Secession petition falls short in Morgan County

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.

Commissioners are expected to discuss the petition when they meet on 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 other counties where the issue will be on the ballot – Weld, Logan and Washington counties.