Ballots are going out to voters for the upcoming Cortez municipal election, which will be held Tuesday, April 7.
The election will decide five seats on the Cortez City Council. Three seats carry four-year terms, and one seat will be filled for a two-year term.
The election will be conducted entirely by mail, with no in-person voting on Election Day. Voters can return their ballots by mail or use the 24-hour ballot drop box at City Hall. The drop box, located in the City Hall parking lot next to the utility payment box, opened March 16.
City Clerk Danielle Wells said City Hall will serve as the central location for election services this year.
“Dropping off a ballot or picking up a replacement ballot will occur at City Hall,” Wells told KSJD via email. Voters who need to register or update their information must still do so through the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder’s Office or online through the state’s voter registration system.
In addition to council races, voters will consider four ballot questions involving proposed changes to the Cortez City Charter.
Ballot Question 1 would make technical updates to the charter, including correcting errors, modernizing language, and aligning sections with current Colorado law and court decisions. City materials describe it as a housekeeping measure that would not make major policy changes.
Ballot Question 2 would clarify qualifications and duties for City Council members and set limits on how council compensation can be adjusted.
Ballot Question 3 would clarify how the location of City Council meetings is determined and would explicitly allow council members to participate electronically, including by phone or video conference.
Ballot Question 4 would clarify that Cortez, as a home-rule city, has the authority to set its own term limit rules for council members.
City officials say multiple safeguards are in place to ensure ballots are handled securely.
“Every returned ballot will undergo a thorough signature verification process before it is opened and counted,” Wells said. The city is also working with experienced election judges, and ballot-counting equipment has been tested and is stored in a secure, access-controlled environment.
Voters are encouraged to carefully follow instructions when returning their ballots.
“Be sure to sign the return envelope and sign your envelope in the way that you normally sign any other important document,” Wells said. Ballots flagged for signature issues can still be cured if voters return the required affidavit and identification by April 15.
Voters who do not receive a ballot or need a replacement can contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall.
Under the city charter, the council is responsible for setting policy, adopting the city’s budget, and overseeing city operations, including appointing the city manager.
Ballots must be returned by Election Day, April 7.
