FORT MORGAN, Colo. (AP) - A proposal to secede from Colorado has run into trouble in Morgan County.
The Fort Morgan Times reports that backers only turned in about 900 signatures by Monday's deadline, less than the 2,300 signatures county commissioners set as the threshold to put the 51st state measure on the ballot.
Commissioner Jim Zwetzig said Tuesday that next steps are unclear, but commissioners will likely discuss it next week. They are scheduled to meet Sept. 3.
Commission chairwoman Laura Teague has said secession would be costly for the agricultural county. She said water rights would be challenged, hurting farmers and ranchers.
Morgan County is surrounded by three counties where the issue will be on the ballot - Weld, Logan and Washington counties.
