Colorado Declares 30-Resident Hartman Abandoned as 1-Year Boil Order Deepens Water Crisis
Updated
Updated · The Denver Post · Jul 29
Colorado Declares 30-Resident Hartman Abandoned as 1-Year Boil Order Deepens Water Crisis
2 articles · Updated · The Denver Post · Jul 29
Summary
Colorado approved a petition to declare Hartman abandoned, clearing the way for Prowers County to take over the town’s business, streets and assets unless the ruling is appealed.
All elected officials had resigned earlier this year, leaving the 30-person town unable to hold elections, conduct business or repair a failing water system.
A 1-year boil order and a long-deteriorating water tower drove the decision, with the state saying abandonment was the only legal path to restore clean water service.
Senate Bill 157, passed this year for Hartman’s unusual case, eased the process for declaring a town abandoned and for state help with dissolved municipalities’ water systems.
Some residents objected, but the state overruled them; the county is expected to hand the water system to an operator after assuming control.