Colorado Town Declared Abandoned as Officials Resign, Water Crisis Deepens

The town of Hartman in southeastern Colorado has been declared abandoned by the state after all its elected officials resigned, leaving its water system in disrepair and posing a public health risk.

The determination was made by the Colorado Secretary of State's office following a public hearing. The town lacked a Board of Trustees and a Town Clerk, rendering it unable to hold elections or manage its essential water infrastructure. Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline stated in an abandonment order that declaring Hartman abandoned was the only legal recourse to provide residents with access to clean water.

Hartman, with a population of 30, experienced a cascade of resignations beginning in October 2025 when the mayor stepped down. In January 2026, the three remaining trustees resigned following an altercation after a board meeting. One former trustee cited safety concerns as the reason for her resignation, stating, "Our safety was more important than having a government."

Concerns about the town's water system were raised by a resident who applied for the abandonment determination. She reported that the town had been without chlorine in its water for over a month, the water was not potable, and had been under a boil water advisory since October 2025. The water tank was described as compromised and in need of repair or replacement, with no one currently operating the system.

Representatives from the state's Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) had been working with Hartman for years, assisting with elections, leadership turnover, budgets, and grant administration. Despite over $1 million in previous grants allocated for water system improvements, the town's lack of a governing body prevented it from entering contracts to access these funds.

Following the abandonment order, streets and alleys not owned by a third party will be vested in the Board of County Commissioners of Prowers County. Ownership of the water infrastructure will also transfer to Prowers County, which is tasked with transferring it to an entity focused on water treatment or delivery.