Montezuma County attorney Ian MacLaren is leaving that position to become the Montezuma County Court judge. MacLaren told KSJD he was appointed to his new post by Gov. Jared Polis on Oct. 16. He has worked for the county for nearly nine years, serving as county attorney since 2021 and before that as assistant county attorney. He has also worked as county court judge for Dolores County since June and municipal court judge for the Town of Dove Creek. MacLaren is replacing the previous Montezuma County Court judge, JenniLynn Lawrence, who was appointed a 21st Judicial District judge in Mesa County.
The Montezuma County commissioners on Tuesday punted their decision on a $240,000 supplemental budget request for the sheriff’s office to next week’s meeting. They had already continued the decision from the week before. They said they will soon be attending a training session on budgetary issues provided by the state that may help clarify matters. Last week, county voters rejected a 1-cent sales tax that would have funded the sheriff’s office, detention center, and drug task force. Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer said approving the request would essentially be “okaying bad behavior.” Commissioner Kent Lindsay said he agreed but if the request is denied, the sheriff’s office will have to furlough 20 or more people who will in all likelihood then leave for positions elsewhere.
