A small town in Colorado has been declared abandoned by the state after its remaining elected officials resigned, leading its troubled water system to become a "health hazard" to its residents, according to state officials.The office of the Colorado Secretary of State said the determination was made this week after a public hearing showed that "the Town of Hartman 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.""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," Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline wrote in an abandonment order.
"Abandonment is the only legal mechanism in Colorado statute that creates an avenue for residents of the area to receive clean water."DISNEYLAND GUESTS LEFT SCRAMBLING AFTER WATER OUTAGE SHUTS BATHROOMS AND RESTAURANTSThe town of Hartman, Colo., on Thursday, Feb.26, 2026. (Denver Post via Getty Images)Hartman, which has a population of 30 in southeast Colorado, saw its three active trustees resign in January a day after a brawl erupted between four women following a board of trustees meeting, according to The Denver Post."Our safety was more important than having a government," Pam Packer, one of the trustees who resigned, told the newspaper, which also reported that the mayor resigned in October and that Hartman previously was grappling with embezzlement allegations and restraining orders.Kline said in the abandonment order that in mid-June, "Ms.
Jessie Simmons, a self-attested resident, landowner, and elector of the Town of Hartman, submitted a written application to the Secretary of State for determination of abandonment for the Town ...