Starting in 1996 I began living in Highlands Ranch and in 2001 bought a small a condo in Edwards, Colorado. The elevation in Highlands Ranch is about 5,800 feet, and Edwards is just over 7,500 feet. Coming from sea level on the East Coast, it took a little time to acclimate to the elevation. And soon enough all was well and everyone was just fine.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

People of the USA voice their will in two ways: electing representatives and holding those representatives responsible to represent them. Ballot 300 is not a “back-door” approach to seize power; just one attempt people have made to increase their opportunity to be heard by their representatives.

Ten percent of registered voters’ signatures is the minimum city requires to amend its charter. e charter doesn’t need defending; no one is attacking it. Plus, no small group of people signed the petition bringing Ballot 300 before us all. at same paragraph is incomplete, for its verbiage asserts the o -term election itself would cut required petition signature numbers in half. It would not.

Well, what I didn’t realize is that the house I would be living in for five weeks was situated at 10,200 feet. Skiing at 11,000 feet or 12,000 feet never really impacted me be-

SEE NORTON, P15 at a special election for 300 is now required forces nothing but an opportunity for people to vote on the question. If a majority votes “yes,” the required number of signatures would return the city to Colorado’s legislative requirements for citizen ballot access. e reason Ballot Question 300 came about bears repeating. It is the “deaf ear” municipal o cials continue giving residents’ quality of life pleas; meanwhile, continuing to advance the special interests of real estate developers. Costs of this election squarely rest with council itself for refusing to give residents the same opportunity to advance citizen led referenda and initiatives as the State of Colorado grants everyone else. e narrative’s argument actually ips reality on its head. It’s no secret that well funded

SEE LETTERS, P15

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LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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THELMA GRIMES South Metro Editor tgrimes@coloradocommunitymedia.com

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