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Montezuma County commissioners approve several land-use applications, move lodgers-tax increase to ballot
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the board approved multiple planning items — including a 5.5-acre lot split and a five-lot subdivision — approved payables and other routine items, and directed the county attorney to draft ballot language proposing an increase of the unincorporated lodgers tax from 2% to 5%.
The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners on June 9 approved multiple land-use applications, accepted April payables, authorized a temporary landfill summer position and directed staff to prepare ballot language proposing a lodgers-tax increase in unincorporated areas.
Planning staff Don (speaker 3) briefed the board on several routine land-use items. Commissioners unanimously approved a 5.5-acre single-lot development and rezoning application submitted by Roger and Cindy Sutherland (agent Julie Succla) for property at 12253 Road 23 in Cortez; planning had recommended approval and no public comment was offered. The board also approved a five-lot moderate subdivision and rezoning application from Corey Cavalier and Christopher Thar for property at 32560 Road P near Mancos; commissioners discussed standards for right-of-way and emergency turnaround before approving the motion.
A boundary-line adjustment swapping equal acreage between adjacent parcels in Dolores (properties at 18411 and 18409 Highway 145) and an exemption amendment to correct a 1973 handwritten legal description (Charles and Cynthia Thompson parcels on Road W) were both described by staff as straightforward and were approved without opposition.
On finance, the board approved payables for April totaling $3,425,836.93. Commissioners also approved a temporary summer position at the county landfill and accepted a JVBS contract amendment that had been added to the consent agenda.
On policy, the lodgers-tax committee recommended increasing the lodging tax cap for unincorporated areas. Commissioners voted to ask the county attorney to draft ballot language proposing an increase of the unincorporated lodgers tax from 2% to 5%; the board noted that a state ruling allows the local cap to be raised (to as much as 6%), and emphasized that any change would be decided by voters.
Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (05/26/2026 and 06/04/2026): moved by Commissioner (speaker 4), seconded by Commissioner (speaker 2); motion carried by voice vote. - Sutherland — 5.5-acre single-lot development and rezoning (12253 Road 23, Cortez): moved by Commissioner (speaker 4), second by Commissioner (speaker 2); approved, unanimous. - Cavalier/Thar — 5-lot moderate subdivision and rezoning (32560 Road P, Mancos): moved by Commissioner (speaker 2), seconded by Commissioner (speaker 4); approved, unanimous. - Maloney/Burns — boundary-line adjustment (18411 & 18409 Highway 145, Dolores): moved by Commissioner (speaker 2); approved, unanimous. - Thompson — exemption amendment (2889 & 2893 Road W): moved by Commissioner (speaker 4), seconded by Chair (speaker 1); approved, unanimous. - JVBS contract amendment (consent agenda): approved, unanimous. - Temporary landfill summer position: approved, unanimous. - Payables (04/01/2026–04/30/2026): $3,425,836.93; motion to accept carried, unanimous. - Board adjourned at the end of the meeting.
Commissioners and staff emphasized that many of the land-use items were routine, that access and emergency egress (including a required cul-de-sac for EMS turnaround) were considerations for subdivisions, and that any lodgers-tax change would proceed to voters with ballot language prepared by the county attorney.
