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Commissioners decline to accept sole responsibility for Bradfield Bridge in CDOT MOU
Summary
Dolores County commissioners discussed a CDOT memorandum proposing county ownership of Bradfield Bridge but resisted assuming sole liability for future repair costs, instructing staff to ask CDOT to continue inspections and to copy the county on reports rather than signing an ownership MOU now.
Dolores County commissioners told Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) representatives on April 27 that the county is not prepared to accept sole ownership or exclusive responsibility for repairs to Bradfield Bridge.
The county reviewed a submitted MOU that listed Dolores County as the owner of the bridge. Commissioners raised concern that recognizing sole ownership could obligate the county to large future repair costs. One commissioner noted the original replacement and later work involved multiple entities, and the county’s historical records are incomplete.
County attorney (Speaker 7) recommended a cautious reply: continue to allow CDOT to inspect the bridge (as its MOU specifies), request to be copied on inspection reports, and decline to enter an agreement allocating full ownership or financial responsibility at this time. The attorney said a response that preserves flexibility and notifies CDOT that the county does not accept sole liability would be appropriate.
Board members agreed staff should send a heads‑up letter to relevant CDOT and Bureau of Reclamation contacts and asked the county attorney to draft suggested language for an email response for their review.
No final ownership transfer or contract was signed at the meeting; the board instead directed staff to maintain dialogue with CDOT and preserve options for shared funding or future discussions.
