2021electionguide
October10,2021 DailyCamera
Tina Marquis President, BVSD Boardof Education
Rachel Friend Boulder City Council
• Prioritize flood protection to ensurethe safety of our residents
• Facilitate effective governance on Council, boards, commissions and in public participation
Aaron Brockett BoulderCity Council
Iwas taught early in life to be astewardofthe environment and my community,and to leave things better than how you found them. My diverse experience in science, education, advocacy,conservation, and public service gives me aunique perspective on how to continue to shape our greatcity.I am running for Boulder City Council because we need thoughtful leadership thatwill focus on making Boulder a moreinclusive, diverse, and vibrant community It ’s time we takeour collective values and makethem into whereweare going.
Laurie Albright Former President, BVSD BoardofEducation
George Karakehian Former Boulder City Council
Lesley Smith University of Colorado Regent
Will Toor Former Boulder Mayor & Former Boulder County Commissioner
• Focus on rejuvenating our affordable housing opportunities
BOULDER COALITION
ReadMoreonmyPositions PA ID FOR BY MA TT BENJ AMIN FOR CO UNCIL
• Prioritize climate action in every issue we face
Rep. Judy Amabile CO House of Representatives Dist. 13
Bob Yates Boulder City Council
What MattBenjamin will work to do as amember of Boulder City Council:
Matt Applebaum Former Boulder Mayor
Françoise Poinsatte Former Boulder City Council
Leslie Durgin Former Boulder Mayor
JanBurton Former Boulder City Council
Junie Joseph Boulder City Council
Macon Cowles Former Boulder City Council
Callie Rennison UniversityofColorado Regent
Mat tBe nj am in Fo rC ou nc il .c om
KC Becker Former Speaker CO House of Representatives
VOTE MATT BENJAMiN #4 ON THEBALLOT
• Increase protected bikelanes and improve public transportation
Suzy Ageton Former Boulder City Council
2 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTER GUIDE
PR OU DLYE ND OR SE DBY
Adam Swetlik Boulder City Council
• Address our unhoused residents needs with empathy and data-driven approach
Use 10+ years of financial management experienceand my progressivevalues to guide budget decisions.
Apoyar alternativas con respecto a la diversidad de vivien das asequibles para todos(as/es) los(as/es) miembros de nuestra comunidad.
/Paid forbyTogether with Nicole
As your city councillor Iwill...
SoyDra.Nicole Speer
Concejo Municipal de Boulder
Pagada por Speer
an accomplished scientist, committed parent, successfulbusinesswoman, and champion forinclusion.I’m running for Boulder CityCouncil because our city needs experienced, values-driven leaders to makeprogressonour biggest challenges.
LEARN MORE /APRENDERMÁS: NicoleForBoulder.com
UNITED CAMPUS WORKERS WORKING FAMILIESPARTY Endorsements | Aprobaciones
Como su concejal voy a…
Boulder City Council NICOLE SPEER
Lead on climatebyreducing emissions and prioritizing safety, preparedness, and resilienceinall city policies.
I'm Dr. Nicole Speer
Utilizaré mis valores progresistas y habilidades que he ob tenido con más de 10 años de experiencia financiera para organizarlas prioridades del presupuesto de la ciudad.
Advocate fordiverse and affordable housing options forall members of our community.
una científicareconocida, madre responsable, empresaria exitosa ydefensorade la inclusión. Estoy postulándome paraser concejal de la Ciudad de Boulder porque nuestraciudad necesita líderes experimentados(as/es) ymotivados(as/es) convalores que nos ayuden aprogresar en nuestros más grandes desafíos.
Dirigir con urgencia el cambio climático alreducirlas emisiones y dándole prioridad a la seguridad, preparación y resiliencia en todas las políticas de la ciudad.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER10, 2021 • 3
Boulder City Council 6-13
Oct. 11 through 7p.m Nov. 5, ElectionDay Locations: Boulder
Boulder County Cour thouse, East Wing Entrance, 2025 14th St.
Election Dayis Tuesday,Nov.2.You must return yourmail ballot or be in line at aVoterServiceCenterby7 p.m.thatday in orderfor your votetocount.
Longmont
14-18
How to vote
Boulder Valley School BoardDistrict E. 34-35
Boulder Valley School BoardDistrict B........... 32
Colorado Ballot: Amendment 78 43
Nederland Community Center,750 N. Hwy. 72 Superior Superior Town Hall, 124 E. Coal Creek Drive
South BoulderRecreation Center,1360 Gillaspie Drive
Locations:
While voters can register rightuptoand even on Election Day,the last day to register or change yourregistration and still receive aballot in the mail is Oct. 25. If you registeror change yourregistration afterthatdate,you must votein person.
Boulder County Fair grounds, 9595 Nelson Road (on Fairground Lane near the south parkinglot)
Louisville City Council Ward 2........................ 30
To read the DailyCamera editorialboard’s endorsements in selectracesand ballot issues this election,visit dailycamera.com/tag/2021-endorsements/.
Ser vices include: ballotdrop-of f, in-person voting, request areplacement ballot, voter registration or update registration infor mation, vote using equipment and facilities for people with disabilities, and curea ballot.
Howand where to vote
Longmont Southwest Weld County Ser vices Complex, 4209 Weld CountyRoad 24½ (Del Camino)
SVVSD schoolboard DirectorDistrictB 36
24-hour ballot dropoffboxes
HygieneFireProtectionDistrict Ballot item ..... 39
Oct.8through 7p.m.Nov. 2, Election Day Locations: Longmont Southwest Weld County Ser vices Complex, 4209 Weld CountyRoad 24½ (Del Camino)
WELD COUNTY
YMCA, 950 Lashley St. Louisville
University of Colorado, University Memorial Center,1669 EuclidAve., closest to Euclid Avenue entrance of building.
Dacono City Council................................. 40-41
................................
4 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTER GUIDE
LongmontCity CouncilWard2 28
Hub/Boulder County Clerk &Recor der,515 Cof fman St.
Track your mail ballotbysigning up for BallotTrack at boulder.ballottrax.net/voter
Garden Acres Park (18th Avenue between Sunsetand Juniper streets)
Lafayette Public Librar y, 775 W. Baseline Road
Index
Avery Brewing,4910 Nau tilus Cour tNor th Erie
21-22
.......................
...............................
Boulder Valley School BoardDistrict F........... 36
Lyons Town Hall, 432 5th Ave. Neder land
Vote centers
nity Hub (cor ner of Sixth Avenue and Cof fman Street)
SVVSD schoolboard DirectorDistrictF ..........38
Town of Mead Ballot items 42
.....................
Town of Lyons Ballot item 30
Ballots willbemailed to eligible,registered voters beginning Oct. 8.
Dacono Mayor. 39-40
Early option: 8a.m.to4:30p.m.weekdays Oct. 14-25 at the Boulder County Clerk &Recorder’s Of fice,1750 33r dSt.
Frederick Carbon Valley Recreation Center,701 Fifth St. Erie Erie Community Center, 450 Powers St.
BOULDER COUNTY 24-hour ballot dropoffboxes
For moreelection information, visit: Boulder County —bouldercounty.org/elections Weld County —bit.ly/2IwuwPj
University of Colorado, University Memorial Center, 1669 Euclid Ave. (limited parking)
Louisville Police Depar tment, 992 W. ViaAppia Way Lyons
Louisville City Council Ward 1. 29
Boulder County Clerk & Recor der’s Of fice, 1750 33r dSt.
Louisville City Council Ward 3........................ 30
Hours and locations: 8a.m.to6p.m.Oct. 25-29 and Nov.1,9a.m. to 1p.m Oct. 30, 7a.m. to 7p.m. Nov. 2, Election Day Boulder
University of Colorado, W illiams Village Center, 500 30th St.
Colorado Ballot Proposition 120 45 Ballot Overview 46
Boulder County Clerk & Recorder/St.VrainCommu-
Voter service and polling centers
LongmontMunicipal Court Judge Retention 28
Boulder Ballot items.
Lafayette Southeast County Ser vices Hub, 1755 S. Public Road Longmont St. Vrain Community
Boulder County Clerk & Recor der’s Of fice, 1750 33r dSt.
Lafayette Ballotitems
Hours: 8a.m.to5p.m.weekdays Oct. 28 through Nov.1,10 a.m. to 2p.m. Oct. 30, 7a.m. to 7p.m.Nov.2,Election Day
LongmontCity CouncilAtLarge 25-28
Louisville Ballotitems 31
Lafayette City Council............................... 19-21
Boulder County Housing and Human Ser vices, 3400 Broadway
Wheredoesyour paper stand?
...................................
Ser vices include ballotdrop-of f, voter registration, in-person voting, requesting mail-ballot replacements.
Superior Ballotitem. 31
Colorado Ballot Proposition 119 44
LongmontMayor....................................... 23-24
Meadowlark School, staf f bus parkinglot,2300 Meadow Sweet Lane Lafayette
Carbon Valley Ballot item 42
SVVSD schoolboard DirectorDistrictD 37
•Focus on enabling more of our commuters to live within city limits
•Encouragemissing middlehousing andgentle infill
Former
Boulder City Council Member
•Reduce barriers for mission driven development
BRIDGING THE GAPS IN SERVICES
Boulder City Council Member
Jan Burton
PROGRE SS IVES VOTE FOR LAUREN FOLKERTS FOR BOULDER FOLKS BOULDER CITY COUNCIL LAUREN4BOULDER.COM BOULDERLAUREN4 LAUREN4BOULDER PAID FOR BY LAUREN FOLKERTS FOR BOULDER
•Advocate for aday shelter that connects service providers with community members and provides services such as mail holding,documents storage, cell phone charging, showers
Suzanne Jones Boulder Mayor
•Advocate for additional federal and state funding
•Support peer counseling programs and shelter options for at risk groups
•Create mobile crisis program to provideprovide mental health first response for crises involving mental illness, homelessness and addiction
•Implement pilot projects that make our existing neighborhoods more walkable and bikeable
Aaron Brockett
•Add capacity for housing supported mental health and addiction treatment
Boulder City Council Member
•Reduce embodied energy in building construction, not just operational energy
•Increaseinvestment in multimodal transportation infrastructure and electric transit options
REAL PUBLIC SAFETY
Macon Cowles
Former Boulder City Council Member
Judy Amabile Colorado State Representative for House District 13 Will Toor Former Boulder Mayor &Boulder County Commissioner Elise Jones Former Boulder County Commissioner Matt Appelbaum Former Boulder Mayor Leslie Durgan Former Boulder Mayor
Rachel Friend
•Create policies that encouragepermanent affordability through land trusts and deed restrictions
•Leverage federal and state dollars to increase multimodaltransportationinfrastructure
CLIMATE ACTION
•Invest in institutions, resources, and services
Former Boulder City Council Member
HOUSING FOR ALL
•Support funding for healthcare, housing, job training, and counseling
Françoise Poinsatte Former Boulder City Council
COMMUNITYLEADERS SUPPORTING LAUREN VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER10, 2021 • 5
Junie Joseph
Political/communityexperience: U.S. Air Force Veteran (JAG Of ficer); vol unteer at Boulder Shelter for the Homeless; volunteer for Boulder’s Community Mediation and Resolution Center; City Council appointee to Cannabis Licensing Advisor yBoar d Education: UCLA (under grad); University of San Diego School of Law(JD)
Website: mattbenjaminforcouncil.com
Family: Husbandand fatherof two.
Ser ved on city working groups for election refor mand stor mwater and flood mitigation.
Professional background: Lawyer/mediator
How long have you lived in Boulder: 21 years
Age: 53
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
Our police depar tment is understaf fed by approximately 40 of ficers. We need to increase staf fing to the depar tment’s full complement of 190 of ficers. Our of ficers arebeingasked to wear too manyhats. This burden can be alleviated through theexpansion of “non-police” teams,such as the Crisis Inter vention and Response Team (CIR T) andthe Boulder TargetedHomeless Engagement andRefer ral Team (BTHERE). We can use these teams to provide social and mental health ser vices to those in the encampments. They arebetter suited to engage and establish relationships andtrust withpeople in encampments than atypical police of ficer with agun at their side. They canassist in providing access to available ser vices.
One of the more notable strengths of the Climate Action Plan is the idea of working topilot new financing optionstoimprove af for dability and increase access to clean energy technologiesfor allcommunitymembers. We can reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from in-commuters (60,000)ifweprovide more af for dable housing options.We can accomplish this with infill and rezoning our underutilized com mercial areas. We canalso improve the safety and connectedness of our biking infrastr ucturetoget peopleonbikes and less reliant on single-occupancy vehicles. Iwould like to see us move towardaregional electric transit system. For funding, we can looktothe $1.2 trillion federal infrastr ucturepackage (assuming it passes), of which $39 billion is dedicated to public transit.
Research shows that all of these types of servicesare significantly moreeffective when theunhoused have stable housing. Stablehousing canbe in the for mofsanctioned campgrounds, day/night shelter and/or hotel rooms. Our cur rent camping banlessens the ef ficacy of the ser vices we cur rently provide, so we need to make surethe money we investinour unhoused makes the biggest dif ference possible. The $20 million of ARPA (American Recover yPlan Act) funds aretobeusedtohelp those disproportionatelyimpacted by COVID-19.Using some of this money forour unhoused to embark on avariety of pilot programs makessense.
Professionalbackground: For mer educator and astronomer at CU’s Fiske Planetarium. Cur rently aprofessionalphotographer and science/education consultant
tional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
The citydoes not have the financial or physical resources to do this alone. We need assistance from the county,state andfeds. We need to establish regional mental health and dr ug addiction facilities to treat thoseinneed who arecur rently unhoused, including those livinginencampments. I’d like to workwith Rep. Judy Amabile, whorecently secured $450 million in American Rescue Plan Actfunds to help establish regional facilities to provide services to those suf fering from mental health and addiction problems. We can also looktothe opioid settlement monies to assist in providing morerobustwraparound ser vices to ourunhoused population.
Political/community experience:
Boulder CityCouncil
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact?
Age: 39
Matt Benjamin MichaelChristy
Ireally like what the city is doingbyevolving to asystembased framework to evaluate our climate impacts and setmeasurable goals. We need aplan,specificincentives and codes to bring our inef ficient buildings up to our 21st centur yclimate standar ds. We also need to reduce our dependence on gas-powered vehicles. I would like to see moreelectric-ve hicle charging stations (even requirethem fornew housing and business developments) and safe and protected bike lanes. Lastly, housing those that work in our community dramatically reduces their carbonfootprint. We need to lean towar dmorehousing along ourtransit cor ridors. We needto connect our community without depending on fossil fuels.
How long have you lived in Boulder: Januar y2018
Website: michael4boulder.com
Ihope that we take concrete actions to refor mpolicing in Boulder.Italsostartswiththe commitment that suppor ting our police and committing to refor ms arenot mutually exclusive. We can do both. The most critical area for us to focusonishow our policeinteract withmarginalized and at-risk populations in our community.We need areimaginedpoliceforce that builds the lasting relationships andtrust of these communities. Ialso want ourpolicetobe morespecialized and not the answer to ever yincident we have in Boulder.This is why Isuppor t creating aversion of Denver’s STAR (Support Team Assisted Response) program hereinBoulder to handle many of the non-violent mental health, dr ug and crisis inter vention 911 calls.
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What addi-
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact?
Education: Astronomy degree, CU Boulder
6 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTER GUIDE
Family: Mar ried 15 years to Andree Christy; daughter Olivia, age 13; son Jack, age 10
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
For merly: Open Boulder and Gar den to Table. Cur rently: Boulder Open Space
Conser vancy and Idaho Conservation League. For merdirector of the Boulder Coalition. Co-ledOur Mayor,Our Choice campaign.
TARA WINER forBoulderCity Council “ Tara has beena community leader in manyareas of service in Boulderovermanyyears. She is compassionate and dedicated... Tara will makeanexcellentmember of City Council. .. ” —MayorSam Weaver “ Tara is balanced, thoughtful, down-to-earth, and avoiceofreason. JustwhatweneedonCouncil!” —Andrew Shoemaker,Former DeputyMayor VTE taraforboulder.comPAID FOR AND AUTHORIZEDBYTARAWINER FOR COUNCIL Sam Weaver Mayor Junie Joseph MayorPro Tem Bob Yates City CouncilMember Mark Wallach City CouncilMember Mary Young City CouncilMember Mirabai Nagle City CouncilMember ENDORSED BY Edie Hooton CO State Representative Susan Osborne Former Mayor Lisa Morzel Former MayorPro Tem Gordon Riggle Former City Council Member Crystal Gray Former Deputy Mayor Andrew Shoemaker Former Deputy Mayor GeorgeKarakehian Former Deputy Mayor StevePomerance Former City Council Member AllynFeinberg Former City Council Member RichardPolk Former City Council Member VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER10, 2021 • 7
city’sclimate impact?
arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
We have to put the police in the right areas to preventunnecessar y violence. Thelackofofofficers in Boulder has resulted in more aggressive behaviors with less monitoring. We have to ensurethe Boulder policecan be properly enforced with support fromadditional groups. The police need to focus on critical issuesinstead of dealing with noise complaints and homeless disr uption. Moregroups need to be be created with councilors, first responders, therapists, and other cer tified workers that have experience deescalating low risk altercations. We need to of fer solutions with proper resolve that alleviate pressure on the police
Jacques Decalo Boulder CityCouncil
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the
Political/communityexperience: Involvedinthe industrial hemp industr y.
might you hope to see?
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe
Paid for by Dan for Boulder Council DanForBoulder.com Paid for by Takahashi for Boulder Vote foraClimateChampion! Endorsed by the Sierra Club IPG, BillMcKibben, Hunter Lovins dtakahashi4bouldercouncil.com 8 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTER GUIDE
Family: All of my family lives in Boulder County.Parents areMarilyn and David Decalo. Twosisters are Emma Loson and Chloe Decalo.
Age: 25
In or der to helpthe people with mental health andaddiction issues, we have to star tbybuild ing relations with them. We have to show them that our community wants them toget better and be functioning contributors to society We have to encourage them with jobs, their own space and therapy to ensurethey areactivelytrying to get better.Wealso can not let them continue to pollutethe creek with with encampments. This is a poor representation of our community.This is not just aone-time fix, this solution takes dedicationand commitment from all sides involved to motivate these people to be better
Professionalbackground: I cur rently workfor Tesla.
Website: jacquesdecalo2021.squarespace.com
Education: B.A. fromWester n Washington University’s Fair haven College of Inter disciplinar yStudies— hemppolicy andsustainability
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes
Howlong have you lived in Boulder: LifelongBoulder resident.
With climate change being at the forefront of aglobal crisis, we have to do ever ything in our power to fight it.Cutting carbon emissions completelyand switching only renewable green energy, eliminating singleuse plastic and implementing sustainable water practices arekey in the fight for climate change. We must increase solar in Boulder with solar grants and batter ypack storage.Weneed community solar gar dens on top of public buildings. We have to put morepressureonXceltoprovide the infrastr ucturefor sustainable energy.Wehave to switch our public transpor tation to fullyelectric vehicles. We must cutsingleuse plastic out of ourconsumer mentality.Water sustainability is impor tant to maintain high levels of water reser ves in case of extreme drought or forest fires.
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact? Thepre liminar yversion of theupdated climate action plansets some tough targets. As an architect, one that I’m particularlypassionate about is the reduction of embodied energy in buildings. Our cur rent code onlyaddresses operational energy in buildings and does not account for embodied energy. When you arelooking at a20-year timeline, 80%ofthe emissions come from the materials the building is made from andtheir transpor tation to the site. The climate action plan cur rently aims for a 40% reduction in this embodied energy,and it is imperative that we meet this challenging target. I would also push ourcommunity to pursue anumber of the both easy and har dgoals that this plan lays out, such as creating acircular economy and increasing our urban tree canopy.
END ORSED BY
Le t' sa ch ieve gre at th ing stog et he r. ..
Education: Bache lor’s ofarchitecturefromthe University of Oregon.
Enact proactive, thoughtful, and strategically planned growth to improve housing affordability and diversity
Michael Christy is anon-partisan problem solver with adeep commitment to community He brings to the table:
tional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them? Our treatment options for substance abuse and mental health disor ders areextremely limited in our community regar dless of your housing status or ability to pay. Along with theSTARprogram I mentioned before, we need to be working with the countyand the state to advocate forour fairshare of funding forthese programs. We also need to increase suppor tfor local nonprofits thatare already filling gaps in social ser vices, and create aday shelter to help connect residents with these ser vice providers.
Paid for by Michael4Boulder IN TE GRI TY |E XPERIENCE |S ENSIBI LI TY
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER10, 2021 • 9
Age: 34
Lauren Folkerts Boulder CityCouncil
Enhanceaccess to safe, environmentally sound, and affordable multi-modal transportation networks
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
· Adesirefor open discussion and to develop creativesolutions based on what's bestfor Boulder
Political/communityexperience: I’mcur rently chair of thecity’s Design Advisor y Boar dand presidentelect of theColorado Green Building Guild.
Website: lauren4boulder.com
Support energy conservation and the use of renewable, clean energy
· Professional skills developed as an attorneyand mediator
FO RB OUL
DE RC ITY CO UNCIL Michael4Boulder.com
Ensureour city and our policehaveall the necessary tools and resourcestomaintain public safety
Preserve, enhanceand maintain our Open Spacefor current and futuregenerations
Advocate forthe small businesscommunity to ensuretheyhavewhatis needed to withstand challenges and prosper
· Years of public service, including active-duty military service, volunteering with the unhoused, and membership on the Cannabis Licensing and Advisory Board
Professionalbackground: Architect
Ensurethatall city actions and policies are aligned with Boulder ’s social equity goals
How long have you lived in Boulder: 10 years
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What addi-
Iwould like to seeour city institute acrisisinter vention program similar to the STAR (Suppor t TeamAssisted Response) program in Denver.Weneed to stop forcing our police of ficers to act as aone stopsolution to community problems. They shouldn’t haveto provide mental health services, addiction counseling or other suppor tive ser vices. While having compassionate of ficersisimportant, we needtomakesureweare placing qualifiedprofessionalsin situations that most closely match their skills. This should havethe added benefitofhelping with of ficer retention. Other citieshave also shown it to be morecost-effective and to lead to better outcomes.
Family: My partner,Derek Buranen, andour dog child, arescue named Lucky
Website: steveforboulder.com
with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
Professional background: Various leadership roles at financial ser vices fir ms. Twenty years of experience in hous ing, municipal finance,budget sustainability and regulation.
Family: Husband(Jeremy,mar ried 18 years),two kids, two dogs
Focus on threeareas with high est leverage: energy,transportation, andbuildings. We need to get to 100% clean energy as rapidly as possible, either via partnership with Xcel or new potential options that will be created if Community Choice Energy is passed by the state. Reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by incentivizing carpooling witha parking and rebate program. Explorea Boulder Valley Transit District to create agreen mass transit system that reduces emissions andtraf fic. Complete our bike network to allow people to safely movearound town without acar.Electrifycity facilities and large commercial buildings to eliminate the use of natural gas.
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices
for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
Education: B.A. Scripps College (Claremont, Calif.); M.A., Ph.D. WashingtonUniversity (St. Louis, Mo.)
Restorepolice staf fing to full complement to address the rising levels of crime and traf ficking of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. The BPD has lost 42 out of 183 of ficerssince May 2020.
Website: nicoleforboulder.com
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
To address chronic homelessness, we can reinstate aday ser vices facilityand create suppor tive housing options that help get people into housing and help them stay there.Arecent studyin Denver found that 77% of people experiencingchronic homelessness whoenteredintensive, suppor tive housing werestill housed three years later.The people in suppor tive housing had a40% reduction in shelter stays, a34% reduction in police contacts, a40% reduction in ar rests, a30% reduction in jail stays and a65% reduction in detoxification ser vices. The costincrease to thecity for these suppor tive housingpro grams was minimal due to decreases in criminal justice and other ser vices use.
Steve Rosenblum
How long have you lived in Boulder: 16 years
As we start measuring emissions involved in getting goods, ser vices and people intoand out of our community,anything we can do to provide goods and ser vices locally and enable Boulder’s workers to live herewill reduce our climate impact (e.g., creating moreworkforce housing and 15 minute neighbor hoods). There areclimate impacts from rebuilding after disasterslike floods and wildfires (e.g., creating and transpor ting constr uction materials), so we must focusonbecoming climate resilient to limit our climate impact. Climate resilience includes investing in social infrastr uctureand addressing inequities to ensure the mostvulnerable among us stopexperiencing the most harm from theclimate crisis.
10 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
How long have you lived in Boulder: 2017
Age: 44
We must focus our substantial yet limited fundsonpreventing and rapidly resolving homelessness for people with connections to Boulder.Asacity andcounty, we spendclose to $100million a year on housing and human ser vices, including per manent suppor ting housing, rental assistance, mental health, addiction recover y and funding for nonprofits. However,the epidemic of methamphetamine addiction hasexposed a hole in our socialsafety net. We don’t haveadequate resources to help or house these individuals in par tdue to the prohibitionofmeth use in subsidized housing. Invest county,stateand federal fundsin transitional housing andalter native sentencing facilities to break the cycle of desperation and recidivism. Work with regional partners to ensureever ycommunitypro vides aminimumser vice level to address this crisis.
Age: 42
Professionalbackground: Dining, retail, research assistant, scientist, operations director at CU Boulder’s brainimaging research facility since 2012 Political/com munity experience: EmergeColorado (2021 Graduate), First Congregational Church (member), NAACP Boulder County (member),United Campus Workers (member), Feet For war d(volunteer), Bixby School (For mer Tr ustee),Creekside Elementar y(For merPTA member)
Boulder CityCouncil
Education: ColumbiaUniversity,B.S.mathematics, economics, and computer science
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact?
In June,Chief (Maris) Herold noted that crimeoverall has stabilized this year,with proper ty crimes increasing.Right now,a lot of our police department’s timeisspent on homelessness and nuisance complaints, which arenot what police aretrained to do and not whatthey do best. To empower our police to address proper ty crime, we need to let other depar tments address these issues, which echoes Chief Her old’s statement that “other city depar tments haveleversthat are much more impactful on some of these crime anddisor derissues than thepolice.” Our police chief is telling us whattodotohelp her and her of ficers address proper ty thefts and violent crime. We need to listen or we’regoing to keep losing of ficersand not seeing the issues we careabout getting resolved.
Nicole Speer
Political/community experience: As par tofSafer Boulder, researched andadvocated for policies to improve public safety and promote welcoming shared spaces and drafted apetition with more than 9,000 signatures.
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact?
Family: Married to Elena Her nandez, two daughters (12 &10), two dogs, and apar rot
Hold police accountable, increase trainingand replace or augment policingwith moreeffective resources, when appropriate. Two areas constitute adispropor tionate number of police calls: nuisance complaints on UniversityHill and individuals experiencing mental health or substance abusecrises. CU Boulder should implement a code of conductfor students living of fcampuswhile social workers and mental healthprofessionals should be hiredtorespond to nonviolent incidents.Policeshould focus on keeping the community safe by preventing andsolving crimes with data and detective work.
Homelessness is aregional issue, and funding belongs at the regional level. Havinglostahome to wildfire, Iamaware that thedif ference between home security and homelessness is asimple twist of fate and have great empathy for those experiencing homelessness. Across the county,many of the inter ventions arechurch-led due to the deep values of charityand compassion. One untapped resource is known as Community Development Financial Institutions, which canhar ness the funds lending institutions set aside for community development projects.
Family: Aloving wife, two adult daughters and one grandchild
The problem Isee with the city’s action plan is alackofpublic ownership. Without publicbuy-in, we have asituationwherever ylittle is actuallyaccomplished. We areina declared Code-RedClimateEmer gency,and this calls for all hands on deck.Though electricity demand has been decreasing, our natural gas demand has increased.
Boulder is updating its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducingthe city’sclimate impact?
The cityisaskingustodepend on system change (the utility) when they arecommitted to coal until 2039 and natural gas (with the price fluctuations) beyond that.
My platfor mcalls for apledge to go fossil fuel free or Net Zeroby the year 2040. Iwill have tobe working with the utility to change their tunetoachieve this. Iam counting on leaning on the utility to make electrification and resilient hardening through weatherization moreaffor dabletoproperty owners.
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
Education: B.A. Yale University 1974; J.D. Columbia University 1979
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
Iwould like to seeBPD able to focus on public safety.COVID-19 showed us that life could go on quite well with amorehands-of f approach from the police depar tment. Iunderstand that enforcing homeless populationsmay be a social ser vices domain rather than the police depar tment, so paring scope back to the corecompetenciesand notasking them to draw outside their comfor tzones.I hope to move our housing situation to one wherefirst responders can af for dtolivehereand enjoy a living integration of the police force.
How long have you lived in Boulder: Seven years
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 11
It is clear that there is no benefit in continually recycling those members of the homeless com-
David Takahashi
arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
Ihope to seeheightened professional training for all of ficers andmoredata-driven, scientific deployment of all law enforcement resources. Ialso want to see the depar tment restored to its full complementofofficers. They have been operatingunder staf fed fortoo long, and this inhibitstheir ability to provide the levels of public safety that the community requires. Ithink we have put in place excellent over sight processestomonitor the depar tment going for war dand I expect them to haveabeneficial impact on policing.
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe
Family: Mar ried to Joan Zimmer man; togetherfor 35 years. No children. One sister,one brother
How long have you lived in Boulder: 34 years, includes last nine years hereintown Professionalbackground: softwareengineering Political/community experience: Accelerate Neighbor hood Climate Action, City of Boulder Net ZeroHero, Boulder.Ear th stewar d, local power advocate, inter faith organizing(Boulder, Denver,Colorado, BoCoVOADvolunteer,inter nationally),Regenerative Economy organizer,Right Relationship volunteer,Regenera tive Recover yCoalition, Colorado Coalition for aLivable Climate, Natural Capitalism SolutionsFellow,Climate Reality Project Leader Education: B.S. plant biochemistr y—San JoseState University Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
We arelooking at afuel source that will continue to increase in price (fossil fuels), while we have a fuel source that continues to decrease in price (solar/wind).
Professionalbackground: Previously areal estate developer in New York City anda lawyer
Age: 70
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in termsofreducing the city’sclimate impact?
Boulder CityCouncil
Website: dtakahashi4bouldercouncil.com
Website: wallachforcouncil.com
Age: 68
We need to update our building codes to requirenet zeroconstr uction with respect to our largest residential projects; LEED gold or platinum cer tification is no longer suf ficient. In fact, we need to extend net zerorequirements to most for ms of new constr uction, and we should at least analyze the energy standards we should requirefor substantial renovations. We need to constr uct morecharging stations to incentivize the use of electric automobiles and create morepro tected bike paths to increase safety and promote the use of alternative means of transpor tation. We also need to do deep retrofitsof many city of fice buildings and recreational facilities,mostof which arehighlyinefficient in ter ms of energy usage.
MarkWallach
Political/community experience: CityCouncil membersince 2019
munity who suf fer frommental illness or dr ug addiction through the prison system as our solution tothe problem. However,until now we have lacked the resources to implement thekind of treatment programs that willproperly address this population. Thestate has recently passed abill that should provide additional resources to both the county and the cityfor this purpose. Working together,hopefully with the par ticipation of our sistercities,and using either ARPA fundingor even infrastructurefunding (if the Biden bill becomes law), could provideadequate funding to begin to address the problem. The county is alsoconsidering a tax to suppor thomeless programs, whichIwould suppor t, despite my general reluctance to raise the tax bur den on ahighly taxed community.
The climate crisis is an emer gency,and we need to treat it that way.Weneed to lean in to mass transit and safe biking. We need to allow morepeople inBoulder to live in closer proximity,allowing 15-minute neighborhoods and reduced per-capita carbon emissions. The Sier ra Club suppor ts these changes, and I’m honored they have endorsed me.
Successful cities arefocusing on shelter access. Many heredon’t realize that in recent years Boulder has cut itsday shelter services, and that untillast August, the Boulder Shelter for theHomeless refused to admit people who had lived hereless thansix months. Thosedecisions, as well as a severelack of transitionalhousing and shelter resources, havehad the predictable result that with nowhereinside to be,unhoused people areliving outside. We need to provide safe places to shelter so that people arenot left to live in parks and underpasses. We can reallocate city funds to payfor much of this,and we should look forstate/regional funding to fill the gap. Just as an emergency room is the most expensiveplace for medical care,freeing police from managing homelessness and nuisances allows for reallocation of funds from the most expensive ser vice provider to an appropriately priced ser vice provider.
How long have you lived in Boulder: 15 years
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
12 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
Education: J.D., Georgetown Law; M.S. publicpolicy and B.A., University of Rochester
about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What additional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
Dan Williams Boulder CityCouncil
Family: Iam married to Mary Faltynski, whor uns Boulder County Public Health’s Genesis Program for teenparents. We have two sons, Cassidy (22) and Jonah (20), and our familydog isYonder (11).
Age: 52
Website: DanForBoulder.com
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggressive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact?
Ihear from many in Boulder who arejustifiably concer ned about increases in thefts since COVID-19shutdownsbegan. We need apolice depar tment fully focused on proper ty crime and violent crime. For too long, we’ve asked policetodotoo much. I believe we should reallocate functions relatingtosocial problems like homelessness and nuisances to social workers and code enforcers, andfreepolice to focus all their time and attention on what they’retrained for: to protect us from violent crime and proper ty crime. We need to double downon accountability because policing has beenunequal in Boulder.The city recently put more oversight in place. It willfall to the next Council to ensuresuf ficient oversight of police of ficers whocommit civil rights violations or fail to police in afairand just manner.
Political/community experience: Ser ved on boar ds of ACLU of Colorado, Growing Gar dens, Better Boulder
Professional background: Civil rights and commer cial litigation attor ney
Therehas been discussion
Education: B.S. in Economics from University of Wisconsin-Madison Winer by
ForwardBoulder. Not affiliated with any candidate or candidate committee. EXPERIENCED PERSPE CT IVE S • CO LLABOR AT IVE SOL UTION S
Professionalbackground: Small businessowner
sive climate goals. What specific actions would you advocate for in terms of reducing the city’sclimate impact?
How long have you lived in Boulder: 10 years
Boulder is working to update its climate action plan and intends to adopt moreaggres-
Boulder is in the midst of an effort to “reimagine” its police department. What changes might you hope to see?
Wallach WallachforCouncil.com Prioritize publicsafety Foster new& affordable housing choices for individualsand families at all stagesoflife Lead on climateaction and carbon-free energy Protect and RestoreOpen Space Ensure shared community spaces aresafe and welcoming forall residents Implement Boulder’s racial equity plan Ease burdensand better support localbusinesses Expand policies andregional cooperation to meet theneeds of unhoused individuals andfamilies Work withall community members to tackle challenges and lessenpolarization These 2021 City Councilcandidateswill: VOTE VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 13
We need to prioritize funding for and expansion of mental health and substance abuse programs. We need to take astrong, coor dinated approach to lobby on a regional level for state andfederal funding. Twoproposed statewide programs to expand inpatient and outpatient carefor mental illness and substance abuse would provide key shor t- and long-ter m treatment. Long-ter moutpatient recover yprograms (e.g., housing, therapy,medication) areneeded to prevent relapse. Both inpatient and outpatientcareiscostly and needs asteadysource of funding. I suppor teffor ts to putthisfunding on the 2022 ballot.Weshould also look at day programs. Day programs could ser ve adual purpose of providing job training or education andatthe sametimereduce the encampments.
Boulder CityCouncil Tara
Age: 63
Therehas been discussion about providing moreservices for people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with substance use or mental health disorders. What addi-
Family: Husbandof35years: Rober tW iner.Three daughters. One granddaughter with another on the way.
Political/communityexperience: Currently on the Boulder Parks and Recreation Advisor yBoar dand the DowntownBoulder Community Initia tives Board.For merly ser ved on the Boulder UrbanRenewal Authority, the Capital TaxRenewal Advisor y Committee and the Chautauqua Access Management PlanCom munityWorking Group.
Mark
The largest cause of excess greenhouse gases is the waywe produce electricity. Continuingour commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2030 is of utmost impor tance. Transpor tationisanother contributortocarbon emissions. We need programs that reduce vehicle miles traveled for in-commuters and residents. Options include increasing access to convenient, net-zerotransportation for the general public (e.g., electric public buses, bicycleprograms) and workingwith large employers (e.g., CU, City of Boulder,etc.) to of fer shuttle buses and incentivize employees and students to use public transpor tationand bicycles. Boulder can also lead in carbon sequestration. Some ideaswould beprotecting and increasing our urban treecanopy,and by choosingagricultural practices that prioritize the removal of excess car bon emissions.
Ienvision aBPD that is properly staf fed, trained, transparent and collaborative. For complex reasons, policehavebeen placed in situations where theyare not the best suited to lead, such as situations involving severemental illness and/or dr ug use disorders. BPD can bring in social workersto lead conflict resolution,with police of ficers ser ving as backup in case asituation tur ns violent. This is a templatefor how Boulder policing can lookinthe future. The BPD can demonstrate strong leadership through ef fective anti-bias training, mental health suppor tand accountability.PoliceChief Maris Herold is atruerefor mer who is leading the way.
Connect with ForwardBoulder facebook.com/frwrdboulder instagram.com/frwrdboulder www.FrwrdBoulder.org BEYOND DIV ISI ON, FO RS MAR TS OLUT IONS Michael Christy Michael4Boulder.com SteveRosenblum SteveforBoulder.com Tara Winer TaraforBoulder.com Paid for
tional services do you believe arenecessary? And what ideas do you have for funding them?
Website: taraforboulder.com
ver ttoled lights; refresh pearl street mall; and futurecity capital improvement projects such as those in the following categories: transpor tation system resilience –maintain andmoder nize boulder’s trans por tation system to allowfor safer and moreef ficient flowfor all modes of transpor tation including pedestrian, bike,and vehicles; progress towardclimate goals –renovate andretrofit the city’s aged facilities to increase resilience and reduce carbon emissions; safe and prepared boulder –maintain and replace capital infrastr ucturethat suppor ts first responders; active and healthy boulder –maintain and moder nize facilities neededtopro vide residents the amenities and oppor tunities to recreate and maintain healthyand active lifestyle; community focused technology improvements –moder nize and consolidate the city’sdatainfrastr uctureand outreach tools for
What it means: Boulder is asking voters to approve a15-year extension of the 0.3% sales tax and bond measure,which would be up to $110 million. Themeasurewould help address some of the city’s $300 million in unfunded capital infrastr uctureneeds. Upgrades to Boulder Fire-Rescue facilities, mainte-
nance of the city’s transpor tation network, Boulder Creek cor ridor improvements and renovations to the East Boulder Recreation Center areamong the projects that thecity has identified as high priorities.
moretransparent, faster,accessible, anduser-friendly resident and visitor ser vice;and useupto10% of tax revenue to fund agrant pool for non-profit organization projects that ser ve the peopleofboulderand related costs including grant program administration costs in compliance with terms, conditions, and timing adopted by theCity Council; and in connection therewith, shall the tax revenues and any ear nings from the revenues constitute avot er approved revenue changeand an exception to therevenue and spendinglimits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution?”
Whatopponentssay: Boulder residentshaveurged thecityto increase the percentage of the tax thatwillbeallocatedto thegrant poolfor community nonprofit proj ectsfrom10% to 20%, stressingthe impor tanceofartsand culturein the community and the impactof the COVID-19 pandemic on local nonprofits
What it asks: “Without raising the cur rent tax rate, shall the existing Community,Cultureand Safety sales and usetax of 0.3%, scheduled to expireDec. 31, 2021, be extend ed to Dec. 31, 2036, andbeknown asthe Community,Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax, with the revenue from such tax extension and all ear nings thereon be used to fund city capital improvement projects such as: maintain and improve roads and multi-modal paths; replace critically deteriorated signal poles; replace central avenue bridge; improve the Boulder Creek Path cor ridor; implement the Boulder Civic AreaPhase 2/Central Park improvements; complete fire station 3constr uction; relocate or reconstr uct firestation 2or firestation 4; purchase emergency vehicles forBoulder Fire-Rescue to provide advanced life suppor t; renovate East Boulder Recreation Center; acquirestreetlight system and con-
Whatsupporters say: Suppor ters have expressed suppor tfor funding the Pearl Street Mallrefresh and the Civic AreaPhaseII project. The groups who wanted ahigher percentage fornonprofits havenow in general become suppor ters of the tax measures because, even though only 10% is guaranteed for those uses, more funding couldbedirected that way by afuturecouncil. In addition, business representatives from the Hill have been suppor tive as someofthe funds could be directed to capital projectsinthatneighborhood.
Issue 2I: ExtensionofCommunity,Culture, Resilience and Safety Sales and UseTax Boulder Ballot Don’tmakeBoulder taxpayers payfor the increased traffic and services forever and get inadequatecity flood mitigation to boot. VOTE YESON302 savecusouth.org Paid forbySaveCUSouth with majorfundingfromSaveSouth Boulderand Plan-Boulder County. Save CU South ! GONE FOREVER? 14 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 15
What opponents say: Some residents askedthe cityto increase the percentage of the tax that will be allocated to the grant pool forcommunitynonprofitprojects from 10% to 20%, stressing the impor tance of ar ts and culturein the community andthe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local nonprofits.
What supporters say: Business representatives from theUniversity Hill area have been suppor tive as some of thefunds could be directed to capital projects they hope to see complete such as closing the event street on the Hill.
What it means: Boulder is asking voters to allow the city to issue bonds so that funds from the extension of thecity’scapital infrastr ucturetax can be puttouse immediately.This measureis dependent on the passing of Ballot Question2I—the community,cul ture, resilience andsafety tax.
and conver ttoled lights;refresh pearl streetmall; or usedtofund other citycapital improvement projectsand projects of non-profit organizationsotherwisepayable from saidsales anduse tax; andin connection therewith, shall any ear ningsfromthe investmentof the proceedsofsuch debts constituteavoterapproved revenue change andanexception to the revenue and spending limits of Ar ticle X, Section 20 of theColorado Constitution?”
Whatitasks: “Shall City of Boulder debt be increasedupto $110,000,000 (principalamount) witha maximum repayment cost of up to $158,000,000(suchamount being thetotal principal and inter est that could be payable overthe maximum life of the debt) to be payable solely from the extension of the Community,Culture,Resil ience and Safety Sales and Use Tax of 0.3%(previouslyknown as the Community,Cultureand Safety Tax),ifseparately approved;such debttobesoldatsuchtimeand in suchmanner and to contain such ter ms, notinconsistent herewith, as the citycouncilmay deter mine, with theproceeds of such debt and ear ningsthereon being used to fundcity capital improvement projectsand non-profit projects that ser ve thepeopleofboulder payablefromsuch sales anduse tax extension including, among other things: maintain andimproveroads and multi-modal paths; replace crit ically deteriorated signal poles; replace central avenue bridge; improve the BoulderCreek path cor ridor; implementthe Boulder Civic Area Phase 2/Central Park improvements; complete fire station 3constr uction; relocate or reconstr uct firestation 2or firesta tion 4; purchaseemergency vehicles forBoulderFire-Rescue to provide advanced life suppor t;renovate East BoulderRecreation Center; acquire streetlight system
Issue 2J: Approval ofIssuance of BondstobePaid from Extended Community Culture Resilience and Safety Sales and Use Tax Boulder Ballot
languagecreated by a2018ballot measure. The clarification would requirethat those wishing to place measures on the ballotmust obtain signatures of registered Boulder voters. It also states that the number signatures required to place ameasureonthe ballot be equal to at least 10%ofthe average number of voters in theprevious two municipal candidate elections.
What it asks: “Shall Section 9, “Meetings of Council,” of the Boulder City Charter be amended pursuant to Or dinance No.8478 to (a) remove provisions that expired in December 2017, (b) explicitly allow council to appoint council committees that generally contain no morethan two councilmembers and in no event equal or exceed a quor um of council and allow councilmembers notappointed to the committee to attend, but notpar ticipate in council committee meeting, and (c) requirecouncil to
Question 2L: Clarificationof Signaturesfor Petitions
16 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
Boulder Ballot Question2K: Council Committees
What it asks: “Shall Sections 38A, “Signatures required for initiative, referenda and recall petitions,” 44, “Referendum petition,” and 46, “Cer tificate of petition,” of the Boulder City Char ter be amended to clarify that the number of signatures for initiative, referenda and recall petitions are required to be registered electors of the city and that the number of signatures of registered electors on areferendum petition must be at least ten percent of the average number of voters in theprevious two municipal candidate elections consistent with other changes approved by the votersin2018?”
What it means: This measure would explicitly allow thecouncil to appoint committeeswithno morethan two council members.
What it means: Boulder is asking for aclarification of acharter
appoint arecr uitment committee of no morethan two members for each of the three council appoint ments?”
What opponents say: No opposition has been documented from residents who areagainst this measure.
What supporters say: No suppor thas been documented from residents who areinfavor of this measure.
What supporters say: Thereis no documented infor mation from anyone in suppor tofthis measure.
What opponents say: Thereis no documented infor mation from anyone who opposes this measure.
able to live with whothey want, which supportsLGBTQ couples. The measurewouldalso expand housing options for seniors or people who areretired, it lessens the need to continue buildingand adding morehousinginthe city,it would lessen traf ficand pollution by keeping people in Boulder and it ends what suppor ters say is a discriminator ylaw that segregates people.
What supporters say: No sup por thas been documented from
What opponents say: Some
What supporters say: Suppor ters say the measurewouldhelp people be able to better af for d housing in Boulder.People have also argued that this is arightof personalchoice for people to be
Question 300: Bedroomsare for People
Pa id fo rb yN Oo nB edroom$, Major fundingf romJ ohnG ol dsmith an dL isaS palding VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 17
What it means: Boulder is asking to align theCity Council payment scheduleswiththat of city employees.
What it asks: “Shall Section 7, “Compensation,” of the Boulder City Char ter be amendedpursuant to Or dinance No. 8477 to allow council members ser ving on Januar y1, 2022 and thereafter,and the
mayor elected in November 2023 and thereafter,toreceive compensation for fifty-two meetings each year on the sameschedule as other city employees or on aschedule prepared by the citymanager?”
Boulder,itisillegal for morethan three unrelated people to live together.Ifapproved, this measure would allow all residences to be occupied by as many people as thereare legalbedrooms,plus one additional person per home.
What it means: Voters are being asked to approve achange to Boulder’s occupancy limits to allow moreunrelated people to live together.Inmost par ts of
What opponents say: No opposition has been documented from residents who areagainst this measure.
residents who areinfavor of this measure.
What it asks: “Shall the Cityof Boulder expandaccess to housing by allowing all housing units to be occupied by anumber of people equal tothe number of legalbedrooms, plus one additional person per home, provided that relevant health and safetycodes aremet?”
allege passing the measurewould limit housing for low andmiddleincome residents as well as for students at the University of Colorado Boulder.Opponents have said that if passed, thismeasurewould drive housingprices higher because houses would be able to be subdivided to have multiple bedrooms andeach tenantwould pay their own por tion of rent, which, when combined, asingle family renting thesame residence would notbe able to af for d.
Question 2M: CouncilPaymentSchedule Boulder Ballot
What it means: Voters are beingasked to approve ameasure that would requireavoteonthe annexation agreement of CU South ahead of the provision of any cityutilities aside from flood
What opponents say: Opposition has beenraised by people who areinsuppor tofthe annexation agreement. They say the measureismisguided and dangerous and meant to delay anyprogress on the CU South project.
What it asks: “Shall the City of Boulder prohibit the saleand manufacturefor sale of cer tain fur products?”
Question 302: Let the Voters DecideonAnnexation of CU South
Question 301: Humane Clothing Act Boulder Ballot
Learn more at 18 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
What it means: TheFur Free Boulder campaign, for mally called the Humane Clothing Act, would make it unlawful to “manufacture, sell, display for sale, distribute or trade for monetar yornonmonetar yconsideration any fur or fur
What opponents say: Resi dents asked the City Council to make changes to the textofthe measureand add “animal fur” to its title.
What supporters say: Suppor t ers say if approved, the actwill make wayfor similar legislation to move forwar dinColorado.
control facilities.The ballot measurealso would mandate thatthe agreement include specific details such as asite planfor development on the university-ownedproperty.
What it asks: “Shall the voters of the City of Boulder adoptchanges to the CityofBoulder, Colorado, Revised Code to requirethat any agreement with the University of Colorado regar ding termsof annexation for thelandknown as CU South include cer tain specific details,and that theannexation agreement gain voter approval in an election prior toprovision of city utilitiesand services other than flood control facilities to or on any por tion of CU South?”
What supporters say: People who areinfavor of this measure say the cur rent annexation agreement is incomplete and flawed. Some suppor ters say the proposal encroaches on the floodplainat CU South, andthey want voters to decide if they agree with theplan.
product” in Boulder.
Professionalbackground: For 12 years I’ve runasmall family plumbing business with my husband in Lafayette. Beforethat, I worked in the accounting field.
How long have you lived in Lafayette: 12 years
Political/community experience: I’m cur rently acity councilor for Lafayette.
Education: Some college courses in accounting and hor ticultural Why have you chosen to run for Lafayette City Council?
Ichose to runfor Lafayette City Council because Ihave grown up and lived in this town all of my life, andthis is whereI want to invest my time. Ser ving thecom munitythat has ser ved me all of my life and to proudly represent my Mexican American communi-
Iwish to continue to ser ve our community as acitycouncilor.I’ve tr uly enjoyed helping others and assisting small businessesduring the challenges of the past few years. We’vebeenworking on the comprehensive plan, multimodal transpor tation plan, and thesustainability plan. All will help guide
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 19
Age: 42
Housing.I want folkswho want to live heretobe able to do so. Also, safety,par ticularly with biking and pedestrian cor ridors. Tweak building code once the comprehensive plan is completed.
Ihope to keep Lafayette accessible and af fordable for allfamilies and individuals, creating moreaffor dablehousing oppor tunities and reinvestinginexisting neighborhoods. Ialso would like to work on the sustainability of our town; establishing moreways of using renewable sources in our town, as wellasfinding new ways for the youth in our town to be moreinvolved and making sure our education oppor tunities are for ever yone.
Af for dable housing along with finding away for those who work heretohavethe option of living here. Finding safe alter native ways for folks to travelthroughout Lafayette and the neighboring regions. Implement new ecofriendly practices so thatwecan achieve our zerowaste goals.
What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
Enihs Medrano
Website: fb.me/TonyaBriggs CityCouncil
Lafayette CityCouncil TonyaBriggs
Education: CU Boulder undergraduate student
Why have you chosen to run for Lafayette City Council?
Family: Mother,father and one younger brother (17) whoattends CHS
Age: 20
Family: My husbandDoug and my three amazing daughters
I’m alsothe liaison to the HistoricPreser vationBoard and the Waste Reduction Advisory Committee. Iam passionate about protecting animals andour environment.
Professionalbackground: Young Life par t-time student staf f Political/com munity experience: For mer member of Lafayette Youth Advisor y Committee
ty hereinLafayette. What areyour top agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Website: enihsmedrano4 lafayette.com
Rising cost of housing for both homeowners and renters, establishing new strategies to improve the overall sustainabilityinour town, continuing to improve ways for people to use dif ferent methods of transpor tationother than by car to reduce the amount of traf fic.
What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
Howlong have you lived in Lafayette: 20 years
Lafayette has grown alot. We need to start making very impor tant choices when it comes to the land we have left. We need to preser ve our histor yand ensurenew builds do nottower over existing proper ties. We also need to make surethat new builds fit our look, feel, andour needs, in addition to making the most sustainable choices possible to protect our environment and resources.
What areyourtop agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
the futureofLafayette and help preser ve what we have.
Family: Husband, sonand daughter
Af for dable housing for various income levels: We need af for dable housing for those who want to buy their first home in Lafayette, for people star ting out in their careers as teachers, nurses or police of ficers who want to live wherethey work, or seniors living on afixed income who want to continue to live here. We have talked about this need for awhile;now it’s time to make this happen.
Why have you chosen to run for Lafayette City Council?
What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
How long have you lived in Lafayette: 1.5 years
Why have you chosen to run for Lafayette City Council?
Ever since Iworked to become an EagleScout and earned the Citizenship in the Community merit badge, local gover nment is something Ihave respected and been interested in. To me,local gover nment is whereyou can really create meaningful change that will af fect residents’ ever y-
The top issues Ihavehear d from members of the community areincreased traf fic, uncontained growth, and unequal access to gover nment programs for Hispanic-owned businessesinour area. All threeoftheseissuesare directly influenced by the city council and Iwill work withcity staf ftoensurethat progress is made to solve them.
BrandonStites
day lives.
Responsive public safety: Lafayette is growing, and with the growth comes agreater demand on our first responders. We need to ensurewehave suf ficient vehicles, equipment and staff to ef fectively respond toemergencies.
www.vote411.orgPaid for by the League of Women Voters of Boulder County BOCO Republican Caucus March 1, 2022 Paid forby Boulder County Republican Commi tteeRegis teredAgentM argeKlein 20 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
What areyour top agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
How long have you lived in Lafayette: 15 years
It has been adream of mine to ser ve on city council. Iwas lucky enough to fill avacancyoncouncil in 2019 for half of theyear.Itwas a great experience. Iwould love to contribute my knowledge and skills in that role again
Ihavemovedacross the countr ymultiple timesand never found anywhere to call home until Imoved to Lafayette.Now that Iamina place Iplan on living in for the foreseeable future, I have decided that now is the time to follow my passion and really get involved.
Education: Bachelor’s of Science in SoftwareEngineering at RIT
Website: brandonforlafayette.com
Website: vote4nicoles.com
Keep Lafayette’s small-town feel while still being an innovative community: Lafayette is eclectic, historically rich and connected.Being aleader and maintaining the connectedness of our community takes balance. Iwant us to keep the elements that allowLafayette
Political/com munity experience: I’m an Eagle Scout, which required me to ear n the Citizenship in the Community merit badge,and didvolunteer work throughout high schooland college. I’ve also been attending ever ycity council meeting forthe past few months
Lafayette CityCouncil Nicole Samson
Now that the city is finalizingthe comprehensive plan, we can star t on projects thatare identified as needs inthis and the associated plans, such as improving Baseline Road andArapahoe Road. Also, we need to research ourwater needs for the futureand how we will accommodate those needs. We need to increase staff andequipment forFireStation#2sowecan ef fectively address the increased needs near thehospital.
What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
Professionalbackground: Grant administrator for Adams County.Previous work experience in small business management, nonprofit organizations, marketing and journalism
What areyour top agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Professional background: Senior softwareengineerat Expensify with over fiveyears of experience
Iwill be focusing on sustainable “smar t” growth, af for dable housing, and preventing oiland gas drilling nearour homes, parks, and water ways. Theseare all things that areimpor tant to me personally and, after speaking with constituents, seem to be impor tant to thecommunityasa whole.
Age: 51
Age: 26
to be the communitywelove
Political/community experience: Planningcommissioner,for mer coun cilor, former Nor thwest Parkway boar d member
Education: MasterofPublic Administration from CU Denver; two undergraduate degrees, one in communications and one in dance
Family: Partner and two dogs; golden retriever and ashepher d mix
Small business suppor t: Lafayette should be acommunity where people feel suppor ted in starting their dream business.I want to include small business in discussions of how to be moresmall business-friendly
Ibelieve it is essential for our residents to get involved in the community.Asour community continues to grow,itisvital all residents feel like they can find a place to buildaconnection to our city andneighbors.
Website: brianwonglafayette.com
Family: My spouse,Amy,and 15-year-old son Kevin
Iwould workonbuilding suppor tfor publiclyfunded city elec tions. Ibelieve it is essential that our city’s leaders comefromvarious backgrounds andhold various experiences.Publiclyfunded elections will ensurethat an elite, entrenched political class does not arise in Lafayette.
Professional background: Human resources
If elected, Iwould immediately worktobuild momentum for acity broadband feasibility study.The
Lafayette CityCouncil Brian Wong
experiencingbehavioral healthcri ses;- providing Lafayette Fireand Police depar tments with additional firefighters andofficerstoimprove response times and response capabilities to emergencies throughout the city;- providingresources for emergency management and resiliency planning, and recover yfrom environmental, climate, and human-causeddisasters;- maintaining, replacing, and enhancing fire and police capital equipment and defraying operating expenses for equipment and facilities for the Lafayette Fireand Policedepar tments; and shall the city be per-
What it means: Themeasure would increase the sales and use tax by 0.27%, or 2.7 cents on a$10 purchase, to fund public safety ser vices. The measurealso asks voters to allow the districttoset aside the rules in theTaxpayerBill of Rights andallow it to collectand keep all revenues raisedbythe tax
increase to spend on futureneeds. What supporters say:Suppor ters said Lafayette has acritical need for additional resources to increase the level of public safety ser vices given the population growth in thecity.Lafayette’s cur rent sales and use tax rate is 3.5%, making it the fourthlowest out of 11 nearby communities.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 21
Iwould alsolike to see the city issue rules around Accessor y Dwelling Unitsacrossthe entire community.ADUs would provide an immediate increase in the number of rental units.These ADUs would also of fer the oppor tunity for our seniorresidents to age in place.
COVID-19pandemic provided an oppor tunity to demonstrate the need for an af for dable and dependable city broadband ser vice. Lafay ette should begin to make investments in acity broadband solution for all residents. Though city broadband wouldtakemanyyears to implement,I wouldlike to see the Council take afuture-oriented approach.
COVID-19pandemic and the cyberattack against our city’s IT infrastr ucture. Addressing these challenges was my primar yfocus for my two years on council.
Lafayette has faced two of our most significant challenges during the lasttwo years: the global
What opponents say:Inaddition to residents who oppose tax increases in general, theremay be residents who specifically oppose moremoney being spent on funding law enforcement.
Issue 2B: Funding public safetyser vices Lafayette Ballot
What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
Political/communityexperience: Twoyears on Lafayette City Council, seven years on planningcommission including four years as chairperson Education: AttendedCUBoulder
Why have you chosen to run for Lafayette City Council?
issue the Councilmustmakeone of its primary focuses. All too often, Lafayette residents arenot able to af ford housing. Iwould propose thatthe city create apro gram that would provide incentives to increase af for dable housing as par tofnew projects.
Age: 45
How long have you lived in Lafayette: 14 years
What it asks:Shall City of Lafayette taxes be increased by $1,990,000 annually in the first full fiscal year andbysuchamountsas areraised annually thereafter from an additional 0.27% sales anduse tax (2.7cents on aten-dollar pur chase), beginning Januar y1,2022, and continuing thereafter,such revenues to be collected, retained, and spent to increase the level of public safety ser vices and provide funding for public safety equipment andoperatingexpenses, including, but not limited to:- providing mental health co-responder teams on calls involving persons
mitted to collect, retain, and expend all revenues derived from such taxasavoter approved revenue change and an exception to limits which would other wise apply under Ar ticle X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?
What areyourtop agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Iamr unning for reelection to continue addressing these challenges to better prepareLafayette for the futureand to deliver on the vision for Lafayette Iproposed during myfirstter m. Iwant to elevate Lafayette by laying thegroundwork for city broadband using Longmont’s NextLightasa model, build support for publiclyfunded local elections, and ensurethat housing is attainablefor allLafayette residents.
Af for dable housing is acritical
Lafayette ballot
What it means:The amendment would align theresidency qualification for City Councilors.
Issue 2C: Funding Mental Health and Human Ser vices
What opponents say:Therehas been no organized opposition to this measure.
What supporters say:The measurewould remove and update wor ds with racist andxenophobic roots.
What opponents say:There has beennoorganized opposition to this measure.
Issue 2E: Removaland Replacement of Archaic Charter Language
Issue 2D: Gender Neutral Charter Language
What it means:Proposes amendmentstothe Home Rule Char ter to remove andreplace archaic languagewith moremoder nter minology, including cer tain instancesofthe wor d“citizen”and the ter m“master.”
Issue 2F: ResidencyQualificationfor CityCouncilors
What supporters say:The change would use more inclusive language for allgender identities.
What opponents say:While therehas been no organized opposition to the measure,thereare residents who oppose tax increases in general.
What it means:The mental
What it means:The measurewill amend theHome Rule Charter to remove masculine andfeminine pronouns and replace them with neutral,gender-free designations.
What supporters say:The
22 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
What it asks:“ShallSection 5.1 of the Lafayette HomeRule Char ter be amendedtoprovide that the period of residency to qualify for the holding of electiveofficeshall be at least oneyear immediately preceding the date of the election, in or der to align the Char ter with
Section 5.1 of thecharter states that acouncilor mustbea resident
What supporters say:Lafayette doesn’t staf fa department to helpwith human ser vices, and agencies have said population and caseload growth, coupled with reduced financial suppor tfrom county,state, andfederal gover nments, continue to place significant strains on human ser vice providers.
individuals, families, and children in the City of Lafayette, including, but not limited to: –assistance with food, rent, utilities, childcare, and medical care, mental health careand resources, and suppor t for victims of domestic violence; and shall the city be per mitted to collect,retain, and expendall revenues derived from such tax as a voter approvedrevenue change and an exception to limits which would other wise apply under Ar ticle X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?
health and human ser vices initia tive will ask voters whether to add 0.10% tax,or1.0 cents on a$10 purchase, to help fund ser vices like mental health, medical care, suppor tfor domesticviolence victims, and helpfor families and individuals in crisis to cover rent, find childcare,pay utilities, or get emergency accesstofood. The measurealso asks voters to allow the citytoset aside the rules in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and allow it tocollect andkeep all revenues raised by the tax increase to spend on future needs.
What it asks:Shall City of Lafayette taxes be increased by $750,000annually in the first full fiscal year andbysuchamountsas areraised annually thereafter from an additional 0.1% sales anduse tax (1.0cents on aten-dollar pur chase), beginning Januar y1,2022, and continuing thereafter,such revenues tobecollected, retained, and spent for the purpose of funding mental health ser vices and human ser vices through contractual partnerships withnonprofit agencies that provide criticalsafety net ser vices and programs to
of the city for at least one year immediately prior to thelastday for filing foroffice. Thisrequirement is in conflictwith, andlonger than, state lawsrequiring residency for one year immediately prior to the date of the election.
What it asks:“Shallthe Prefator ySynopsis and Sections 2.3, 4.5(b), 4.14, and 6.4 of theLafayette Home Rule Char ter be amended to remove andreplace archaic language, specifically,toremove and replace the wor d‘citizen’ whereUnited States citizenship is not legally required, and toreplace the ter m‘master plan’ with ‘comprehensive plan’?”
What it asks:Shall theLafayette Home Rule Char ter be amended to change all gender specific references (such as “he,” “she,” “his,” “her,” “him,” “himself,” and “herself”) to genderneutral references?
What opponents say:Therehas been no organized opposition to this measure.
amendment would establish auni for mand consistent time frame for potential Lafayette City Council candidates consistent with state laws.
the one-year residencyrequirement to hold municipal elective of fice in Colorado statelaw?”
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
The recent action by the Long mont City Council requiring restaurantstoser ve “healthy beverages” as the default optioninmeal kits wasexcessivegover nment over reach andaper fect example of not listening to the voice of the people. We all know Longmont will
Longmont should continue to work with RTDfor free local bus transpor tation. Conversations
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
How long have you lived in Longmont? 44 years Professional background: United Bank of Boulder,Arapahoe National Bank,Saint Vrain Valley School District, IBM Political/community experience: Iled the ef for tonProposition300 to amend char ter banning fracking; volunteer for HOPE; Librar y Boar d; Denver Regional Council of Gover nments boar d; vice chair of the Nor ther nAreaT ransportation Alliance, and six years on Longmont CityCouncil.
Transpor tation andthe changing climate, especially theimpact on water,are important issues facing Longmont.
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
Family: Married, two grown sons
Professionalbackground: Proper ty manager,retired constr uction executive
LongmontMayor Gregory Harris
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
Age: 73
To meet this need, we must suppor tthe constr uction of middleclass apar tments and houses. I oppose any increases in taxes, water rates, connection fees or tap fees and allexcessive policies, codes, regulations and fees attached to newconstruction since they would addtothe costs for consumers. Ioppose alleffor ts to limit residential growth. We must substantially increase the number of homes built in Longmont. With out addressingour infrastr ucture, our cur rent growth is unsustainable. Itwillincrease our vehicle emissions, especially during commuting hours. Longmont has many roads that go nor th and south, but east and west we only have (Colo.) 66 and 119. In 1957, the fences on (Colo.) 66 were moved back to expand into afourlane highway —but it never happened. Then we weretaxed for a train from the south, but it was never built, and we didn’t getour money back.
Family: Twosons
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Nor ther nArizonaUniversity,Flagstaf f
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 23
grow.Businesses want to come here.
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
As mayor,I will lead the City Council and city agencies in expediting project development. As one of my first actions, Iwill requirea quar terlyprogress repor tfromthe city managerand agencies responsible for projectapproval. Isuppor tincreasing thebudget for public safety and oppose any ef fort to defund the police. As mayor,I will do whatever needs to be done to keep all businesses open.
Political/community experience: Active as anonprofit tr ustee;church volunteer; assist seniors by delivering meals, snow removal,house repair,and delivering cars for maintenance.
Name: Gregor yHar ris Website: Under development Age: 60
Website: joanpeckforlongmontmayor.com
How long have you lived in Longmont? 50 years
with businesses and the public on how to supplement local transpor tation should be ongoing. Our air quality alongthe Front Range has been theworst in the nation and at times, in the world. Platt River Power Authority needs to move faster on taking coal out of the energy mix and incentivizing electrifying homes. New develop ment should be required and incentivized to wire housingunits with enough energy to chargean electricvehicle. Incentivize commercial development to usesolar. Build neighbor hood solar gardens.
As mayor, Iwill continue the push to get rail between Union Station and Longmont, connecting the five cities on the nor thwest cor ridor.The probability of AmT rak andthe Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) organization partnering withR TD will make thebuilding of this commuter rail line areality
I’m tired of watchingthings be done the same old way.It’stime for change. I’m runningfor mayor to improvethe lives of thepeople of Longmont. We need to stop gover nment over reach. Gover nment actions areneeded, but only for those things individuals can’t do themselves.
JoanPeck
Education: Attended Niwot, Skyline high schools
Ihaveworked successfully for six years to tur nthe tide on building the FasT racks nor thwest peak ser vice commuter railline. My meetings with FRPR, RTD and transpor tation organizations have taught me the politics that have kept Longmont from getting this rail linebuilt. Itraveled with Commuting Solutions to Washington speaking on behalf of our rail. Icontinue toworkwith the RTDdirectorsrepresenting our area, RTDstaf fand thecity staf f of Longmont to fur ther advocacy with BNSF.Oil well fracking has been aknown contributor to methane, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozonefor many years. Fracking has led to the destabilization of our ozone layer and theheating of our ear th. Iled the petition drive to amend our city char ter to ban fracking. Iamopenly opposedto frackingUnion Reservoir andwas instr umental in bringing the air quality monitoringstationsto Union Reser voir and Vance Brand Airpor t.
from the University of Denver, master’s degree and and doctorate from Arizona State University What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
Reducingthe time required to per mit new housing developments without compromising the quality of decision making. If we getthis right we can reduce housing costs and see housing units catch up with growth in the number of Longmont households. Reduction of the city’s carbonfootprint. What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
Website: timwaters4mayor.com
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
Political/community experience: Member of City Council since 2018, volunteer at ColumbineElementary School
Family: Wife Janie, of 50 years, and sons Ben, 46, and Travis,44, daughter-in-lawAmy and two granddaughters
need to set measurableobjectives for streamlining our entitlement process, thenhold ever yone involved accountable for meeting deadlines. Hold Platte River Power Authority accountable for meeting the 100% renewable energy by 2030 goal. Developand implement aregional solid waste diversion plan. Implement the highest-priority Citizen Climate Action Committee recommendations. Transition Vance Brand Airpor ttoa hub for research, development, and manufacturing of green/electrified aviation.
for me as asittingcouncil mem ber,I will be driven morebyevi dence than ideology.I will be more interested in good ideas than wor rying about whose ideas they are. Iwill be clear on whereI standon issues, transparent in how Iarrive at my conclusions, and accountable for my decisions, my statements, and my actions. Iwill provide theleadership Longmont needs to get us moving for war din the post-pandemic future. Leader ship from the mayorwill be more impor tant than ever as weantici pate theend of the pandemic. Iam the onlycandidate for mayor with the leadership experience and skills capable of moving us out of the cul de sac we’ve been circling for the last 20 months.
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Age: 73
The council and city manager
Tireless and true. Longmont voters want experience, straight talk, integrity —and a commitment to principled leadership and advocacy forour city. Vote forJoan TUESDAY NOV. 2nd! PAID FOR BY JOAN PECK FOR LONGMONT MAYOR 24 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
As mayor,which has been tr ue
LongmontMayor TimWaters
How long have you lived in Longmont? Since1994
Professional background: Educator– 23 years as apractitioner and 21 years running an education research and development company
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
Diane Crist
Political/community experience: … Ihaveassisted with ever yelection since 2014. Ihave also worked with taxpayer-suppor ted public agencies to create positive cash flow and balanced budgets.
Iamaninspired, vision-oriented leader who thinks big and has spent 26 years helping organizations find the money andresources to realize theirdreams. An organized strategy,with an ability to build relationships that prioritize and utilize other people’s strengths and abilities will get us whereweneed to go.Afutureof infinite possibilities lies beforeus. Let’s facethat futurewith curiosity and courage.
Family: Wife Brenda Johnson; son Hayden Morfor d; daughter Gracie Mor for d, daughter Madelyn Johnson
Website: facebook.com/Jeremy-Johnson-For-City-Council110300157964965
How long have you lived in Longmont? Thir ty-two years
Professionalbackground: T wenty-sixyears as abusiness growth professional helping businesses position for growth with ef ficient use of assets
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
Age: 37
Education: Graduated from Andalusia High School; professional training in the United States Ar my.
Education: Professional accounting degree; bachelor’s of science degree, minor in mass communications, additional studies in nutrition
Age: Candidate did not provide.
Ever yone has to work to together to streamline the approval process and by keeping those processes ef fective has so many benefits. Attracting new small business intodowntown Longmont by having valuable conversation with ownersonhow Longmont needs them and making themfeel needed and wanted.
Website:cristforlongmontcouncil.com
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
LongmontCity Council At-Large
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
Direct our sales taxtranspor ta-
How long have you lived in Longmont? Almost 10 years Professional background: United States Ar my Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation EnduringFreedom veteran;inter national oil and gas manager; insurance agent
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 25
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
Family: Married with four adult children
tion dollars towar dastationfor the proposed Front Range andI-70 Hyperloop. ColoradoDepar tment of Transpor tationisworkingwith three independent hyperloop technology providers to create ahighspeed,magnetic, passenger pod transpor tation ser vice that will make commuting time amere20 minutes from anywherealong the Front Range while reducing highway emissions by athir d. Long mont City Council needs to engage with thisprogram and ensureour place alongthe route. Hyperloop is agame changer:It will allowpeople to live in towns wherethey can af for dtolive yet still commuteand work where they areneeded. Local traf fic will become local again, our businesses will be insulated and thrive and it will bring our villagefeelback while tr uly of fering asolution to take us through this centur yand beyond.
The existingcouncil is thinking ver ysmall about somebig issues, specifically transpor tation and hometown health and how these issues impact ever ycitizen in Longmont. Longmont, isn’t it about time we plannedalasting solutiontothe problems we keep discussing but never really solve?
homes. The process of getting new development approved and to stay on thetime so we can ensurethe citizens aregetting the most cost-ef fective products available. Obtaining and keeping small business, which arethe backboneofour community,in Longmont.
The housing issue and figuring out how to balance the ef for ts between af for dable and attainable
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
Jeremy Dejuan Johnson
Remember this isjust notthe elected of ficial’s position. The positionisfor the entirecity,not cer tain groups. We have to remember that we have to listen and show our citizens that we are with them and for themnomatter how big or small the issue or idea is.
Political/communityexperience: Work on election platform for cur rent mayor of Andalusia, Alabama; active member of the Diversity Team at LifeBridge; coached high schoolbasketball at Niwot High School
My background as aplanning and zoning commissioner,aswell as my experienceasa real estate appraiser,make me uniquely qualified to sor tout the changes needed to be made to ourland development codetoallow for the kind of flexibility andinnovation necessar ytoprovide moreunits that people can af ford to purchase.
Age : 56
All new development proposals must have walkability and bikeability aspects built in, similar to the Prospect neighborhood. We can expect the council to continue to see higher density developments presented forreview.Consequently,itisimperative that we need to make it clear Longmont is openfor business, but that ourfocus is on af for dability and accessibility. Mixed-use development, like those near the proposed train stationat First Avenue and Main Street, will be our priority.This way, we can develop sensibly and sustainably in away thatenablesthe people of Longmont to live, work, andcom mutefromtheir neighborhood.
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
How long have you lived in Longmont? 26 years
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
Political/communityexperience: For merteam leader of the Boulder County Democratic Party Outreach andInclusion Team; for mer Secretar yofArts Longmont; former commissioner for the City of Longmont Planning and Zoning Commission,cur rent City of Longmont Council member At-Large and Mayor ProTem
Education: Undergraduate degree in political science from For t Lewis University.Master’s in education from the Universityof Nor ther nColorado.
LongmontCity Council At-Large
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
to be proactive in investing inand moder nizing our infrastr ucture. Materials and labor costs will only continuetorise as time goes on.
Professional background: Social studies teacher at Monarch High School, Louisville.
options like commuter rail and bus rapid transit. Ef ficient mass transit options wouldhelp bring business to Longmont andhelp us decrease our carbon footprint.
SeanP.McCoy
City council should take adeep dive into thenumber of units needed to increase the stock of attainable/workforcehousing in our overall por tfolio. Once this number is known, we can begin to guidepolicy and make thenec essar ychanges toput ourselves in astrongerposition in themissing housing diversity.Council will need to not be shy about investing in new technologies and the replacement needs of ourcur rent infrastr ucturesystem.
How long have you lived in Longmont: 56 years
Political/community experience: In the 1990s and 2000s ser ved on boar ds and commissions including the Longmont Housingand Human Services Commission, Longmont Planning and Zoning Commission, Longmont Police Standards Boar d… Ser ved as Ward 3Longmont City Council memberfrom2007 to 2011.
Website: LongmontForAren .com
Similar to citiesacross the Front Range,Longmont is chal lenged by housing af for dability and general growth. The city needs to continue to invest in af for dable housing while also taking stock of thedeficit of units available forentr y-level or workforce populations. The city of Longmont alsoneeds to continue
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
Family: Wife Maureen, daugh ters Claireand: Mollie
Professional background: Real estate appraiser
Af for dable housing. This covers both single-family dwellings and apar tments that can be purchased, as well as af for dable rental units. I wanttosee safe and af for dable housing withinwalkingdistance of transit and food so individualsof all economiclevels can have an equal chance at an amazing lifein our community.Affor dablehousingthat addresses our community’s commitment to actively doing something meaningful about climate change. COVID-19 and working from homehas changed how many folks view their work commute. As people retur ntothe of fice, Longmont needs alter native transit options. Iwanttolook into
Aren Rodriguez
Family: Married
Age: 38
Ihavebeen aLongmont Planning and ZoningCommissioner and ser ved on many other area boar ds. Ihave seen development and communityproposalsasa council member from2007-2011. I have ear ned aBronze Level Certificationfromthe National League of Cities for themunicipalfocused professional development courses. Iknow firsthand the lear ning cur ve on council can take one to two years beforebeing fullyprofi cientatthe duties and aspects of the job. With myprior experience Iwill be prepared to lead on day one. Ibelieve withmyexperience that Iamina unique positionto understand the needs and hopes of the Longmont community.
Website: mccoyforlongmont .com
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
26 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTER GUIDE
Education: Bachelor of music, vocal per formance
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management andeconomics; master’s of business
What should the mayor and city councildotoaddress those issues or resolve those problems?
I’ve been involved in business and entrepreneurship for almost 20 years. During that time I’ve ear ned an MBA;taught business at CU Boulder; wrote abusiness book, The SavvyEntrepreneur’s BusinessHandbook; mentored dozens of businesses and entrepreneurs; helped businesses dur ing COVID through my involvement in Energize Colorado; and star ted aTVshow on Longmont Public Media about entrepreneurship, “The SavvyEntrepreneur”, creating well over 40 hours of content designedtohelp educate people on the topics of business, politics, economics and entrepreneurship.
Family: Ilive in Longmont with my wifeand two dogs.
LongmontCity At-Large
Helping businesses recover COVID has devastated businesses. Many of their sales and revenues have diminished, therestrictions areonerous and it is dif ficult to find staf f. By increasing the amount of workforce-attainable housing we canensurebusinesses have areliable workforce. With employees beingable to live nearby,congestion and pollution will decrease, while productivity and quality of life willincrease, and staf ftur nover will be reduced. Another way to help businessesis to provide better communication regar ding mandates and restrictions. Many business owners found out about new masking restrictions from social media, not
How long have you lived in Longmont? Fiveyears
Professionalbackground: Entrepreneur,educator,author
Political/communityexperience: Previous boar dmember of Community Action Programs of Boulder County; business mentor; host and producer of The SavvyEntrepreneur on Longmont Public Media; the Face of Energize Colorado’s Digital InnovationInitiative; soccer coach at St.Vrain FC, recent vol unteer with Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center
Website: Tallis.co Age:36
from any of ficial city orcounty cor respondence. This inef ficiency adds instability,stressand costs to business owners.
administrationinmarketing and global business
Regar ding attainablehousing, therehas been toomuch focus on af for dable housing, whichisusual lyinthe form of subsidizedrental housing. Thisdoes not achievethe goal of bringingpeople out of pov er ty,itonly keeps people poor.If we wereserious about getting people out of pover ty,we’d be promoting homeownership. If we want to provide astable andthriving business climate,elected of ficials need to increase dialogue with business owners. This will allow business owners the peace of mind of know ing theyaren’t going to be blindsided by asudden change, and that they arebeing hear dbytheir
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
elected of ficials.
Council
Tallis Salamatian Shiquita 4 LoCo Longmont City Council At-Large Leader. Activist. Single Mother. Withatrack record of commitment and investment in this community. Paid for and approved by Shiquita For Longmont Ibelieve in aLongmont where everyone can thrive. ShiquitaYarbrough Learn more at shiquita4loco.com. Vote Early! Ballots are due November 2. VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 27
28 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTER GUIDE
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
What it means:Frick was first appointed as Longmont’s presiding municipaljudge by Longmont City Council in 2016 and was then elected to his positionin2017.Ifre-
Family: One Daughter,Alexandra Mar tin Kane
Reduce time-to-marketfor new housing by improving city processes. Reduce average application-to per mit time to one year or less. Address both housing and energy issues with aggressive for war dlooking code updates.Refocus on urban density,transit-oriented development, andmultimodaltran sit.
We mustachieve abalanced and adequate housing inventor y
Iamahigh-achieving problem solver with relevant industr y exper tise in electric distribution systems, clean energy,and automation in general.
Robert J. Frick LongmontMunicipal Court Judge
Education: Southwest Baptist University,psychology
How long have you lived in Longmont? Nine years
elected he wouldretain his seatfor another two years.
How long have you lived in Longmont? Inter mittently,but seven years most recently.
What it asks:“Shall Municipal Judge Rober tJ.Frick be retained in of fice fortwo (2)years?”
What supporters say:There has been no organized support for this measure.
Pol it ical /community experience: Entering second ter monLongmont City Council. Democratic Precinct Leader,ACLU, GirlsWho Code.
Political/communityexperience: Ivolunteer my time onthe Longmont Housing and Human Ser vices Advisor yBoar d, KGNU Community Radio, and formerly with the LeagueofWomen Voters.
Professional background: Softwareengineering, recentemphasis on digital signal processing and the smar tgrid
Website: shiquita4loco.com
What opponents say:There has been no organized opposition to this measure.
What should the mayor and city council do to address those issues or resolve those problems?
What arethe one or two most pressing issues or problems facing Longmont city gover nment?
emphasizing workforce andaffordable housing as we recover from the worst of the pandemic. We are pledged to exceed state goals on renewable energy.Achieving the transition equitablyisour greatest challenge.
ShiquitaYarbrough LongmontCity Council AtLarge Marcia Martin Longmont City Council Ward 2
Age: 51
Education: Bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics, master’s degree in computer science, Sever Institute of Technology,Washington University in St. Louis.
funds for necessar yareas such as housing, early childhood ser vices, and infrastr ucturedevelopment. To ensurethat these funds are used to tr uly meetthe community needs, community members must be involved in not only deter mining where fundswillbespent,but also theongoing implementation of funding andevaluation of itsutilization. We have amazing cultural brokers within Longmont who can be tapped into to help with this process. We know COVID had dispropor tionate impacts on cer tain populations. We can ensurethat the recover yser ves them first and best as we develop aLongmont whereeveryone can tr uly thrive.
Website: Marciafor2.com Age: 69
The City of Longmont is receiving $12.9 million in ARPA funds. In initial conversations, council discussed utilizing these one-time
Professionalbackground: I have worked for anumberofcom munityorganizations, including my cur rent role at the YWCA Boulder County, Community Founda tion Boulder County, and Boulder County Far mers Market. I also own asmall business, providing racial equity training and retreats.
The most immediate andimpor tant issue and oppor tunity that Longmont willbeaddressing is the utilization and deployment of ARPA —American Rescue Plan Act —funds coming to thecity.
Family: Ihavefour wonder ful children.
What should the mayor and citycouncil do to address those issues or resolvethose problems?
I’m all about action. Iwill work har dand in par tnershipwithmembers of council and staff to continue to move Longmont in apositive direction, as quickly as possible. Our youth, our seniors,and the historicallyexcluded members of our community deser ve representation. Ibelieve everyone deser ves avoice in our community.Asan elected of ficial, we mustrecognize and hearfromthe diverse voices of our community.Too often, decision-making bodies hear fromthe closest/easiest voices, missing out on hearing from those who may be the most negatively impacted by decisions that aremade. Iwill ensurethat City Council tr uly hears the voices of all of Longmont.
If elected, what experiences, background or qualifications would you bring to working on those issues or problems?
How long have you lived in Louisville: Ihave been aresident of Louisville since 2005
Professionalbackground: Managing par tner, Leh Law Group, LLC.I’m an attor ney, advisingclients about employment law and represent ing themincour t.
Education: BA, Princeton University;JD, NYULaw School
What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
What areyourtop agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Website: lehforlouisville.org Age: 59
What areyourtop agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Family: My wife, Karin; my daughters Autumn and Chelcee, and my son, Branden
shape city policies that will maintain this character for futuregenerations. Ithinkabalance can be found between preser ving historical str uctures and laying the groundwork forfuturegenerations.
Education: My educational background includes two engineering degrees and an MBA.
What aresomeissues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
•Reduction of airplane noise from RMMA aircraft
Professionalbackground: I am retired from acareerinproject management.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 29
Website: N/A
Political/community experience: Cur rently councilmember, Ward 1. For merly chair and boar dmember,Blue Sky Bridge; tr ustee, Legal Aid Foundation; boar dmember,Imagine! Foundation
Why have you chosen to run for LouisvilleCity Council?
My top agenda itemsare sustainability for the entirecity and deter mining the appropriate land use mix, commercial/residential, that will generate suf ficienttax revenue to keep the city fiscally sound and provide abudget that will fund all of the necessar ycity operation and maintenance costs. For example, grooming parks andrepairing trails.
The three mainissuesthat I believe mustbeaddressed within the community for the futureare af for dable housing, sustainability (eco-friendly policies) and open space versus futuredevelopment.
Louisville CityCouncilWard1
•Constr ucting underpasses to promote safety,connectivity and commerce
Also, we will be revising our comprehensive plan which helps to guidefuturelanduse decisions and other planning processes. These will be oppor tunities for stakeholders to help reshape the landscape of sustainable development andredevelopment and the af for dability of housing.
The primar yreasons Iamr unning forcity council aretopre ser ve the unique small town char acter of Louisville, which Ibelieve makes this city such adesirable communitytolive in, and to help
Why have you chosen to run for LouisvilleCity Council?
Political/community experience: I ser ved on the Louisville Historical Commission and the Louisville Historic Preser vation Commission.
Family: Wife,Natalie HanlonLeh, alawyer.Wehave two adult daughters, Maddie andElla
•Improving maintenanceof our
First, thereisthe ongoing pandemic recover y. Thecoronavir us andpublic healthorders spur red our council toestablish business grant programs,open up Main Street for outdoor restaurant din ing, and appropriate additional funds to assist har d-hit residents to meet basic needs. We may have to consider similar measures if COVID-19 resurges.
open space, trails and parks,and adding small dog parks
•Ensuring delivery of top quality basic ser vices to taxpayers, including public safety,great tasting and safe drinking water, roads, senior ser vices, librar y ser vices, snow and solid waste removal andrecreational oppor tunities
Finally,Louisville’s small-town character is itssuperpower.But that has resulted in skyrocketing home prices for most people and higher taxes for those on fixed incomes. We need to find creative ways to help addressthe lackof af for dable housing in Louisville.
Age: 61
Ichose to runfor reelection to build on ourprevious successes to make Louisville an even more sustainable, thriving city in which people can liveand raisehealthy families in safety,strengthen and grow their businesses, and feel welcome to visit our signature events, eat at our restaurants, shop at our stores, and enjoy our trails, open spaces and other amenities. To make that happen, we need principled, pragmatic and proven leadershiponour council. Ibelieve Ican continuetoprovide that.
Keith Keller
Chris Leh
How long have you lived in Louisville: 27 years
•Findingpractical ways to increase the supply of af for dable housing
•Increasing sustainable practices in landuse, commerce and industr y, while also fosteringan economy that enables businesses to thrive
Fur ther,wehave agreed, as a community,totakeresponsibility for contributing to BoulderCounty’s supply of af for dablehousing Our community will need to grap ple withthese housing issues, but Ilook for war dtothat oppor tunity.
Town of Lyons
Referred Ballot Question 2G:
•Minimizing greenhouse emissions
30 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
Why have you chosen to run for LouisvilleCityCouncil?
Family: Spouseand two kids
Iamcommittedtoapproaching these issues, and all the challenges we face with honesty,integrity, innovation andcompassion.
Why have you chosen to run for Louisville City Council?
Iwill also continuetomake Louisville moresustainable, taking meaningful climate action by working to provide the city with 100% renewable energy.Asour community continues to recover from the pandemic, Iwillcontinue to usemyexper tise to help suppor tour residents and businesses.
Maxine Most
Education: Fireside Elementary; Louisville Middle School; B.S. from Georgetown; doctorate from Har vardingenetics
Education: BA in Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Califor nia SanDiego
dren, and establishingsustainability standar ds for all new residential commercial constr uction. What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed within the community?
Age: 39
Family: Single mother by choice of my daughter Minna, junior at Monarch High
Website: kyleforlouisville.com
Age: 60
BohnPark Solar Facility
•Suppor tfor thearts, entertainment, innovation, and entrepreneurs
What areyour top agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Louisville CityCouncil Ward 3 KyleBrown
Website: most4louisville.com
Louisville must continue to be one of the best places in the state and the nation to raise afamily,bea young professionalorretirewith securityand dignity.This means:
Political/community experience: BVSD Transpor tation Task Force member,Boulder Jewish Day School boar dmember.BVSD advocacy on transpor tation, teacher accountability and openenrollment. Louisville advocacyonairport noise and sustainable development. Presidential campaign volunteer –2008, 2016, 2020
•Parks and open spaces
•Maintaining and expanding community,recreational, senior and special needs ser vices and facilities
Iamr unning to continuetouse my background in health careand public service to help our commu nity respond to the toughest challenges our community is facing. On Council,I will continueto focus on suppor ting residents and businessesthat have beenhardest hit by COVID-19.
What it asks:“Shallthe constr uction of asolar generation and batter ystoragefacility be permitted on approximately one acre of Bohn Park,southwest of theBohnPark Dirt Jump Bike Parkinthe Town of Lyons?”
Additionally, Louisville should continue to root out explicitand implicit bias throughout our city. Ihelped create an equity,diversity and inclusion task force for Louisville, and I look for wardtoconsidering their recommendations later this year
Boulder County housing markets, on theirown,will not be able to providemeaningful af fordable housing options. Iwas proud to lead ef for ts to passaninclusionar y zoning ordinance that will provide moreaffordablehousing in Louisville. TheCouncil should continue towork to hold developers accountable forcreatingaffordable housing in our city.
Pr ofessiona l background: Strategic marketingand business development consultant for emerging technology companies
What areyourtop agenda items you hope to accomplish if elected?
Whatsupporterssay:The farm would help Lyons’ commitment to sustainabilityand increasing theuse of renewable energy.Thispar ticular site iscur rently unused, has great solaraccessand hasashorter distance forunderground distribution.
It is not enough to believe in sustainabledevelopment, af for dable and accessible housing, retail revitalization, or providing safe routes to school. Louisville needs bold leadership that will take action that puts our community first. Leaders willing to use all municipal levers of powertopreser vethe historicchar acter of our community while advancing and protecting its future. This is whereIbelieve the city council has fallen shor tand whereI can makea real dif ference.
How long have you lived in Louisville: 24 years Professional background: Healthcareand publicser vice Political/communityexperience: CityCouncil since Januar y2020, Local Licensing Authority 2018-2019, boardmember of local health care nonprofit, senior adviser for Colorado governors and U.S. senators
Iremain focused on economic vitality and environmentalsustain ability.Wemustcontinuetowork to attract and retain local businesses while taking climate action. I have been proud to provide more than $1 million in financial relief to Louisville residentsand business es hardest hit by the globalpandemic.I havevotedtoprotect proper ty in Ward III as open space, voted to add electric vehicle chargingstations to new development and worked to eliminate the use of toxic chemicals in parks and open spaces. Iwill continue to work to make Louisvillethe best place to live and work while doing our part to fightclimate change. What aresomeofthe issues you feel need to be addressed withinthe community?
•Retail that meets community needs and provides astrong sales tax base
The unmistakable impacts of climate change can no longer be ignored. We areseeing this on a global, national and local scale. Louisville should be aleader in all aspects of sustainable living. Iwill fight to make Louisville abeaconfor whatispossible while helpingmake our little corner of the world abetter place for generationstocome.
•Quiet and peaceful skiesand neighborhoods
Whatopponentssay: The site has no room for futureexpansion. Would blockotherpotential uses for thespace.
Addressingretailand commercial vacancy and under utilization, improving city council community engagement, especiallywith Louis ville families with school-age chil-
Louisville is agreat place to live, work and play.Tokeep it this way, we need to maintain our small-town characterand feel while prioritizing:
•Infrastr ucturethat works for all of us
Louisville CityCouncil
Ward 2
Whatitmeans:The measure would allow thetowntobuild a solarfarmatBohn Park in south Lyons.
•Safe routes to school and expanded pedestrian and bike access
How long have you lived in Louisville: 15 years
•Inclusive suppor tofall community members, regardlessofage, race, religion, ability or disability, gender identity,orientation or family status
and interest thereon withoutlimitation and without limiting the expenditureofany other revenues or funds under ar ticle X, section 20, of the Colorado Constitution?”
(2) Such debt shall be alimited tax general obligation of thecity, may be to maturity,with or without paymentofapremium not to exceed 3.00%; andshall the city be authorized to increase such mill levybeginningintax collection year 2022 and annuallythereafter to offset proper ty taxrefundsor abatements or reductionsinthe percentageofactual valuationused to deter mine assessed valuation; and shall theear nings from the investment of theproceeds of such debt,suchsalesand use tax reve-
Whatopponentssay: Thetax increase could have adispropor tionate impact on people with fixed incomes. The bondcould limitthe city’soptionsshouldemergencies arise, becauseitmaxesout Louis ville’s bondingcapacityand the bondpackageistoo large.Interest is requiredfor 20 years, which would make $50,000,000 capital costsincrease to $90,000,000, according to thecity’s voter guide
There’s also the concern that futureeconomicdecline could force the citytoraise propertytax es or cutser vicestomake bond payments because bondingcapaci ty is calculatedbased on cur rent propertyvalues.
Issue 2A: Transportation improvements tax Louisville ballot
town hasn’t explored dif ferent funding avenues, like grants. The town says in its voter guidethat while some grant funding for transpor tation projects has been obtained in thepast, mostgrant funding is focused on multi-modal projects and doesn’t apply to cer tain road improvements, like pavement preser vation. The guide notes that thetownisexpected to received about $3.2 million from the COVID-19 relief package, but pavementpreser vation isn’t an eligible expense. Other questions raised in opposition ask how an additional $1 million per year will make up $33 million in project needs, to which the town counters that thetax will be supplemented with other for ms of funding, including state and federal grants.
What supporters say: If passed, the taxincrease would
Issue 2H: Transportation improvement funding
SuperiorBallot
Whatsupporterssay: When
Whatitasks: “Shallcity of Lou isvilledebtbeincreased $51,420,000, witha repayment cost of up to $90,240,000; andshall city proper ty taxes be increasedupto $3,786,000 annually,orbysuch lesseramount as maybenecessary to pay such debtfromanadditional ad valorempropertytax milllevy not to exceed 5.450mills subject to thefollowing conditions:
amount to an additional $1 million per yearin2022 and $1.6 million in 2023 and annually thereafter.The town hasidentified more than $33 millionintransportation project needs. This exceeds the available funding and repairs areexpected to get morecostly.Ifpassed, it would also mean theimprovement of anumber of streets that the town hasidentified to be in the poorest conditions, as wellasa number of other projects, like enhanced traf fic calming.
(1) Such debt and taxes shall be used for thepurpose of financing the acquisition andconstr uction of transpor tation improvements including but notlimited to underpasses, bikepaths, pedestrian walk ways, trails,and related improvements or to refund such debt at a higher or lower interest rate (or to create areser ve for such purposes);
What opponents say: Opponents of the proposal might point out thatthe taxincrease is per manent. They may also askwhy the
(3) Such debt shall be sold in one or more series,onter ms andconditions andwith suchmaturities as per mitted by lawand as thecity may deter mine, includingprovi sionsfor sale ofthe bonds at a price aboveorbelow par,and for redemption or prepaymentpriorto maturity,with or without payment of apremiumnot to exceed 3.00%; and shall the city be authorizedto increase suchmilllevy beginning in taxcollectionyear2022and annually thereafter to of fsetproper ty tax refunds or abatements or reductions in the percentageof actual valuationusedtodetermine assessedvaluation; andshall the earnings from theinvestment of the proceeds of such debt, such salesand usetax revenues, and
nues, andsuchproper ty tax reve nues be collected, retained,and spentasa voter-approvedrevenue change andanexception to limits which would other wiseapply under ar ticle X, section 20 of the Coloradoconstitution or any other law? Evidenced by bonds,notes, contracts or loan agreementsand shall be payablefroma property taxmilllevynot to exceed 5.450 mills andalso from existing city sales anduse taxes as deter mined by thecouncil and from other availablerevenue of the city;
What it asks: “Shall town of Superior taxesbeincreased by $1,100,000 annually in the first full fiscal year (2022), and by another $500,000annually in the second fiscal year (2023), and by whatever additional amounts arecollected annuallythereafter,byanincrease in the sales anduse tax rate of 0.28% in 2022 and 0.16% in 2023, for aphased-in sales anduse tax rate increase totaling 0.44% over two years, with therevenues from such taxincrease to be usedfor transpor tation improvements; and shall thetownbeauthorized to collect, retain, and spend allsuchrevenue andany investmentear nings
Whatitmeans: This ballotissue was created to fund specific transpor tation improvementsafterthe cityin2019 created short-term and long-term visions for its Transportation MasterPlan. Leadershosted public meetingstodeterminewhat improvements residents wanted and to determine severallarge projects to pursue, including the con structionofsix underpasses, bike paths, trails andpedestrian ways.
completed, the projectswill improve publicsafety by removing cyclists andpedestrians from high traf ficroadways. The plan also aims to improve multi-modal trans por tation options
Finally,the transpor tation improvementsvisionmight remain incomplete if not forthe ballot issue.The City’sCapital Improvement Fund can’t sustain the costs of theproposedimprovements unless funded throughother sources of revenue suchasproper ty tax.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER10, 2021 • 31
Theballotissue,ifapproved, would allowthe citydebttobe increasedby$51,420,000 witha repayment costofupto $90,240,000 with proper ty taxes increasedupto$3,786,000 annually andamaximum authorized mill levyof5.450mills, according to the city’sonline voter guide. The increasedmilllevywould be in tax collection year 2023. Thecity emphasized that the issueisnot a tax to fundall transportation improvement and ongoing maintenance,rather it was created to fund specific transpor tation projects.
such proper ty tax revenuesbecollected,retained,and spentasa voter-approved revenuechange and an exception to limits which would other wiseapply under ar ticle X, section20ofthe Coloradoconstitution or any otherlaw?
The projects wereidentified by the public during ayear andhalf of input gathering.People who suppor tthe issue call theproposed improvements needed for Louis ville’stranspor tationsystem.
What it means: The townis proposing aper manent 0.28% sales and use tax increase. The funding is restricted for useonly on transpor tation projects, according to Superior’s online voter guide. If passed, it willamount to taxpayers contributing about 28 cents for ever y$100 spent. For theaverage household in Superior,itmeans a cost of about $59 per year in addi tional sales tax.
What areyour priorities for BVSD’sbudget?
Political/communityexperience: No political experience. Iser ved on the Boardof T rustees of two schools,inCalifornia and in Boulder. Vice president of the PTO at Foothill Elementary.
The Back Together BVSD COVID Protocol is scientifically researched anddata-based approach to the facts regar ding the transmission of COVID-19. I find it to be one of the best protocols Ihaveresearched nationwide. …Ibelieve thispolicywill quell thespread of the delta vir us and end the pandemic sooner rather than later.I appreciate the transparency that the bvsd.org website provides and the detailed trackingofour staf f. …Moving forwar dI would like to see that parents keep infor ming staff about the health of their children and it’s impor tant that resources areallocated appropriately to keep the tracking website up to
Focus should be given to cer tain items to enable this goal, such as increasing resources in early childhood development to give children agood head star tfor school;increasing teacher retention, especially in schools in low-in come neighbor hoods and schools with high levels of studentsof minority populations; ensuring English-language lear ners have access to extra resources; and working with adiverse group of community members (students, parents, teachers, administrators and communitymembers) to deter mine the needs and priorities of all of our neighbor hood schools.
What do you think of BVSD’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you like to see moving forward?
Professional background: High school math teacher and cur riculum director; shor tter mrental opera tor; aerial yoga teacher;finedining ser ver Political/community experience: Our Mayor Our Choice Ballot MeasureCam paign, 2020, canvass coor dinator andnewsletter editor; Boulder Democratic Party, fall 2018, area coor dinator; Genewise Activist, Chicago, 2003–2007
32 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
How can BVSD address achievement gaps for students of color,students from low-income homes and students who areEnglish-language lear ners?
Iwouldlike to ensurea Chromebook or Dell laptopinall the hands of high schoolers who qualify for this type of assistance. Iwouldlike to make sureeach Chromebook kid has inter net access at home. Dell computers will be given to those without home inter net access. Let’smake sureaccess to printers and time allocated to print papersand assignments is available.
Also, Ilear ned that Crestview parents recently star ted anon profittomake it easy forlocalpar ents to support other parents in need. Iwill …invite parent lead ers to star ta nonprofit at ever y districtschool, as Iknow many want to do more
Education: BS in Spanish and an MBA in Inter national Marketing from UT Austin.Teaching cer tificateinTexas for bilingual elementar y.
date. Iwould also like to see infor mation given to all parents and all staf fregar ding receiving the vaccination… and paidtime off given to teachers andstaff to receive thevaccine.
Website: galaforbvsd.vote
Gala Orba
Focus on training andretaining experienced and well-qualified teachers in schools with high lev els of pover ty and studentsofcolor.Provide training, coaching, mentoring, and suppor ttoteach ers working with str uggling lear ners. Theremay be very highly qualified teachers thatdonot have the ability to deal with str uggling lear ners. It is imperative of the school district to getthese teachers the training that is neededto ensuretheir successinhigh pover ty and high minorityschools.
William Hamilton
At the beginning of the school year,beforethe vaccine was available andthe caseload of COVID in the area was surging, thedistrict made thebest choice by closing schools.Once more information was available on transmission, I think that thechoice to send students backtoschool, masked when indoors, was the cor rect one, based on theinfor mationat hand. Althoughsome exceptions weremadefor medical reasons, I think that the boar dshould look at the exceptionsagain and deter mine if thereare more areas whereexceptions should be made,
Family: Myself,myhusband and two children, ages 7and 1
such as speechtherapy,where mouth movements need to be seen. The best way for the community to movefor war dand ensure that students can lear nin-person, without masks, is for ever yone who can get vaccinated to do so.
Professional background: IT analyst,project and programmanager for20+ years
Age: 39
What areyourpriorities for BVSD’sbudget?
The school districtworked diligently with both Boulder and Broomfield countyhealth to make decisions on masking and opening the schools.
How long have you lived here? 12 years
How long have you lived in Boulder: 41/2 years
What do you think of BVSD’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you like to see moving forward?
Website: hamiltonforbvsd.com
How can BVSD address achievement gaps for students of color,students from low-income homes and students who areEnglish-language lear ners?
Thereisa strong need to increase student proficiency.
Age: Notprovided
Boulder Valley SchoolBoardDistrictB
In general, Iapprove of the way our district budgets its money.I would take alittle money of fthe top of the BondRetention Fund, Char ter School Fund, and Risk Management fund to allocate over to the technology fund to pay for all our new Chromebooks. Then, let’spay cof feeshops and other kid-appropriate places alittle cash to letour kids use the wifi onsite. We owe it our students to ensureall ourfacilities areingreat working or der.Lastly, it’s impor tant to me that teachers receive regular raises and Iwill find out what this raise schedule cur rently looks like
Education: Teaching license, CU Boulder: bachelor’s in actuarial science, DePaul University
Family: Father John Stanely Butch IV,mum Josephine Orba, brother Montana Butchand sister-in-law BeaJimenez and their two children, all of Chicago.
SkyVan Horn 3 Experienced EducationLeader 3 Committedto Equity,Literacy, Integrity in BVSD 3 Supports Families and Educators 3 Dedicated to creatingthe best learning community possible for all students. E Q U I T Y LITE RACY BVSD SCHOOLBOARDINTEGRITY DeannBucher Endorsed by the Boulder Valley Education Association _ Deann’s Qualifications: Experienced Educator& Championof Diversity for the BVSD Board! Learn more at DeannBucher.com Paid for by Deann Bucher for Boulder Valley School District VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 33
What areyourpriorities for BVSD’sbudget?
We need to ensure that all of our studentshave equitable access to
Iappreciate that BVSD relieson the recommendations from our publichealth partners, and believe the layered approach, in addition to ahighrateof (optional) vaccine par ticipation, has allowed in-person lear ning to occurassafely as possible. Increasedfrequencyof school-based COVID-19 screening shouldbeconsidered as cases rise in our community.Movingfor ward Iwould like tosee BVSD spend its time andresources on providing high-quality educational program ingand wrap-around ser vices to address lear ning losses that resulted from, or were exacerbatedby, the coronavir us pandemic.
high quality courses and programs —socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender identity,lear ning needs nor geography should not limitthe potential of our students, schools or ourcommunities. Thecur rent Strategic Plan andUnified Improvement Planaddress some of the morepressing issues and it is critical thatwe holdBVSD accountable to implementing those plans with fidelity.BVSD must continue toleverage parent engagement groups (Equity Council, POCC, CAPL, DAC, DPC,etc.) as thought par tners.Building upon relationships with city and county gover nments andcommunity organizations arealso vital because food andhousing insecurities, transpor tation, inter net access, mental andphysicalhealth needs haveanimpact on educational oppor tunities and outcomes. Bottom line, this is amultifaceted problem that has troubled the district for decades, and it will take all stakeholders working collectively to close the gaps in oppor tunity and achievement.
Website: rajpalforbvsd.com
Sky VanHor ncould not be reached to complete acandidate profile.
Education funding in the state of Coloradoisamong the lowest in the nation. Declining enrollment, labor shortages, wage pressures and potentialchanges in tax revenues and state education funding allocations will stress our budget fur ther; therefore, we must allo cate the funds we have responsibly.Prior to the pandemic, BVSD evaluated the retur noninvest ment for many of its programs and ser vices; as we retur ntoregular programming with in person lear ning, Iwould like to ensure anypro grams and ser vices provided are evidence basedand have ahigh retur noninvestment. Iwillalso prioritize advocating for improved education funding at the local, state and federal levels.
How can BVSD address achievement gaps for students of color,students from low-income homes and students who areEnglish-language lear ners?
How long have youlived in Boulder: 11 years
School Board
Political/communityexperience: Ser ved as a member of the BVSD District Accountability Committee (DAC) for 6 years, 2yearsas chairperson.During that time Iser ved on many committeesincluding equity, budget, policy,Strategic Plan, Phase 2+, etc
Education: BS in nutritional science &MSincur riculum and instr uction
How do you think of BVSD’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you like to see moving forward?
Professional background: Adjunct faculty/instr uctor,registered dietitiannutritionist
Age: 38
Boulder Valley DistrictB
NicoleRajpal
Family: Sharad, Kai&Sonja Rajpal
This is aver ycomplicatedissue and one ver yimpor tant to me. The achievement gap is not going to improve by repeating the programs we haveinplace. It will only change with adedication of resources to making sureour BIPOC, English language lear ners and students of low incomeare given increased resources to allow them to benefit from programs like AP and concur rent enrollment options. The cur rent system has successfully increased the gradua-
Political/communityexperience: n/a Education: BA in music history,teach er’s license, MA in infor mation and lear ning technology, Leaders for Colorado (Principal’s License).
What do you think of BVSD’s response to the coronavirus
How long have you lived in Boulder County: Since1986 Professional background: Teacher
My priorities for budgeting would be to demand program integrity wherewemaketransfor mationalinnovations,suppor t alter native pathways for graduates, fully fund preschool /kinder gar ten, enhance reading requirements k-12, fund innovative solutions to educationaldisparities, support communitypar tnerships formentalhealth and invest in capital improvements that lower the carbon footprint.
How can BVSD address
Age: 57
EQUITY FOR ALL DIVERSEVOICE
Boulder Valley School Board District E Deann Bucher
34 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
pandemic, and what would you like to see moving forward?
Family: Spouse and daughter,all Coloradonatives!
What areyourpriorities for BVSD’sbudget?
Website: DeannBucher.com
Iapplaudthe leaders of BVSD with the decision to follow Boulder County Health Depar tment guidelines. This is our best chance of simultaneously getting all students back to full-time school, protecting students, teachers and all educators in our system. Because we have tremendous staf fshor tages in areas like substitute teachers, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers, we must protect the health of all personnel or we will not be able to keep schools open.This will be impor tant moving for war duntil the pandemicisover.
achievement gaps for students of color,students from low-income homes, and students who areEnglish-language lear ners?
tion rate for all students but has failed to supplyanequal amount of success for each student.
Enrollment is the majordriver of our budget. Fewer kids in schools means less funding with far-reaching implications. Less money means dif ficult decisions about howtoadjust ourworkforce, increased class sizes and possibleschool closures. My bud get prioritieslie in creating asus tainablebudget that will allow us to weather these budgetar y shor tfalls with minimal impact to our workforce, our class sizes and our buildings.
Professional background: Research assistant at CU (cognitive neuroscience), special education teacherinBaltimore, 8years school psychologist (preschool-high school), 3years student ser vices coor dinator (district-level administrative role), cur rently special education facilitator/mediator with Colorado Depar tment of Education.
Ispecialize in working with low income (T itle 1), English-language lear ners. From my experience, I have found that, in or derto address the achievement gaps, districts need to allocateadditional funding for the at-riskpopulation; reduce class sizes;provide teacher trainingfromqualified, exemplar y teacher trainers who will remain on staf ftoprovide ongoing suppor tfor teachersand students; engage local businesses and community members and invitethem to par tner with and suppor tour schools;and provide studentsand families withemotional suppor t and coping mechanisms to deal with trauma. Our students have walked through an immense amount of emotional trauma in the last 18 months and, as educators, we must firsttend to their hear ts and emotionalstates,beforewe introduce newcur riculum.All stu dents should be taught to feel hear d, valued, suppor ted and loved, so thatthey will feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and lear nnew material.
Iamthe social change agent that you have been searching for! Ipos sessa deeploveand passion for working with all children and am fueled by teaching communities to unite and connect by celebrating their commonalities and their differences. Ibelieve that all students should have access tothe same oppor tunities and suppor tand will work dayand night toensurethat all BVSD students areinclassrooms wherethey feel safe,loved, hear d, challenged and suppor ted.
How long have you lived in Boulder: 8years
We need to address the staf fing shor tage. We must attract and retain the most talented and diverse workforce by cultivating a climate that is suppor tive of professional growth. We need to of fer competitive wages for our teachers, suppor tstaff and substitute teachers.
Their response wastypical; BVSD and schools across our countr yhave been catapultedinto unchar ted ter ritor y. Moving forwar dthrough COVID-19, Iwould like to create think tanks(with input from our taxpayers,local businesses, students, teachers and school district leaders) thatlead to dif ficult conversations, har dwork and change. Accor ding to U.S. News &World Report,welive in the best city in the nation, and I believe that through collaborative conversations andhar dwork, our districtwill accompany this distinctionand be named the “best school district in the nation” (both during and post-pandemic).
COVID-19has created anxiety and profound uncer tainty in budgeting and in programming. Moving for war dweneed to have a good relationship with the state to facilitate seamlesssuppor t, Beth Niznik
What areyour priorities for BVSD’sbudget?
How can BVSD address achievement gaps for students of color,students from low-in-
How can BVSD address achievement gaps for students of color,students from low-income homes and students who areEnglish-language lear ners?
Professionalbackground: CU Boulder instr uctorand super visor for secondar ymath education students; 26-year educator teaching math, English as asecond language; ser ved as vice president of district teacher’s union.
Education: Bachelor’sineducation, summa cumlaude, endorsement in diversity and English as a second language; master’s in counseling and secondar ycur riculum and instr uction.
Family: Married and first grader in BVSD
Political/communityexperience: Meals on Wheels, PTA, Alter native Dispute Resolution Boar d
Education: B.A., psychology, University of Colorado, Summa Cum Laude; M.Ed., educational psychology,University of Washington; M.Ed., educational leadership, University of Washington
We also need to of fer additional COVID-19teacher pay for weekly team celebrations,planning and data analysis and provide authentic enrichment resources.
Family: Mar ried to Aaron for 21 years; 12-year-old son Braden, 10year-old daughter Emily
How do you think of BVSD’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you like to see moving forward?
How long have you lived in your town? 12 years
come homes and students who areEnglish-language lear ners?
Iampro-in-person lear ning because Ibelieve it is over whelmingly thebest place for our kids to lear nand have their socialemotional needs met.Accor ding ly,I suppor tthe district’s goal of in-person lear ning five days per week. Isuppor tthe district’s part nership with local health exper ts and continued ef fortstofollow science. If wearing amaskmeans my daughter can go to school, then Isuppor tin-personlear ning with layered measures of protection until other wise directed by health exper ts.
Age: 46
What areyourpriorities for BVSD’sbudget? See website.
open communication with teach ers and parents to best navigate this together and school boar d leadership that can be responsive in these unprecedented times.
Website: bethforbvsd.com Age: 39
Boulder Valley School Board DistrictE
Equity is at the hear tofpublic education. If youbelieve, as Ido, thatpublic educationisthe great equalizer,for the common good, then we must focus our work on creating moreequitable outcomes for allstudents. Addressing equityiscomplex work because it is acultural shift. The districthas made strides in establishing the equity council and in enhanced parent engagement, but we have work to do inexamining our ownbiases, unpacking the sourceofdispropor tionate discipline, engaging historically marginalized students, providing extendedenrichment opportunities and revamping our bullying policies. We address equity one policy at atime.
What do you think of BVSD’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, and what would you like to see moving forward?
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 35
Website: votekarabvsd.com
KaraAwaitha Frost
Political/communityexperience: Advocate with National Advocates for the Mentally Ill; Kiwanis Volunteer Club
Political/communityexperience: Volunteering in schools, parent group leadership, Community Bond Task Force co-chairperson, Longmont Multicultural Action Committee
Education: Master’s degree in community counseling from Fairfield University
Boulder Valley School Board DistrictF KittySargent
SVVSDSchoolBoard Director DistrictB
Website: svvsd.org/about/ boar d-of-education/ Age: 45
What do you think about the district’sresponse to the pandemic so far? Arethere changes you want to see going forward?
How long have you lived in the school district: Since2007 Professional background: Mental health counselor,health carequality improvement consultant,project management consultant
Education: B.A. inelementar y andspecial education, University of Arizona, and master’s of social work, University of Denver
We responded to the pandemic with strength to ensuresafety for all individualsinour buildings, in additiontoperseverance to keep kids lear ning through technology and in the buildings as much as possiblewhile following guidance from the local and state health depar tments. Overall, Ibelieve we continue to do an exceptional job —inour thirdschoolyear af fected by the pandemic —in providing stable employment, educational oppor tunities,strate gies andresources for our students andour community.
Age: 66
Website URL: N/A
What areyour budget priorities for the next schoolyear, including spending the federal coronavirus relief money,and how would you balanceall the needs with limited funding?
We areproud of ourwork and
Karen Ragland
36 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
Editor’snote: The candidate did not respond with answers to the questions for candidates.
Family: Ihavetwo grown daughters who are BVSD graduates.
The school district recently ended its relationship with A Queer Endeavorand has made changes to the language used on its website in describing its equity work. What approach do you think the district should take to equity training for teachers and to teaching students about equity topics?
Timing of this question is tough —weare in the process of gath ering input fromour community about what they believe arethe most impor tant areas for ESSER funds spending. That data willbe impor tant in deter mining priorities for next year.Wehave been for tunate to have an incredibly conscientious financedepar tment thathas keptthe district in a strong financial position, before and throughout the pandemic.
the great successes we have had in creating equity across the districtovermany years. Our commitment to thisworkisunwaver ing, and the district continues to build on thestrong foundation cultivated over the past decade. We have funded and resourced a new equity depar tmentled by our assistant superintendent of student ser vices that also includes a for mer lead trainer from theColorado Depar tment of Education with extensive experience in equity training. We will alsocontinue annual equity,inclusion and diversity trainingwith our teachers that includes monthly professional development across all schools during late star tdays. Training will alsobeoutsourced to multiple national and local organizations that have come highly recommended by CDE.This work is constantly evolving, and it is critical to progress as needs arise on an ongoing basis. The SVVS Community Diversity Committee will continue to assist with refining content on the website and advancing the programs and oppor tunities that strengthen suppor tand resources for all stu dents. What Ibelieve most speaks to our work in equity is the significantacademic growth and success among our students. (Highlights in achievementare outlinedonthe district’s equity webpage at svvsd.org/about/ equity-in-st-vrain.)
Political/communityexperi-
ence: Four years on the BVSD Boar d, of ficer in Boulder County Democratic Partyand Colorado Democratic Party, volunteer on various issue campaigns.
Family: Husband, Paul.Children, allcur rent or graduated SVVSD students: Tasha, Cyia and Russ
How long have you lived in Superior? 16 years Professional background: Ihave been ateacher and a social worker.
The school district recently ended its relationship with A Queer Endeavorand has made changes to the language used on its website in describing its equity work. What approach do you think the district should take to equitytraining for teachersand to teaching students about equity topics?
How long have you lived in the school district: Six years. Professionalbackground: Twenty years of budgeting, accounting, financialrepor ting, gover nment funding and executive leadership suppor t. Political/com munity experience: Youth group leader,youth basketball team coach and financialauditor of 12 congregations for my church.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business withanemphasis in marketing at the University of Coloradoat Colorado Springs, project management professional certification from the Program Management Institute, Master’s of Business Administration at Colorado State University
take to equitytraining for teachersand to teaching students about equitytopics? Like abusiness, thereare standards and policies. In or der for teachers to teach children, they need to understand those standar ds and policies. Everyone should have access to the sameresources, suppor t, spaces, etc. These are requirements andnonnegotiable. Teachers should be trained to understand that ever ystudent is dif ferent andmight need adif fer ent typeofequityatdif ferent times. Becoming awell-rounded person means that oneisinfor med about many things.Equity doesn’t have to be aseparate topicas much as it can be developingan understanding that facilitates dignity andrespect for all What areyourbudgetpriorities for the next school year, including spending the federal coronavirus relief money,and how would you balanceall the needs with limited funding? As in many cases,funding is limited from gover nment sources. In no specificorder,the increase in teacher salaries and direct reading and math programs, and monies for special needs students, should be adistrict priority.Many teachers had longer hours of academic prep time anddealt with situations that may have gone beyond the classroom during the pandemic. The increased workload was great for many teachers,but theirsteadfastnessremained paramount to the success of the students,thus it should be supplemented witha pay increase. Secondly,many students, whether they had extra tutoringornot,may have had some lear ning loss. Thus,investing in directed reading and math programs to supplement the lear ning loss that many students may have endured should be atop priority
Website: gear har t4svvsd.com Age: 40
Professionalbackground: Aerospace engineer/business development manager,co-instr uctor at Johns Hopkins University
What do you think about the district’sresponse to the pandemic so far? Arethere changes you want to see going forward? The district has done a great jobintheirresponse to the pandemic thus far.The districtwas set up financially to be able to get iPads for allstudents. At the beginning of the pandemic, they reacted as quickly as possible to getting technology up and runningto enable students continuedlear ning.Since then, they have been strivingtoensurethe continued health and safetyfor all students. While thereweresome areas of improvement, overall, they have handled it well.
of thir dthrough eighthgraders that cannot read and write at grade level (asofthe spring 2019 CMAS testing). Teachers should teach academics, families should teach values. Training forteachers should be focused on academics so that allstudents can have the oppor tunity toexit the public school system ready to contribute in whatever path they choose to take beyond high school.
SVVSD is one of the bestdistricts in the stateand stillhas 50%
Education: Master’sdegree in systems engineering, bachelor’s degree in computerengineering technology,bachelor’s degree in physics
Website: brooks4svvsd.org
Meosha Brooks SVVSD School BoardDirectorDistrictD
What areyour budget priorities for the next schoolyear, including spending the federal coronavirus relief money,and how would you balanceall the needs with limited funding?
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 37
Tyler Gearhart
Family: Wife,four sons attending SVVSD schools
The school district recently ended its relationship with A Queer Endeavorand has made changes to the language used on its website in describing its equity work. What approach do you think the district should
Age: 44
Family: Husband, Justin, and four children
What do you think about the district’sresponse to the pandemic so far? Arethere changes you want to see going forward?
Political/community experience: Boy Scout, CubScout and GirlScout leader. Cur rent PTOboard and School Accountability Committee member.Cur rent Education Foundation Board member,Colorado Space Business Roundtable Boardmember and ColoradoFuturetek Boar dmember
School districts have been in the precarious position of balancing the health and safety of students with helpingstudents progressing academically.I think SVVSD didthe bestthat they could with apolarizing dynamic situation. Going for war d, it is imperative to keepstudentsin school five days aweek where they lear nbest. Anyhealth and wellness changes should be wellplanned and communicatedwith great detail to the community.
SVVSD is ver ywellfunded, so much so that the district cur rently has hundreds of millions of dollars in surplus. Goingintothe 2022 fiscal year,each studenthas $8,700 of funding for one academ ic year.Thereissimply no excuse for having teachers whoare not well paid, and still have to dig into their ownpockets to create an environment for academic excellence. Families should not be forced tochoose between paying lab fees, material fees and course fees over meeting their family financial needs. All students deser ve the same quality of education, no matter their economic standing. Thedistrict should not broaden economic inequalityby imposingfees on families and instead should use their multimillion dollar surplus to cover these expenses toensure, above all else, that the student’s academic needs aremet. Any pandemic recover yfunds should be used wholly to support academic programs that willhelp students recover losses in academic progress. We should also find ways to make our limited allocated funds go fur ther.Create school energy hubs that produce 100% of the energy schools consume through green initiatives, such as solar power andwind power generation. This could save our district millions of dollars ayear.
How long have you lived in the school district: 12.5 years
Political/communityexperience: Mead Elementar yPAC, chairperson of the annualspring fundraiser; Boulder Homeless Shelter; chaperone with the High Plains Honor Flight.
Website: natalie4svvsd.com
Political/community experience: No prior polit ical experience.
•Lower costs forstudents to par ticipate in extra-cur ricular activities such as spor ts, ar ts and music programs.
What do you think about the district’sresponse to the pandemic so far? Arethere changes you want to see going forward?
NatalieAbshier SVVSDSchoolBoardDirectorDistrictF
What areyourbudgetpriorities for the next school year, including spending the federal coronavirus relief money,and how would you balanceall the needs with limited funding?
38 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
How long have you lived in the school district: Of fand on since 1993.
Family: Husband, also an educator,and twochildren attending Mead Elementar y.
•Providing technology tools to students.
include teaching that an individual should be judged by who they are as apersonnot by theirrace, gender,ethnicity, religion,sexual orientation. Theoutcomeofopportunity is largely dependent on har d work, perseverance and personal accountability.Tobecompletely equitable, equity training must include parental input. To exclude parents or dismisstheir concer ns is not an equitable solution for the parents of SVVSDstudents. As social issues arise within the schools we must join together and work to solve problems. This includes inputfromteachers, stu dents, staf f, parents and community members. Focusing on education andteaching about therights and wrongs of U.S. and world histor ywill only improve our understanding andallow us to build better communities. That doesn’t mean we overlook our wrongdoings in histor y, but it doesn’t mean we rewrite history either.
What areyour budget priorities for the next school year, including spending the federal coronavirus relief money,and how would you balanceall the needs with limited funding?
What do you think about the district’sresponse to the pandemic so far? Arethere changes you want to see going forward?
Age: 57
SVVSD has alarge surplus of funds, including thecoronavir us relief money,and thesefund should be applied to:
The district has committed to ensuringequity throughout its systems and practices, however thereisalways room forimprovement. If elected I’m happy to assist in continuing this work
•Increase implementation of camera systems in the schools and classrooms.
Sarah Hurianek
Education is sucha complex system in which they areresponsible fortranspor ting, feeding and educating people’s children. The impacts and stresses of the pandemic caused adisr uption to ever yaspectofeducation. SVVSD has done agreat job of being transparent and communicative with parents throughout
Family: Married, grown children all attended SVVSD schools.
Professional background: My teaching career has always beenin early childhood. When we star ted a family,I decided to stay home with our children. Ihelp provide child care for teachers.
Ever yone should havethe oppor tunity for success, not justa chosen few.Equitytraining should
Website: None Age: 43
The use of federal relief funds provided to districts Ibelieve are best suited to helpensureall students areprovided with fair and equitable access to ahigh quality education. SVVSD hasmentioned allocation of these funds in recent school boar dmeetings, andI have no reason to think they should have be spend elsewhere.
Education: Skyline High School, University of Nor ther n Coloradoand FrontRange Com munity College.
How long have you lived in the school district: Since1998 Professional background: Businessowner,worked in the infor mation technology industr y for overtwenty years as an innova tor of technologyto help improve busi ness processes.
The school district recently ended its relationship with A Queer Endeavor and has made changes to the language used on its website in describing its equity work. What approach do you think the district should take to equitytraining for teachersand to teaching students about equitytopics?
Education: Iwent to school in Ber thoud, attended the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado Christian University for business and operational management
•Decreasing student fees and increasing perclassroom spending so teachers arenot forced to pay out-of-pocket to provided needed suppliesintheir classrooms.
The school district recently ended its relationship with A Queer Endeavor and has made changes to the language used on its website in describing its equity work. What approach do you think the district should take to equity training for teachers and to teaching students about equitytopics?
SVVSD didthe right thing for the community by allowing people to wear masks while also providing theability for parents decide if wearing masks aligns with their children’s health and personal issues. SVVSD mustconsider recommendations from both Boulder and Weld Countyhealthdepar tments, as many SVVSD schools arelocated outside of Boulder County and mask mandates var y between counties.
•Building new schools and maintaining schools and suppor t facilities.
the pandemicall while providing asafeand welcoming environment forstudents to lear nboth digitally and in person.Ifelected, Ilook for war dtoworking with the district on examining what positiveoutcomes could be car ried for war dand whatchanges need to be implemented.
Iwas electedtoDaconoCity Council in 2020, five years at the Weld County Sherif f’sOffice, and 24years with Colorado Depar tment of Cor rections as aparole team leader.I am cur rently serv ing as chair of theDaconoUrban Renewal Authority,Dacono City Councilmember,and mayor pro tem.
Political experience: Elected to Dacono City Council November 2020
What it means: Themeasure wouldincrease propertytaxes graduallyinthe HygieneFireProtection District by $0.001 per dollar of proper ty value each year until 2024, when the increase would be equal to $0.004 on each dollar of proper ty value, to raise $340,000 for emer gency response equipmentand other general operatingexpenses. The measurealso asks voters to allow the district to set aside the rules in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and allow it to collect and keep all revenues raised by the tax increase to spend on future needs.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, 1992, University of Nor th Carolina, Chapel Hill
As mayoral candidates who have already served as Dacono city leaders, what do you believe you’veaccomplished so far that you could buildonasmayor?
As mayor,I will suppor tall of Dacono, knowingthereare differ ent needs in each area. My time in law enforcement of over29 years gives me experience working withall levels of government and being in touch with what our community needs. Irecognize that Dacono needs new leadership. We arenot keeping up with the cities around us and Iamfrequently asked why.The answer to that “why” is the reason Iamr unning formayor.I have spokento hundreds of my fellow Dacono residents in personand on social media. It is impor tant to be accessible. Iknow what Dacono needs; Ihavethe vision and ability to lead Dacono into the future.
Website: N/A Age: 52
What unique experience do you have that would make you the best fit as mayor?
Family: Spouse, Sarah Morehead, two adult sonsand agranddaughter.
Residential growth workshand in hand with attracting businesses. Suppor ting that growth brings the revenue to repair infrastr ucture. It’s also time to explorethe futureneed for ahigh school in Dacono. Iwill suppor tour current law enforcement of ficers by giving them the tools and resources needed to decrease the rising crime in our neighbor hoods. This rise in crime is alar ming, and Ioften hear it’s one of people’s biggest concer ns. I would also like to seeDacono build on developing areal “downtown” area —aplace withrestaurants, parks, retail and more.
What it asks:“ShallHygiene FireProtectionDistrict taxesbe increased by $340,000 (final full fiscal year increase for collection year 2024) with the increase phased-in over the next three calendar years at arateof11.099 mills (first year increaseof2mills) in levyyear 2021 for collection in calendar year 2022, an additional increase to 12.099 mills (second year increase of 1 mill) in levyyear 2022 for collection in calendar year 2023, and an additional increase to 13.099 mills (third year increase of 1mill) in levyyear 2023 for collection in calendar year 2024, for atotal generaloperations mill levyincrease of not morethan 4.0 mills to be in addition to the existing9.099 mills with such proceeds to be used for the increased costs of the district’s general operations, specifically including,but not limited to:– avoiding cuts in trainingand emergency ser vices, and maintaining 911 response times providing firefighterswithessential safety gear and communications equipment, such as air packs and radios –repairing and replacing aging emergency response vehicles, apparatus and equipment extending the useful life of the fire station,and providingliving quar ters for volunteers while theyare on
call with all revenue spending disclosed in an annual independent audit, and all revenue and ear nings on thistax constituting aper manent voter approved change to revenue and spending limits within Ar ticle X, Section20ofthe Colorado Constitution and an exception to the limitations set for th in Section 29-1301 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, andany other law?”
Iamnew to elected of fice and ser ved during the lockdown and restrictions. Ihave notbeen able to accomplishasmuchasI would like. IbelieveDaconoispoised to see rapid residential growth. With that growth comes the decisions of whattype of housing and business do we want to see.I see the big pictureofwhat we wantto look like in the decades to come, not continuemoreofthe samewe have already had foryears.
Issue 6A: Mill Levy Increase Hygiene Fire Protection DistrictBallot Dacono Mayor
What opponents say:Property owners in the district would see increased proper ty taxes.
What do you believe arethe biggest challenges facing Dacono today and how do you plan to tackle them if elected mayor?
Adam Morehead
What supporters say:The tax increase would help to maintain response times and pay for new equipment and equipment repairs for emergency responders.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 39
How long have you lived in Dacono: Five years Professional background: Chair man of the Dacono Urban Renewal Authority,parole team leader,Colorado Depar tment of Corrections, five years as aWeld County deputy sherif f. I have worked with many communities in this capacityover the years andcontinuetoday.
ProfessionalBackground: Businessmanagement, contract negotiations, cost containment, gover nment regula tions, businessdevelopment, human relations, budget reconciliation, federal employment regulations, objective analysis.
bringing through its cor ridor close to 25,000carsdaily,only to watch ourwonderful city stay somewhatstagnant in itsgrowth. That needs to change.
Residence in Dacono: 30 years
Website: N/A
What unique experience do you have that would make you the best fit as mayor?
Political/communityexperience: Appointed to Dacono City Council in September 2016; reelected in November 2017 and 2020. Volunteer on city’s Boar dof Adjustments, Liquor Authority and PlanningCommission.Ser ving on Weld County Boar dofAdjustments, DRCOG, Hwy. 52 Nor th Coalition, URAD
Much of the Front Range is feeling the strain of its expansion. Dacono is not. Historically,our town hasbeen lived in by agrowing senior community.Infact, in the lastcomplete census, Dacono’ssenior community provided over 63% of theprimar y carefor its children and grandchildren, compared to a6% national average. We need to addressthe care of our seniors, while bringing in abalanced housing growth that canoffer af for dability to all families
40 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
DaconoMayor
What do you believe arethe biggest challenges facing Dacono today and how do you plan to tackle them if elected mayor?
How would you better the lives of Dacono residentsif you wereelected as aCity Council member?
The need for growth in Dacono, including new businesses to increase resources to it’s residences. As mayor,Iwouldfirst tackle past or dinances in the cityto ensurethereare not extreme prohibitingreasons whythis has not been accomplished to date and work diligently toaddress those issues to advance changes. Another challenge would be, as agrowing city, theneed formoreperson-
As mayoral candidates who have already served as Dacono city leaders, what do you believe you’veaccomplished so far that you could build on as mayor?
Iwouldbehonored to receive your vote! Thankyou.
Kathy Wittman
My time ser ving on city council has enabled me theknowledge of the inner workings of citygovern ment andthe procedures and poli cies that must be followed. Time has beenspent actively engaged throughout the city with businesses and residents. Having resided in the city for 30 years has allowed me to watch growth and success take place. Ihave full ability to guide the city to prosper in the future.
The ethical character to work with avast ar ray of individuals in or der tohave cohesivefruition. The knowledgerequired to cor rectly address amyriad of issues during the course of business in the city. Theability to communicate in aprofessionalmanner to others for direction of issues. My biggest accomplishment, to date, was bringing for th specific language on an item, and having the languageremoved, in or derto avoid legal ramifications on the city
Education: Graduated from Longmont HighSchool in 1976, Front Range Community College, Liber ty Bible College –bachelor of theology
We areatone of thegreat crossroads of I-25, with Colo. 52
Political/com munity experience: Ihave assisted in bringing the Weld Food Bank into thecity of Dacono, and last year alone we ser ved an estimated 28,000 meals to needful families.
nel throughout to accommodate aspects presented by growth.I would work with council in addressing the city’s budget to examine wherecostsavings could be made.
We areanindependent people that live in Dacono. In the almost 20 years that our familyhas actively worked and/or lived within this community,one of the hallmarkissuesthathas been promised by its politicians has been to go after agreaterlevel of business growth to help lead the amount of the people moving in. What has actually happened was Dacono has watched as thecom munitiesaround it have grown and prospered, while Dacono has remained somewhat stagnant. With the cur rent leadership leading the way,wehave watched businesses move intoFrederick and Firestone, bypassing our fair city.
Age: 68
What inspired you to run for City Council and what arethe pillars of your campaign?
While we haveadded afew great businesses,wehave been dwar fed by growth exter nal to our boundaries. Iamexcitedto be par tofa council thatcan make adif ference now that leadership is changing.
JackieThomas Dacono City Council
This will be my second ter mas council member if elected to ser ve this ter m. Never having ser ved in local gover nment, I lear ned the workings of local city gover nment in my first ter m, and am now better equipped with knowledge and experiencetobetter ser ve Dacono’sresidents. It’s my goal to envision myself as being aser vant to those who elect me, to give of my time to fairly represent thewill of those people. Iwanttobeconnected/ available to my constituents so they feel that they tr uly havea connection.
Family: Husband, and 3grown daughters. 4grandchildren— all of which attend local public schools.
How long have you lived in Dacono: Seven years Professional background: Motorola Solutions, INC,22years project management and pre-sales.
Website: N/A Age: 63
What’syourplantoaddress any growing pains Dacono might face, as the city continues to face increasing industry and residential development?
Family: Husband, son,daugh ter,one grandson, threegranddaughters and three great-granddaughters
Age: 66
teer instr uction.
Website: facebook.com/Jim -T urini-for-Dacono-City-Council -104509101961578
What inspired you to run for city counciland what arethe pillars of your campaign?
Inaddition, we need to keep our roads and access points well maintained both for our residents and to attract the growth that we desire.
Iwouldlike to guidethe growth of Dacono to increase new business incentives while suppor ting our cur rent businesses. Iwould also encourage public facilities like parks and road upgrades to improve traf fic flow specifically on Highway 52 and Colorado Boulevar d. We need to grow all par ts of Dacono together rather than build ing islands of developmentlike Sweetgrass and Fur nitureRow This would improve the oppor tunity for the businesses to flourish and encourage moredevelopment of communityparks and ser vices.
The thing that shocked me into action was anear disaster directly in front of my home. Aroadcrew cut the gas main with abackhoe while laying anew waterline. While the fireand policereaction was swift, they werenot even notified until Icalled. The worst par t of the catastrophic event was the total lack of infrastr ucturetodeal with it.Ittookover two hours for the gas to be tur ned of f. There werenoemergency tur n-of fs available. They had to hand dig ahole onboth sides of the street down to the gas lineand crimp it of fin or der to stopthe flow of gas.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 41
Professionalbackground: Retired electronic technician and technical support
and residential development?
My pillars would be to upgrade infrastructure, encouragebusiness growth, improve resources for our senior citizens, providetransparency of citygovernment to the community,improvement of public accessible parks, and Wi-Fi. We have alot of work to do.
Professional background: Realtor,emergency management operations, instr ucting and consulting
What’syour plan to address any growing pains Dacono might face, as the city continues to face increasing industry
At ahighlevel, Iamr unning to ser ve and represent the residents of Dacono, as par tofa team of ser vantsatlarge, for not one area of the city,but forthe entire population. Ihavealways ser ved the community in which Iliveand would like to continue that here in Dacono. Morespecifically, I want to facilitate making Dacono afavorablelocation forboth residential developers as well as commercial businesses, to provide continued growth in both areas
Have obser ved our community for over 30 years watching its lack of development, assisting senior citizens providing needed ser vices to help find resources for ever ything from yar dwork to emergency housing assistance.
How long have you lived in Dacono: 2.5 years
Website: N/A Age: 57
John Wargo
Iwouldlike to work together with Frederick and Firestone to provide citywide high-speed inter net. Also, work on addressing the needs of senior citizens and the severe lack of services in this area that Ihaveobser ved from working at the Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District Senior Center. Thereisalso aserious need to update infrastr uctureinpar ts of Dacono that have been neglected for decades.
What inspired you to run for city counciland what arethe pillars of your campaign?
Political/community experience:
Dacono has made, and will continue to make,the per mitting processstreamlined, fair and beneficial to the city and its residents. In addition, our infrastr ucture needs to improve to suppor t increased growth; specifically, improved roads and access points to majorthoroughfares. Several councilmembers havetakenpar t in meetings with (the)Colorado Depar tment of Transpor tation to of fer input to improvements to the Colo. 52 corridor.This involvement needs to continue as we grow,and Iplanonbeing par t of the team of councilmembers that participates in these meetings. We need to network with and attract businesses that significantly contribute to our tax base without depleting or straining municipal services, to allow us to keep residential taxes in check.
Family:Significant other for 35 years
What’syourplantoaddress any growing pains Dacono might face, as the city continues to face increasing industry and residential development?
Education: S.I.U Militar y, technical degree equaltoelectrical engineering degreeatafour-year college.
How would you better the lives of Dacono residentsifyou wereelected as acity council member?
How long have you lived in Dacono: 33years
Family: Wife, Robin, and four adult children Kim, Natalie, Weston, Tina
Dacono City Council
Political/com munity experience: Dacono City Council since Februar y; volunteer for Carbon Valley Emer gency Operations Center; volunteer for HOPE (Homeless Outreach); Catasauqua, Pa., Chamber of Commerce; Nor th Catasauqua Business Better ment Bureau; EMT forhospital-based Medevac and two county stations; HazMat responder Education: Attended Nor thampton Community College and DeSales University
How would you better the lives of Dacono residentsif you wereelected as acity councilmember?
By beinganeducator,suppor ter and advocate for any and all residents of Dacono. By meeting with residents and business owners, listening to the questionsor commentsthey have, encouraging themtohave their voices hear dincity government, and assisting them when they need guidancewith apar ticularissue.I will continue to utilize my skills and background to make and keep Dacono safe, resilientand ready as it applies to public safety. I’dlike to make car diopulmonary resuscitation/basic life suppor t/ automated exter nal defibrillator trainingavailabletoany resident of Dacono through corporate sponsorships, grants and volun-
JimTurini
and be used only to pay forstreet improvements in the Town of Mead and never be transfer red into theTown General Fund or used for any purposeotherthan street improvements, and shall the resulting revenue and investment ear nings thereon be collected, retained and spent by theTown notwithstanding the limits of Ar ticle X, Section20ofthe Colorado Constitution or any other law?”
•A senior center addition, which 2.7 mills shall after the limited 30-year period, shall be reduced to one (1.0)mill (commencing in tax collection year 2052) to provide for ongoing operation andmaintenance costs and shall be in addition to the operating milllevycur rently imposed by the district; and shall the revenue from the milllevyauthorized above constitute avoter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limitations set for th in Section 29-1-301 of theColorado Revised Statutes?”
What it means: TheParks and
What it asks:“Shall Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District taxes be increased $2.5 million annually (forcollection in calendar year 2022) and by such additional amounts generated annually thereafter fromaproper ty tax milllevy imposed at arate of twoand seventenths (2.7) millsfor a30-year peri od (through taxcollection year 2051) inorder to fund district capital needs, operationalcosts and finance:
the residents of the district as demonstrated by feasibility studies, sur veys, andpopulation growth since the openingofthe cur rent facilities in Frederick. In additiontothe direct benefit to the residents of the district, including Firestone, Frederick and Dacono, the new facilities will have an added benefit of contributing to the economicdevelopment of the entiredistrict area.
What supporters say: The potential tax revenue generated through marijuana is needed to ensurefinancial stability in Mead and could fund things like infra-
What it means: This would repeal Mead’s current ban on medical and recreational marijuana salesand would allowstate-au thorized storestoopen within its bor ders, ending aprohibition enacted by the Town Boar dof Tr ustees several years ago. If vot-
2E:
What opponents say: Marijuana salesaren’t something that are necessar yorwanted in Mead. Therealso areconcernsabout minors using thedrugand people driving whilehigh.
•An outdoor pool and water park; and
What supporters say: The expansion plans fora newRecreation Center and outdoor pool/ water park, recreational amenities in Firestone, additiontothe cur rent SeniorCenter in Frederick, and the ongoing operation of the Recreation Center in Frederick, addresses the needs/desires of
What opponents say: No comments opposingthe measurewere filed by theconstitutional deadline for doing so in or der to be included in avoterinfor mation booklet.
•A second communityrecreation center;
operation of such medical and retail marijuana businesses?”
What opponents say: Mead of ficials repor ttherewas no organized opposition and that the town received no writtencomments against Ballot Issue 2Dby the deadline for submittingsuch comments for publication inthe election’s ballot-question booklet.
$1.4 million annually just to keep Mead’s roads in fair condition. Continuing to operateasis, in 10 years, the roads’ quality rating will decrease to 47, nearly “very poor,” its street network will get worse and become more expensive to fix.
Town of Mead Ballot Issue 2D: Street improvements
ers liftthe ban, the Town Boar d would abide by Colorado laws that regulate and control authorized marijuana businesses within townships andcities.
What it asks: “Shall the Town of Mead taxes be increased not morethan $2,900,000 annually beginning Januar y1,2022 and by such amounts as areraisedannually thereafter by an additional sales and use tax imposed at arate of one percent (1.0%) beginning Januar y1,2022 to pay exclusively for street improvements in the TownofMead and shall thetax revenues collected be retained in a segregated account separate from all other town financial accounts
str uctureimprovements. Mead residents who can purchase cannabis products legally shouldn’t have to drive to businesses in other communities todoso.
Issue Marijuana businesses
What it asks: “Shall the Town of Mead adopt an Or dinance inthe specificfor mset forthinCitizens’ Initiative Petition (2021-CI 1) per mitting the operation of medical and retail marijuana businesses within the boundaries of theTown and replacing Ar ticle VI of Chapter 6ofthe Mead Municipal Code with regulations concer ning the
Carbon Valley Parksand Recreation District Issue6A: Mill levy increase Carbon Valley Ballot 42 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
would be dedicated to help cover the costs of street improvements in Mead and could not be used for any other townexpenses
What it means: Revenues from the proposed1%sales and use tax
Recreation District is proposing a proper ty tax increase togenerate revenues topay theexpenses of constr ucting, operating and maintaining another recreation center, an outdoor pooland water park and an addition to its senior center
What supporters say: The town doesn’t have the budget to keep up with street maintenance needs. Mead cur rently spends approximately$375,000 ayear on street maintenancetocarefor 50 miles of roads. Despite its best ef for ts, Mead’s overall street quali ty rating is 67 out of 100, or “fair.” It needstoinvest an additional
Because this would requirea change to Colorado’s Constitution, the amendmentneeds at least 55% of the vote to pass.
What opponents aresaying
elected across the state, he said, rather than just onegover nor or attor ney general.
Amendment 78 will ask voters whether to requirethe Colorado Legislaturetoapprove spending of all state money, including what’s refer redtoas“custodial money.”
Althoughthe ColoradoSecretar yofState’s Of ficeapproved the measurefor the ballotsthat are expected to be mailed theweekof Oct. 8, apending lawsuit filed Sept. 23 askedadistrict cour ttoeither have thesecretar yofstate’s of fice to revoke the conser vative-backed measurefromthe ballot or make surevotes cast have no legal
The lawsuit alleges that the measureshouldn’t have beenplaced onthe ballot becauseitdoesn’t meetthe constitutional requirement that any question on an of fyear election ballot must involve the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
“It’s impor tant that we receive those funds quickly,and that they not get tied up in, for lack of abetter ter mpar tisan bickering, that they come directly to thecounties asquickly as possible, and Iam concer ned that Amendment 78 doesn’t anticipate thatsituation and can really haveaver ynega tive ef fect on my community should we encounter such events,” Pogue said.
“This isaPandora’s box, and I think once people look at it, they’regoing to have alot of questions about what thisthing does,” he said.
ColoradoBallot Amendment78
It’s alayer of bureaucracy,opponents said, and wouldhaveunintended consequences —liketaking longer to get money for state emergencies or making it har der for Colorado to getgrant awards.
What proponents aresaying Executive Director Michael Fields of the conser vative political advocacyorganization Colorado
Backers wanted lawmakers and the public to havea say on where interest money from settlements to the attor ney general’s of fice goes andmoney from private donations; Fieldspointed to the gover nor’s use of donations to fund positions in hisoffice.
By Saja Hindi
Wasser man alsosaid he’s spoken to alot ofpeoplewho didn’t fully understand that the ballot measurecouldaffect ever ything from research dollars to transit.
The measure, if passed on Nov 2, would alsorequirethe custodial money to be placedina new fund. Lawmakers would likely have to develop anew process on how to spend the moneyand include a public hearing.
Custodial money,which “originates outsidestate gover nment,” the state’s ballot “Blue Book” said, could include funds for emergency relief, federal funding forstate programs, legalsettlements, transpor tation funding, grants andeven gifts anddonations.
Gov.Jared Polis’ of fice declined to comment on the measure, as did the attor ney general’s of fice, the latter citing the pending lawsuit.
Scott Wasser man, president of the progressive BellPolicy Center and Bell Action Network, and Summit CountyCommissioner Tamara Pogue brought the lawsuit. It names Fields, Suzanne Taheri (an attorney who is regis tered with the secretary of state’s of fice forAmendment78) and Secretar yofStateJena Griswold as defendants.
“It gets morepeople involved and morevoiceshear dwhen it comes to allocating that money,” Fields said. It leaves thedecisions in the hands of the lawmakers
ef fect.
said “the case raises impor tant constitutional issues, andwelook for wardtohaving acour tresolve the questions presented by the plaintif fs.”
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 43
The Denver Post
“This kind of flies against the spirit of what we have in our laws,” Wasser man said.
His group had been discussing this initiative even beforethe gover nor needed to allocate federal stimulus money during COVID, when Fields said the amendment “became much morerelevant.”
In astatement, Griswold’soffice
Pogue also opposes Amendment 78 because of its potential impacts on delaying funding for emergencies like wildfires, something Fields argues won’thappen if the legislaturehas aprocessinplace to address these types of situations.
Fields called the lawsuitfrivolous andwithout merit, saying it meets allrequirementsand is coming too close to theelection.
Rising State Action said thegoal is to increase transparency and accountability on howstate money is spentand ensure that the state legislaturedoessothrough its budgeting processes.
Item would make lawmakers OK all state spending
These types of opportunities help children not just academically but withtheir social andemotional skills and creative development, she added.
Smith, who is alsothe boar d president for Colorado Leads,a coalition of cannabis business leaders, said the industr yis already highly taxed.
Proposition119 will ask Colorado’s voters on Nov. 2whether to raisethe state’s recreational marijuana sales taxtobring in about $137 million ayear for out-ofschool educational programs for children ages 5-17 —with apriori ty on kids from low-income households.
The money could be usedfor tutoring, suppor tfor children with special needs and lear ning disabilities, career and technical education training or other types of enrichment programs.
44 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
What opponents aresaying
“This initiativeimposesa regressive tax on people’spain, especially veterans, teachers and the elder ly who need cannabis formedicine but can’t get amedical car d, and while local communities generate this tax, local school boar ds have no say over the education pro-
What proponents aresaying Advocates from the YesonProp 119 Campaign say the measure would lead to equity in education.
Her group opposesmoney being moved from the Colorado Land Boar dT rust that Solanosaid could instead go towar dK-12 public schools.
grams it paysfor,” ChuckSmith, CEO of Bellrock Brands, said in a statement.
The Colorado Education Associ-
But Solano alsowor riesabout the program ser ving as a“quasivoucher program.”Althoughthe financial aid goes directlytostu dents andtheir families and cannot be used for tuition,the money could be used for private programming andeven religious institu tions if the boar dconsiders them eligible providers.
The proposition “gives parents control over the oppor tunitiesthat they seek out for theirkids,” Holton-Fessler said. “… We want to levelthe playing field for kids and give them all access to these kinds of enriching opportunities.”
ColoradoBallot Proposition 119
“If these ballot measures areso beneficial to all Coloradans, why aren’t other industries asked to pay their fairshare of these tax es?” he added.
The measurecallsfor a5 percentage pointincrease by 2024 on the state’s15% salestax forrecreational marijuana by 2024 (starting witha3%rate increasein2022and 4% in 2023). If passed, about $20 million ayear would also go toward the enrichment programs from the Colorado Land Board Tr ust, accordingtoa CommonSense Institute repor t, though that number could fluctuatedepending on state land revenue.
“Webelieve it’s unnecessar yand feel like this is just adiversion of public monies for public education,” Solano said.
CEA President Amie Baca-Oehler tsaid while the group’s board understood how chronic underfunding leads to education equity issues making their way onto the ballot, thereare questions about how the program would get implemented, how the boar ddispersing the money would work and how rural communities thatdon’t have the sameoppor tunities as those in urban areas would be abletoget those resources.
Three issue committees have registered with the Colorado Secretar yofState’s of fice to oppose the campaign, including the Cannabis Communityfor Fairness and Safety
Delanie Holton-Fessler is the coowner of Denver-based Craftsman &Apprentice, which provides crafts workshops and camps during and after school. Shesaid that even though her organizationpro vides sliding-scale tuition and ReSchool Colorado has helped with scholarships to families, there arestill some that str uggle to access their programming.
Anew nine-member state agency —separatefromthe Colorado Depar tment of Education and the State Boar dofEducation —would administer the Lear ning Enrichment andAcademic Progress Program, inwhich each eligible child would receive at least $1,500 in financial aid beginning in 2023.
The measurehas suppor tfrom across the political spectr um and areas of the state, and former Republican Gov.Bill Owens said in astatement that’s because “they understand the futures of so many of our youngpeople—who are our futureemployees, employers, and communityleaders —are on the line.” He also said the measure would help close an oppor tunity gap thatgrewwider during the COVID pandemic.
Higher recreational marijuana tax would fund out-of-school enrichment programs
ation, the state teachers union,initially came out in suppor tofthe measure, but is now neutral.
Judy Solano, aretired teacher and for mer Democratic state representative, is par tofthe No on Prop 119 campaign. She calls the measuredeceptiveand wor ries about alackofoversight for the boar dthat’ll distribute funds.
“Weneed to be prioritizing funding our schools adequately,ensuring thatour public schools have the resources that they need so that no matter wherea childlives, what their zip code is, that they have access to oppor tunities that will helpthem thrive and succeed in our public schools,” shesaid.
By Saja Hindi The Denver Post
Here’s how Republican state Sen. Bob Rankin put it in an inter
measurewould cut the residential proper ty taxassessment rate from 7.15% to 6.5% andthe non-residential proper ty tax assessment rate from 29% to 26.4%
What is Proposition 120?
By Alex Bur ness The Denver Post
Whyoppose Proposition 120?
A propertytax cutthat isn’t whatitseems
He argued the legislaturehad an ethical duty tointer vene
“It’s going to be abattle of which one wins out,”Fields said. “One hundred percent, we’regoing to sue if it passes.”
Acoalition of Colorado lawmakers —mostly Democrats but with several GOPsupporters —saw this billion-dollartax cut coming and wantedtostopit. So,inthe closing hoursofthis year’slegisla tive session, they took the unusual step of passing abill to thwart Proposition 120.
For one, it wasn’t entirely neutered by lawmakers: Under the updated state law,itstill provides a tax cut for multifamily residential proper ties and commercial lodging proper ties.
It’s also possible that the measurecouldbeenacted in its origi nal intent. Michael Fields, the director of Colorado Rising State Action, vowedthat if voterspass it, he will sue under the argument that of the competingpolicies SB21-293 and Proposition120 the one most recently approved should be implemented.
Pretty straightforwar d, right? Not in the case of Proposition 120 on the Nov.2ballot.
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 45
Cr ucially,italso rewrites state proper ty-tax laws to break business andresidentialassessment categories into smallersubcategories. On June 23, the day Gov.Jar ed Polis signed the bill into law,
Proposition 120 is in thesame vein, seeking to lower proper ty tax rates on homes and businesses for an average annual $1 billion combined savings for taxpayers. The
Whysupport Proposition 120?
ColoradoBallot Proposition 120
For merly known as Initiative 27, the ballot measureisbacked by the conser vative nonprofit Colorado Rising State Action, which has successfully fought for several recent policies to limit government spending in thestate, like capping new gover nment fees and cutting the state income tax.
Lawmakers opposed this proposal because cutting proper ty taxes per manently and at such ahigh rate wouldhave profound impacts on local gover nment operations from schools to parks to police depar tments. That’s the likely basis foroppositioncampaigns this fall, too.
SB21-293 makes atwo-year cut that will bring total proper ty tax collections down by about $200 million ayear, and allows some proper ty taxpayers to defer por tions of theirpayments.
Here’swhere things get tricky
the ballot measureapplied to outdated state law. Andthatwas the point: The bill lawmakers passed ef fectivelynullified close to 90%of the savings promised by the ballot measure.
Here’s how this usually goes: Once aproposed measurequalifies forthe ballots,campaigns have afew months to state their cases andvotersdecide. If the measureisapproved, the state prepares to enact any resulting law changes
view with ThePost earlier this year: “Do we really want to cut the budget for firedistricts? Imean, really.That’s what will happen.”
By the time SB21-293 got going, it was too late for Colorado Rising State Actiontoupdate its measure by adjusting language. Getting approval to circulate petitions can take months —collectingsignatures can then also take months and they’d have had to star tall over.
Yes No
Yes No Ballot Issue 2M —Council payment schedule
Louisville ballot issues
Longmont City Council
Boulder Valley School Board DistrictF (Vote for One) Kitty Sargent
Ballot Question 302 Let the Voters Decide on Annexation of CU South Yes No
(Vote for no more than five)
Louisville City Council Ward 1 (Vote for One)
Yes No
46 •OCTOBER10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
Lafayette ballot issues
Weld County
Brian Wong
Dacono City Council (Vote for no more than two) Jackie Thomas Jim Turini John Wargo
Marcia Mar tin
St. Vrain Valley School BoardDistrict F (Vote for One) Natalie Abshier Sarah Hurianek
Amendment 78 Legislative state spendingapproval
Proposition 119 —Recreational marijuana tax increase to fund outof-school enrichment programs
Lafayette City Council Candidates (Vote for up to four)
Yes No
Boulder Valley School Board DistrictE (Vote for One) Beth Niznik Deann E. Bucher Kara Awaitha Frost
Longmont Mayor (Vote for one)
Dacono Mayor (Vote for One) Kathr yn Wittman AdamMorehead
Ballot Issue 2A —T ransportation improvement tax Yes No Lyons ballot issues
Ballot Issue 2B —Public safety funding Yes No Ballot Issue 2C —Mental health and human ser vicesfunding Yes No Ballot Question 2D —Gender neutral char ter language Yes No Ballot Question2E —Remove archaic language from char ter Yes No Ballot Question 2F —Council residency qualifications Yes No
Colorado ballot measures
Member Ward 2 (Vote for One)
Boulder City Council Candidates
Yes No Ballot Question 300 —Bedrooms arefor People Yes No Ballot Question 301 —Humane Clothing Act Yes No
Boulder Valley School Board DistrictB (Vote for One) Nicole Rajpal William Hamilton Gala W. Orba Sky VanHor n(write-in)
Keith Keller Chris Leh Louisville City Council Ward 2 (Vote for One) Maxine Most
Longmont City Council Member At-Large (Vote for Two)
2021 Election Ballot Overview
Boulder ballot issues
Joan Peck Gregor yHar ris TimWaters
Ballot Question2G —Solargeneration and storage facility Yes No Superiorballot issues
Louisville City Council Ward 3 (Vote for One)
Ballot Issue 2H —T ranspor tation improvement tax Yes No Mead ballot issues
Ballot Issue 2D —Street improvement tax increase Yes No
Ballot Issue 2E —Recreational marijuana sales Yes No
MichaelChristy Mark Wallach Lauren Folkerts Matt Benjamin David Takahashi Tara Winer Nicole Speer Dan Williams Steve Rosenblum Jacques Decalo
Ballot Issue6A —Milllevy increase Yes No
Tonya Briggs Brandon Stites
Kyle Brown
Boulder County
St. Vrain Valley School BoardDistrict B (Vote for One) Karen Ragland
Yes No Proposition 120 —Propertytax assessment rate cut Yes No
Ballot Issue 2I —Community, cultureand safety taxextension
Ballot Issue2J —Issuance of bonds to be paid by tax extension requested in Issue 2I
Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation Districtballot issues
Ballot Issue 2K —Council committee appointments Yes No Ballot Issue2L —Petition signatureclarification
St. Vrain Valley School BoardDistrict D (Vote for One) Tyler Gearhar t Meosha Brooks
Nicole Samson Enihs Medrano
Tallis Salamatian Diane Crist Sean P. McCoy Aren Rodriguez Shiquita Yarbrough Jeremy Dejuan Johnson
•Ensure2,300+ South Boulder residents get urgently needed protection during the climateemergency we are facing.
Learnm oreatProtectOurN eigh bors.org Don'tleave Boulder underwater. Floodprotect ionNOW. PROT E C T * O U R *ROBHGIEN S * Suzy Ageton, Judy Amabile,Matt Applebaum, KC Becker,Aaron Brockett, Jan Burton, Macon Cowles, Leslie Durgin, Angelique Espinoza, Steve Fenberg,Rachel Friend, Elise Jones, Suzanne Jones, Junie Joseph, George Karakehian, Lisa Sweeney-Miran, Andrew Shoemaker,Linda Shoemaker, Adam Swetlik, Will Toor,Jim Topping, Mark Wallach, Sam Weaver,Bob Yates, Mary Young
VOT EN OO NB ALL OT QUES TION 3 0 2N OV EM BER 2ND TO :
Question 302 puts years of work on protection, open space and affordable housing at risk.
END OR SE ME NTS
flood
flood
•Permanentlyprotect 119 acres of land at CU South as city open space.
•Support building 5acres of permanently affordable housing.
Vote NO on 302
VOTER GUIDE •OCTOBER 10,2021 • 47
Boulder Citycouncil Election2021 TheBoulder Coalitionisapartnership of community groups,each dedicated to making our city more inclusive, safe,livable and welcomingfor all people.We’ve cometogether to endorse city council candidates that will upholdour values and willwork toward our sharedvision of: u Expanding housing opportunities u Accelerated climateaction &resiliency u Protecting natural resources &access to Open Space u Improvedpublic safety &transportation infrastructure u Inclusivepolicies that promotesocial justice u Bettergovernance and fiscal responsibility VOTE FOR AN INCLUSIVE BOULDER To learn moreabout whywecame together forthese candidates. UNITED CAMPUS WORKERS COALITION MEMBERS Matt benjamin Nicole speer Lauren Folkerts Dan Williams COUNCIL CANDIDATES JOIN US IN ELECTING uVISIT BOULDERCOALITION.ORG Paid for by The Coalition. Not affiliated with anycandidateorcandidatecommittee. 48 •OCTOBER 10, 2021 •VOTERGUIDE
