Dove Creek approves water provider switch after state order

Dove Creek will begin drawing drinking water from Montezuma Water Company on July 13 after the town board voted unanimously June 18 to leave its longtime supply arrangement under a Colorado enforcement order. The move comes with a five-year contract and a price increase. Town Hall closed after threats were made against staff.

The town of roughly 700 residents is under a March 2025 order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment after total trihalomethanes exceeded the legal limit. Water operator Rich Landreth told the board the new setup should bring better-quality water in about two months, and the town hopes to be released from the enforcement order by the end of 2026.

Mayor Grant Allen said the state gave initial approval to the plan in February. The town’s engineering report studied four alternatives and recommended Montezuma Water Company, which is preparing to bring its treatment-plant expansion southwest of Dolores into service in July, around the same time Dove Creek’s transfer is set to begin.

For years, Dove Creek relied on the Dolores Water Conservancy District for canal water from McPhee Reservoir, then stored some of it in a 100-acre-foot reservoir near the treatment plant for winter use. Drought is forcing the canal to shut off in August instead of October.

Water and sewer rates were updated this year. Bills go out at the end of the month, are due on the 10th of the following month, and pick up a $5 late charge after the 15th. Town offices shut down because staff safety became a concern.

Montezuma Water Company is a member-owned, not-for-profit provider serving more than 5,000 members across more than three counties in southwest Colorado.