State declares Hartman, Colorado abandoned as officials work to address years-long water crisis

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - A tiny town on Colorado’s eastern plains has officially been declared abandoned by the state, a move local officials say could finally clear the way to address a years-long drinking water crisis.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office last week officially deemed Hartman, Colorado, abandoned following the passing of a new state law designed specifically to speed up the process for the town. Without that legislation, declaring a municipality abandoned can take up to five years.

The town’s three board members all resigned in January, leaving Hartman without any local government—and no one legally responsible for operating or repairing it’s water system.

“This is probably the only scenario I know of where they have a municipal water system, and nobody to run it,” said Prowers County Administrator Don Wilson.

For longtime resident Jessie Simmons, concerns about Hartman’s water are nothing new.

“The water feels slimy,” Simmons said. “It smells like sewage.”

Simmons grew up across the street from her current home and says she has no plans to leave the community.

“It was nice growing up in a small town. You knew all your neighbors,” she said.

Today, she says she avoids drinking the tap water altogether.

“I haven’t drank the water for probably 10 years or more. A lot of people in town don’t,” Simmons said. “I hate to say it, but you just kind of get used to it.”

County officials say Hartman’s aging infrastructure has contributed to ongoing problems.

“The tower is the biggest problem in the town of Hartman,” said Prowers County Commissioner Ty Harmon. “We haven’t been able to inspect it yet, but just from what we’re hearing, you can see light through the top of the tower.”

The water tower, built in 1911, remains in service today.

Officials worry openings in the structure could expose the town’s drinking water to outside contaminants. Additionally, Harmon says the water is not being treated properly before reaching people’s home faucets.

“They didn’t have chlorine for the water,” Harmon said. “That’s something we’ve addressed, and the Colorado Rural Water Association is in Hartman working on getting everything in order.”

State records show Hartman has been placed under boil water advisories on and off since 2019. The current advisory has been in place for nearly a year.

Nearly 500 pages of state records document repeated violations, including failures to submit required water samples for testing bacteria, lead and copper levels.

Hartman residents have 30 days to appeal the state’s abandonment decision.

If no appeal is filed, next steps for the municipal water system will transfer to Prowers County.

County officials say they are working to find a long-term provider that could take over water service for the community. They have contacted neighboring water districts, but so far, none have agreed to serve Hartman.