“Yes, I Was Shocked”: Colorado Woman Gets City of La Junta Response After Repeated Requests
- Anne Boswell Taylor
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
~Anne Boswell
Otero County resident Murisa Jackson is happy her repeated requests to the City of La Junta to fill her CORA request seem to be on the way to being fulfilled.
Jackson told us she received email correspondence Thursday from city of La Junta attorney Clay Buchner. The email came after a story about her journey, frustration, and the process to be heard.
The response stated that Buchner has reviewed her requests and is working with the town staff in La Junta to get her the requested files. They will be redacted to protect sensitive and private information of staff.
While she hasn't received them yet. Getting the email that stated action was on the way was a surprise to her.
"..I was shocked!"
In a story we covered for you this week, Jackson was frustrated after numerous requests for the city to grant her CORA requests for documents, email, investigations on complaints made by La Junta Police Officers concerning Police Chief Todd Quick.
Jackson kept pushing because she explained that transparency in government is important and the people need to know what's happening.
"My pursuit of transparency is not about creating conflict or tearing down those in public service. It is about seeking the truth, asking questions, and making sure that accountability remains a part of our system. Every citizen deserves the ability to understand what their government is doing and why," Jackson said.
Jackson had been asking for the documents since May and felt, at times, she was being ignored. She went to city council meetings to speak up during the public comment section and felt she wasn't getting anywhere with her efforts.
The City of La Junta, at the time of Jackson's first request, was without an attorney after Erin Harris resigned her position May 13, 2026. In June, it was announced that Pagosa Springs based attorney Clay Buchner would be the new city attorney.
Jackson was advised to contact him.
She did contact Buchner, twice in July.
Jackson wrote the following concerning the communication.
"After I filed my Notice of Intent to Sue, I contacted the City's new Interim City Attorney, Clayton M. Buchner, in an effort to resolve the matter before filing litigation. His response was: "Ms. Jackson, Sorry for the delay. Please let me inquire with the city clerk and get back to you. V/r, Clay Clayton M. Buchner Interim City Attorney La Junta, Colorado." Since receiving that response, I have been waiting for a follow-up. My intent has been to resolve these issues through communication before asking the court to intervene. As of now, I have not received the promised update, and it appears my attempts to resolve the matter outside of litigation have not yet resulted in further communication."
Jackson is now waiting for the request to be filled but at least the promise of action from Buchner has given her some hope,
"I believe a healthy community is built on trust, and trust can only exist when there is honesty, openness, and a willingness to be accountable. Transparency gives people a voice, and that voice is what keeps government working for the people it represents,"
Jackson promised to keep us all updated.
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(earlier story, related content: https://www.coloradonewsyourway.com/post/why-hasn-t-my-cora-request-been-answered-otero-county-women-asks-la-junta-city-council)
Colorado's open records and meetings laws