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April 16, 2020
20 20 SPECIAL SECTION
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
‘We’re looking forward to next year’ Public safety means Stampede will not be held this June BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Elizabeth Stampede will not be held this year, and Jace Glick, president of the event’s board of directors, said the decision to cancel the town’s biggest gathering was disappointing, but board members knew it was necessary because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Early on, the county health officials summoned me, and I sat down with all of them and they told unequivocally at that time what was going to be coming down in the coming months,” said Glick. “As a board we sat down and started discussing several different scenarios, and all agreed that public safety was our number one priority.” The Stampede, which was slated for the first week of June, usually includes a PRCA rodeo, concerts, a parade and family activities. The Stampede began with amateur rodeos at Casey Jones Park as early as 1937, and the first official Stampede was held in 1966. SEE STAMPEDE, P5
Pull-Out Special Section Inside This Issue!
Early results appear to show recalls falling short Mayor, trustee could keep posts; final ballots might swing outcome BY TABATHA STEWART SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Mutton busting is always a favorite at the Elizabeth Stampede, which has been canceled for 2020. COURTESY OF TY STOCKTON OF BOBWIRE PHOTOGRAPHY
The April 7 election included five open Elizabeth Board of Trustees seats, with six candidates running, as well as whether or not to recall Mayor Megan Vasquez and Trustee Tammy Payne. Unofficial results available on April 6 — with more ballots to be counted — indicated that both Vasquez and Payne could be staying in their jobs. Current Trustee Jason Weiss ran against Vasquez in the recall portion of the election, but the recall attempt SEE RECALLS, P5
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“The closures and restrictions will be temporary, but when you lose a life, you lose it forever.” Gov. Jared Polis | Page 2 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 4 | LIFE: PAGE 19
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 125 | ISSUE 11