The City of Montrose and the Montrose United Methodist Church found themselves back in court on June 4, locked in a legal battle that raises tough questions about community responsibility and compassion.

At the heart of the case is the church’s decision to allow a camp of unhoused people to stay on its back patio—an act that has landed the church facing multiple citations from city officials.

Fire Safety Issue Resolved, But Legal Trouble Continues

The hearing opened with testimony from the city’s fire marshal, who confirmed that the unhoused individuals have been removed from the church property. “We helped facilitate their relocation from the courtyard out of the church,” said Paul Zaenger, a representative of the Montrose United Methodist Church. “The last of the folks we transported are on private land outside the city limits. They’re safe, but it’s not easy for them.”

Despite this resolution of the fire safety concerns, the legal battle is far from over.

“There is no longer a case that the city has [regarding the fire violation], but there are still the 30 citations that have been issued, and that is what the city is prosecuting the church on,” Zaenger explained.

A Bench Trial Ahead

The church has pleaded not guilty to all citations and agreed to proceed to a bench trial, scheduled to begin on July 23.

The high stakes of the case have sparked broader reflections on what kind of community Montrose wants to be.

“It begs the question of who we as a community are, and I know that we are better to each other and our community than what this court case brings forward,” said Zaenger.

Despite the legal challenges, the church remains steadfast in its mission to support those in need.

“The church will continue to provide for supply needs and support the unhoused that way, transportation needs, and whatever else they require,” Zaenger said.

Possible Fines Looming Large

Although the church faces no risk of jail time, the financial consequences could be severe. Each citation carries a maximum fine of $2,650, which could add up to nearly $81,000 in total penalties.

Efforts to get comments from the City of Montrose were unsuccessful, as city officials declined to comment due to the case still being pending.