Letter to the Editor – Hartman situation now recognized by Colorado legislators Winter and Pelton

To the Editor,

The situation in Hartman is no longer a matter of local frustration or administrative inconvenience. It has now been formally recognized at the highest levels of Colorado’s legislative leadership as a statutory emergency under the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act (CRS 24‑33.5‑701).

In a March 19 letter to Governor Polis, Senator Rod Pelton and Representative Ty Winter documented what Hartman residents have been living through for months: the complete collapse of municipal governance, the absence of any elected officials, and the resulting legal paralysis that prevents the town from performing even the most basic statutory functions. They further identified the imminent threat to essential public infrastructure—specifically our water system—as a qualifying condition under state emergency law.

This is not speculation. This is not political spin. This is the General Assembly stating, in writing, that Hartman meets the statutory criteria for emergency executive action.

The legislative branch has now confirmed that the statutory threshold has been met.  The only remaining step is for the executive branch to act.

Shawna Casey

Hartman Resident