Letter to the Editor: “Statutory Gap Concerning Hartman Deserves Examination”

Letter to the Editor

I appreciate Representative Ty Winter’s explanation regarding the Town of Hartman and the creation of SB26-157. The legislation addressed an immediate crisis, but Hartman also revealed a larger issue that deserves continued attention: the statutory gap in how Colorado addresses communities that are struggling before they reach the point of collapse.

Hartman did not reach this point overnight. The circumstances that brought the town to this moment developed over years through a gradual decline in local government capacity, infrastructure challenges, and limited resources. The abandonment process addressed the situation once it reached a critical stage, but it also raises an important question: What systems are in place to identify and assist communities before they reach this point?

That is the statutory gap that deserves examination.

Colorado law provides a process for determining when a municipality has become abandoned, but there appears to be a gap when it comes to identifying communities that are showing warning signs of decline. Across Southeastern Colorado and rural communities throughout the state, towns face challenges including aging infrastructure, declining populations, limited financial resources, difficulty filling elected positions, and maintaining essential public services.

We must also recognize that the decline of these communities did not occur overnight. It is the result of years of challenges that require attention before they become emergencies. While local officials and residents carry much of the responsibility for their communities, they cannot be expected to solve every problem alone when they lack the financial resources, technical expertise, or legal authority to do so.

State agencies, regional organizations, and entities created to support local governments—including the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the State Auditor’s Office, the Colorado Municipal League, and state policymakers—play an important role in helping communities remain viable. When communities begin showing signs of distress, there must be a meaningful system of early assistance, communication, and accountability rather than waiting until a town is at the point of collapse.

The purpose should not be to assign blame after a community fails. The purpose should be to ask whether the current system is doing enough to identify problems early and provide the support necessary to prevent failure.

Across Southeastern Colorado, communities are facing widespread infrastructure challenges involving water systems, wastewater systems, roads, and other essential services. These are not isolated problems belonging to one town. They are regional concerns that require long-term planning and cooperation.

Financial transparency and accountability are also essential. Concerns have been raised regarding municipalities where required financial audits have not been filed locally for extended periods of time, including Hartman (2021–2024), Ordway (2020–2024), and Sugar City (2019–present). These situations highlight the need for stronger systems that identify communities needing assistance before residents are left facing a crisis.

The question should not only be, “What happens when a town is abandoned?” The question should also be, “What happens when a community begins showing signs that it cannot sustain basic government functions and critical infrastructure?”

Hartman should be viewed as more than a single town facing abandonment. It should be a turning point that encourages Colorado to examine whether its current laws, resources, and support systems are enough to protect rural communities before they reach a breaking point.

The people of these communities deserve more than a response after failure occurs. They deserve proactive support, transparency, and a system designed to help preserve the communities they call home.

Murisa Jackson

Fowler, Colorado