Special meeting: Morgan County Commissioners vote on special election regarding home rule charter

At a special meeting of the Morgan County Commissioners, all 3 commissioners were present on Wednesday, November 26^th. The single item on the agenda was Resolution 2025 BCC 47, calling for a special election on March 10, 2026. This will refer to the registered elector of Morgan County, the question of the formation of a home rule charter commission, and the election of members of the ‘home rule charter commission’ and designating districts for Home Rule Charter Commissioners. Commissioner Jon Becker had Attorney Kathryn Sellars explain this. This resolution will initiate the multi-step process to call for an election to put two questions before the voters. First is ‘should the charter commission be formed?’ And the second question is, ‘Who should be on that charter commission?’ If question one doesn’t pass, then of course the commission won’t be formed. Commissioner Kelvin Berhardt talked to many folks, as he mentioned that Weld County has been ‘home rule’ for over 50 years. Commissioner Tim Malone mentioned how the ‘home rule’ act has only been utilized by Weld County 18 times over that period. Public comments were accepted at this special meeting as Morgan County Sheriff Dave Martin stepped up to the podium to ask what the benefits would be to this. As an example from Commissioner Becker, it will give Morgan County the ability to determine what happens within the county. When the State of Colorado wants to tell Morgan County where to put in Green Energy projects, it may not be where the county prefers to have it. Also, according to Commissioner Becker, the state would also like end having natural gas as a source of energy to any new homes that are built. It would make living in the rural areas extremely difficult. The ideas from the front range don’t always translate out here, and this citizen-led charter will help to put the people closer to the local government. The basics are this, it will be a citizen-led charter consisting of 11 people. 3 people from each of the 3 districts, and 2 people at large. Applications will be available at the Clerk’s Office, at the Administration Building in Fort Morgan at 231 Ensign Street. It will also be available on the county’s website at morgancounty.colorado.gov. Each potential candidate must collect 25 signatures and return the applications by January 5, 2026. Commissioner Becker said this is the start of our voice out here to self-govern, and other counties will be looking at what (Morgan County) does. If no citizens apply for this charter, then there won’t be that voice. Following the discussion, the commissioners gave the resolution a 3-0 vote of approval. If anyone has any questions about the process or applications, call the Morgan County Clerk & Recorder's Office at 970-542-3521.