July 2 - Public Hearings Scheduled for Town Abandonment Applications for Towns of Creede, Hartman

Denver, July 2, 2026 - The Colorado Department of State has received two Applications for Town Abandonment for the incorporated Town of Creede, Colorado, and the incorporated Town of Hartman, Colorado.

One of two criteria that must be met for a town to be abandoned according to 31-3-201 C.R.S. A town must either:

1. have failed to hold any regular or special election to elect officers and that no town government has been maintained for at least 5 years prior to the application, or
2. have no board of trustees or town clerk, be unable to hold an election, and own or operate water infrastructure critical for the treatment or delivery of water to residents.

Town of Creede

On May 11, 2026, the Mineral County Attorney submitted an application to the Secretary of State's Office for a determination stating that the Town of Creede, also known as the "Townsite of Creede" or "North Creede," has been abandoned.

According to the application submitted, there are two towns incorporated in Colorado that are legally referred to as the "Town of Creede" that exist immediately adjacent to each other. The application clarifies that they are commonly referred to as "North Creede" and the "City of Creede," and states that only one of these towns, the "City of Creede," is still functioning. "Townsite of Creede" or "North Creede" has not functioned for decades, according to the application. The "Townsite of Creede" / "North Creede" is the subject of the abandonment petition, not the "City of Creede."

If the Secretary of State's Office determines that abandonment is appropriate, all existing streets, avenues, and alleys previously located within the abandoned town, which are not owned by a third party, shall be vested in the board of county commissioners of Mineral County.

A public hearing to determine the abandonment status of "North Creede" will take place on Monday, July 13 at 1 p.m. At the request of the applicant, this hearing will be held only via Zoom.

Register to attend the Town of Creede public hearing.

Town of Hartman

On June 17, 2026, a resident and registered elector of the Town of Hartman submitted an application to the Secretary of State's Office for a determination stating that the Town of Hartman has been abandoned.

According to the application submitted by a town resident, the Town of Hartman no longer has a Board of Trustees or Town Clerk and is unable to hold a town election. The application states that the Town of Hartman owns and operates water infrastructure needed to treat and deliver water to residents, and that the town does not currently have access to potable water.

If the Secretary of State's Office determines that abandonment is appropriate, all existing streets, avenues, and alleys previously located within the abandoned town, which are not owned by a third party, and all properties owned by the town shall be vested in the board of county commissioners of Prowers County. Additionally, if the town is determined to be abandoned, all real and personal property comprising the water system would be transferred from the Town of Hartman to Prowers County, who may then select an entity to maintain water infrastructure, as outlined in Colorado law.

A public hearing to determine the abandonment status of the Town of Hartman will take place on Monday, July 13 at 2 p.m. This hearing will be held via Zoom and in person at the Secretary of State's Office in the Red Rocks Conference Room, located at 1700 Broadway, Suite 550, Denver, CO 80290.

Register to attend the Town of Hartman public hearing.

After Hearings

Following the hearings for the Townsite of Creede and Town of Hartman, and if it is determined that the town is abandoned, a copy of this determination is filed with the County Clerk and Recorder. Once this filing is complete, the town will no longer exist.