County attorney updates board on litigation; commissioners note housing staff changes and clarify jurisdictional rumors

At the Dec. 23 Montezuma County meeting the county attorney and commissioners provided a brief administrative update covering litigation, housing authority staffing and local rumors.

The county attorney told the board the county continues to work with outside counsel on a long-running case involving back payment of taxes from a CO2-related committee; the opposing party has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, though the county attorney said he does not expect the court to accept the petition. Separately, a response in the Leaf Properties matter is due Jan. 9.

Commissioners reported on personnel and local facility questions. The chair said the Montezuma County Housing Authority has promoted an internal candidate to assistant director and will now seek a choice voucher specialist to fill the vacated position. The chair also addressed online rumors: the county does not control the opening of the Maverick(s) South (characterized as state right-of-way jurisdiction) and the Dolores Community Center is not for sale, despite social media claims.

One commissioner urged colleagues to research a recent case in Summit County where a sheriff sued commissioners; the speaker said the suit was dismissed and used the example to emphasize the commissioners’ budgetary authority.

No executive session was requested. The meeting concluded with routine adjournment.