The small town of Hartman, Colorado, has been declared abandoned due to ongoing political issues, failing infrastructure, and contaminated drinking water. This declaration by Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold follows the resignation of all local officials, leaving the community without governance.
Hartman’s last elected officials resigned in January, resulting in no functioning local government.
A resident’s petition prompted the state to intervene, as the town struggled with a deteriorating water system.
The town had been without potable water for over a month and has been under a boil-water advisory since February.
Approximately $1 million in grants designated for water system repairs remained unused due to a lack of authorized officials.
Hartman has no board of trustees or town clerk, complicating any efforts to address its water issues.
Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline stated that declaring the town abandoned is the only legal way for residents to gain access to clean water.
The town has faced intense political infighting, leading to arrests and physical altercations among residents over governance disputes.
Major allegations of financial mismanagement and government dysfunction by former officials have surfaced.
With the abandonment declaration, the Prowers County Board of County Commissioners will take over responsibility for Hartman's roads and water infrastructure.
Hartman's situation reflects a severe breakdown in local governance, stemming from long-standing family rivalries and mismanagement. The county now has a crucial role in resolving the town's critical infrastructure issues to provide basic necessities like clean water to its residents.
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