Arvada council members Marriott and Simpson vying for mayorship

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BY RYLEE DUNN RDUNN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Arvada’s in for a big change this fall, as the November election will see the city elect its rst new mayor in 12 years as current Mayor Marc Williams reaches his term limit. Vying for his seat are two current city council members; District 2 council member Lauren Simpson and District 3 council member John Marriott.

Marriot — a lifelong Arvadan and owner of Larson’s Ski and Sport — has served as the District 3 representative for 10 years and has two years left on his current term regardless of the outcome of the mayoral race.

Simpson moved to Arvada to raise her family and works in diplomacy for the Canadian government — a role which she says has prepared her for city leadership of her rst term on council, which she was elected to in 2019.

Marriot said he’s running for mayor because he believes he has the experience to take on Williams’ responsibility of managing council meetings.

“One of the lessons I’ve kind of learned in my time on council is the leadership (the mayor) provides, and particularly the regional cooperation that they provide, is really, really important,” Marriott said. “I think Arvada has bene ted from that, from Marc’s e orts… and I would like to see that continue. I thought I would throw my hat in the ring and see what the voters have to say.”

Simpson initially sought reelection in District 2 but shifted her focus to mayor after being encouraged by constituents. She shared a similar sentiment regarding the role of the mayor in managing city leadership.

“ e reason why mayor is attractive to me is that it’s not just the ability to help prioritize goals for the city, but it’s also how you manage the leadership of the city,” Simpson said. “One of the things that I admire most about Marc Williams is how he manages the council internally.

“Everybody has an opportunity to speak, everybody has an opportunity to make their voice heard and their opinions known and are treated with respect,” Simpson continued. “And that’s exactly the kind of leader I would be.”

Simpson said her proudest accomplishments during her time on council are the Olde Town pedestrian mall, the creation of 600 new a ordable housing units, Arvada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a gift card drive for Marshall Fire victims she spearheaded with Lisa Feret.

Marriott touted the voter approval of the Ralston Road bond project and the near completion of that project as an accomplishment that highlights voter’s trust in local government, as well as the replacement of the Meyers Pool and the construction of the Fitzmorris recreation center as high points of his tenure on council.

Simpson emphasized a need for more a ordable housing in Arvada, though she cautioned against putting dense developments in historic single-family neighborhoods.

“In my past four years I have been a strong voice on the council for a ordable housing,” Simpson said. “And I maintain that Arvada is in need of a diverse housing mix. If our baristas and our auto mechanics and our counselors and our teachers cannot live here, I think that’s a huge detriment to our city.”

Simpson added that she doesn’t want to “cram things in where they don’t belong” or negatively impact the existing character of Arvada’s neighborhoods and historic communities.

Marriott maintained his belief that municipal government’s role should be limited to maintaining city services such as infrastructure and water. He added that although the city should do some economic planning, it should also engage

COURT

FROM this entrance.”

Crews o cially began work on the project on July 24. e main entrance to city hall is located next to the Arvada Police Department entrance. Visitors to the court will proceed up the stairs to the screening and check-in area, which is still operational at this time. An elevator is also available.

Construction is underway at the Arvada Municipal Court to move the metal detectors to the court’s main entrance.