Huerfano County approves MOU to sell Thorn Ranch and associated water rights; commissioner abstains

Huerfano County commissioners voted to adopt Resolution 25-33, authorizing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Huerfano County Water Conservancy District for the sale of property known as the Thorn Ranch and associated water rights.

The resolution, presented to the board as an agreement outlining land transfer, water-right conveyance and purchase terms, passed after a public disclosure and an abstention by one commissioner. The memorandum of understanding attached to the resolution documents the partnership, purchase price and related terms the county and district agreed upon.

Commissioner Wardell disclosed a personal and family connection to the conservancy district before the vote. “My family and myself have a mutually beneficial partnership with said district,” Wardell said, adding that he and his wife perform maintenance and record-keeping on augmentation facilities and receive compensation. “Sale will not in any way benefit myself and my family business, but because of the appearance of a conflict of interest and the desire for transparency, I have chosen to abstain.”

Following Wardell’s disclosure, the board moved and approved the resolution. At the time the clerk called the vote, Commissioner Chamberlain and Chairman Spoyd registered “yes”; Wardell was recorded as abstaining and the chair declared the motion passed.

Members of the public who spoke during the meeting expressed support for the sale and the partnership. Amos Mace, a lifelong resident and trained hydrologist, told the commissioners the agreement will help address long-standing water issues in the upper watershed: “I just wanna say thank you guys.” Dale Lyons, also present, thanked the board and said the agreement had taken years to complete.

The record provided with the resolution includes the MOU language and a description of the land and water-right parcels to be transferred. County staff indicated the agreement is intended to further “certain governmental purposes” related to water management; the meeting materials attached a memorandum describing those purposes and the agreed purchase price.

The board’s action follows Colorado’s public-disclosure requirements for matters where a commissioner has a potential conflict; county staff read the relevant statute aloud during the discussion. The resolution and attached memorandum will be filed with the county records as the transaction moves toward closing.

A copy of Resolution 25-33 and the MOU was included in the meeting packet; the board did not discuss additional conditions or amendments during the public meeting. Further administrative steps and any remaining approvals were not specified at the meeting.

Public comment and written materials presented at the meeting will be retained with the county’s administrative record for this item.