Montezuma County approves livestock association liquor permit, defers Love's Travel Stop renewal

The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners approved a special-event liquor permit for the Southwest Colorado Livestock Association and postponed action on a liquor-license renewal for Love's Travel Stop and Country Store at its Dec. 23 meeting.

Jerry Frizzell, who handles liquor licenses for Montezuma County, told the board the Southwest Colorado Livestock Association applied to sell alcohol at the fairgrounds, 30100 Highway 160 in Cortez, for an event scheduled Feb. 14, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Frizzell said he had a letter from fairgrounds staff granting permission and a letter from the sheriff indicating security would be provided. The board moved, seconded and approved the permit by voice vote.

On the renewal for Love's Travel Stop and Country Store (7006 Highway 160/491, Cortez), Frizzell reported staff had pulled an older inspection letter (dated 01/25/2023) in error and also had a more recent state inspection and a proposed stipulation regarding a past signage/placement issue. Frizzell said the outlet corrected the signage placement. Because the paperwork in the file was inconsistent, the board decided to continue the Love's Travel Stop renewal to the next meeting so staff could present the correct sheriff and state documentation before a vote. The transcript listed the license expiration as 03/19/1926 (clearly a typographic error); staff said the item would be returned at the next meeting with correct documentation.

These items were handled as part of the consent agenda; no contested hearings or appeals were recorded in the meeting minutes.