident and may precede litigation. Separately, Tarnowski said the county obtained a court order granting his office's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Ellis Lewis challenging a subdivision denial.

Tarnowski recommended county staff continue coordination with planning on possible code changes and said his office expects a busier court schedule in the coming weeks for child-protection-related matters and other civil cases. He also suggested restarting a county tire-collection cleanup with public health, noting the county previously collected more than 30,000 tires in a similar event.

Why it matters: upcoming code amendments could affect renewable energy proposals in the county; notices of claim potentially indicate pending litigation tied to a traffic incident; the court dismissal resolves one land-use challenge for the board.

Commissioners did not take immediate action; staff will return with draft code language or with options to extend the moratorium if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montezuma County BOCC September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Montezuma County's attorney updated commissioners that the county is working on draft land-use amendments for renewable energy before an Oct. 15 moratorium expiration, received additional notices of claim tied to a March traffic accident, and obtained a court order dismissing a subdivision lawsuit filed by Ellis Lewis.","taxTitle","Montezuma County, Colorado","taxId",27581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977219,"Montezuma County approves August payables; administrators report higher dispatch cost share and fleet work",135,2633000,2768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74&start=2633&end=2768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74/thumbnail_2633000.jpg","/articles/5977219/Montezuma-County/Colorado/Montezuma-County-approves-August-payables-administrators-report-higher-dispatch-cost-share-and-fleet-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977219-d164e8a09cb46c6c5015fe31a24de6b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775940030&Signature=Ud7vEhUuMYJDs1uNbiOEd3N~hUMT0ZuAudpNWB0J~SOPKIKFQr6Ska3IL1Mpk-fa20BoDEFVe6iQ5kEkOQQHWpUSx4f6fDipUsY1GvAr9gciLKMlfZ95lNx-CZSBDUujlyaBPusDWR8dbe8Y2JH7znpoCStqvrOADM~xnUCu0IY4mi3-0hi-ulpXlSrE6yjt~ZCDvGLOw7U8iFEtC25nRQWiWYOeu~nTQi5H3~M84Tvm3OXOeWhTtNVrI4wNLLbCva4XufBlJIcI~fJnBiIMV~~oMESqhegbkrcW0kQTNQ9kSzgWeP6tFMchn0VoP5j3MRTGBGTqdJ7FZdWc6hG0GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montezuma County commissioners on Sept. 23 approved August payables totaling $3,705,657.16 and received administrative updates on dispatch costs, fleet management and road projects.

County administrative staff reported that the county's cost share for dispatch is expected to increase by about $60,000 to roughly $396,000 this year. The administrator said the county is working with enterprise on new fleet-management software intended to improve efficiency and that Road and Bridge is addressing projects including the Highway 184/County Road 25 work and a fiber outage issue caused by a Clear Networks cut.

The board voted to approve payables of $3,705,657.16. The administrator also reminded commissioners about an immediate need to finalize CCI legislative committee designees; the board confirmed Commissioner Candelaria as the primary designee and Commissioner Lindsey as secondary for those legislative committees.

County Attorney Steven Tarnowski and other staff discussed community cleanup ideas, including restarting a tire-collection event that previously removed more than 30,000 tires and issuing vouchers to help residents haul debris to the landfill. Commissioners said budget planning discussions continue and staff will return with final budget proposals.

Why it matters: the payable approval moves county bills toward payment; the dispatch increase and other administrative actions affect near-term budgeting and service contracts.","The Board approved August payables of $3.705 million and heard administrative updates, including an estimated $60,000 increase in the county's dispatch cost share to $396,000 and work on fleet-management software and road projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977224,"Montezuma County lifts open-fire and fireworks ban effective Sept. 24",134,9899000,10033000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74&start=9899&end=10033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74/thumbnail_9899000.jpg","/articles/5977224/Montezuma-County/Colorado/Montezuma-County-lifts-open-fire-and-fireworks-ban-effective-Sept-24","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977224-db35202176e06bf911e650466ca7ceae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775940030&Signature=dLlUarlK1tG3BQpjGJWMwrBFhmN4b0ofeeBONKU4joRnzTC1UAxuB5vdOw5AXcFoqRE7xSC-rnLKEKQkOgQJfbo4fs8ZoNAVV9g4q2zyNk42FcBOygP9IqzySSPgK4QYucz6oYzy6vSBUnUOkI5-~MpfqQljwAyapD-3QRSzmEnH0irUHQTOW-QAY2Y2uuY9QHuwWlnP2iLMEGNVCTQLzElb88OpLraRnIu41~DgLjHdT55xTSDDJVmVa-BvgmArnGm7VZdvIKux0tttT5j~m8oIGAutyBu6qsOFp2FJXmT81oeCbA8st0JuGm0sbpD5xr8II3ujhcH4yiRHrqLw5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution on Sept. 23 lifting the county’s ban on open fires and the use of fireworks in unincorporated areas, effective 9 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2025.

County Attorney Steven Tarnowski read a draft resolution stating the board found \"the danger of forest and grass fires has decreased throughout the unincorporated areas of Montezuma County due to recent precipitation in the area, lower temperatures, and increased relative humidity.\" The resolution cites Montezuma County ordinance number 2-20-15 and a prior board action enacted by resolution 8-20-25.

The board voted to adopt the resolution; commissioners said they plan to monitor conditions and reimpose restrictions if weather deteriorates. The county said the timing is intended to give residents and the sheriff’s office clear notice before enforcement or fines resume if conditions change.

Why it matters: lifting the ban allows residents and businesses in unincorporated Montezuma County to resume open burning and use of consumer fireworks, but the board said the action may be reversed if favorable weather conditions end.

The resolution will be posted by county staff and is effective beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2025.","The Board adopted Resolution No. 19 (2025) lifting the open-fire and fireworks ban in unincorporated Montezuma County, effective 9 a.m. Sept. 24, citing recent precipitation and increased humidity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5977228,"Montezuma County commissioners deny two property tax abatement requests",851,594000,1445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74&start=594&end=1445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822331-78b750ddc87a24aaed21d135beed1d74/thumbnail_594000.jpg","/articles/5977228/Montezuma-County/Colorado/Montezuma-County-commissioners-deny-two-property-tax-abatement-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5977228-e811be3bdce0a9fa361b78b0e6385c08/orig.mp4?Expires=1775940030&Signature=P10ZcVZNwqaL3sTedlk-mFOAtrpB8lD5~52DF1Zp3yh3JBxQ2X-uuBwLGHxUQqJkhTnef-bWS0lNHQGcXwpezbgLY27E3j4Fx98Eocwa~Z1efMr8LkikVpd5DUkKnz4thwyF3hYxsb1CLglmeuuNFwt4fK7gDvBMOeU4gtD2p6-oD8qjFfCc5ivfsnfKGep4qcTyAM1jis3nj7cB~EY9Ns3Ubn6UOEz30vwg90NiJnXTy2J7GjQgqa~0CPcHibtv4XTgEajq2PF2FSeJL7StrhWczSy1QZe-cawk3Qca0YKKEzrhPVv0xw8FX5ZhdEZInbKdf9TSXvYEcBhjXoz9VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 23 denied two property tax abatement petitions, concluding the county’s tax roll and timelines governing purges and reclassifications precluded retroactive refunds for tax year 2024.

Petitioners including a property owner identified as Miss Cavalier asked the board to retroactively reclassify a parcel that had been “purged” (separating a manufactured home from a real-property account) so taxes payable in 2025 would reflect the property’s unpurged status for 2024. She told the board the county received unpurge documentation in July and that she had paid $1,313.87 and expected the 2024 obligation to be closer to $150. The county’s assessor, Leslie Bugg, said the owners requested the purge on Nov. 30, 2023, for financing purposes and the assessor granted a purge that applied to the 2024 tax year after notices of determination were issued. Bugg told the board the assessor’s office did not receive paperwork to unpurge until Dec. 18, 2024, after the 2024 tax roll had been completed. Bugg said that, if the board had granted the abatement for 2024, the reduction would have been about $220.61.

For a second petition filed for the property at 101 S. Fifth St., Dolores, the petitioners (identified as Anthony and Marie Roan) did not appear. Bugg told the board that the assessor’s office sent an appraiser in March 2025 and reclassified that property as 80% commercial and 20% residential for 2025 going forward; she recommended leaving 2024 as previously assessed because the correction took effect after the 2024 tax roll was finalized.

After questions and discussion about assessment timing, mills in the Dolores School District, and the practical difference between a purge/unpurge and a later district mill increase, the board moved and seconded to deny both abatement requests. Commissioners voted in the affirmative; both petitions were denied.

Why it matters: petitioners sought refunds tied to classification changes that they say were delayed by administrative hurdles; the assessor’s office said tax-roll timing meant the 2024 levy was final when unpurge paperwork arrived.

The board’s denial does not foreclose administrative or judicial appeals available under state rules; the assessor said a denial may be appealed to the Board of Assessment Appeals.","At their Sept. 23 meeting the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners denied abatement petitions for two properties after hearing disputes about purge/unpurge timelines and whether reclassifications should be applied retroactively to tax year 2024.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County attorney says renewable-energy moratorium review, notices of claim and a court dismissal are pending

Montezuma County approves August payables; administrators report higher dispatch cost share and fleet work

Montezuma County lifts open-fire and fireworks ban effective Sept. 24

Montezuma County commissioners deny two property tax abatement requests