Montezuma County announced Monday that a career law enforcement officer has been named the finalist for the job of county manager.
Montezuma County Commissioner Jim Candelaria said the Board of County Commissioners received more than 10 applications for the position, posted after County Administrator Shak Powers resigned to take a job with Region 9 Economic Development.
Travis W. Anderson has worked in law enforcement for 31 years, including nearly 12 years for the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, where he is a detective with a rank of sergeant.
He also was Chief of Police for Brush, Colorado, from 2016-2018.
Under state statute, the finalist or finalists for a county manager position are made public 14 days before a job offer.
The public is invited to meet Anderson during an open house June 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the commissioners room.
He will introduce himself and answer questions from the public. Questions are limited to one minute.
There will be an informal meet-and-greet, with additional time for public comment. Comments will be limited to three minutes each.
For those unable to attend, the event will broadcast live on the Montezuma County YouTube channel.
Several candidates were interviewed and went through an assessment process that included responses to a simulated day on the job.
“It was more than just a resume and interview,” he said. “The assessment process evaluates their performance with daily tasks and different scenarios.”
According to Anderson’s resume, he has a bachelor's degree in law enforcement administration and masters in organizational management and public administration from Ashford University in Chandler, Arizona.
He worked for the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office from 2009-2016, and from 2019 to the present. During his tenure, he served as a deputy, patrol sergeant, SWAT team leader, staff sergeant and detective.
He was the chief of the Brush Police Department from 2016-2018, was an officer for the Delta Police Department from 1995-2008 and in the Nederland Marshal’s Office from 1992-1995.
“He has been a great supervisor for the patrol deputies, and is a good detective who has worked a lot of our bigger cases,” said Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin. “It will be tough to lose a good hand.”
In his application, Anderson stated he is a committed and innovative leader who “shows passion, initiative and humility in all aspects of work performance.”
“I believe strongly in collaborative problem solving, accountability, and ensuring our community’s quality of life is maintained or improved,” he stated.
According to his biography on the Montezuma County website, in his spare time, Anderson enjoys spending time outdoors, going on nature walks with his wife and two dogs, and spending time with friends and family. He is the father of four adult children.
The posted salary range for county administrator is $103,000 to $114,000, depending on experience and qualifications. The position is open until filled.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
