- Two Montezuma County commissioners attended Thursday's meeting of the County Planning and Zoning Commission to urge them to take an active role in visioning economic development projects.
Two Montezuma County commissioners came to Thursday night’s meeting of the county Planning and Zoning Commission to urge P&Z to take an active role envisioning economic-development projects. Commissioner Larry Don Suckla said the county has enough regulations in place but needs more planning. Commissioner Keenan Ertel agreed and said he wants to see so-called pipe dreams become reality. Suckla said the county hopes to receive a portion of the $100 million that Governor John Hickenlooper plans to spend over the next four years to make Colorado more bicycle-friendly. The county is working with Cortez, Mancos, Mesa Verde National Park, and the state Department of Transportation on tentative plans for a biking and pedestrian trail that would stretch from Cortez to Mancos. Suckla said if oil prices continue to fall, the county will see a drop in revenues from its largest taxpayer, Kinder Morgan, so it must come up with other ideas to stimulate the economy. Suckla said recreation is one answer and the county needs more trails for all types of motorized and non-motorized users. The five-member planning commission, under new chairman Bob Clayton, expressed eagerness to accept the more proactive assignment. They said they want to start having workshops at which they can discuss ideas without dealing with the usual specific zoning questions and permit applications.
