Montrose County citizens voted by a margin of 52% to just under 48% in the Nov. 4, 2025 election, to recall new Montrose County Commissioner Scott Mijares. Mijares was elected November 4, 2024 in a general election in which he ran unopposed, was sworn in to office on January 14, 2025, and lasted just under 9 months in office.
Citizens who initiated the recall said Mijares came into office “like a bull in a china shop.” They said under Mijares, public comment
was blocked at public meetings, Mijares repeatedly violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law (CRS §24-6-402) and that he conspired with another commissioner to force the termination of the county manager and county attorney, wasting over a half a million taxpayer dollars on unnecessary costs like severance packages, backfilling positions, and outside legal fees. Mijares also demoted the Montrose County Public Health Director without a valid reason, only to retreat from that decision after generating public outrage. Citizens say Mijares violated their trust and created a toxic, fearful workplace in which employees were afraid to speak up.
The signature gathering for the recall started July 15. After just 34 days, a bipartisan team of 120 volunteers succeeded in gathering enough valid signatures to get a measure on the November 4, 2025 ballot to recall Mijares.
Mijares will be replaced by Kirstin Copeland, the former manager of Ridgway State Park, who spent almost 25 years working at the park.