City officials will host an informational meeting for residents interested in running for the four open council positions in the April city election.
The open house is scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at City Hall, 123 Roger Smith Ave.
While council members receive formal training once elected, the session will explain the election process and provide an overview of expectations involving the council’s role, such as duties and legal authority.
City officials emphasized that serving on the council is a way for residents to make the most immediate impact. Councilors approve an annual budget and decide on planning and zoning, city resources, projects and community programs.
The Jan. 7 meeting will outline the commitment and walk attendees through the nomination process, including petition deadlines. City staff will answer questions from prospective candidates as they begin circulating petitions for the 25 signatures needed to run.
Four City Council positions are open in the April vote. Seats held by Dennis Spruell, Lydia DeHaven, Matthew Keefauver and Robert Dobry will expire. Three seats carry four-year terms, and one carries a two-year term.
Residents interested in running can pick up paperwork starting Jan. 6 at the City Clerk’s office. All seats are elected at large and go to candidates with the most votes.
City public information officer Kelly Codner emphasized that the 20-day petition window is short and encouraged prospective candidates to pick up packets promptly and attend the Jan. 7 session.
Completed petitions must be submitted to the City Clerk by 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. Candidates must be at least 21, a U.S. citizen and have lived in Cortez for 12 months before Election Day.
Cortez will run the April 7 election independently from Montezuma County – which differs from past years; Mancos and Dolores are doing the same.
City officials have urged Cortez residents to check their voter status and update their registration information at GoVoteColorado.gov ahead of time to ensure ballots arrive. Mail ballots will be sent March 16, the clerk’s office has said.
“We want people to make sure their registration status is ‘active,’ and that their address is correct,” Codner said. There may be two addresses listed if mailing and residential locations differ.
Codner said ballots received after Election Day will not be counted, so voters who plan to return ballots by mail are encouraged to send them early.
Officials stressed that having an active registration and correct mailing address is key, noting that even small changes – such as moving or closing a P.O. box – can prevent ballots from being delivered.
Residents who do not receive a ballot may pick up a replacement at City Hall. A City Hall drop box will open once ballots are mailed and remain open 24 hours a day until 7 p.m. April 7.
Voters may register, update information or vote through Election Day.
