$1.00
January 16, 2020
ONLINE For more news, visit ElbertCountyNews.net
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Residents discuss water usage by Independence More than 100 attend sessions at Elizabeth Library BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
American Legion and the Colorado Farm Bureau. “I’ve been active but never really thought about politics until Kimmi died,” said Holtorf. “I knew her personally, and every time she came to Washington County I usually met with her. She was a wonderful legislator, cattle rancher and leader. I had enormous respect for her.” Holtorf said he began receiving requests from community members to step up and take Lewis’ place, and after talking to his mother about it, he began seriously considering the idea.
Elbert County residents packed the Elizabeth Library on Jan. 7 to address concerns about proposed changes to the Independence development’s water usage, after a public notice seeking changes was published in the Elbert County News on Dec. 19. The notice described a request that the decreed uses be amended to include “municipal, industrial, commercial, stock watering, fire protection and exchange and augmentation purposes, both on and off the subject property.” The informational meetings were organized and presented by the Independence Water Warriors and Citizens for Responsible Growth-Elbert County. Due to the large turnout, meetings were broken down into several sessions, since the library has limited meeting space. Frederick Fendel represented the Independence development and fielded questions from attendees. Elbert County resident Robert Thomason, who volunteers his time helping land owners understand their water rights, also answered questions, along with member of the Independence Water Warriors and Citizens for Responsible GrowthElbert County. The meetings were arranged due to concern from citizens about the wording of the public notice.
SEE SEAT, P12
SEE WATER, P12
Richard Holtorf, center, will be filling the vacant seat for Colorado House District 64, left vacant by the passing of Kimmi Lewis. He poses with members of the vacancy Committee Ty Winter, Patrick Neville, Jennifer Hall and Bob Lewis. COURTESY OF RICHARD HOLTORF
Rancher chosen for state House seat Richard Holtorf will represent huge District 64 following death of Kimmi Lewis BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
More than 100 Republican delegates from House District 64 — which encompasses nine counties, including Elbert — gathered Dec. 28 in Kiowa to interview five candidates to fill the House seat left vacant by the death of Kimmi Lewis. After nearly six hours of inter-
views and discussion, Richard Holtorf was appointed as the new state House representative for District 64. He will serve out the remainder of Lewis’ term for the duration of the 2020 legislative year. Holtorf is a third-generation rancher. His grandfather started the Buffalo Springs Ranch near Akron. He retired from the US Army after 29 years of service, including serving two tours in Afghanistan. He’s been politically active within his community for several years, serving as a caucus chair person, the Colorado Stockman’s Association, a 4-H Club leader, commander of the local Chapter 8060 of the VFW, member of the
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“Technology, access to information and the expectation around response times have created a greater sense of urgency than any time in history.” Michael Norton, columnist | Page 8 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 11 | CALENDAR: PAGE 6
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 124 | ISSUE 50