A small town in Colorado has been declared abandoned by the state after its remaining elected officials resigned, leading its troubled water system to become a "health hazard" to its residents, according to state officials.
The Office of the Colorado Secretary of State said the determination was made this week after a public hearing showed that "the Town of Hartman had no Board of Trustees or Town Clerk, was unable to hold a town election, and owned infrastructure critical for the treatment or delivery of water to residents."
"Importantly, not determining that the Town of Hartman is abandoned as contemplated by § 31-3-201(1)(b), C.R.S. (2026), would leave the residents in further legal limbo during a health hazard, with no authority to conduct business, hold elections, or fix their water infrastructure so that clean water can be delivered to the town residents," Deputy Secretary of State Andrew Kline wrote in an abandonment order. "Abandonment is the only legal mechanism in Colorado statute that creates an avenue for residents of the area to receive clean water."
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The town of Hartman, Colo., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

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