Montrose County Board approves nationwide search for county manager

The Montrose County Board of County Commissioners voted April 23 to initiate a nationwide recruitment for a county manager, opening the application window April 24 and closing it May 15, 2025.

Human Resources Director Leslie Kwan told the board the recruitment will be run in accordance with CRS 24-6-402 and will be posted on Montrose County’s job opportunities page, on Indeed and on other job boards. "It will be open nationwide," Kwan said, adding that HR will "screen and make sure that all candidates meet the minimum criteria" and recommend a top three to five candidates for interview.

Public commenters urged the board to keep partisan considerations separate from county duties and to consider internal candidates. Sue Gaddis, who identified herself as a Montrose resident, said officials should "remember who you represent and what you're doing when you go into a situation" and recalled that she "took my hat off, my Republican hat, and I put on my nonpartisan hat." Jim Anderson, another resident, thanked the commissioners and said he hoped the county would "open it up both locally and nationwide" while also "consider[ing] the people right at the table."

A board member moved to approve initiating the recruitment per the cited statute; the motion was seconded and carried after the board answered "Aye." Following the vote, the chair said, "Motion passes," and staff were instructed to post the recruitment immediately.

Next steps: HR will publish the vacancy as described, screen applicants for minimum qualifications, and present recommended finalists to the board for interviews and further selection. The recruitment period is April 24–May 15, 2025.