Earlier this month, an apparently AI-generated video criticizing Montezuma County’s spending on public safety circulated online, stirring frustration from the Montezuma County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Jim Candelaria told The Journal the video leaves out key facts, leading to a misleading narrative. Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin said the video gets the facts right.
“Most people don’t even have a rudimentary understanding of our government structure,” said Candelaria. “But yet they are out to curse us and cut us in every shape, fashion or form.”
Sheriff Nowlin had a different take: “The information that’s in there? It’s true,” he said. “It’s factual.”
The BOCC voiced disapproval of online criticisms during a regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2, under an agenda item titled “Address Social Media Misinformation.” Commissioners also decided to turn off comments for some posts on the county’s Facebook page.
Commissioner Kent Lindsay called the AI video “a hit piece.” Candelaria referred to “keyboard warriors” who “create misinformation, hate and discontent,” adding that those who want to know what the BOCC is doing should attend public meetings. He said the board has been “absolutely transparent.”
During the Sept. 2 meeting, Lindsay brought up the circulating YouTube video uploaded on Aug. 28, titled “Montezuma County Facts vs Priorities.”
The 4½-minute video features a synthetic voice and describes the county’s finances in a critical tone. It questions decisions made by the commissioners and argues those choices have reduced public safety resources – namely, less money for the Sheriff’s Office.
The narrator says the public is often told Montezuma County is running out of money, yet each year since 2019 has seen increases in the general fund.
“When we ask about public safety in Montezuma County, we should remember this: The issue isn't that the county can't afford it,” the video states. “The issue is how our leaders are choosing to prioritize the resources we already have.”
The video, which had about 150 views as of Aug. 28, had grown to more than 1,800 views by Tuesday afternoon. The creator remains unknown. YouTube lists the creator’s profile as “Jack Eagle.”
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Montezuma County’s general fund grew from $18.2 million in 2019 to more than $29 million in 2024, an $11 million increase, annual audits show.
| Year | General fund | Dollar change from previous year | Percentage change from previous year |
| 2019 | $18,243,671 | +$2,643,213 | +16.9% |
| 2020 | $18,289,825 | +$46,154 | +0.25% |
| 2021 | $21,338,589 | +$3,048,764 | +16.6% |
| 2022 | $23,057,229 | +$1,718,640 | +8% |
| 2023 | $26,833,260 | +$3,776,031 | +16.4% |
| 2024 | $29,053,302 | +$2,220,042 | +8.3% |
In an interview with The Journal, Candelaria acknowledged the growth but said it stemmed largely from federal awards. Robert Dobry, the county’s budget and finance manager, also confirmed this fact.
Audits identify “major programs” of federal funds, including more than $2.5 million in “Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds” in 2022.
Similarly, the “Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund” – American Rescue Plan Act money the county qualified for due to shared revenue sources with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe – brought in more than $3 million in 2023.
“All of the audited financials are on record,” he said. “It’s very transparent and anybody can look at them. So, that rise did happen.”
Candelaria said BOCC spending decisions must account for unpredictable funding sources. Commissioners prioritize state-mandated services over discretionary spending.
“At some point in time we might be able to fund some of the wants. I don’t have any issue with that at all. But let’s take care of our needs first.”
Cuts to the Community Intervention Program, a previously active emergency response team, were also mentioned in the AI video.
When the CIP was initially funded, commissioners were told more money would be found later. But that never happened, Candelaria said, leaving the program unable to continue.
The AI video also refers to an independent analysis of the Sheriff’s Office that describes understaffing and a resulting safety hazard, concluding with a recommendation for 14 additional deputies.
A copy of the report obtained by The Journal confirms the finding.
The BOCC commissioned the report in November 2024 after disagreements with the sheriff over the law enforcement budget.
Nowlin said his office has faced budget cuts over the years.
“It’s been a real hindering to the operations of the Sheriff’s Office to provide the services throughout the county,” Nowlin told The Journal. “We cannot get current balance levels in line items in the Sheriff’s budget and detention’s budget,” he said. “It’s always about a month behind. Commissioner Candelaria seems to disagree.”
“The Sheriff's Office net decrease from 2022 to 2024 was $277,552, or a net decrease of 6.68% in funds available to the Sheriff's Office, excluding the jail, which remained fairly stable,” the report states.
Candelaria said cuts followed findings of underspending in the Sheriff’s Office. According to the report, in 2023, close to $700,000 of the office’s budget went unused.
“However, the sheriff contends that much of the underspending was due to the fact that he was unable to attract and retain deputies,” the report reads. Nowlin agreed with this.
Candelaria said understaffing stems from how Nowlin has run the department. He said Nowlin has chosen to police outside what is statutorily required.
Candelaria pointed to a recorded November 2023 meeting with Dolores officials, where Nowlin acknowledged budget cuts but reassured attendees that law enforcement would be present regardless of a contract.
“I am not going to abandon this town no matter what,” Nowlin said during that meeting. “I can’t tell you whether you wanna sign that or not.”
According to the report, by the end of 2023, talks between the county, the Sheriff’s Office and Dolores failed to produce a contract for 2024. The absent contract also led to a decrease in the sheriff’s funds that year.
“Under no circumstances should the service be provided without a contract in place,” the report states.
Candelaria also noted that county residents were asked last November to vote on a 1% public safety sales tax that would have helped fund the Sheriff’s Office. That tax would have brought in more than $8 million, but voters rejected it.
Out of 14,421 votes, just under 43% voted “yes” and about 57% voted “no,” according to election records.
Nowlin said the sales tax would have provided vital funds and eased tensions between himself and the commissioners – “so long as they spent it right – that was the question that kept getting brought up.”
Different answers from commissioners about how the sales tax would be spent “caused a lot of questions and distrust,” Nowlin said.
When it comes to the Sheriff’s Office budget, a consistent issue is employee compensation.
Nowlin said the commissioners initiated the report “because they wouldn’t work with me on trying to increase their pay and benefits (for law enforcement officers).”
More recently, Nowlin said collective bargaining negotiations are active between the BOCC and the Fraternal Order of Police.
“They know that they’re probably gonna be forced to increase their pay and benefits,” Nowlin said. Still, he believes the BOCC will likely keep the same bottom line.
“If salaries go up, other things are going to be reduced to keep it the same,” he said.
