Mancos trustees approve new RV-park rules; take steps on multiple town items

The Town of Mancos Board of Trustees on Nov. 12 approved changes to the town land-use code that set new limits and requirements for recreational-vehicle parks within town limits. The ordinance, numbered 789 in the 2025 series, establishes a 180-day maximum stay in a single space, allows one additional 180-day stay after moving within the park, requires a 30-day cooling-off period before a guest may return, and allows RV parks to operate year-round.

The change follows several months of drafting and a public hearing at the meeting; no members of the public spoke during the hearing portion. Trustee Daniel Manning said the 180-day option “is sufficient” and suggested adding a cooling-off period to prevent de facto permanent residency. Trustees debated residency thresholds set by state statute and enforcement burdens before voting to adopt the ordinance by roll call.

Why it matters: the new rules are intended to permit RV parks while limiting their conversion into year-round residential developments that would bypass subdivision requirements. The town flagged specific activities it will track for enforcement, including registration records and documentation the business must retain for two years.

Other actions and board business - The trustees approved Resolution 12, renewing the town’s participation in the Rural Jumpstart program, which retains the town’s ability to rebate certain sales and property taxes for qualifying businesses (no local applicants in the past five years). Staff said the rules are unchanged from the prior authorization. - The board authorized the mayor to execute a renewed intergovernmental agreement with the City of Cortez for dispatch/911 services after staff reported the town could not feasibly build and operate its own dispatch center; the agreement term and staff estimate of roughly $51,000 per year were discussed. - Trustees approved the retail liquor-license renewal for La Mesa Mexican Restaurant and accepted a conservation-district grant-support commitment that would allocate an estimated $15,000 cash match plus staff time toward river-improvement work at Cottonwood Park.

Public comment highlights Several residents spoke on separate matters before the board. Mark Worth urged the board to address an easement on his property and requested that the town offer a physical tap point and compensation for long-term use of his land related to the town’s water pipeline. Eric Fifer asked the board to prioritize paving and drainage work on Willow/Bower Avenue to reduce dust and flooding.

Rooster/noise code follow-up Multiple residents urged the board to prohibit roosters within town limits because crowing is disrupting daytime sleepers. Trustees directed staff to research previous code discussions (chapters 7 and 16 were cited) and to prepare ordinance language and enforcement options for future public hearings; staff cautioned this will be a multi-month process.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 789 (RV parks): approved (motion made, seconded; roll-call vote recorded) - Resolution 12 (Rural Jumpstart renewal): approved - Cortez dispatch intergovernmental agreement: authorized (mayor to execute) - La Mesa Mexican Restaurant retail liquor-license renewal: approved - Motion to enter executive session for a personnel matter (town-administrator evaluation): approved

What’s next The board asked staff to return in December with a narrower ordinance to place a 0.4-point sales-tax increase on the April 7, 2026 ballot (discussion on a separate 4.4% use tax will continue). Staff will also prepare options and draft language for animal/noise-code revisions and return with findings and proposed ordinances and public-hearing dates.

Sources: Meeting speech and motions recorded at the Nov. 12, 2025 meeting of the Town of Mancos Board of Trustees; direct remarks are attributed to speakers who spoke on the record.