Mitchell County Off The Record

Colorado City Doubles Down on Public Records Dispute

COLORADO CITY, Texas — The City of Colorado City is refusing to release water billing records related to the Wallace Unit prison, despite state law that says the information is public.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which receives water from the city, has released identical records from other prison units without objection. The city, however, has cited Texas Utilities Code § 182.052(a) to deny the request — a statute that applies only to personal account information of residential utility customers who have requested confidentiality.

Under the Texas Public Information Act, governmental bodies seeking to withhold information must request a ruling from the Attorney General’s Office within 10 business days. The city did not make such a request, triggering Texas Government Code § 552.302, which presumes the information public unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.

Critics say the city’s refusal is not a matter of legal interpretation but a deliberate attempt to block access to public information. “TDCJ had no problem releasing these same records, proving there’s nothing confidential about them,” said the requester, Taylor Burleson. “The only thing standing in the way is the city’s unwillingness to follow the law.”

The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing a formal complaint over the city’s handling of the request.

State Prison Provides Water Bills After City Denial, Revealing Transparency Gap

COLORADO CITY, Texas — The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has released water utility billing records for the Wallace Unit, documents that were previously denied by the City of Colorado City citing an incorrect legal exemption.

The records, detailing water usage and billing between government entities, were provided this week after a formal public information request was submitted directly to TDCJ. This comes after the City of Colorado City, through its attorney, denied a similar request, claiming the records were confidential under the Texas Utilities Code.

However, the exemption cited by the city does not apply to utility transactions between public entities. Under the Texas Public Information Act, billing records involving governmental agencies are considered public information, a point reinforced by TDCJ’s prompt compliance with the request.

“This isn’t about water bills. It’s about transparency,” said Taylor Burleson, the Colorado City resident who submitted the requests. “When one government agency is willing to provide public records, and another incorrectly denies them, it raises serious concerns about accountability at the local level.”

The Wallace Unit, a state-operated prison located within city limits, is among Colorado City’s largest water consumers. The billing records detail the financial relationship between the city and the state facility, which has been a subject of public interest amid ongoing discussions about municipal utility rates and infrastructure funding.

The city’s denial, based on an inapplicable section of the Utilities Code designed to protect private customer information, has now been contradicted by TDCJ’s release of the exact same records.

Burleson says the situation highlights a broader issue. “Transparency shouldn’t be selective. Citizens deserve accurate information, not legal misdirection.”

NOTICE TO COLORADO CITY RESIDENTS!

A City Council Meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. at the Civic Center, 157 W. 2nd St.

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🚨 NEWS UPDATE: Another Public Information Act Complaint Filed Against Colorado City 🚨

In yet another blow to government transparency, a new complaint has been filed with the Texas Office of the Attorney General against the City of Colorado City for failing to respond to a Public Information Act (PIA) request.

This latest complaint stems from the city’s continued pattern of ignoring legally required timelines for providing public records. Under Texas law, government entities have 10 business days to respond to such requests—but once again, that deadline has come and gone with no answer.

This marks at least the second known complaint filed in recent months, raising serious concerns about accountability and public access to government operations in Colorado City.

Citizens deserve answers. Silence is not transparency.

📢 If you’ve experienced similar issues, you are encouraged to file your own PIA request and report violations to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The law is on your side—hold your local government accountable.

16" line break in Colorado City this morning. Making it 5 breaks in major water infrastructure lines in a 30 day period.

Water line in Colorado City has been repaired. City still under boil water notice.

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