Rocky Ford public comments split over Pride Month proclamation as residents call for investigation into council conduct

Mayor Duane Gurulé opened the June 9 Rocky Ford City Council meeting, which featured extended public comment that sharply divided residents over a Pride Month proclamation the council approved previously.

Supporters and opponents addressed the council during the public-comment period. Johnny McMurray, a Ward II resident, urged the council to "table" the proclamation and said the community had not been adequately consulted, arguing the proclamation is "divisive rather than unifying." Cindy Kovalcik, a resident who spoke in support, said silence enables harm and thanked council members "for bringing it forward."

Former Mayor Susan Jung said she consulted legal counsel after events at a previous meeting but chose not to pursue legal action, calling instead for humility and respect. Pastor Tim Muth expressed opposition on the grounds that the proclamation "elevates a minority group" and questioned whether it reflects a majority view. Councilmember Thomas Mullins urged residents to set aside differences and find common ground.

Diana Marshall filed a formal complaint alleging Councilmember Nicholas Martinez behaved unprofessionally toward her at a February Tree Board meeting, saying she was singled out and urged to resign; she asked the council to investigate. John DeNicola, participating remotely, criticized the council's handling of public comment and called the local proclamation unnecessary. An anonymous Zoom participant offered an apology to Councilmember Martinez, referencing an online exchange.

Mayor Gurulé noted for the record that one speaker, James Budnick, is a county resident and not a city resident. Budnick told the council he felt unsafe following the proclamation debate and alleged he received threatening messages; he asked for equitable attention to safety concerns. Councilmember Martinez objected to the mayor's public identification of a nonresident speaker and described the remark as retaliatory if applied unevenly.

The proclamation itself had been presented to representatives of SECO Pride and acknowledged for supporting LGBTQ individuals in Southeast Colorado; Mayor Gurulé said the council had approved it at a prior meeting. No formal action to rescind or amend the proclamation was taken during the June 9 meeting.

The council set its next regular meeting for June 23, where participants noted follow-up items — including the tabling of certain agenda items — will be heard. Residents seeking formal review of complaints were told to pursue the appropriate complaint channels; the council did not announce any internal investigatory timeline during the meeting.