Residents of Hartman, Colorado, are expressing fury and demanding the arrest of former local officials, stating that the town’s hazardous drinking water and the abandonment of civic duties by its leadership should be a wake-up call for taxpayers nationwide. The small town, with a population of just 30, has been left in a state of disarray due to an alleged embezzlement scandal and escalating political infighting that reportedly led to physical violence.
The situation culminated in the resignation of the town's elected officials, leaving Hartman without a mayor, clerk, or board of trustees. Residents are concerned about the long-term consequences of this civic collapse, particularly regarding the safety of their drinking water and the lack of essential services.
Shawna Casey, a moderator for the Hartman Colorado Voice Facebook group, stated that the town’s leadership effectively surrendered control, leaving residents to manage the fallout. "Hartman didn’t just fade away; its leadership handed the keys to the county and walked out the door, leaving the residents to deal with the fallout," Casey said. She added that residents are bearing the burden of their property taxes without seeing the community benefits, and the water supply is now managed by temporary measures implemented by outside parties.
Casey further asserted that officials who abandon their posts may face legal repercussions. "Dissolving a town does not erase personal criminal liability, financial fraud, or civil rights violations committed while in office," she wrote, noting that while the municipal structure disappears, individual illegal acts remain subject to prosecution.
Another unidentified moderator of the Facebook group described the situation as a systemic failure that should alarm all taxpayers and residents of small municipalities. The town was officially declared abandoned by the state earlier this week following a public hearing that revealed the absence of a governing board and the inability to hold elections. The state order highlighted the critical need for infrastructure maintenance, particularly for water treatment and delivery.
According to reports, Hartman had been without audits for years, and residents had been advocating for a functioning local government and accountability. The town has been without any form of government since January 14, when the remaining three board trustees resigned after a physical altercation occurred between individuals during a contentious meeting. This lack of leadership has exacerbated the town's water supply issues, with residents under a boil-water advisory since at least February.
Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline stated in an order that failing to declare Hartman abandoned would leave residents in further legal limbo, facing health hazards without any authority to conduct official business, hold elections, or address water infrastructure needs.