Colorado Town Left Without Leaders After All Elected Officials Resign Amid Mounting Water Concerns

Colorado officials have formally declared the tiny town of Hartman abandoned after its remaining elected leaders stepped down, leaving residents caught in a worsening crisis over a water system the state says has become a “health hazard.”

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office announced the decision this week, saying a public hearing established that “the Town of Hartman had no Board of Trustees or Town Clerk, was unable to hold a town election, and owned infrastructure critical for the treatment or delivery of water to residents.”

In the abandonment order, Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline wrote that failing to make the designation under § 31-3-201(1)(b), C.R.S. (2026), would keep Hartman residents “in further legal limbo during a health hazard,” with no functioning authority to conduct town business, organize elections or repair the water infrastructure needed to provide safe drinking water. “Abandonment is the only legal mechanism in Colorado statute that creates an avenue for residents of the area to receive clean water,” Kline wrote.

Hartman, a southeastern Colorado community with a population of about 30, lost its three active trustees in January when they resigned one day after a fight involving four women broke out following a board of trustees meeting, The Denver Post reported.

“Our safety was more important than having a government,” Pam Packer, one of the trustees who quit, told the newspaper. The Denver Post also reported that Hartman’s mayor had resigned in October and that the town had already been dealing with embezzlement allegations and restraining orders.

According to Kline’s order, Jessie Simmons, who identified herself as a Hartman resident, landowner and elector, filed a written request with the Secretary of State in mid-June seeking an abandonment determination. She alleged the town had no board of trustees or town clerk, could not conduct an election, and owned and operated the water infrastructure necessary to treat and deliver water to residents.

Kline said Simmons also claimed that, at the time she applied, Hartman’s water system had been without chlorine for more than a month, the water was not drinkable and “smells horrible.” She further stated that the town had been under a boil-water order for months.

At a hearing on July 13, Eric Bergman, the director of the Division of Local Government for the Department of Local Affairs, “testified that he has regional managers throughout the state, and one in Southeast Colorado that has worked extensively with the Town of Hartman for the last 5 or 6 years,” according to Kline.

“Mr. Bergman also testified that since 2022, DOLA representatives have been in the Town of Hartman over 30 times helping with elections, turnover, recalls, resignations, budgets, audits, grant administration, and training of new officials. In January of 2026, DOLA received letters of resignation from each of the town’s then-Trustees. Since the resignation of these elected officials, no government officials or government remain in the Town of Hartman,” the order stated.

“There are no government officials in the Town of Hartman who are authorized to approve contracts, spend funds, appoint replacements, certify elections, or make decisions regarding the Town of Hartman’s water system. Mr. Bergman testified there is also no clerk or governing body to call, conduct, or certify a municipal election,” it continued.

“According to Mr. Bergman, the Town of Hartman is facing a public health threat. Mr. Bergman testified that the Town of Hartman has been on a boil advisory since last October 2025, and the water currently needs testing and chlorine. The water tank is compromised and needs repair or replacement,” Kline also wrote in the order. “There is no one operating the water system at this time. DOLA, along with the Colorado Department of Health and Environment had previously provided grants for more than $1 million to the Town of Hartman to work on the water system. Those funds were reimbursement-based. However, without government officials, the Town is unable to enter any contracts that would enable it to access the grant funds.”

The Office of Colorado’s Secretary of State said that, following the abandonment order, “All existing streets, avenues, and alleys previously located within the abandoned town that are not owned by a third party shall be vested in the Board of County Commissioners of Prowers County,” and that “Ownership of water infrastructure critical for the treatment or delivery of water to residents shall be vested in Prowers County, which shall transfer said infrastructure to an entity whose primary purpose is water treatment or delivery.”