- Cortez City Council takes first step toward formally supporting the creation of a master leasing plan for oil and gas development, and approves agreement with Empire Electric Association to begin hanging its telecommunications fiber.
The Cortez City Council took the first step Tuesday toward formally supporting the creation of a master leasing plan for oil and gas development, directing city staff to draft a letter of support to consider at the next meeting. A citizens’ working group is currently evaluating whether to recommend that the Bureau of Land Management create the plan, which would more strictly regulate energy development on public lands in eastern and central Montezuma County as well as western La Plata County. Chris Eastin, M.B. McAfee, and Ellen Foster told the council current BLM rules are inadequate to protect areas such as the Phil’s World bike system, the route for the proposed Paths to Mesa Verde trail, and the Mesa Verde Escarpment. Foster said this is “a defining moment for the city,” and asked, “Will we become the next Farmington, or reinvent our economy to focus on outdoor recreation and agriculture?”
Also on Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a pole attachment agreement with Empire Electric Association to allow the city to begin hanging its telecommunications fiber. Historically the city has buried it, but City Manager Shane Hale said hanging it costs about a third as much. Councilor Ty Keel asked whether this was in line with the city’s beautification efforts but Hale said most residential areas already have power poles occluding their views.
