Lamar City Council meeting of February 9 included announcement of Lamar’s newest grocery store

Prior to the evening’s regular meeting, the Lamar Redevelopment Authority approved a façade rehab agreement extension to Apex Performances, LLC, located at 420 North Main Street.  The agreement originated on July 14, 2025. Structural rehab work was completed by 12/31/2025.  The owners are completing all façade work and have requested an extension until June 30, 2026 to complete all the improvements.  The building inspector has done a final inspection of the structural rehab improvements.

Council member Gerry Jenkins was not present at the evening’s meeting.  The Consent Agenda included approval for payment of bills and minutes of previous board meetings.  Also approved was a renewal of a Tavern License for The Buzzard’s Roost at 101 N. Main Street.  No one attended the meeting wishing to address Council during the Public Comment portion of the meeting.

City Treasurer Kristin Schwartz reported that the city is receiving a $1 million grant to be used towards the new wastewater treatment plan.  The grant was part of several Community Project Funding Requests sponsored by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.  The money is in addition to several federal grants including a DOLA grant which will be used to help mitigate any financial burden on residents.  She also reported that the Tyler software conversion has resulted in “an excruciating couple of weeks” as the city works on utility billing, developing an online payment portal which should be available shortly.  In an HR update, she announced that the City has several employment openings, including a PR position, seasonal pool and parks positions, two 911 dispatch positions and more.  Interested persons can apply online on the city’s website or visit the offices for an application.  City Clerk Linda Williams had no reports for Council.

City Administrator Mitch Hammes announced several upcoming events.  A Grand Opening for the new location of Tidy Tails Pet Pawlor at 125 South Main Street will be on Friday, February 13, from 11 am to 1 pm with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 am.  Saturday, February 14, will see two Valentine’s Day events in the city. The 3^rd Annual SDS Sweetheart Dance will be held at the Elks Lodge from 6-10 pm with tickets available at the door.  Cost is $10 for singles and $15 for couples.  A Valentine Sock Hop Dance for all ages will be held at the Lamar Resource and Senior Center on E. Olive Street from 6-10 pm.  The event is free with dance lessons at 5 pm.  In Department Updates, he announced that the city’s Building Department has moved to the Lamar Resource Center.  The previous space is being renovated so that it can be repurposed into more space for other city departments.  Council member reports included Mark Headlee reporting about the above-listed Valentines Day events as well as the upcoming low-cost spay and neuter event.  More information on this can be found on the City’s Facebook page.  Brent Bates wanted to remind everyone of this year’s SECCI Fight Night Event, scheduled for July 18th, as well as the August 1 4-person golf scramble fundraiser.

Council approved the transfer of a private airport hangar agreement from Dean Reed to Dean Jagers, who will be responsible for the remainder of the original 40-year agreement with the city.  Public Works Director Pat Mason asked Council to approve a new land lease agreement at the airport which was originally obtained from the city in October of 2004.  The land lease allowed for installation and maintenance of a GPS monument which measures ground shifts caused by earthquakes.  The original agreement expired in 2017 but it was just brought to his attention and he asked Council to approve a new agreement retroactive to the 2017 expiration.  The agreement was approved unanimously.  It was voted to re-appointment Margaret Saldana as the city’s representative to the County Health Pool with Kristin Schwartz listed as the alternate.  Also approved was a renewal with Option Technologies Software, the company that supplies software for the Council’s electronic voting system.  This is a yearly contract.  A service agreement was approved between the city and Flixbus.  Flixbus is an interstate transportation provider that has asked to designate a “through stop” in Lamar on its Dallas to Denver route.  Flixbus busses will make two daily stops for drop-offs or pickups in Lamar on the south side of East Beech Street, across from the Colorado Welcome Center.  There is no cost to the city for this bus stop location, with Flixbus providing signage and promotion materials.

In perhaps the most exciting news of the night,  Council voted to approve an Economic Development Incentive Agreement with Colorado Food Stores, Inc., who will be opening new grocery stores at the old Safeway locations in both Lamar and La Junta.  The new store in Lamar will be called “Prowers County Market, Inc.”.  The Brown family has operated the First Choice store in Walsenburg and wants to branch out to new local locations.  The family has a six-generation history in the industry and believes in community-centered local markets and has strong roots in the Lamar area.  In 1970, FB Becquet took over his first grocery stores, IGA and Orchard Plaza, which later became Prowers County Market at 906 E. Olive Street. In 1998, he sold the store to Safeway and retired.  His daughter, Denise Brown grew up working in the store and eventually opened her own stores with husband Hugh Brown.   The Lamar location will be managed by Landon (FB’s grandson and Denise and Hugh’s son) and his wife Elizabeth, while the La Junta store (to be called Auggie’s Market) will be managed by another son and daughter-in-law. Prowers County Market will be a full-service store with a bakery, deli, meat department, and florist with hopes to be able to offer pharmacy services in the near future.  Renovation of the store will begin very soon with an expected opening date in May or June of this year.  They are accepting employment applications on their website, www.ProwersCountyMarket.com

Prowers County Commission Ron Cook was present at the night’s meeting to request approval from Council for overnight parking for vendors for this year’s Rod Run and Car Show as part of Lamar Days.  This year’s event will again be held in Willow Creek Park on May 15-16.  He said this is the 30^th year for this event, always one of the biggest of the summer and a crowd favorite.  He thanked the city for all of their help with the event in the past, remarking that the park is always beautiful and well-prepared for the event.

The meeting was then adjourned, going into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.  The next meeting for Lamar City Council is Monday, February 23, 2026 at 7 pm.

By: Barbara Crimond