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Montrose County updates public‑records policy, raises staff hourly rate to $41.37 and recommends liability release for 2024 spill cleanup
Summary
County attorney told commissioners on June 29 that the county rewritten CORA policy implements statutory requirements for digital delivery, adds new tracking software, and updates the staff‑hour fee to $41.37. She also recommended signing a release of liability after CDPHE verified cleanup of a 2024 hazardous chemical spill.
Montrose County's county attorney briefed the board on two administrative items at the June 29 work session: a revised public‑records (CORA) policy and a recommended release of liability related to a September 2024 hazardous‑materials spill.
Julie Andres, Montrose County attorney, told commissioners that the county's CORA policy had not been updated since 2014 and that statutory changes require clearer procedures. The new policy directs requesters to an online intake system, requires digital delivery of records when feasible, and uses new software to streamline redaction, time tracking and invoicing. Andres said the county will charge for staff time on requests that take longer than one hour, increasing the prior rate to the current legislative hourly rate of $41.37 (with automatic updates tied to the five‑year legislative review cycle).
On liability: Andres described a September 2024 automobile accident at the intersection of 5400 Road and Highway 348 that caused a hazardous chemical spill onto county right‑of‑way. She said the environmental contractor ECOS conducted cleanup and that CDPHE has verified the work and is satisfied with test results. Andres recommended that the board authorize a release of liability so the insurance company can complete settlement with the affected family and the county.
Why it matters: The CORA changes affect how residents request and receive public records (including a shift to digital delivery where possible) and change the county's fee posture for staff time spent responding to requests. The liability release resolves outstanding cleanup and potential claims tied to a hazardous spill verified by CDPHE.
Next steps: Staff said the CORA policy will be posted on the county request website and that the release of liability will be placed on the consent agenda for ratification.
