‘Impossible To Ignore’: Residents Of Small Colorado Town Claim Elected Officials Abandoned Them Over Tainted Water Supply

Residents of a small Colorado town have accused the state government of abandoning them after local elected officials resigned amid concerns over a tainted water supply.

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The Office of the Colorado Secretary of State declared the town of Hartman, Colorado, abandoned, according to a July 13 issued by the Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline. The declaration followed a public hearing indicating that the town 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,” the outlet reported, citing a statement from the secretary of state’s office. The town has a population of 30 people, according to Census Reporter. In 2020, the town had roughly 60 people.

The declaration follows a brawl between four women that occurred during a Jan. 13 Board of Trustees meeting, according to the Denver Post. The three active trustees quit a day before the fight, and the town’s mayor resigned three months earlier. The town has experienced tension for years, including claims of embezzlement, the outlet reported.

The local government also oversees the water supply, according to Colorado Newsline. Kline declared the Town of Hartman abandoned after one resident, who is also an elector, claimed that the local water supply lacked chlorine for over a month and was “not potable.” A local water tower supplies water to 40 homes, according to Colorado Newsline.

Kline said declaring the town abandoned is the only way to fix its water crisis in the same order.

“Importantly, not determining that the Town of Hartman is abandoned as contemplated by § 31-3-201(1)(b), C.R.S. (2026), would leave the residents in further legal limbo during a health hazard, with no authority to conduct business, hold elections, or fix their water infrastructure so that clean water can be delivered to the town residents,” Kline wrote.

“Abandonment is the only legal mechanism in Colorado statute that creates an avenue for residents of the area to receive clean water,” he continued.(RELATED: ‘A Law-Abiding Citizen Trapped’ — Man Sues City Over Warantless Spy Cams)

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Residents in a public Facebook group called, “Hartman Colorado Voice,” expressed their frustrations with the local government.

“HARTMAN WASN’T JUST ABANDONED — THE SYSTEM FAILED IT.”

“Hartman, Colorado, is a case that should alarm every taxpayer and every resident of a small municipality in this state. For years, Hartman went without audits. For years, citizens fought to establish a functioning local government and tried to keep their community from falling apart. They asked for accountability. They tried to restore legitimate governance. They kept pushing. And what did they get? A government that ultimately walked away,” one person said in part.

“Who was responsible for protecting Hartman when its own government could no longer protect itself? This is where Colorado’s statutory gap becomes impossible to ignore,” the person added.

“Some people think that because the state has abandoned Hartman they have been saved from their past transgretions (sic). FYI – the individuals who were involved can still be held fully accountable because dissolving a town does not erase personal criminal liability, financial fraud, or civil rights violations committed while in office,” another person said.

The Town of Hartman reportedly received $1 million in grants to fix its drinking water problem after the water supply was ruled a “hazard,” but was unable to secure the grant contracts since no government was in place, according to ABC News 4.

The Daily Caller contacted Kline’s office, which declined to comment and referred to the July 13 abandonment order.

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