Story perspectives

Colorado declares Hartman abandoned, county assumes water assets

8/1/2026

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Secretary Declares Abandonment

Colorado Secretary of State declared the town of Hartman abandoned on July 28, 2026, transferring its assets to Prowers County.
The declaration relied on new Senate Bill 157, which accelerates abandonment for towns without governance and with critical water failures.
Prowers County Administrator Don Wilson said the county will first seek a water operator.
Resident Shawna Casey noted many still rely on bottled water and opposed the abandonment petition.

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Griswold Abandons Hartman

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold declared Hartman abandoned on July 28, 2026, transferring assets to Prowers County.
The abandonment order hinged on a resident’s petition, the only legal route to obtain clean water.
All three remaining trustees resigned in January 2026.
A violent brawl among four women erupted at a board meeting the day before resignations.
Prowers County commissioners will take over public roads, alleys and the town’s water infrastructure.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 Pennsylvania, under Governor Bob Casey, used eminent domain to condemn Centralia after the underground mine fire made water unsafe, leaving only five occupied homes by early 2010. The 2026 Colorado action by Secretary of State Jena Griswold, invoking Senate Bill 157 to declare Hartman abandoned and transfer assets to Prowers County, mirrors the state-led dissolution that shifted governance and utility responsibility to county authorities.

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Secretary Declares Abandonment

Colorado Secretary of State declared the town of Hartman abandoned on July 28, 2026, transferring its assets to Prowers County.
The declaration relied on new Senate Bill 157, which accelerates abandonment for towns without governance and with critical water failures.
Prowers County Administrator Don Wilson said the county will first seek a water operator.
Resident Shawna Casey noted many still rely on bottled water and opposed the abandonment petition.

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