The regular Montezuma County commissioners meeting on Tuesday has been canceled due to the threat of the coronavirus, county officials said.
Efforts are underway to set up future commissioner meetings in a live-stream format that allows for public comment, said county administrator Shak Powers.
He said the in-person public meeting is not being held to align with state and federal recommendations to avoid public gatherings. No cases of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in Montezuma County, Powers said.
“County leadership is doing everything we can to keep the community safe,” said commissioner Jim Candelaria. “We will all be impacted by this, and it is important to remain calm, help each other, and stay informed.”
Regular updates on the local impact of the pandemic are on the Montezuma County, county health department, and Southwest Memorial Hospital Facebook pages.
The county is still open for business, including the landfill, fairgrounds, and Montezuma County Transportation bus (MOCO).
Do not call for a ride if you have a cough or a fever. MOCO is encouraging social distancing by asking riders to sit at least six feet away from the driver and other passengers. Buses are being cleaned between passengers.
People are being asked to conduct business with the county via phone or email.
Many events and meetings in the county are canceled or postponed. The Four States Ag Expo was scheduled for this week but was postponed to Sept. 25-27.
Beginning March 16, there will no longer be onsite meals for senior centers in Cortez, Dolores and Mancos. Take-out meals will be available at the same regular meal times. Home delivery meals will continue.
Food assistance groups in Montezuma County are organizing COVID-19 Mutual Aid, a local effort to organize food distribution to people in need during the pandemic. The Sharehouse in Cortez is accepting food and household supplies, and is the base of operations for packing food/supply boxes, coordinating volunteers for doorstep deliveries, and supplying other food assistance groups.
The are asking for donations from the farming and ranching community of produce, meat, and eggs. If you have anything you can donate, your community would greatly appreciate it!
Donations are accepted every afternoon at 30 N. Beech St. in Cortez. For more information call 970-769-5410.
Also, Montezuma County has developed a community Facebook group to connect with those who are in need of child care.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
