A citizen-led effort to recall Montrose County Commissioner Scott Mijares is set to begin next week, with more than 100 volunteers preparing to gather signatures starting July 15.

The campaign, organized by what its leaders describe as a bipartisan and diverse group of residents, cites concerns about transparency, fiscal management, and recent leadership decisions by Mijares. Organizers say the commissioner’s actions have destabilized county operations and cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“This recall is not about party lines,” said organizers James Haugsness, Ray Langston, and Phoebe Benziger in a joint letter submitted to the Montrose Business Times. “It’s about accountability, transparency, and responsible governance.”

Among the group’s grievances is the resignation of former County Manager Frank Rodriguez and County Attorney Marti Whitmore. Mijares, along with fellow Commissioner Scott Pond, pushed for Rodriguez’s resignation.

Critics of Mijares say that decision, along with others, was made without adequate public discussion, in potential violation of Colorado’s Open Meetings Law. Organizers of the recall accuse Mijares of conspiring with another commissioner behind closed doors, leading to what they describe as “a toxic workplace atmosphere” and widespread instability among county employees.

They also point to the abrupt reclassification of Public Health Director Dr. Mirza Ahmed. Mijares, who had previously voted to approve Ahmed’s hire, later questioned his credentials and pushed to change his title to “interim” director, drawing further scrutiny and criticism from public health advocates and community members.

Another source of controversy has been the North Campus facility project. Organizers allege Mijares interfered with the project timeline and risked contract penalties before walking back his objections following community pressure.

All told, organizers estimate that more than half a million dollars in taxpayer funds have been spent on severance packages, legal fees, and staffing changes under Mijares’ tenure.

The recall campaign will need to gather signatures from 25% of voters in the last election to trigger a recall election. The process officially begins July 15 and will be monitored by the Montrose County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.

Mijares has not publicly responded to the recall announcement. He previously defended his actions regarding the county manager’s departure and public health leadership, saying in an April interview that he believed the public deserved greater transparency in county hiring practices.

Organizers of the recall effort say they are motivated by a desire to restore “competent, ethical leadership” in Montrose County.

“We had other things in mind this summer—camping trips, BBQs, family reunions,” the group’s letter reads. “But the destabilization of our county government left us no choice.”

The letter is signed by Jim Haugsness, a current member of the Montrose Urban Renewal Authority board; Phoebe Benziger, a former Montrose County School District board member and current city planning commission member; and Ray Langston, former chair of the Montrose County Republicans.

The story has been corrected to show Phoebe Benziger is a former Montrose County School District board member.