Ever wondered how decisions get made and services get delivered here in the City of Montrose?
For the past 112 years, the City of Montrose has operated under a Council-Manager form of government — a model designed to combine democratic leadership with professional management. Montrose was among the first communities in Colorado to adopt a City Charter, and community leaders at that time had the foresight to include in that original "city constitution" provisions for a "commission-manager" structure of government.
Here’s how it works:
Montrose citizens elect the City Council: City Council members set the vision, pass policies, and listen to community needs.
The City Council hires a professional city manager: The city manager oversees daily operations, implements council policy, and manages city staff to keep Montrose running smoothly.
It’s a system focused on transparency, accountability, and efficiency that has proven effective in moving Montrose forward for more than a century.
Watch this quick 2-minute video from the International City and County Management Association to see how it all fits together!
Learn more about your city management
View the original City Charter adopted in 1914