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Committee advances bill to address failing water system and governance collapse in Hartman
Summary
Senate Bill 157, introduced to respond to a failing town water system and mass resignations in Hartman, advanced unanimously (12‑0). DOLA and municipal groups said the emergency bill is narrowly tailored to protect public health and enable rehabilitation or expedited abandonment to restore drinking water service.
Senate Bill 157 moved unanimously out of the House committee after sponsors described a unique local emergency in Hartman, a small southeastern Colorado town plagued by board resignations, governance disruption and a failing water system.
Assistant Minority Leader Winter and Rep. Martinez said the town has no clerk, no elected officials and no water operator; DOLA testified that Hartman has endured repeated boil‑water advisories since 2019 and could lose service within months. Maria de Cambra of the Department of Local Affairs and Kevin Bomber of the Colorado Municipal League described extensive local outreach and urged the committee to approve a tailored statutory path to preserve drinking water service and enable rehabilitation.
The committee advanced SB 157 to Appropriations by unanimous voice/recorded vote after sponsors requested no amendments.
What’s next: SB 157 goes to Appropriations for further consideration; sponsors described the measure as narrowly designed to meet an imminent public‑health need.
