Rain in November and snow this month have improved the precipitation situation in Montezuma County.
According to local weather observer James Andrus, November brought 1.32 inches of rain to Cortez, which was 155 percent of the 30-year average for that month. This raised the year-to-date precipitation total to 94 percent of normal, up from 89 percent at the end of October.
As of Dec. 3, the SNOTEL, or snow water equivalent, in the San Miguel-Dolores-Animas-San Juan basin was at 76 percent of normal. Cortez is now classified as abnormally dry, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, and is not projected to move into the more dire category of drought in the next month.
Montezuma County Commissioner Jim Candelaria has been named as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the nonprofit group Colorado Counties, Inc.
The annual award recognizes a commissioner for “leadership, integrity, and long-standing commitment to public service,” according to a county press release. Candelaria was reportedly chosen because of “his long tenure in county government and his outstanding record of public service.”
At Tuesday’s commission meeting, Candelaria said he was humbled by the award and thanked commissioners Kent Lindsay and Gerald Koppenhafer for their support for his serving on state boards.
The county's press release is below:
Montezuma County, CO – The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce that Commissioner Jim Candelaria has been selected as the recipient of the Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest recognitions granted to county officials across the state of Colorado.
The CCI Distinguished Service Award recognizes a commissioner whose leadership, integrity, and long-standing commitment to public service exemplify the very best of county government. The award focuses on both quality and length of service, and each year the awards committee evaluates nominees based on their contributions to counties across Colorado and to CCI itself.
In announcing the award, CCI emphasized that the Distinguished Service Award is reserved for individuals who unselfishly devote their time and energy to the greater good—whether in their own county, their region, or the entire state. Commissioner Candelaria has repeatedly demonstrated this commitment through his active engagement with statewide initiatives, his willingness to mentor new commissioners, and his dedication to improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency of local government.
Commissioner Candelaria expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that he was “humbled and surprised” by the award.
Montezuma County administration and staff extend their heartfelt congratulations to Commissioner Candelaria for receiving this well-deserved award.
