Cortez Will Hold Mail In City Council Election April 2026
Cortez officials announced on Nov. 24, 2025 that the city will conduct a mail in municipal election in April 2026 for four City Council seats, and that the city will run the election independently rather than coordinating with Montezuma County. The move changes the administrative timeline for candidates and voters, and residents are being urged to confirm their voter registration information before ballots are mailed.
Cortez city officials announced that a mail in municipal election for four City Council seats will be held in April 2026, and the city will administer the contest independently rather than coordinating with Montezuma County. The announcement, made Nov. 24, 2025, sets key dates for the cycle, including the opening of candidate petition filing on Jan. 6, and the mailing of ballots on March 16. The city said the schedule is intended to give prospective candidates, city staff and voters time to prepare for the altered election administration and timeline.
Running the election independently shifts a set of responsibilities from county election staff to the municipal level. That change affects scheduling, ballot production and voter communication, and will require Cortez city staff to manage processes that many voters and potential candidates may have previously associated with Montezuma County. Officials in Mancos and Dolores have announced similar plans to administer certain municipal elections independently of the county, creating a broader regional shift in how local contests are run.
For residents, the practical implications include paying attention to a new filing calendar if they plan to run, confirming registration details ahead of the March mailing date, and watching for city issued information about ballot handling and return procedures. Consolidation of municipal ballots with county or other elections can influence turnout levels and administrative costs, and decoupling those processes raises questions about voter outreach, resource allocation and the consistency of election services across jurisdictions.
Municipal control of election administration can provide local flexibility on timelines and procedures, but it also places a premium on clear public information and administrative capacity. The Cortez announcement is intended to provide lead time for that preparation. Voters and prospective candidates should monitor official city channels and election notices in the coming weeks to ensure they meet filing deadlines and receive ballots when they are mailed on March 16.
