The Forum: Wednesday March 4, 2026

The City of Montrose hosted a forum featuring Tom Sawyer, a retired technology expert, who provided an in-depth educational presentation on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. The discussion covered the origins of Bitcoin, its underlying technology including blockchain and mining, and its economic implications such as scarcity and decentralization. Sawyer explained how Bitcoin operates as a decentralized digital monetary system secured by cryptography, and addressed regulatory aspects, including the IRS classification of Bitcoin as property in the U.S. The session also touched on the challenges and potential of cryptocurrencies in global finance, energy consumption concerns related to mining, and the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency ownership and exchanges. While not a procurement or contracting meeting, the forum provided valuable insights into digital financial technologies relevant to government and public sector stakeholders.