Sunday, October 15, 2023 » BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES-CALL
2023
VOTER GUIDE BECAUSE LEADERSHIP MATTERS
Elect Bob Yates as Boulder Mayor
Go to page 3 and the back page of this Voter Guide to see a list of 1,000 people who are supporting Bob’s election as Boulder’s mayor and what they have to say about it. PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY BOB YATES FOR MAYOR.
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 3
What do over 1,000 people in Boulder agree on? More than 1,000 people listed below are asking you to elect Bob Yates as Boulder’s mayor. Find out why they support Bob by taking a look at the back page of this Election Guide, or by going to BobYatesBoulder.com. SUPPORTERS AS OF OCTOBER 2, 2023. ASTERISK INDICATES CURRENT OR FORMER ELECTED OFFICIAL.
Neshema Abraham Erik Abrahamson Mary Lou Acimovic Mike Acimovic Kathleen Adair Jason Adams Cindy Agnes Gerry Agnes Ellen Aiken Daniel Aizenman Cathy Allen Ashley Alsup Andy Anderson Annette Anderson* Ardele Anderson Joel Anderson Siga Andrew Karl Anuta Dennis Arfmann Constance Argenio Kara Arnold Mike Arnold Lynn Arts Pete Arts Jean Aschenbrenner Kathleen Ashworth Ben Atkins Robin Avery Lalenia Quinlan Aweida Peter Aweida David Bacharach Andrea Baer Tom Bagli Hal Bailey Schuyler Bailey Susan Balint Erin Banis Jon Banis Jennifer Banyan Ines Barlerin Peter Barlerin Lou Barnes Bob Baskerville Dede Baskerville Adam Bather Lindsay Bather George Baxter Janet Beardsley Bob Beauprez* Dennis Beck Tracey Beck David Becker Robin Beeck Henry Beer Saeid Behroozi Wayne Belding Chuck Bellock Michael Belochi Cheri Belz Bill Bender
Thomas Bender Sonia Bendt Douglas Bendt Shelly Benford* Nicole Benjamin John Berberis Shirley Berg Val Berg Don Bergal Kristina Dahlberg Bergal Mark Berge Cathy Berman Marina Bernstein Ande Bernthal Brad Bernthal Andrea Berry Dennis Berry Libby Berry Renée Beshures Kreighton Bieger Peter Bihari Matt Bissonette Howard Bittman Nancy Blackwood Jeffrey Blattner Tom Blumenthal Robin Bohannan* Jorge Boone Hank Bonder Cliff Bosley Steve Bosley* Kim Boston Mark Botvinick Llyod Botway Joe Brack Alexander Bracken Chris Brauchli Margot Brauchli Peter Braun Connie Brenton Terri Brncic John Brockett Betsy Broder Michael Broder Andria Bronsten Ron Broome Darryl Brown Emily Brown Mark Brown Robert Brown Hal Bruff Sherry Bruff Michael Bruns Katie Burgin William Burris Jan Burton* Katherine Bush Caroline Bushnell Jim Butterworth Julio Cabrera
Jimmy Calano Carol Callan Dave Callan James Callanan Jancy Campbell Mirinda Carfrae Tim Carlin Cindy Carlisle* Dave Carlson Margaret Carson Mark Carson Dan Caruso Cindy Caruso Chris Centeno David Chamberlin Amy Chan Yuchen Chan Leslie Chandler Tom Chesney Michael Christy Amanda Cipullo Murphy Andrea Clark Joanie Clark Caren Cohen Dan Cohen Ed Cohen Paul Cohen Sara Cohen Carol Coke Rogers Coke Duncan Coker Heather Collaton Rick Collins James Colt Marella Colyvas Susan Connelly Daniel Conroy, Sr Marilyn Conroy Casey Cook John Cordsen Lise Cordsen Priscilla Corielle David Corman Cindy Cornelius Dan Corson* Bart Costello Don Cote Gerard Cote Marcey Cote Grant Couch Ford Craig Bob Crifasi John Criscuolo Tom Cross Cindy Cruz Ellen Cunningham Paul Cure David Curtis David Dadone Bonnie Dahl
Elainie Dannemiller Joan Dardis Michael Dardis David Davalos Alice Davidoff Linda Davidson Jeff Dawson Phil Day Pamela Dennis Bill DeOreo Tricia Dessel Mark Detsky Howard Diamond Sola DiDomenico Elsbeth Pryer Diehl Greg Diener Sandy Dietrich Dean Dinair Josh Dinar Jessica Dion Lisa Dixon Chris Donnally Prentiss Donohue Gail Donovan Roz Dorf Julie Dorfman Todd Dorfman Richarde Dossett Stanton Dossett Paula Doyle Bob Drake Deyln Drake Brian Draves David Driscoll Carole Driver John Driver Johnny Drozdek Chris Drummond Stephanie Drummond Catharina Duggan Chris Duggan Phil Dumontet Steve Dundorf Sandy Dunlap Leslie Durgin* Mike Dwyer Leslie Eaton Woody Eaton Todd Ebert Heidi Eckert Paul Ecklund Janet Eden-Harris John Ellis Mary Cooper Ellis Pasta Jay Elowsky Trish Emser* Melissa Englund Mike Englund John Erickson Rett Ertl Ann Erwin Michelle Estrella Lloyd Evans Barbara Fahey Matt Fargo Melanie Fargo Sandra Farkas Linda Feather Barbara Feifer Roy Feifer Allyn Feinberg* Brad Feld Eli Feldman Emily Ferrell Josh Fiester
Craig Fisher Jeffrey Flynn Graeme Forbes Robin Foreman Lezlie Forster Annie Fox Deborah Foy Andy Franklin Jean Friedberg Penny Friedberg Joe Friedman Joshua Friedman David Friend Will Frischkorn Deanne Fujii Dave Fulker Felicia Furman Brad Gabbard Steve Gaede Marjorie Galef Michelle Gallop Stan Garnett* Nolan Garon Matt Geraghty Pat Geraghty Alex Gerber Tierney Gerber Sam German John Gerstle Amy Gestal Christie Gestal Liza Getches Nancy Geyer Lynda Gibbons Ben Gilbert Dean Gilbert Miriam Gilbert Carmel Gill Terry Gill Cyndi Gittes Paula Glinkman Christina Godabout Teri Golden Stacey Goldfarb Richard Goldman Allen Goldstone Lucas Gonzalez Pedro Gonzalez Wendy Gordon Karen Goubleman Susan Graf Matt Grandsaert King Grant Carla Graubard Crystal Gray* Molly Greacen Noah Greenberg Donovan Greene Doug Greene Bob Greenlee* Diane Greenlee James Greer Ralph Gregory John Gress Rich Gribbon Robin Gribbon Rebecca Groenendaal Brent Grohman Deb Grojean Ken Gross Dan Guesman John Gustavson Kim Guthke Eldon Haakinson Linda Haertling
Jonathan Hager Ted Haider Steven Hamilton Kathleen Hancock Betsy Hand Albert Hand Penny Hannegan David Hannegan Greg Hansen Doug Hanson Kathi Harburg Rudy Harburg Joe Harding David Hardwick Brian Harms James Harrington Katherine Harris Brooke Harrison Joshua Harrison Michael Hart Tom Hast Laurie Hathorn Katharine Hauge Kyle Heckman Michael Hedgpath Paul Heffron Arlene Heinz Peter Heinz Jim Helgoth Jill Henry-Feeney Norris Hermsmeyer Elana Hernandez Patty Herrington Roddy Hibbard Mike Hilliker Barbara Hill James Hill Jim Hill John Hill Pamela Hill Blake Hillenbrand Dana Livingston Hills Harvey Hine Kent Hogan Lisa Hogan Barry Holeve Karen Hollweg Julianne Holmes Nick Holmes Vicky Homan Edie Hooton* Jim Hooton Suzanne Hoover Bob Horowitz Ken Hostelley Jim Hostetler Douglas Houston Kaye Howe Bill Howland Chuck Hunker Bob Hunnes Paul Hunnicut Jess Hunt Rick Hunter Nicole Hurdle Cynthia Husek Joe Husek Cynthia Hutchinson Patrick Hyde Leeann Hyland Paul Hyland Jim Illg William Ingalls Tom Isaacson Arnie Jablonski
Liz Jacques Paige Jacques Dana James Don James Greg Jeeley Angie Jeffords Bill Jellick Donna Jobert Dan Johnson Jennifer P. Johnson Jennifer S. Johnson Jim Johnson Kirk Johnson Parker Johnson Scott Johnson Tom Johnston Craig Jones Lynne Jones Mike Jones Norman Jones Pamela Jones Millicent Kang Alex Kapeton Jay Kaplan Michael Kaplan Kristin Karakehian George Karakehian* Alex Karami Jeffrey Kash Jennifer Kashnow Inna Kassatkina Nina Kassin Fran Katnik Kent Katnik Seana Katz Desiree Kazarosian Bob Keatley Terry Keatley Rich Keck Marybeth Keigher Thomas Kellenberger John Kelly Pete Kelley Art Kelton Elaine Kelton John Kenyon Maud Huey Kenyon Geoffrey Keys Alexandr Khizver Brett Kingstone David Kinney David Kircos Annette Kissinger Bobbie Klein Nathaniel Klemp Brad Klingenberg Mark Kliss Bruce Knight Jim Koczela Gerhard Albert Koepf Mike Koertje Melissa Koester Marcia Kohne Midge Korczak Nancy Kornblum Diana Korte Gene Korte Michael Kosar Jon Kottke Lenna Kottke Eric Kramer Stacey Kramer Deborah Kratovil Michelle Krezek Miles Kunkel
Stephanie Kurland Rex Laceby Dana Ladzinski Susan Lambert Kathleen Landrum Caroline Landry Frank Langan Lynne Langmaid Peter Lapidus Amy Larson Andrew Larson Connor Larson Kyle Larson Richard Larson Sue Larson Tyler Larson Cate Lawrence Stephen Lawrence Margaret Lazar Bill LeBlanc Steve LeBlang Tim Leddy Asher Lefkoff Cindy Lefkoff Kyle Lefkoff Nick Lenssen Beth Lesniak Jill Lester Seth Levine Zori Levine Naomi Lewis Joe Lhotka Amy Licata Lon Licata John Lichter Cheryl Liguori Jim Linfield Jeff Lipton* Nate Litsey Elaine Little Elise Longbottom Rich Lopez* Valerie Love John Lovett Andrew Lowell Robin Lowry Nancy Lucero Robin Luff Mark Lupa Patricia Lydic Steve Lynton John Mack Stefan Magnusson Charlie Magovern Sean Maher Scott Malan Karen Maley Jeff Malin Lydia Malin Eric Malmberg Bruce Manchon Laura Mancini Chan Saul Manley Andy Manz Veronique Markman Tina Marquis* Mike Marsh Janet Martin Jim Martin* Tricia Martines Dave Martus Karen Marx Lori Mason Margaret Massey Leonard May
Peter Mayer Lyra Mayfield Tracy Mayo Samantha McBride Jennifer McCaleb John McCarthy Steffanie McCarthy Marsha McClanahan Brook McConnell Matt McConnell Carroll McCorkle Angela McCormick Cari McCready Margie McCulloch Roy McCutchen Annemarie McDonald Ian McDonald Thomas McDonald Kara McDowell Mike McDowell Amy McFadzean Idie McGinty Tim McGinty Tim McKeon Buton McKenzie Maureen McKenzie Daniel McKinnon Victoria McKinnon Myrle McNeal Susan McVicker E.J. Meade Dave Megerle Michelle Megerle John Mehaffy Michael Mehiel Richard Meisinger Jr Fred Melo Ty Melton Jason Mendelson Jenn Mendelson Andrea Meneghel Beth Merckel Ulla Merz Mark Meyer Hope Michelson Heather Middleton Matthew Mihalcin Nikki Mihalcin Daniel Miller Naomi Miller Ed Mills Andy Minden Connie Minden Tiffany Mitchum Jeff Mitton Sara Mitton Craig Moelis Lou Moeller Richard Monje Bradley Monton Mike Mooney Samantha Mooney Bill Mooz Steve Morgan Marguerite Moritz Scott Morlando Lisa Morzel* Matt Moseley Linda Mounce Keith Mullins Ellen Munguia James Murphy Kelly Murphy Mike Murphy Seth Murphy
Max Murray Mike Murray Jake Mutz Bob Myers Francine Myers Kate Myers Gary Myre* Vinay Nair Jim Nance Kristi Neff Kay Negash Rich Nehls Sharon Nehls Carl Nelson Heather Neyer Andrew Niemeyer Ralph Noistering Richard Norwood Max Nuttelman Kent Nuzum Susan Nuzum Pat O’Brien Timothy O’Donnell Shannon O’Dunn Daniel O’Hair Kevin O’Hara Samantha O’Hara Patrick O’Rourke Delma Oberbeck Donna Oleston Jill Oliver Cody Oreck Laura Osborn Susan Osborne* Lynn Osterkamp Anastasia Oulianova Bob Owens Chris Ozeroff Preston Padden Bo Parfet Meredith Parfet Morrison Parfet Ann Parker Bob Parker Sunit Patel Tina Patel Bill Patterson Alex Paul Cary Paul Shane Pearson Sylvia Pelcz-Larsen Bobby Pelz Jr William Pennino Kathryn Penzkover Ginger Amelia Perry Nena Peszka Anne Peters Theresa Peterson Caren Philips Francea Phillips Tom Phillips Ron Pickarski Anthony Pigliacampo Martha Piper Ryann Pitcavage Bev Pogreba Maxine Pogreba Richard Polk* Steve Pomerance* Meg Porfido Brian Posen Jeanine Pow Debby Preble Larry Preble Rob Prentice
Elizabeth Prentiss Roa Paul Prentiss Allan Press Bob Presson Jim Pribyl Brian Primeau Gail Promboin Brenda Puccio Jake Puzio Linda Quigley Perry Quinn Paul Raab David Raduziner Diana Raduziner Deena Raffe Jessica Ramer Ranelle Randles Peter Raubenheimer Tom Rebman Lisa Reeves Judy Reid Mary Reilly-McNellan Carolyn Reuss Bill Reynolds Emily Reynolds Jane Reynolds John Reynolds Jennifer Rhodes Robert Rhodes Sonya Rhodes David Rich John Richardson Gordon Riggle* Marietta Riggle Mark Riley Cate Robbie Jenny Robins Marc Rochkind Scott Rodwin Rebecca Roemer Alan Rogers Linda Rogers Richard Rohr Nolan Rosall Greg Rose Steve Rosenblum Brian Rosenfeld Marci Rosenthal Joelle Rossback Dahl Shari Roth Melissa Roza Daphna Rubin Alan Rudy Bruce Rudy Stephanie Rudy Rich Russell Gillian Isaacs Russell Jennifer Rutherford Eileen Ryan John Ryan Mike Ryan Jeffery Salzman Bob Sancetta Karen Sandburg Chuck Sanders Ron Sandgrund Bonifacio Sandoval Peggy Sands Paul Saporito Christopher Sarson Jim Scatena Scott Schaefer Chany Scheiner Rabbi Pesach Scheiner
Gina Schlatter Tom Schlatter Amy Schlottha Jon Schneider John Scholz Kathy Scholz Daniel Schreibier George Schusler Aileen Schwab Rob Schware Ann Schwarting Andrew Schwartz David Schwartz Catherine Schweiger Jann Scott Kathleen Sears Ron Secrist Leonard Segel Jim Sembroski Irene Shaffer Pat Shanks Mark Shapiro Judy Sheeks Marshall Sheldon Greg Sherwin David Shikles Janet Shikles Gail Shimmin Mike Shimmin Andrew Shoemaker* Mike Short Louise Shorter Paula Shuler William Shutkin Lee Silbert Richard Sills Beverley Silva Sarah Silver Matthew Silverman Sina Simantob Sharon Simmons Karen Simmons Chuck Sisk* Jodi Sklawer Archibald Smith David W Smith Elliott Smith Susan Smith TK Smith Todd Smith Tony Smith William Smith Charlotte Snyder Leland Snyder Sandra Snyder Sheila Solis Kerri Somers Adrian Sopher Bud Sorenson Charlotte Sorenson Mara Soutiere Lisa Spalding Raymond Spalla Douglas Sparks Linda Sparn Stephen Sparn Aaron Spear Brian Spear Kathy Spear Peter Spear Rich Spilde David Spiro John Spitzer Miriam Sproul Andre Sredojevic
To learn more about Bob, visit www.bobyatesboulder.com PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY BOB YATES FOR MAYOR.
Francine Startup Charlie Stein Anne Steiner Dwight Steiner Sven Steinmo Janice Stenbuck Leith Stevens Mark Stevenson Sky Stevenson Jack Stoakes* William Stoehr Suzanne Stoller Walt Stone Jackie Stonebraker Linda Stonerock Valerie Stoyva Kathryn Strand Mary Street Lynn Streeter Frederic Strife Bobby Stucky Jennifer Sullivan Cheryl Sussman Heidi Swain Cathy Swanson Jon Swanson Jason Sweeney Ingrid Swords Mary Sznewajs Amanda Tanner C. Joshua Taxman Ellen Taxman Mark Tayne Stephen Tebo Tatiana Tebo Greg Temple Carolyn Terman James Terman Lindsey Terry Xanthe Thomassen Jack Thompson Jeannie Thompson Sally Thorner Tom Thorpe Fred Thrall Marion Thurnauer John Tilton Don Tocher Robert Tolmach Mary Ann Tomasko Perry Drew Torbin Nico Toutenhoofd Alexa Townsend Andrew Trees Stephanie Trees Alexander Trifunac Michelle Trudgeon Maria M. Trysla Steve Tuber Charlie Tucker Richard Tucker Hillary Tulloch Raviv Turner Carolyn Usher Catherine Valentine Jud Valeski Karen Van Dusen Peter van Zante Larry Varner Jill Vidas Hernan Villanueva Mark Villarreal Kirk Vincent John Volkmar
Bob Walker Jack Walker James Walker Scott Walker Sophie Walker Stuart Walker Steven Wallace Mark Wallach* Julie Walls Wei Wang Mark Ward Star Waring Bob Waters Peter Waters George Watt Peter Wayne Lauren Weaver Sam Weaver* Debbie Weigold Brandon Welch Mary Welch Bob Wells Michele Wells Brus Westby Jean Westby Leslie Westfall Michael Whelan Jen Whitaker Mike Whitaker Kerry White Dale Whyte Robyn Wicks David Wier Diane Wild Robert Wilkenson Bill Williams Floyd Williams Jim Williams Ron Williams DB Wilson Ken Wilson* Stephanie Wilson Jyoti Wind Robert Winer Tara Winer* Gretchen Winston Lily Winter Phyllis Wise Ed Wittman Gary Wockner David Wolf Tim Wolf Ben Wolin Nicky Wolman Carl Worthington Vikki Wulf Mike Wussow David Wyatt Kelly Wyatt John Wyatt Jana Wynett Jim Yanus Katy Yates (wife) Valerie Yates (no relation)
Kate Young Kent Young Mary Dolores Young* John Youngblut Belgin Yucelen Pam Yugar Joe Zamadics Miguel Zavala Joan Zimmerman Harmon Zuckerman
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| 2023VOTERGUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
ELECTION
How and where to vote in Boulder and Weld counties Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. You must return your mail ballot or be in line at a Voter Service Center by 7 p.m. that day in order for your vote to count. Ballots will be mailed to eligible, registered voters beginning Oct. 16. While voters can register right up to and even on Election Day, the last day to register or change your registration and still receive a ballot in the mail is Oct. 30. If you register or change your registration after that date, you must vote in person. Track your mail ballot by signing up for Ballot Track at boulder. ballottrax.net/voter. For more election information, visit: MATTHEW JONAS—FILE PHOTO • Boulder County — boulderVote signs are seen outside the Voter Services and Polling Center at the county.org/elections. • Weld County — https://tinyurl. Boulder County St. Vrain Community Hub in Longmont on Feb. 24, 2020. com/weld-elections
Erie
Louisville
p.m. Nov. 7, Election Day
Boulder
• Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, 1750 33rd St. • University of Colorado, University Memorial Center, 1669 Euclid Ave. (limited parking)
Lafayette
• Southeast County Community Hub, 1755 S. Public Road
Longmont
• St. Vrain Community Hub/ Boulder County Clerk & Recorder, 515 Coffman St.
WELD COUNTY 24-hour ballot drop-off boxes Oct. 16 through 7 p.m. Nov. 7, Election Day
Del Camino
• Southwest Weld County Ser• Meadowlark School, staff bus • Louisville Recreation Center, vices Complex, 4209 Weld County 24-hour ballot drop-off boxes parking lot, 2300 Meadow Sweet 900 W. Via Appia Way Road 24½ Oct. 16 through Lane Lyons 7 p.m. Nov. 7, Election Day • Lyons Town Hall, 432 Fifth Erie Lafayette Ave. • Erie Community Center, 450 Boulder • Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Powers St. Nederland • Boulder County Clerk & Re- Baseline Road corder’s Office, 1750 33rd St. • Southeast County Community • Nederland Community Center, Frederick • Boulder County Courthouse, Hub, 1755 S. Public Road 750 N. Highway 72 • Carbon Valley Recreation CenEast Wing Entrance, 2025 14th St. ter, 701 Fifth St. Superior • Boulder County Housing and Longmont Human Services, 3400 Broadway • Boulder County Clerk & Re• Superior Town Hall, 124 E. VOTER SERVICE AND • University of Colorado, Univer- corder/St. Vrain Community Hub Coal Creek Drive POLLING CENTERS sity Memorial Center, 1669 Euclid (corner of Sixth Avenue and CoffVOTE CENTERS Ave., closest to Euclid Avenue en- man Street) Services include ballot-droptrance of building. • Boulder County Fairgrounds, Services include ballot drop-off, off, voter registration, in-person • University of Colorado, Wil- 9595 Nelson Road (on Fairground in-person voting, requesting a re- voting, requesting mail-ballot reliams Village Center, 500 30th St. Lane near the south parking lot) placement or Spanish-language placements. • Emergency Family Assistance • Front Range Community Col- ballot, voter registration or upHours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30Association, 1575 Yarmouth Ave., lege, 2121 Miller Drive, Classroom date registration information, vot- Nov. 6, 8 a.m.-noon Nov. 4; 7 a.m. to 16th Street entrance 1 Building (C1 door on Pike Road) ing using equipment and facilities 7 p.m. Nov. 7, Election Day • South Boulder Recreation Cen• Garden Acres Park (18th Ave- for people with disabilities, and Del Camino ter, 1360 Gillaspie Drive nue between Sunset and Juniper curing a ballot. • Avery Brewing, 4910 Nautilus streets) Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 30• Southwest Weld County SerCourt North • YMCA, 950 Lashley St. Nov. 3; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 4; 8 vices Complex, 4209 Weld County a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 6; 7 a.m. to 7 Road 24½
BOULDER COUNTY
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 5
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett
business parks to redevelop into vibrant, mixed-use Website: brockett4mayor. neighborhoods with new org opportunities for housing Age: 50 of different types and price Family: Wife Cherry; two points as well as commerkids Brook, aged 20, and cial space. To ensure that Ven, aged 17 some of the commercial space is affordable, the city How long have you lived in Brockett is creating an affordable Boulder?: 20 years commercial program for local small Professional background: Software developer and small business businesses. How will you approach working owner Political/community experience: with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe Neighborhood activist; Planning Board 2011-2015 (2 years as chair); is most needed in order to get more people housed?: We desCity Council 2015-2023 (1 year as perately need more mental health Mayor Pro-Tem, 2 years as Mayor) and substance abuse recovery Education: Swarthmore College, resources. We need to work with B.A. Music. Currently studying the state and county to bring new Spanish. treatment options online as well What issues do you think as new transitional and permanent Boulder most urgently needs to supportive housing. Tiny homes are address over the next five to 10 a quick, affordable way of getting years?: The top two are housing people housed. There’s a new and homelessness — I’ll address state program created by Propothose in the next questions. Ansition 123 last year that provides other critical one is resilience in the millions of dollars of funding we face of climate change and climate can use to support these efforts. disasters. Our community needs At the same time, we need to be to be prepared for more and worse clear that camping in our parks and fires and floods. Fortunately, our open spaces isn’t allowed. With voters approved new tax resources new solutions, we can route people last year for wildfire prevention camping in public spaces to other (thank you!) that the city will be options. using to thin forests on open space Think of a city program or serand make houses and properties vice in Boulder that has had a in town more defensible and fire noticeable impact (positive or resistant. negative) on people’s lives. What What types of policies do you is it and why do you think it’s support that could help make been so impactful?: I’ll call out Boulder more affordable for our Affordable Housing Program. residents and businesses?: There are over 4,000 permanently One thing that increases costs for affordable residences in the city, both residents and businesses is which means many thousands of the time and expense of getting individuals and families have a safe, permits from the city. We need to affordable place to live in town that bring response times down and they wouldn’t have otherwise. I see look at reducing costs for projects this in my own neighborhood — my that we desire, such as 100% block is 40% affordable and I love affordable housing. We should the diversity of incomes and backencourage our aging strip malls and grounds that makes possible.
Dr. Nicole Speer
assistance and guaranteed income programs; Website: www.nicoleforgrants to small businesses, boulder.com especially those whose Age: 46 owners have historically Family: Husband (Jeremy, had less access to capital married 18 years), two kids (such as minority-owned (ages 11 and 14), two dogs businesses); more funds for affordable housing (such How long have you lived in Speer as inclusionary housing Boulder?: 16 years Professional background: Dining fees for additions to single family homes); and ongoing efforts and retail, research assistant, scientist, operations director at CU to make commercial space more affordable. Boulder’s brain imaging research How will you approach working facility since 2012 Political/community experience: with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe Emerge Colorado (2021 Graduis most needed in order to get ate), First Congregational Church more people housed?: Housing (member), NAACP Boulder County gets people housed; supportive (member), Feet Forward (volunservices keep people housed. The teer), Bixby School (Former Trustee), Creekside Elementary (Former day services center is delayed but will provide needed connections PTA member) to services. Mental health first Education: B.A. Scripps College; M.A., Ph.D. Washington University responders will help with mental health and addiction crises. Three What issues do you think new, sober supportive housing Boulder most urgently needs to programs will help people strugaddress over the next five to ten gling with addiction. The county’s years?: 1. Housing and affordability affordable housing tax on the 2023 (living wages for workers; social ballot will fund more permanent housing; county, state and federsupportive housing. Addressing al support for free childcare and the root cause of homelessness healthcare-for-all). (an inability to pay for housing) 2. Mental health and addiction and providing support for famitreatment, especially for youth lies and individuals experiencing (support Boulder Valley School poverty, domestic violence, bias District and County efforts, enand economic hardship will prevent hance behavioral health workforce increases in homelessness. development). Think of a city program or 3. Mitigating the impacts of a service in Boulder that has had hotter, drier climate (regenerative a noticeable impact (positive agriculture, an abundant tree can- or negative) on people’s lives. opy, absorbent landscapes without What is it and why do you think irrigation, restoring and maintaining it’s been so impactful?: Ennatural ecosystems). campments are growing despite 4. Planning for an older population spending more money every year on the encampment removal program and fewer young workers (input in place 2.5 years ago, which is creased support for immigrants, not an evidence-based approach to universally accessible transportareducing homelessness or crime. tion and workplaces). Evidence-based homelessness 5. Financial stability (balancing reduction strategies are helping our revenue streams to reduce our cities like Houston decrease homedependence on sales taxes). lessness by over 60%. Investing What types of policies do you significant money and resources support that could help make into programs that do not solve Boulder more affordable for homelessness has a significant residents and businesses?: For individuals, housing, child care and negative impact on all our lives. For positive impacts, we should health care have increased the most in recent years. For business- invest our limited resources in evidence-based, data-driven solutions es, rent (property tax), inflation that end homelessness, such as and interest rates are increasing. Policies that can help include: min- Built-for-Zero. imum wage increases; emergency
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 7
I'm Waylon Lewis, and I’m running to serve you as your next City Council member here in our wonderful, yet troubled Boulder. As the only prominent candidate independent of factions, I will help our Boulder through conflict culture and toward actual solutions through coalition-building and public support. Born in raised in Boulder by a hardworking, caring single mom, my deep community connections and successful local business background will help me to address our crucial concerns: safety and homelessness, climate crisis, and (lack of) affordability. My approach is one of listening to stakeholders and experts over my own opinions, followed by bold leadership to help make Boulder the community we all want it to be. ~ Waylon
“By far the best candidate.” ~ waylon’s mom. Endorsements listed at waylonlewis.com: BETTER BOULDER, SIERRA CLUB, Senate President Steve Fenberg, 5 Boulder Mayors incl. Aaron Brockett, honorable mention: Bob Yates, most candidates & council members from all sides, Dorothy Rupert, Rep. Junie Joseph, Jill Grano, restaurant owners, climbers, cyclists, regenerative Farmers, Naropa President Chuck Lief, local eco entrepreneurs, artists, Families incl. Jenny & Scott Jurek, Crystal Gray, Nancy Kornblum, Moms Demand Action, Bedrooms are for People. I’ve served non-profit boards incl. New Era Colorado, Nude Foods, New Local, the Co-op.
WAYLON LEWIS FOR BOULDER CITY COUNCIL vote BY MAIL EARLY OR NOVEMBER 7TH KNOW YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE: get OUR VOTER GUIDE AT WAYLONLEWIS.COM/VOTE PAID FOR BY WAYLON LEWIS FOR BOULDER
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder Mayor Paul Tweedlie
What types of policies do you support that could Website: tweedlie4boulhelp make Boulder more dermayor.com affordable for residents Age: 61 and businesses?: AffordFamily: I have one son who able housing is key to atrecently graduated from CU. tract and retain families in Boulder. Boulder businessHow long have you lived in es need tax breaks from the Boulder?: Since 2000 Tweedlie city to encourage growth. Professional background: Software engineer with 35 years of How will you approach workexperience developing design, sim- ing with Boulder’s unhoused ulation and manufacturing systems populations and what do you believe is most needed in order for the aerospace industry Political/community experience: to get more people housed?: We need to distinguish between None Boulder residents who require help Education: BS in Computer finding housing and out-of-state Science from the University of transients who do not belong in Glasgow Boulder. What issues do you think Think of a city program or Boulder most urgently needs to service in Boulder that has had address over the next five to 10 a noticeable impact (positive years?: Two main issues: or negative) on people’s lives. 1. We need to do a better job What is it and why do you think addressing the transient problem, it’s been so impactful?: Boulder’s drugs, crime and the illegal entransportation department is doing campments. The safety of families a great job making our streets and our community is the #1 issue. safer for cyclists, drivers and public 2. We need to help families thrive in transit users. Boulder.
RANKED-CHOICE VOTING
This year, for the first time, Boulder voters will directly elect the mayor via ranked choice voting, which lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. When voting for mayor, you will see rows listing each of the candidates and columns where you can designate your first, second, third and fourth choices (there are four candidates total). Choose one candidate for each column without skipping a column or making two marks in the same column. You do not have to rank all four candidates. If ranking fewer than four, mark candidates in the order of your preference, but again, do not skip any columns. For example, if you’re ranking only two mayoral candidates, make them your first and second choices. You can learn more about ranked choice voting and fill out a practice ballot at bouldercolorado.gov/guide/rankedchoice-voting-guide. Additionally, all
TIMES-CALL FILE
Boulder voters will get a green slip with their mailed ballot that includes ranked choice voting instructions. Note that ranked choice voting will be used to elect the mayor, but not city councilmembers. You may rank up to four mayor candidates (though you only get one vote), and you may vote for up to four City Council candidates.
Bob Yates
newsletter here and here. I look forward to updating Website: BobYatesBoulder. the city’s Energy Consercom vation Code next year to Age: 62 make new construction Family: Married to Katy all-electric. (40 years); two grown sons What types of policies do living in Brooklyn you support that could How long have you lived in Yates help make Boulder more Boulder?: 22 years affordable for residents Professional background: Retired and businesses?: In support of residents, I am proud to have lawyer and telecommunications created the Middle Income Down company senior executive Political/community experience: Payment Assistance Program, which will help middle income famBoulder City Council (2015-presilies who work in Boulder live here. ent); community leadership includes CWA, Museum of Boulder, The program launched this summer, and we will make adjustments in Chautauqua, Downtown Boulder, Dairy Arts Center, Out Boulder, CU the coming years based on the Center for Leadership, Parks Board, experiences of residents. For businesses, I have fought to keep the and others listed in bio section of city’s property tax mill levy low so campaign website that this portion of their commerEducation: B.S. in Chemistry and cial rent does not skyrocket. There Business, 1983; J.D. (law degree), has been no increase in the city’s 1986 property tax mill levy during my What issues do you think eight years on council, and I would Boulder most urgently needs to oppose any unnecessary increase in address over the next five to ten the future. years?: • Homelessness, which I have written about most recently in How will you approach workmy newsletter here, here and here, ing with Boulder’s unhoused and which also can be accessed in populations and what do you the Beliefs section of my campaign believe is most needed in order to get more people housed?: In website. the September issue of my monthly • Crime, which I have written about newsletter, which can be read here most recently in my newsletter (see Beliefs section of campaign here (see Beliefs section of camwebsite), I presented an eight-point paign website). plan for addressing the causes and • Housing affordability, with further effects of homelessness. programs like the down payment Think of a city program or assistance program I helped create service in Boulder that has had or the ADU rent limitation I helped a noticeable impact (positive craft, as well as the potential for or negative) on people’s lives. creating housing opportunities in What is it and why do you think the Area III Planning Reserve, which it’s been so impactful?: I was I wrote about in my newsletter here proud to help craft the 2020 ballot (see Beliefs section of campaign measure which led to the creation website). of the city’s Eviction Prevention • Transportation safety and effiand Rental Assistance Program. ciency, which I have written about Over the last three years, nearly $1 most recently in my newsletter million has been granted and dozhere, here and here (see Beliefs ens of eviction lawsuits have been section of campaign website). positively resolved, allowing nearly 1,000 people and their kids to stay • Climate action, which I have housed. written about most recently in my
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 9
I'm Dr. Nicole Speer ...and I’m running to be Boulder’s first elected Mayor. I’m a scientist, a mom, and a union member. After two years on City Council, 18 years in Boulder, and 30 years of inclusive leadership, I have the relationships, skills, and knowledge to help Boulder make faster progress on our climate, economic, and social challenges. NicoleForBoulder.com
@nicolekspeer
NicoleForBoulder
@nicolekspeer
Alcaldesa de Boulder
NICOLE SPEER Boulder Mayor
As your Mayor, I will work for a city where: Everyone can access and afford basic needs like housing and transportation.
UNITED CAMPUS WORKERS
Our infrastructure and ecosystems are resilient and prepared for a hotter climate. People have the care and social connections they need to thrive.
COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA
Immigrants and workers are valued and welcomed.
TRABAJEMOS JUNTOS PARA CREAR UNA CIUDAD QUE FUNCIONE PARA TODOS.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A CITY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.
Pagado por / Paid for by Together with Nicole Speer
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder City Council Taishya Adams
resilience through collaboration and innovation in natWebsite: www.adamsforural resource management, boulder.com housing, transportation Age: 49 and land use is essential Family: Partner Randy Carvto meet existing demands. er and Bob (dog) Specifically, housing and transportation infrastrucHow long have you lived in ture and systems must reBoulder? 11 years Adams duce carbon emissions and Professional/political/ increase biodiversity preservation community experience: Taishya and restoration, prioritize affordable is an educator, environmentalist, social justice advocate and founder living initiatives and revitalize water infrastructure. and CEO of the Mukuyu Collective, 2. Just, joyous community: LLC. Taishya is a former comEnsure equitable, community-led missioner for Colorado Parks and local government, pursue safe cities Wildlife and Boulder Police Overagenda guided by evidence, invest sight Panelist. She worked at the in innovative community spaces and American Institutes for Research stimulate collaboration across our and Children’s Defense Fund. She community. centers community building, personal transformation, and systems What types of policies do you change. support that could help make Boulder more affordable for resiEducation: Taishya holds a M.A. from George Washington University dents and businesses?: We must work collaboratively with housing, and B.A. from Vassar. What issues do you think Boulder health and human services, utilities, and natural resource offices and most urgently needs to address over the next five to 10 years?: 1. partners to better prepare, design Habitat for all: Accelerating climate and rehab our housing inventory
Tina Marquis for Boulder City Council “She approaches questions thoughtfully, calmly, and strategically, and that’s exactly what I want in a City Council member.” Kathy Gebhardt, President, BVSD school Board
✔ Affordable housing, especially for low- and middle-income families ✔ Ending homelessness, through committed, collective action ✔ Safe, welcoming public spaces, including around our schools ✔ Transportation, improving transit and safe routes for bikers ✔ Climate action, working toward a resilient, sustainable future ✔ Experience in local government
www.tinaforboulder.com Paid for by Tina for Boulder City Council
(such as the missing middle) and multimodal transportation responsive to different income levels and marginalized groups. Incentivize and restrict carbon emissions and increase biodiversity restoration by leveraging federal, state, and local funding. This also include business incubator spaces on city owned property, sober living, 24/7 wellness centers and other strategies to reduce homelessness and housing insecurity on the creek, in cars and for families surfing couches. How will you approach working with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe is most needed in order to get more people housed?: I will collaborate with city, regional, state and federal housing and homelessness experts, advocates and community members to implement evidence-based policies we have already approached or the city is working towards such as the guaranteed income pilot program, continuum of care, sober living, 24/7 health and social services centers and safe outdoor spaces. I will also work on a living
wage to prevent more people from becoming unhoused. Think of a city program or service in Boulder that has had a noticeable impact (positive or negative) on people’s lives. What is it and why do you think it’s been so impactful?: After four years serving on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and the Colorado Natural Areas Council, I will now say the utilities department. This department distributes and treats water, manages water resources, wastewater, stormwater, and water quality, construction, maintenance and infrastructure planning. If this department does not thrive, no other department can function. I am committed to strengthening our 100-year-old water infrastructure, transforming storm and wastewater collection and treatment, and planning for seven generations of Boulderites to have access to clean water. We know a 25% water rate increase is on the horizon and can anticipate more water access and affordability challenges despite our senior water rights.
Proposition HH is a tax increase that allows the state to KEEP TABOR refunds. Homeowners will see the LARGEST TAX HIKE in history, whether it passes or not. The state can EXTEND THIS TAX INCREASE WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL while continuing to KEEP TABOR.
VOTE NO on Prop HH & II Government does not need permission to lower taxes Proposition II is a tax increase that allows the state to KEEP TABOR refunds. The state RETAINS and SPENDS excess tax revenues that would otherwise be refunded. Allows for the further EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT programs that are already funded. Paid for by the Boulder County Republicans. Registered Agent Marge Klein.
Action Over Ideology New Leadership for Boulder’s Future FOR BOULDER CITY COUNCIL
Everyone has a right to feel safe in our community Unsheltered homelessness requires a different approach We need to hold those breaking the law accountable Density alone will not create affordability Climate resiliency is crucial to our health and safety
“Terri gets it. She understands what is not working, and will move us toward practical solutions that actually address the problems of public safety, affordable housing and homelessness. We need to move beyond posturing, and start to provide the community with answers. Terri will do it.” — Mark Wallach, Boulder Mayor Pro Tem — Proudly Endorsed By
Bob Yates, City Council Member
Mark Wallach, Mayor Pro Tem
Tara Winer, City Council Member
Sam Weaver, Former Mayor
Crystal Gray, Former City Council Member
Susan Osborne, Former Mayor
Allyn Feinberg, Former City Council Member
Lisa Morzel, Former Mayor Pro Tem
Edie Hooton, Former State Representative
Gordon Riggle, Former City Council Member
Jenn Mendelson, Dairy Arts Center Board President
Hernán Villanueva, Environmental Advisory Board Chair
“Terri’s passion for community shines through in her frank assessment of existing challenges, her dogged pursuit of reliable information, and her pragmatic solutions that work to lift all boats. Vote for Terri - I’m sure going to!” — Sam Weaver, Former Boulder Mayor —
Paid for by Terri Brncic for Council
terri4boulder.com
My positions
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder City Council Silas Atkins
What issues do you think Boulder most urgently Website: silasforboulder. needs to address over com the next five to 10 years?: Age: 44 We need to build systems Family: I have two kids in designed for people that middle and high school. reinforce a feeling of community in harmony with our How long have you lived in natural world that result in Boulder?: Seven years Atkins resilience for both climate Professional background: and people. Paraeducator Political/community experience: What types of policies do you support that could help make I spend time building community Boulder more affordable for reswith my neighbors providing what idents and businesses?: Affordthey need. I am on the Elevate Boulder pilot task force. I engage in ability for our community means more housing options that are susmutual aid. tainable and meet our needs. This Education: Some college needs to be coupled with a higher
minimum wage and direct cash assistance for times wages are not available. Offering more and better transportation options results in lower costs to move about Boulder. For businesses, increasing worker pay will result in lower turnover and more money to spend locally. That needs to go along with operational savings by streamlining the permitting process so businesses are not losing money while waiting. How will you approach working with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe is most needed in order to get more people housed?: We must meet our basic needs and trust that each of us knows what we need most.
(I support) implementing solutions that have worked in other places for those of us that they will work for, and creating solutions for what we need. Think of a city program or service in Boulder that has had a noticeable impact (positive or negative) on people’s lives. What is it and why do you think it’s been so impactful?: Rental assistance. It allowed me to stay housed and is the preventative piece that balances the reactive solutions I have discussed above. We need more funding for keeping us housed and breaking cycles of poverty.
VOTE TO ELEVATE BOULDER
BOB YATES MAYOR
TARA WINER CITY COUNCIL
TINA MARQUIS CITY COUNCIL
JENNY ROBINS CITY COUNCIL
TERRI BRNCIC CITY COUNCIL
Common-sense Solutions to Make Boulder more Livable
$
Attainable
Sustainable
PAID FOR BY BOULDER ELEVATED UCC. NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE COMMITTEE.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 13
Lalenia Quinlan Aweida BVSD School Board ENDORSED BY: BVSD Teachers Union (BVEA) Michael Dougherty Laurie Albright District Attorney, 20th Judicial District, Boulder
Former President, BVSD Board of Education Judy Amabile Linda Shoemaker CO State Representative, House District 49
CU Regent Emerita, Kyle Brown Former President, BVSD Board of Education CO State Representative, House District 12 Jenny Belval Junie Joseph Former Representative, BVSD Board of Education CO State Representative, House District 10 Edie Hooton Dr. Peter Steinhauer Former CO State Representative, Regent Emeritus, CU Boulder House District 10 Dennis Lovatto Ross Wehner U.S. Center for SafeSport Founder, World Leadership School SAFE Communities Coalition And many of your neighbors!
Paid for by Friends of Quinlan Aweida Registered Agent: Lalenia Quinlan Aweida
LQAforBVSD.com
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder City Council Terri Brncic
supportive of densification, provided it is coupled with Website: terri4boulder.com targeted development and Age: 53 explicit affordability comFamily: Married 20 years to mitments. Brian, two sons (ages 17 and We talk a lot about want15) and our dog Maggie ing to provide housing for How long have you lived in our in-commuting service Boulder?: Nine years Brncic workers — the teachers, nurses and firefighters Professional background: that can’t afford to live in Boulder. CPA and CFO with 25+ years in However, the high-end rentals and corporate financial leadership Political/community experience: townhomes that we are building are not meeting the needs of this Co-founder, Safe Zones 4 Kids population. We need to align our ballot initiative development roadmaps with our Education: BS Business Adminisactual housing needs to ensure that tration, UC Berkeley we are hitting our targets and not What issues do you think Boulder just building for building’s sake. most urgently needs to address I also support using incentive zoning over the next five to 10 years?: as a tool to drive affordability. For Homelessness, affordable housing example, the recent change in and climate action. occupancy limits could have been What types of policies do you used as an opportunity to mandate support that could help make rental affordability. Rather than Boulder more affordable for allowing all of the financial benefits residents and businesses?: I am
of increased occupancy to accrue to property owners, rent reductions should have been a condition for receiving occupancy variances. How will you approach working with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe is most needed in order to get more people housed?: We need to stop viewing the unhoused as a single population with uniform needs. With an estimated 75% of the unsheltered population suffering from untreated mental illness, substance abuse disorders or both, we can’t continue to insist that housing alone will solve the problem for this subset. The Housing First program needs to be adapted to incorporate a continuum of treatment options that will provide these individuals with the immediate care that they need as critical first steps in the path to stable housing. And to support this approach, we need to start making real investments in comprehensive and coordinated behavioral
health solutions — including holding the county and state accountable for taking most of the slack. Think of a city program or service in Boulder that has had a noticeable impact (positive or negative) on people’s lives. What is it and why do you think it’s been so impactful?: Boulder’s Inclusionary Housing program, which requires that 25% of new development be designated as permanently affordable, has had an enormously positive impact on our affordable housing attainment. As one of the first cities in the country to implement this program over two decades ago, it has allowed us to successfully create almost 4,000 permanently affordable units, representing 8% of our total housing stock. This will continue to be an important tool for creating affordable housing in the future.
Paid for by the League of Women Voters of Boulder County
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 15
Boulder City Council Jacques Decalo
land-urban interface and waterways need expedited Website: jacquesforcouncil. fire and flood mitigation to org protect our neighborhoods. Age: 27 Boulder must expand Family: Caretaker for my sustainable multimodal father transportation to reduce greenhouse gases. Buildings How long have you lived in need to be retrofitted for Boulder?: Lived in Boulder Decalo energy efficiency. We need my whole life to change heating and electricity to Professional/political/commugreen energy, increasing subsidies nity experience: Lifelong envifor heat pumps and solar panels. ronmentalist and conservationist; What types of policies do you worked in green energy and transsupport that could help make portation Education: BA, Western Washing- Boulder more affordable for residents and businesses?: ton University Increase the required percentage What issues do you think Boulof permanently affordable housing der most urgently needs to in new developments or increase address over the next five to 10 years?: We need to find sustainable the cash-in-lieu required. Raise the jobs-housing linkage fee for office solutions to meet our goal of 15% space by the amount determined permanently affordable housing. Boulder must ensure that residents necessary to meet the needs of new workers who couldn’t otherwise constantly feel safe in our public spaces with compassionate preven- afford to live here. Shift service expansion costs in all departments tative measures for all. Our wild-
from taxes to impact fees so that existing citizens aren’t forced to subsidize developers’ profits. Limit development to what our existing water resources can reasonably serve so we are not forced to purchase expensive new water rights. How will you approach working with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe is most needed in order to get more people housed?: Boulder should investigate expanding the night shelter into a 24-hour shelter. While we must enforce the camping ban to ensure public safety, we need to assist in the transition of the unhoused into stable homes. We need a regional mental health and rehabilitation facility placed equidistant from all cities in Boulder County for easier access and to not create a burden on any one city. We must invest regionally with federal and state funding to create a housing program with wraparound programs that provide ready-to-
work opportunities with supportive resources. Think of a city program or service in Boulder that has had a noticeable impact (positive or negative) on people’s lives. What is it and why do you think it’s been so impactful?: In my discussions with community members, the one overlapping similarity is the love for our Open Space and Mountain Parks system. People flock to Boulder because of our incredible foresight in acquiring this land, and we must continue to prioritize its preservation. Boulder was revolutionary in establishing our open space tax, which set the bar for local conservation of biodiversity. This unique resource attracts people to connect with nature and improve their mental and physical health on our 155 miles of trails while maintaining high quality lands and wildlife habitat.
VOTE BY NOV 7
“Together, let's heal relationships, balance the needs of humans and habitat, and co-create policies and practices that honor and respect all beings.”
HABITAT FOR ALL
JUST & JOYOUS COMMUNITY
Accelerate climate resilience Integrate housing, land use, and transportation Prioritize affordable living initiatives Restore biodiversity and revitalize water infrastructure
SELECT ENDORSEMENTS (visit website for full list)
Junie Joseph, CO House Rep Marta Loachamin, Boulder Cty Commissioner Aaron Brockett, Boulder Mayor Nicole Speer, Boulder City Council Lauren Folkerts, Boulder City Council
Paid for by Friends of Taishya Adams
Ensure community-led government Pursue safe cities agenda guided by evidence Invest in innovative community spaces that stimulate collaboration Expedite efforts to reduce carbon emissions
Jill Grano, Fmr Boulder City Council David Ensign, Fmr Chair, Boulder Planning Board Josie Heath, Fmr Boulder Cty Commissioner Ja’mal Gilmore, Owner, Brooklyn Barber Doug Schnitzspahn, Outdoor Industry Publisher Helanius Wilkins, Artist, Director, Educator Martha Wilson, Child & Criminal Justice Advocate
AdamsForBoulder.com
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder City Council Waylon Lewis
particular focus on missing middle-income housing so Website: waylonlewis.com our police, teachers, health Age: 49 care workers, restaurant Family: “Only” Winfield, a employees and others can 9-month-old rescue puppy afford to live where they work instead of driving in How long have you lived in every day, stabilizing our Boulder?: Born and raised. local economy and reducing Went to Whittier, Mapleton, Lewis the annual loss of families, Vidya, Casey. Visited each artists and what little “weirdness” summer in the ’90s, then moved and diversity we have here. back after high school and college in 1999. How will you approach working Professional background: Author with Boulder’s unhoused populations, and what do you believe of two books (first was one of the best-selling at Boulder Book Store is most needed in order to get more people housed?: Endless ever, both printed eco and locally). half-enforcement is costly, bad I’m also the founder of Elephant Journal, with 13-37 staff members for our homeless community and risks burning out our police. We’re for the last 10 years, 13 million too tight and too loose. Instead, social fans. 1) actually enforce, versus moving What issues do you think folks repeatedly, restoring our parks Boulder most urgently needs for all to safely enjoy, and 2) have to address over the next five to somewhere for our homeless to 10 years?: Most urgently, though go. These two steps reduce crime, it’s not the issue taking up the save money and help our homeless most space this election, is the friends get care and into housing climate crisis. Fires, toxic smoke, floods, food and water security will and jobs. Best practices exist. To get there, we have to work togethhit the most vulnerable first and er. hardest, and all of us, including Think of a city program or our economy, real estate values, service in Boulder that has had home insurance, health, children’s health and savings. Homelessness a noticeable impact (positive or negative) on people’s lives. and public safety can be “solved” — saving money, increasing safety What is it, and why do you think it’s been so impactful?: So many. for all — with listening, coalition-building and action. And as the Open Space trails, affordable housrare candidate independent of slate ing, PACE, our gorgeous bike paths. But I’d have to pick our dear library infighting, that will be my focus. — it’s where I grew up reading and What types of policies do you hanging after school with my friend support that could help make Noel, watching free movies with our Boulder more affordable for community and my mom, who was residents and businesses?: Our raising me on her lonesome. It gave affordability efforts are working me so much, and I’m grateful to — we’re at 8.4%, whereas sursee our libraries continuing to serve rounding cities are all less than all of our community, including 1% — but we’re moving far too families. slowly. With urgency and focus, we will redouble our efforts with a
Tina Marquis
support that could help make Boulder more Website: tinaforboulder. affordable for residents com and businesses?: ResAge: 52 idents: Increase missing Family: One spouse, two middle housing and prodaughters, aged 19 and 16 grams to enable home ownership. Monitor the impact How long have you lived in of vacant homes and real Boulder?: 21 years Marquis estate investors on housing Professional background: stock and increases in rent. Marketing Political/community experience: Businesses: Simplify and accelerate the permitting process. BVSD School Board: President How will you approach workfour years, director eight years; Conference on World Affairs Board: ing with Boulder’s unhoused Chair two years, member six years; populations and what do you believe is most needed in order Democratic Women of Boulder to get more people housed?: I County: Board member, one year; repeatedly hear from the commuon break for campaign; extensive nity a shared desire to help people volunteer experience including the move out of homelessness, not just BVSD Accountability Committee and the BVSD Long Range Advisory because of the negative impacts of encampments to public spaces Committee but also because our community Education: MBA, University of cares about its neighbors. I support Michigan, and BA, Princeton Uniongoing efforts to connect people versity with services based on their needs What issues do you think with compassion but also support Boulder most urgently needs the enforcement of the camping to address over the next five to ban so our public spaces and path10 years?: Housing affordability: ways are accessible and safe for Creating affordable options that all. Finally, I hope we partner with emphasize housing types that apother municipalities and the county peal to families with children. to create more housing to address Climate resilience: Mitigate this regional crisis. I specifically for floods and fire and invest in look for the county to use part of biodiversity, electrification, greener the revenue from the housing tax transportation options, safer and extension we are voting on to supmore accessible routes for walking port housing. and biking, and 15-minute neighThink of a city program or serborhoods. vice in Boulder that has had a Human services and public noticeable impact (positive or safety: Invest in programs that ad- negative) on people’s lives. What dress income inequality leading to is it and why do you think it’s housing and food insecurity. Invest been so impactful?: In 2000, the in mental and behavioral health city of Boulder adopted the Incluprograms that will help increase sionary Housing Program. While the public safety. program has not created as much Balancing local and state cononsite housing as hoped, it is the trol: Navigate where the state primary funding mechanism for leadership might have the biggest affordable housing. In addition, the impact for our residents — gun program did not stop development control, regional mass transit, air as some had feared. Now, Boulder quality, fracking — and advocate already has 8% affordable housing for local control where Boulder can compared to its neighboring cities best lead: local zoning, infrastruc- in the county that hover around ture, our beloved potholes and 2-3%. This program consistently policing. creates affordable options leading to a more inclusive and diverse city. What types of policies do you
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 17
Boulder City Council Aaron Neyer
over the next five to 10 years?: A culture of incluWebsite: regenboulder.org sion. We need to recognize Age: 31 and relate with the tremenFamily: Two brothers in dous privilege we hold here Keystone and Aurora; a partand begin to address the ner working as a somatic mass inequity that is still therapist in Boulder; many I present. consider family. Neyer What types of policies How long have you lived in do you support that Boulder?: On and off for six years, could help make Boulder more full-time resident for two affordable for residents and businesses?: Community wealth Professional background: Software engineer, community organiz- building. Supporting worker-owned cooperatives, raising the minimum er, nonprofit director Political/community experience: wage and other solutions that help us build the wealth in our local Campaigned for Bernie Sanders in 2016; involved in activism for many community so that people who work here can generate the means to fulyears, starting with Standing Rock ly live here. We also need to be more in 2016; community organizer for creative with affordable housing more than seven years and finding ways to create density Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Case West- in a way that works for people and ern; master’s degree in ecopsychol- for nature, such as with cottage communities. ogy from Naropa University What issues do you think Boulder How will you approach working with Boulder’s unhoused popumost urgently needs to address
lations and what do you believe is most needed in order to get more people housed?: Relationships must come first — recognizing the unhoused as fellow human beings equally deserving of love and respect. It’s vital that we create a society that works for all, and that requires understanding how our most vulnerable populations suffer. It’s also key not to dismiss the needs of others in the process. We want a town where people, especially our younger population, can feel safe at school, riding on the bike paths and enjoying our natural beauty. Balance is key. We need to support our police in having a more robust program that effectively addresses dangerous actors, such as those selling drugs, robbing from stores or acting violently, while minimizing the impact on the everyday unhoused who are just trying to survive. We also need to really prioritize a shelter, ideally a 24/7 shelter, and I think we
should start considering much more seriously the idea of a sanctioned camping site so that we can give unhoused people a place to go that is not right on the bike path. Think of a city program or service in Boulder that has had a noticeable impact (positive or negative) on people’s lives. What is it, and why do you think it’s been so impactful?: Cool Boulder is new, but is already having a substantial impact. It is giving people a real place to contribute, cultivate a sense of community and have a clearer understanding of what is happening within city government, and it is helping to make Boulder a cool place, in both senses of that term. Its success comes from looking at a real problem and fostering collaborations beyond our usual compartmentalizations. Addressing Boulder’s problems requires including all of Boulder, not just the policymakers.
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Boulder City Council Jenny Robins
and transportation, and prioritize scientific research Website: jennyforboulder. and education. com • Finally, small business Age: 46 support: We need to imFamily: Husband, two plement permitting and use daughters aged 11 and 13 reform. This is a necessary How long have you lived in step to alleviate the hurdles Boulder?: Boulder County: Robins faced by small businesses Seven years, city of Boulder: in our community and enfive and a half years able them to start operating more efficiently. Professional background: Land Use and Zoning/Contract NegotiWhat types of policies do you ation support that could help make Political/community experience: Boulder more affordable for residents and businesses?: I Founding member of Women in support our inclusionary housing Film Chicago; Associate Board policies and commercial linkage Co-Chair for the Chicago Internafees. I would like to continue to tional Film Festival; Girls Scouts troop leader in Colorado; President leverage the cash-in-lieu option to secure additional funding from the of HOA, 2015; donations of time, goods, and services to the Boulder state and federal level. I support strategic zoning reform to allow for International Film Festival, Boulslightly higher densities and gentle der Valley Humane Society, EFAA, Attention Homes, A Precious Child, infill in certain areas. Any zoning reform should be partnered with Share-A-Gift an affordable housing component. What issues do you think I would like to explore the option of Boulder most urgently needs rezoning some portions of business to address over the next five to and industrial districts to allow 10 years?: Boulder’s most urgent for mixed-use opportunities near issues include: • Public safety: We need our mu- transit corridors. In addition, I think we should look into implementnicipal courts to collaborate with our county courts to work more ef- ing permitting and use reform to ficiently. We do not want people to alleviate the hurdles faced by small flock to Boulder because of criminal businesses to enable them to start operating more efficiently. leniency. How will you approach working • The unhoused: Encampments with Boulder’s unhoused popuare not a compassionate solution. lations and what do you believe We need to work with the counis most needed in order to get ty to prioritize the expansion of mental health and substance abuse more people housed?: The unhoused are a very vulnerable part of programs. our community. We have an obliga• Housing: The city should aption to help those in need. We also proach this issue with a combinahave an obligation to provide our tion of zoning reform and targeted community members the ability to affordable housing initiatives. enjoy the city and feel safe, and too • Preservation of natural reoften that is not the reality they are sources: We need to protect air experiencing. A small portion of the quality, reduce waste and embrace homeless population makes a negarenewable energy sources such as tive impact on our community by solar power. It is crucial to protect way of overrunning public spaces wildlife habitats, advocate for and transportation, creating theft, sustainable practices in agriculture trash, creek pollution, property.
Ryan Schuchard
forces us to over-consume energy and space Website: ryanforboulder. by excluding people and com dictating sprawl. We need Age: 46 to modernize our approach Family: Wife and two to housing and transporyoung daughters tation to make room for people without cars. See How long have you lived in Boulder?: Since 2019 Schuchard detailed plans on housing and transportation issue Professional background: pages of my website. Advocate and adviser for climate How will you approach working action building communities through policy, business, and part- with Boulder’s unhoused populations and what do you believe nerships Political/community experience: is most needed in order to get more people housed?: AdvoPublic policy professional with eight years of experience advancing cate for a systematic approach legislation, regulations, and invest- to reducing the number of people experiencing and impacted by ments at federal, state, and local levels; current member of Boulder’s homelessness through: • Prevention: Considering renter Transportation Advisory Board protections and more housing building new protected bikeways, options to turn down the growing e-bike incentives and land use trend of homelessness in the first reforms to reduce trafficEducaplace. tion: BS in finance, MBA in global management • Places: Establishing wider accessible networks of places for What issues do you think Boulder most urgently needs to people to go being asked to decamp, during the day and overnight. address over the next five to 10 years?: We need to make Boulder • Police: Ensuring the chief has more affordable, more inclusive and what’s needed to keep sidewalks safer. We must: and multi-use paths clear while • Modernize our approach for hous- increasing non-police responses to ing and transportation to create an assist people in distress. integrated strategy making Boulder • Programs: Investing more in walkable, bikeable and transit-rich critical social services including with sufficient accessible and more caseworkers, attention to affordable housing for people to live high system utilizers, creative near where they need to go. transitions to permanent housing and treatment services for mental • Create a high-level strategy for health and addiction for everyone, climate action that unlocks the regardless of housing status. city’s mostly-dormant climate action plan. • Public space: Building more public toilets and other amenities • Undertake a systematic plan to to foster hygienic care and to keep end homelessness considerate people healthy and parks clear. of the many forces driving the problem, including people actively Think of a city program or losing access to housing, widening service in Boulder that has had inequality and a heating planet a noticeable impact (positive that’s fueling migration. or negative) on people’s lives. • Establish a chief safety office re- What is it and why do you think sponsible for comprehensive public it’s been so impactful?: Boulsafety that commissions a climate der’s creation of its first modern locally-run transit service, the HOP, risk desk reporting to it. responding to worsening traffic in What types of policies do you 1994. The HOP made way for sucsupport that could help make cessive city-led transit services, Boulder more affordable for showing Boulder can take control residents and businesses?: of its destiny with public transporThe primary reason Boulder is tation — something it’s time to do unaffordable is zoning for housing again. and transportation planning that
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
Boulder City Council
Boulder Ballot Issues
Tara Winer
Boulder Ballot Issue 2A: City Sales and Use Tax Extension
workforce is able to live here. Add less expensive Website: taraforboulder. housing types to our houscom ing stock such as townhoAge: 65 mes, duplexes and triplexFamily: Husband Robert; es. Explore options for three daughters Stephanie, Community Land Trusts. Lexi and Jennifer; three People are at the mercy sons-in-law and three of skyrocketing rents. I Winer granddaughters ages 1 support exploring a rent through 4. stabilization policy. For businesses, How long have you lived in Boul- streamline planning and development and make permitting quicker, der?: 12 years Professional background: Sales/ easier and less expensive. How will you approach working Senior Brand Manager Political/community experience: with Boulder’s unhoused popuBoulder City Council 2021-present; lations and what do you believe Parks & Recreation Advisory Board is most needed in order to get more people housed?: I support 2020-2021; Community, Culture a new day shelter. This will provide and Safety Tax Renewal Working bathrooms, showers, lockers and Group 2017; Chautauqua Access Management Working Group 2016 food as well as connections to Education: BS in Economics from services. To lead a productive and stable life, people need transitional University of Wisconsin/Madison housing. We need everything from What issues do you think pallet homes to tiny homes to sober Boulder most urgently needs to living homes. Because so many address over the next five to 10 people suffer from mental health years?: Homelessness: I support issues and drug addiction, they our encampment ban. Our public also need supportive services. To spaces should remain public for succeed in reducing homelessness, the entire community to use. I also we must work with our state and know the encampment ban is not a county partners. solution to homelessness. We need to provide transitional housing with Think of a city program or service in Boulder that has had 24/7 supportive services. a noticeable impact (positive Affordable housing: We have or negative) on people’s lives. a good stock of deed-restricted What is it and why do you think permanently affordable housing, it’s been so impactful?: I was on and we have much in the pipeline. the Parks and Recreation AdviHowever, we need more stock of sory Board prior to City Council. I middle-income housing. know that the Boulder Parks and Climate change: We need to reRecreation Department’s programs duce our VMTs (vehicle miles trav- and facilities have a positive impact eled). Let’s use e-bikes! We need on people’s lives. Because Parks to increase our urban tree canopy and Rec prioritizes youth, we have to reduce temperatures. And we skate parks at four locations. Scott need to continue our fire mitigation Carpenter pool has been upgradefforts. ed as a water park. Also, Parks & Rec is committed to equity. Their Property crime: Let’s focus on financial assistance is extensive. decreasing bicycle thefts. Their EXPAND program works with What types of policies do you people with disabilities. My grandsupport that could help make Boulder more affordable for res- children love Chautauqua Park with idents and businesses?: Increase its unique climbing wall. Let’s love our parks; our well-being depends our stock of deed-restricted lower and middle-income housing so our on it.
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What it means: Voters are being asked whether to extend an existing 0.15% Sales and Use Tax, which is currently set to expire in 2024, What it asks: “Without raising for an additional 20 years. If voters additional taxes, shall the existing approve extending the tax, the rev0.15% city Sales and Use Tax for enue will be split with 50% going General Fund purposes, approved to Boulder’s General Fund and 50% by the voters by Ordinance 7300, going to “arts, culture and heritage be extended beyond the current purposes.” expiration date of December 31, What supporters say: Support2024, until December 31, 2044, ers say the tax generates millions with the revenue from such tax ex- of dollars each year in sales tax tension and all earnings thereon be revenue and that renewing it will used to fund services and projects continue to support crucial city as follows: functions while also providing • 50% for fire and emergency reneeded funding for the arts. Advosponse services, public safety ser- cates say Boulder currently spends vices, human services, homelessless on arts and culture than other ness solutions and services, parks comparable cities and that the arts and other general fund purposes; can also be a “powerful economic engine.” • 50% for arts, culture and heritage purposes; including direct and What opponents say: Opponents grant funding for arts and culture worry the measure will cut funding nonprofits, professional artists, for essential city services. Currentarts education, venues and workly, 100% of the revenue from the spaces, public art and multi-cul0.15% Sales and Use Tax goes to tural programs; And in connection the general fund, and if the tax is therewith, shall any earnings from renewed, 50% of the money will the revenues from such tax exten- be diverted to the arts. Opponents sion constitute a voter approved would rather see this measure revenue change and an exception to rejected and a separate tax for the revenue and spending limits of the arts introduced next year that Article X, Section 20 of the Colora- would be subject to its own vote. do Constitution?”
Boulder Ballot Question 2B: Elections Administrative Charter Cleanup What it asks: “Shall Sections 27, 37, 39, 46, and 57 of the City Charter be amended pursuant to Ordinance 8587 to: • Remove the requirement that signers to petitions appear·personally before the City Clerk; • Clarify that state law governs the process for charter·amendments; • Change the timing provisions of filing a petition to 160 days·before an election instead of 150 days; • Change the number of days that the City Clerk has to·approve a petition to 15 days from 10 days; and
• Change the number of days that the City Clerk has to verify·petition signatures from 10 to 15?” What it means: Boulder is asking voters whether to approve several election-related amendments to the City Charter. If the measure passes, signers to petitions will no longer have to appear personally before the City Clerk, petitions will need to be filed sooner before an election (160 days instead of 150 days), and the City Clerk will have more time to approve petitions and verify petition signatures. What supporters say: There are no known supporters. What opponents say: There are no known opponents.
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Boulder Ballot Issues
Erie Ballot Issues
Boulder Ballot Issue 302: Safe Zones 4 Kids
Erie Ballot Question 3A
ing prioritizing the removal of tents, encampments and heating elements near schools and walkways may be What it asks: “Shall Section 8-3a way to improve safety for school21, B.R.C. 1981, be amended to add aged kids. They say the city has not a provision to prioritize removal of put a high enough priority on removal prohibited items, such as tents, tem- of these items around schools. porary structures or propane tanks, within 500 feet of a school or 50 feet What opponents say: Opponents say that Boulder already has a of any multi-use path or sidewalk camping ban and prohibits propane pursuant to Ordinance 8586?” tanks near schools, so Safe Zones 4 What it means: The ballot measure Kids would not lead to any additional asks whether voters want Boulder to enforcement. They say the measure prioritize removal of tents, propane would not actually have the power tanks and other items near schools, to legislate how the city prioritizsidewalks and paths throughout the es removal of tents and prohibited city. items. Opponents have also said the What supporters say: Supporters measure targets already-vulnerable call it a “public safety measure,” say- unhoused residents.
Boulder County Ballot Issues Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A
What it means: Should Boulder County’s existing 0.05% sales and use tax for acquiring, improving, What it asks: “With no increase in managing and maintaining open any county tax, shall the county’s space lands be extended for 15 existing 0.05% open space sales and years? use tax be extended for fifteen (15) What supporters say: Acquiring years for the purposes of acquiring, improving, managing, and maintain- and improving open space is necing open space lands and other open essary to protect the well being of Boulder County. space property interests; and shall What opponents say: Taxes in the revenues and the earnings on Boulder County are too high. If the investment of the proceeds of such tax constitute a voter-approved Boulder County wants to acquire and improve open space it should do so revenue change; all in accordance with board of county commissioners’ through means other than extending taxes. resolution no. 2023-068?”
Boulder County Ballot Question 1B
What it asks: “With no increase in any county tax, shall the county’s existing 0.185% sales and use tax approved in 2018 pursuant to resolution no. 2018-76 be extended for fifteen (15) years for the purposes of funding affordable and attainable housing and related support services within Boulder County, including but not limited to: the costs of development, operation, acquisition, preservation, renovation, maintenance and construction of for-sale and rental homes for low and moderate income households and local workforce; supportive housing; services that support housing stability; grants to housing authorities, nonprofit affordable housing providers, and local
municipalities; and shall the revenues and the earnings on the investment of the proceeds of such tax constitute a voter approved revenue change; all in accordance with board of county commissioners’ resolution no. 2023-070.” What it means: Should Boulder County extend its existing 0.185% sales and use tax to fund affordable and attainable housing in Boulder County? What supporters say: The state is facing a housing crisis. Boulder County must continue to fund affordable and attainable housing to help bring down the cost of housing. What opponents say: Raising taxes on everyone is not the way to produce more affordable and attainable housing.
residents. What it asks: “Shall the Town of What supporters say: Supporters say the charter will allow Erie Erie proposed home rule charter to have local control, act on local be adopted?” What it means: Should the town issues and have minimal state intervention. adopt the proposed Home Rule What opponents say: Concerns Charter, as drafted by the Home have been raised about the cost Rule Charter Commission? Erie would function under the charter of transitioning to Home Rule, and some have questioned the reason instead of state statute. Home rule is a form of local government, for adopting a Home Rule Charter. based on a charter written by
Erie Ballot Question 3B
What it asks: “If the Town of Erie proposed home rule charter is adopted, shall Section 2.08(1) of the charter be replaced to read as follows: “Section 2.08 Compensation of Mayor and Council Members. (1) The Mayor shall receive as monetary compensation the sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) per month, and each Council Member shall receive as monetary compensation the sum of seven hundred dollars ($700) per month. Both amounts shall be adjusted annually according to the consumer price index (CPI) for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley area, or such successor index promulgated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The first CPI adjustment shall be applied Jan. 1, 2025. In addition, the Mayor and Council Members shall receive such other nonmonetary compensation or benefits as may be set by ordinance. Monetary compensation shall not be modified by ordinance.” What it means: If the home rule charter is adopted, the charter
will allow for the mayor to be compensated $1,200 per month and councilmembers will be compensated $700 per month. Monetary compensation will not be modified by ordinance. The compensation will be adjusted according to the consumer price index for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley area or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics index, with the first adjustment being applied Jan. 1, 2025. Other nonmonetary compensations or benefits, like waived memberships to the community center, will be set by an ordinance. The current monetary compensation for the mayor starts at a base of $500 per month and monetary compensation for trustees starts at a base of $300 per month. What supporters say: There are no known supporters, although it has been noted that the measure is separate from the Home Rule ballot measure 3A so that the increase in mayor and councilmember compensation would not be a deal breaker for voters. What opponents say: There are no known opponents.
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Boulder Valley School Board District A Neil Fishman
How should BVSD address declining enrollWebsite: neil4bvsd.com ment and the potential Age: 67 need for school cloFamily: Widower, one child sures?: Declining enrollment is real, it’s projected How long have you lived to continue and must be a in the school district?: top priority for the board. About 40 years Actions that can be taken Professional background: Fishman before making any decision Research geologist to close schools include redrawPolitical/community experience: ing of enrollment boundaries and Longtime community activist consideration of open enrollment Education: Bachelor’s degree and policies. But all actions must be master’s degree in geology from the framed within the context of equity University of Colorado Boulder and inclusion. I applaud the work of How should BVSD address the Long Range Advisory Commitconcerns about school safetee, which has made these recty, including concerns about ommendations to the board after homeless encampments near careful deliberation. Of paramount schools? Do you support the importance, though, is to ensure district’s decision to no longer that BVSD is exceedingly transhave school resource officers?: parent and deliberate in its actions I support the board’s decision to surrounding solutions to declining replace school resource officers enrollment. To that end, I call on the with student safety advocates school board to periodically hold (SSA) and appreciate that SSAs are regular board meetings in schools already gaining the trust of the kids around the district and not just at in their schools. SSAs are trained to the Ed Center. It makes sense to go de-escalate situations without us- directly into the community to talk ing physical force, which is needed about this critical matter. for everyone’s safety. An external What are your priorities for evaluation of the SSA program BVSD’s budget?: My priorities are would be beneficial to ensure that as follows: everything is working as intend1. Ensure consistent district-wide ed — we all want safe schools. It implementation of bullying and makes sense to do a comprehenharassment policies. sive review, especially on such an important program that is intended 2. Expand the BVSD Wellness Center model into middle schools. to keep our kids safe. As for encampments near schools, I believe 3. Prevent book banning and anthat this demonstrates a failing to ti-inclusion policies. effectively deal with some vexing 4. Reduce the achievement gap in societal problems (homelessness, both literacy and math. mental health, drug abuse) in our 5. Expand the electric bus fleet community that require a compre- from 20 to 50 by 2025. hensive, collaborative remedy. The kids and members of the communi- 6. Reduce water consumption by 10%. ty all deserve to be safe.
Jason Unger
Website: jasonforbvsd. com Age: 49 Family: Wife, Karin Johnson; three kids, 10, 7, and 2 How long have you lived in the school district? Almost Unger seven years Professional background: Founder of Baseline Strategies, federal and state education policy consulting practice; U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid legislative director and senior adviser Political/community experience: Boulder Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member, Creekside Elementary School Accountability Committee member and chairperson, school volunteer, Obama for America volunteer Education: Bachelor’s degree, UCLA; bilingual and multicultural teaching credential, California State University; master’s degree, Harvard University; school administrator credential, Harvard University How should BVSD address concerns about school safety, including concerns about homeless encampments near schools? Do you support the district’s decision to no longer have school resource officers?: I have two kids in BVSD schools and think about school safety every day. There is no more important responsibility for the school district than the safety of our students. As a board member, I will always prioritize keeping kids safe. Within schools, I supported BVSD’s decision to remove SROs and replace them with School Safety Advocates (SSAs). The new program maintains a strong focus on safety, but also works to better integrate SSAs into the school community and culture. As with any major policy, the district should regularly review these changes to see what works, what could be improved and to continue to measure whether
students and teachers feel safe. While the district may have less ability to directly impact safety outside of schools, we can and should work with other city and local leaders to help address and prioritize safety around schools. How should BVSD address declining enrollment and the potential need for school closures?: The issue of declining enrollment is the most significant challenge facing the district. To help address the issue, I support many of the recommendations of the Long Range Advisory Committee. As a first step, the district should revisit school boundary zones and our open enrollment policies to help re-balance school sizes. The district should also allow schools with declining enrollment to think creatively about how they can become a focus school or offer specialized programming to help attract more students. As a board member, I will work to ensure we approach these challenges with transparency, fairness, and a focus on the best interests of our students. What are your priorities for BVSD’s budget?: Addressing BVSD’s enrollment and budget challenges will be among the top issues for the next board. At the same time, I strongly support continuing to prioritize and build on the work the district has done to help close achievement gaps and, through differentiated funding, help our lower-performing schools make real improvement. We also must continue to focus on making sure instruction and curriculum are challenging, engaging and relevant. My experience as a former teacher and administrator has shown me that there is nothing more important than raising the bar for all students and making sure all students are challenged and engaged.
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Boulder Valley School Board District C Alex Medler
— and adjusted as needed — to meet student needs Website: alexmedler.org and to address community Age: 58 concerns. Family: Married, two recent How should BVSD adBVSD graduates. ages 21 dress declining enrolland 22 ment and the potential How long have you lived in need for school clothe school district?: Since Medler sures?: Declining enroll1992 ment is one of the most serious challenges facing the Professional background: Thirty-plus years of experience leading district. I support the recommendations of the Long Range Advisory Colorado and national non-profCommittee. The district should be its and governmental entities in education and children’s policy and transparent with families about the trade-offs of under-enrolled supporting charter school authoschools, including reduced staffing rizers. Political/community experience: and programs — and the possibility Led state commissions, task forces of closures. We should work with and non-profit boards; volunteered families and educators to explore all available options to maintain in my kids’ schools; and advised BVSD and its Accountability Com- district enrollment and sufficient enrollment in schools to support mittee on charter school issues. strong programming. We should Education: Doctorate in political science from University of Colorado explore adjustments to attendance boundaries and new program offerBoulder ings in small schools while ensuring How should BVSD address our open enrollment policies don’t concerns about school safeexacerbate student stratification. ty, including concerns about Ultimately, our budget and longhomeless encampments near range decisions should reflect the schools? Do you support the district’s and the community’s district’s decision to no longer values. have school resource officers?: What are your priorities for Student safety is BVSD’s primary BVSD’s budget?: Too many sturesponsibility. We must ensure all dents are hurting. I will prioritize students are safe from external investments to support student threats and issues within schools. mental health, well-being and a Regardless of how current races sense of belonging in school. The play out, the district must collabdistrict is getting strong results orate with all the local city govafter providing extra support to our ernments, police and emergency schools and students who need responders to plan for emergency evacuations and to address shared more support. As one-time money expires, we should institutionalize issues like encampments and viothese investments. We should lent threats from outside schools. expand high school students’ All students should feel safe and access to challenging content and included in school, which requires activities that prepare them for the district administration, school leaders and staff to work together. whatever they choose after they leave BVSD, including students not I support the district’s decision interested in selective colleges. to use school safety advocates This preparation includes access as part of a comprehensive and to Career and Technical Education evidence-based strategy to make and post-secondary options — like all our students feel safe. This advanced placement courses and new program and other initiatives should be monitored and evaluated concurrent enrollment.
Cynthia Nevison
here). I am open to reconsidering the SRO removal, Website: cynthiaforbvsd. if BVSD data show that com the policy is endangering Age: 58 students. Family: Husband, David; How should BVSD adsons, Russell (16) and Mardress declining enrolltin (14) ment and the potential How long have you lived Nevison need for school cloin the school district?: 28 sures?: I agree with the years Long Range Advisory Committee recommendations, but would also Professional background: 33 consider that some 20% of the years as research scientist, four decline in enrollment is due to years as chemistry lecturer parents deliberately pulling their Political/community experichildren from public schools, which ence: RTD bike rack advocate, is a problem nationwide. Only 89% Skip citizen’s advisory committee, Intercambio volunteer teacher, pro of the children born five years prior in Boulder County showed up in bono research on children’s health kindergarten last year compared resulting in seven peer-reviewed to the historic norm of 95%, and publications, BVSD classroom the trend appears to be continuing monitor 2021, Fairview PTO this year in the elementary grades. Education: Bachelor’s degree in We need to ask why, and we need chemistry from the University of California Berkeley, master’s degree to engage with parents who are pulling their children from public in environmental engineering and school and address their concerns. doctorate in atmospheric science Otherwise we are headed for a at Stanford University more divided society with diminHow should BVSD address ished educational opportunities for concerns about school safeall students. ty, including concerns about What are your priorities for homeless encampments near BVSD’s budget?: Smaller class schools? Do you support the sizes are my top priority for improvdistrict’s decision to no longer ing academic achievement. As elehave school resource officers?: mentary schools consolidate from As a long-time bicycle commuter, three to two classes per grade, I know that the situation around class sizes have ballooned to over Boulder High is intimidating even 30 students, which is the biggest for many adults and is unsafe for students. The encampments need concern I’ve heard from parents since I’ve been a candidate. There to be moved away from schools is also a critical shortage of paras and bike paths. Re: SROs, Denver and special ed teachers, which is also removed but then reinstatleaving some kids without adeed them after three people were quate support. Some parents are shot, one fatally, near East High School. Former Mayor Webb said he even pulling their kids from school because there aren’t enough paras appreciated the intent behind removing SROs, but “the policy is not to meet their needs. At all levels working.” I too am concerned about of government, we need more resources for these children, and we the school-to-prison pipeline, but also need to start addressing why our safety policy can’t be based on wishful thinking (i.e., that what the special ed population is growing even as overall enrollment declines. happened in Denver can’t happen
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Our young people — all of them— deserve safe environments around their schools, especially from dangers like exploding propane tanks, used needles, illicit drugs and weapons. The City’s current system of removing prohibited items does not prioritize our kids’ safety around schools and pathways. It should.
We can do better.
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VOTE YES ON #
Safe Zones 4 Kids is endorsed by Boulder Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Boulder Partnerships Board of Directors, Safer Boulder, Boulder Elevated, Plan Boulder, Save Boulder Creek, John Tayer, Bob Yates, Tara Winer, Mark Wallach, Crystal Gray, Sam Weaver, Steve Pomerance, Allyn Feinberg, George Karakehian, Lisa Morzel, Tina Mueh, Kathleen Hancock, Terri Brncic, Tina Marquis, Jenny Robins, Jacques Decalo, Waylon Lewis and many more.
SafeZones4Kids.org Paid for by Safe Zones 4 Kids. Major funding from Jennifer Rhodes, Jud Valeski and Dan Caruso.
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Boulder Valley School Board District C Andrew Steffl
How should BVSD address concerns about school safety, Website: andrew_steffl.org including concerns about homeAge: 46 less encampments near schools? Family: Wife, Carolyn Steffl; two Do you support the district’s children at Monarch High decision to no longer have school resource officers?: School safety How long have you lived in the is of paramount importance. If school district?: 24 years students or teachers do not feel Professional background: Senior research scientist at the Southwest safe, they can not learn or teach to their potential. Homeless encampResearch Institute in Boulder for ments near schools are a concern, past 17 years. Worked with various NASA, ESA (European Space Agen- but we need thoughtful solutions cy) and JAXA (Japanese Aerospace to this multi-faceted problem, not Exploration Agency) space explora- just sound-bite “safe zones.” I am fully on board with the district’s tion missions. Political/community experience: decision to replace (armed) school resource officers with student Worked to help fellow survivors of safety advocates. Anecdotally, this the Marshall Fire program seems to be a huge sucEducation: Bachelor degrees in cess, but it is new and we need to physics and astronomy, University collect high-quality data to inform of Wisconsin-Madison; master’s the school board of the best way degree, CU Boulder; doctorate in forward. Data, facts, and transparastrophysical, planetary and atmo- ency should always drive the school spheric sciences; CU Boulder.
boards decisions. How should BVSD address declining enrollment and the potential need for school closures?: The declining student enrollment in BVSD schools represents an extremely serious, long-term challenge for BVSD. Yet, it is one that the average citizen in BVSD, or even parents with kids currently enrolled in BVSD schools, remain unaware. As a school board, we must change that. Second, although it is beyond the purview of BVSD, we need to partner with the various communities in our district to encourage the development of additional, affordable, family friendly housing. No one wants school closures and, if elected, I will do my absolute utmost to prevent that from happening. I believe BVSD has the basis of a good plan, and that we must proceed with caution, humility and the utmost of transparency.
What are your priorities for BVSD’s budget?: My No. 1 priority for BVSD’s limited funds is to address the massive crisis in student mental health. Kids today have gone through the Marshall Fire, the King Soopers shooting and COVID and the massive disruptions that imposed. Plus all the stresses of social media, news of other school shootings, etc., etc., etc. Altogether, it is a lot. I hear firsthand from my kids, their friends, parents and many others about how kids in BVSD are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and even PTSD. At the school level, we need to de-stigmatize having a mental health issue and work on providing our children with the best possible, data-driven means to address these complex mental health issues.
Endorsed by
“
for Boulder City Council a Winer for Boulder City Council. If there I enthusiastically support Tara is a better solution to a proble em,
Tara is a leader who listens and works to bring forth solutions–
PLAN-Boulder County
thinkboulder.org Visit my website for my diverse list of endorsements:
no matter who suggests them m. That is the Magic of Tara Winer.”
—Judy Amabile, Colorado State Rep HD49
PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY TARA WINER FOR COUNCIL
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Boulder Valley School Board District D education to keep abreast of best practices. I support School Safety Advocates Website: lqaforbvsd.com having a deep understandAge: 51 ing of restorative practices, implicit bias and emergency Family: Husband, Peter; management protocol. three children who attend or attended BVSD How should BVSD adAweida dress declining enrollHow long have you lived ment and the potential in the school district?: 39 need for school closures?: One years hazard of declining enrollment is Professional background: High that students have a less compretech sales Political/community experience: hensive educational experience. Under-enrolled schools cannot BVSD Leadership Academy, 2023; adequately staff music, art, library, BVSD Title IX Advisory Council, PE and counseling offices. Thus, it’s 2022-present; victim advocate at imperative that the Board of EducaBoulder County Sheriff’s Office, tion use all practical and strategic 2016- present; restorative justice facilitator at District Attorney’s Of- levers at its disposal to address the fice, 2019-present; sexual violence challenges that declining enrollment creates. With 2020 census data, prevention educator at Moving to the examination of attendance End Sexual Assault, 2021-2022; boundaries provides such a lever. child abuse prevention educator at Understanding how school choice Blue Sky Bridge, 2016-2021 impacts declining enrollment is also Education: BVSD schools graduate, important. Data acquisition will be University of Colorado Boulder key in this decision-making process, How should BVSD address as well as transparency and strong concerns about school safety, community outreach. including concerns about home- What are your priorities for less encampments near schools? BVSD’s budget?: UnfortunateDo you support the district’s ly, Colorado is below the national decision to no longer have school average in per-pupil funding. In resource officers?: We need to BVSD, as with all school districts, work in concert with our City Coun- the largest portion of the budget cil and law enforcement to make goes to staffing. Our discretionary sure that routes to and from school remainder must be allocated wisely. are prioritized for safety. AdditionThe Healthy Kids Colorado Surally, we need advanced building vey from 2021 tells us our kids are security, well-trained School Safety suffering from a myriad of mental Advocates and strong community health challenges. Additional focus partnerships to keep our kids safe on mental health services is a must. on campus. I support the decision ESSER (Covid relief) funding termito remove School Resource Officers nates this year, so BVSD needs to (SROs) from BVSD schools. The be creative, working with commuassociated statistics need to be nity partners for additional support. reviewed to ascertain if this deciAlso, our special education services sion has had the desired effect of are critically underfunded. This reducing disproportionate discipline. should be addressed in the BVSD To prove effective, the newly minted budget to the greatest of our ability. School Safety Advocates (who How we allocate the budget reflects replaced SROs) need continuing our priorities as a school district.
Mural Art by Detour
Lalenia Quinlan Aweida
A once in a generation opportunity in the City of Boulder to secure long-term funding for critical community needs. Continuing an existing 0.15% sales tax, allocating 50% of the tax revenue to arts and culture. Designating 50% into the City General Fund to support homeless solutions, behavioral health, public safety, human services, parks, and other general needs. AB ro a d C o a lit io n o o m m u n it y O r g a n iz a t io n s a re Broad Coalition off C Community Organizations are S u p p o rt in g 2 A Supporting 2A
3rd Law Dance/Theater, BMoCA, Boulder Ballet, Boulder County Arts Alliance, Boulder Ensemble Theater Company, Boulder International Film Festival, Boulder JCC, Boulder Phil, Boulder Studio Arts, Colorado Chautauqua Association, Colorado Music Festival, Dairy Arts Center, El Centro Amistad, Frequent Flyers, eTown Hall, Local Theater Company, Junkyard Social Club, Mi Chantli, Museum of Boulder, NOBO Arts District, Open Studios, Parlando School of Musical Arts, Social Venture Partners Boulder County, Street Wise Arts, TGTHR and 20+ More
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Boulder Valley School Board District D
Boulder Valley School Board District G
Andrew Brandt
Jorge Chavez
threats early each weekday, well before students arrive, Website: brandtforbvsd.co and work with the SafeAge: 53 2-Tell program preventing Family: Married 26 years, acts of self-harm. I think two kids in high school the district has done an incredibly good job protectHow long have you lived in ing the student body across the school district?: Lived the board. in Boulder for 15 years Brandt How should BVSD adProfessional background: Cybercrime investigator for Sophos dress declining enrollment and the potential need for school X-Ops. Former investigative journalist at PC World, former director closures?: The question about declining enrollment really comes of threat Research for Blue Coat down to funding, an unfortunate Systems and Symantec before downside to the city of Boulder’s joining Sophos in 2018. Political/community experience: reputation as one of the best places to live in the country. With Volunteer for CU Boulder’s Media fewer kids enrolled, we have fewer Archaeology Lab resources. BVSD schools are in Education: An alumnus of the high demand due to the quality of public school systems in Los Angeles and Santa Monica and of the our education, yet too few families with young children can afford to University of California Berkeley. live within the district boundaries. How should BVSD address Every 1% of student population concerns about school safeloss (about 300 students) costs ty, including concerns about the district $3 million in annual homeless encampments near funding. I support local leaders schools? Do you support the who are fighting to reduce the high district’s decision to no longer cost of housing, support developing have school resource officers?: additional revenue sources and will BVSD’s decision to remove armed, work to end TABOR. I also think the uniformed police from schools has district can be a lot more creative been a huge success, improving in seeking and making partnerships safety and inclusion for our kids. with private industry to help fund After a process involving a lot of our priorities. stakeholder input, the BVSD board What are your priorities for voted on this decision, but our community made the choice to re- BVSD’s budget?: I support the place SROs with our current School continuation of our differentiated Safety Advocates (SSAs). I applaud funding model that gives more help to schools that need it. I want to the success it has enjoyed so far. Our highly trained SSA profession- see the schools expand their use of in-school mental health drop-in als are focused solely on student safety, full time. SROs only worked centers, since student success is in schools about twice a week, and very closely tied to mental health. And I would like the district to on those days they mostly wrote continue to support arts, music, tickets. SSAs prioritize good relaathletics, and tech-dependent tionships with students, building creative programs like 3D modeling trust that helps them do their job and graphic design. effectively. SSAs also sweep the area around Boulder High School for
school board on investing in these proactive strategies Website: jorgeforbvsd.com to keep schools safe, and Age: 51 these recommendations Family: Wife, Christine; were unanimously supportthree children in BVSD ed by the school board. How long have you lived in How should BVSD adthe school district?: Since dress declining enroll2018 Chavez ment and the potential need for school cloProfessional background: Associate professor, School of Ed- sures?: This is a multifaceted issue. I support the recommendaucation and Human Development, tions of the BVSD Long Range AdUniversity of Colorado Denver Political/community experience: visory Committee, which focused on declining student enrollment. Chair of School Accountability This includes reviewing our open Committee at Escuela Bilingüe enrollment policies and school Pioneer since 2021. Member of attendance districts because enFamilies and Educators Together and Latino Parent Advisory Council rollment looks very different across since 2020. District Accountability BVSD, continuing to work with Committee since 2019, chair since community partners to develop policies that support families moving 2021. into BVSD, and including parents Education: Bachelor’s degrees in and community partners at every psychology and criminal justice, step in the process. I also support University of Nevada; master’s advocating for improved funding for and doctorate in criminal justice, education in Colorado. Proposition University at Albany State HH reduces property taxes, helping How should BVSD address families, while allocating resources concerns about school safeto education. This is an importty, including concerns about ant first step toward adequately homeless encampments near funding our schools, but we must schools? Do you support the continue to advocate for funds at district’s decision to no longer the state capital. have school resource officers?: What are your priorities for The removal of school resource BVSD’s budget?: We need to officers was paired with strong ensure equitable educational opschool safety plans designed in partnership with local police and an portunities for all BVSD students, regardless of socioeconomic staincreased investment in proactus, race and ethnicity, language, tive strategies to increase school safety. As a result, the district has gender identity, learning needs, or the school they go to. This is a priinvested in school safety advocates, mental health resources and ority in the current strategic plan, and I support continued investment supports, social-emotional learnin differentiated funding for schools ing, restorative justice practices serving the students with the most and building school community need, expanding promising pilot and public engagement. These programs at schools that have approaches allow students to feel connected to each other and to feel shown academic improvement and continued investment in restorative supported and safe. As a member of the District Accountability Com- justice practices to reduce disparimittee, I collaborated with a diverse ties across the district. In addition, group of parents to review the SRO recruiting and retaining excellent teachers is an important priority. program at BVSD and advised the These programs help all students.
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Boulder Valley School Board District G Stuart C. Lord
Website: StuartforBVSD. com Age: 64 Family: Wife, Adderly Grant-Lord; daughter, Chloe Lord How long have you lived Lord in the school district?: 15 years Professional background: CEO of Delta Developmental. Associate provost and vice president at Dartmouth College. Associate dean at DePauw University. Directed the President’s Summit for America’s Future during President Clinton’s tenure. President of Naropa University. Political/community experience: BVSD Partnership Council, BVSD Leadership Academy, TGTHR, Boulder Police Oversight work group Education: Bachelor’s degree, Texas Christian University; master’s degrees of divinity and theology, Princeton Theological Seminary; doctorate, United Theological Seminary How should BVSD address concerns about school safety, including concerns about homeless encampments near schools? Do you support the district’s decision to no longer have school resource officers?: My top priority is school safety, including addressing concerns about homeless encampments near schools. I advocate a holistic approach: 1. Community engagement: Foster strong connections with parents, students, educators and the community through regular town hall meetings and surveys. 2. Collaboration with local authorities: Partner closely with local law enforcement to address safety concerns near schools and manage homelessness-related challenges. 3. Mental health support: Invest in in-school mental health services and counseling for students and educators. 4. Restorative justice programs: Introduce conflict resolution initiatives that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. 5. Equity and inclusion: Promote diversity, equity and inclusion
programs to create a respectful school culture and reduce conflicts. Regarding replacing school resource officers with student safety advocates, it’s a positive step for a safer and more inclusive environment. However, ongoing assessment and improvement are crucial. How should BVSD address declining enrollment and the potential need for school closures?: Declining student enrollment is a complex issue that requires thoughtful consideration. I support the recommendations put forth by the Long Range Advisory Committee, especially the evaluation of open enrollment policies and studying attendance boundaries. Additionally, I am committed to robust community conversations as the board will be faced with deeply impactful decisions about the use of school facilities in an age of declining enrollment. There are no perfect answers, but as the next board member I know that every decision we make, and especially ones that reach into the heart of communities, must be made based off of the voices of those who are most affected. What are your priorities for BVSD’s budget?: My BVSD budget priorities are focused on equitable education, teacher support, student well-being and sustainability. Firstly, allocate resources strategically to narrow achievement gaps, particularly for underserved students and those with specific needs. Secondly, competitive educator compensation is vital for attracting and retaining top-quality teachers. Prioritize competitive salaries and robust professional development opportunities. Thirdly, student mental health and well-being support is paramount. Allocate funds for in-school mental health services and counselors to address the increasing demand for these critical resources. Lastly, investing in sustainability initiatives, such as energy-efficient infrastructure and eco-friendly practices, not only reduces long-term costs, but also instills environmental responsibility in our students.
Anil Pesaramelli
district’s SRO decision. I strongly believe having an Website: anil4bvsd.com SRO on the property will be Age: 47 a deterrent. SROs will be Family: Wife, daughter at rightly equipped to prevent Peak to Peak High School, any issues and act accordson at CU Boulder ingly, if things escalate. We don’t hire an electrician to How long have you lived in the school district?: Pesaramelli do a plumbing job, right? Since the program is only Moved to Broomfield from a year old, we should evaluate the California in June 2021, moved to effectiveness of the program. Erie a year later How should BVSD address Professional background: Software engineer in the IT department declining enrollment and the of Kaiser Permanente for six years, potential need for school closures?: Combine classes and engineer at Oracle for 13 years Political/community experience: have two grades in the same class. This allows a lot of cross-learnBVSD Community Bond Oversight Committee member, previous com- ing. Expand school boundaries in alignment with neighboring school munity HOA board member districts. Allow open enrollment Education: MBA, University of for other school districts. Involve Iowa; master’s degree in chemical engineering, University of Louisiana community and parents and get insights. If needed, tough decisions How should BVSD address are needed. Consolidate schools to concerns about school safeprovide quality education. Provide ty, including concerns about transportation so that the impact is homeless encampments near minimized. schools? Do you support the What are your priorities for district’s decision to no longer BVSD’s budget?: The primary have school resource officers?: priority should be funding programs It’s important to approach this that directly support student learnissue with sensitivity and a focus ing and academic achievement. on finding holistic solutions that This includes curriculum developprioritize the safety and well-bement, teacher training, instructioning of all students and community members. Foster open and ongoing al materials and educational technology. Attracting and retaining communication between BVSD, local law enforcement, city officials high-quality educators is crucial. Budget allocations should ensure and community groups. Educate competitive salaries and benefits students, staff and parents about for teachers and staff to maintain homelessness, destigmatizing a talented workforce. Ensure that the issue and promoting empathy students with special needs receive and understanding. Work with appropriate services and support city planners and transportation authorities to establish safe routes by allocating resources to special to school for students. Collect data education programs, counselors and other student support seron incidents and concerns related vices. Support ongoing professional to school safety and homelessdevelopment for educators to keep ness. Use this data to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of them updated on best practices interventions and make data-driven and innovative teaching methods. decisions. Develop a crisis response Maintain a portion of the budget plan that outlines steps to be taken as reserves to address unexpected expenses or economic downturns in case of any incidents related to and inflation. encampments or safety concerns near schools. I do not support the
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Lafayette City Council Tim Barnes
can bolster our already diverse business portfolio. Website: barnesforlafayGuiding the correct blend of ette.com workforce housing-inspired Age: 58 affordable and attainable Family: I am married to housing stock built upon Meghan McCracken. We the vision of our forthcomhave one child and a dog. ing, rewritten, land-use code, including Additional How long have you lived in Barnes Dwelling Units and ShortLafayette?: Since 2014 Term Rentals, we can provide a Professional background: Earth workable template to build systemSystem Science Educator Political/community experience: ic vitality. Our residents emanate Lafayette City Council 2019-2023, support for art, open space access, Boulder County Community Action celebration of diverse peoples, rich unique local history, seeing Programs Board well-functioning governance, and Education: Bachelor’s in commulove of place. Those qualities feednication., University of Colorado back into the redevelopment proBoulder, 1993 cess as the impetus to weave the What is the biggest challenge fabric of a resilient “small” town. that the City Council currently Our Climate Action Plan is evolving faces? If elected, how would you to be an excellent template. address this challenge?: The City How can Lafayette continue to Council recruiting and hiring a new build off its current sustainabilcity administrator is the biggest. ity practices?: I think once we If elected I would continue to work collaborate with each Lafayette with my colleagues to ensure the HOA to match their needs with the candidate chosen has both expeoptions in our Pay-As-You-Throw rience at the administrator level program we can complete the and is capable of tailoring their process of providing composting leadership acumen to motivate the access to all residents who desire extraordinary humans employed it; and that’s the jump off! Once we by the city, managing the state of have practiced robust, collaboraour unique municipal system. Once tive process skills we can address that person is hired, I will collaborestarting full composting activity; rate with my colleagues to develop find and use the funding to convert an onboarding plan, milestone list, additional municipal grounds, and communication structure to beyond the library’s, to xeriscape; facilitate a smooth launch into this reflect upon DEI efforts to create new era. more equitable spaces and pracHow can Lafayette balance tices; support the reckoning of hisurban and business growth while toric racial injustices to the Latin preserving its small-town feel?: American, and other, communities In my opinion, the city is transition- of Lafayette; incubate businesses ing from its development stage to that thrive in making community redevelopment. Through customresilience possible; build plans to ization of the resources available support our aging population; and for our businesses, including the make Lafayette a multi-modal very small, through the Small municipality. Business Development Center, we
David Fridland
Eco-Products, I built a national team of five excellent Website: fridlandforlafaywaste diversion profesette.com sionals who drove regional Age: 34 composting infrastructure Family: Partner (Laura) and development. three pets Given this experience, I feel How long have you lived uniquely suited to support in Lafayette?: 4.5 years Fridland our incoming City Adminin Lafayette, 23 years in istrator. Boulder County How can Lafayette balance Professional background: East urban and business growth while County Coordinator at Eco-Cycle preserving its small-town feel?: 2013-2017, Sustainability Manager Growth, whether it be in the resiat Eco-Products 2017-2022, Envi- dential or business sectors, can opronmental Sustainability Manager erate within our small-town ethos. at Denver International Airport The two need not be at odds. January 2022- present We accomplish this by having a Political/community experience: thoughtful and intentional conOn Sustainability & Resiliency versation about zoning in our Advisory Committee, and previcommunity, and plan together for ously Waste Reduction Advisory an agreed-upon level of growth Committee; led effort for curbside that doesn’t upset our small-town composting in Lafayette; Ultimate charm. The good news is that we Frisbee coach for Lafayette high are already underway in this proschool team cess — a zoning update has been underway this year. This working Education: Bachelor of political group includes members of various science, University of Colorado boards and commissions, and resiBoulder; master’s degree in public dents from across our community. policy, University of Denver I look forward to the outcome of What is the biggest challenge these efforts and think that these that the City Council currently changes can provide the guidefaces? If elected, how would you address this challenge?: The rails for our successful balance biggest challenge that Council cur- of growth and preservation of our rently faces is recruiting and hiring small-town character. for our open city administrator How can Lafayette continue to position. A talented and effective build off its current sustainabiligroup of staff members is necesty practices?: sary to run our city well, and the I am proud of our progress on administrator sets the tone, builds sustainability in our community. We the culture and drives for results. have a strong group of experts who While the current Council is planserve with me on the Sustainability ning to hire the city administrator and Resilience Advisory Commitbefore the new council sits, the tee and a talented sustainability next council will be tasked with ef- manager. We are almost to the fectively onboarding and supportfinish line in the creation of our Cliing this critical person. Throughout mate Action Plan, which will guide my career, I have hired, trained and us into the future around carbon supported many high-functioning emissions reduction and commustaff. I currently manage a team nity resilience. Our next step is to of four at Denver International incorporate the climate action plan, Airport who manage our Air Quality, sustainability and resiliency considClimate Action and Waste Diversion erations into everything that we do programs. During my five years at as a city.
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | 29
Lafayette City Council Crystal Gallegos
How can Lafayette balance urban and business Website: tinyurl.com/Crysgrowth while preserving tal4Lafayette its small-town feel?: Age: 40 Due to rising costs, small Family: Married to husband businesses are struggling in Andrew for 17 years, with this economy. We need to children ages 16, 15, 10 do our part to help promote and 4 them so that people are Gallegos spending their money in How long have you lived in Lafayette instead of at chain stores Lafayette?: 8 years Professional background: Former at the mall. I am a huge supporter NYC public schoolteacher, pro bono of our Chamber Bucks program and think we need to expand or special education advocate, and currently serves locally as a substi- offer additional promotions to make sure our businesses are being tute teacher Political/community experience: supported. We should partner with the Chamber to offer a business Served as a special education advocate, community volunteer and spotlight program to continue to ensure the continued success of substitute teacher these businesses. We want them Education: Bachelor’s and masto succeed and remain here for a ter’s degrees from New York Unilong time. Additionally, we need to versity in elementary and special attract more small businesses to education our vacant commercial spaces. What is the biggest challenge How can Lafayette continue to that the City Council currently build off its current sustainabilifaces? If elected, how would ty practices?: We have wonderful you address this challenge?: sustainability practices in effect Our biggest challenge is populaalready, including the zero waste tion growth. People love Lafayette and composting programs. Supand are moving here with children, porting the creation of additional however, we don’t have a proper solar gardens to help meet our plan in place for addressing the residential and commercial output strain on our local schools and the goals would certainly help, as well impact of increased traffic on our as creating more incentives for roads. We need to create an educitizens’ personal transportation cation task force to work closely to be upgraded to hybrid or electric with BVSD to make sure we are vehicles. The current RTD free ride meeting the needs of all students, program has been extremely sucespecially those with individualized cessful. I’ve noticed a substantial education programs. I’m a mom of decrease in the number of cars on multiple children with special needs the roads around our schools, which and know firsthand due to rising helps with our emissions and deteenrollments (that) students’ needs riorating road problems. We should aren’t being met. Also, we need to investigate the financial feasibility create an additional task force to of extending this program to all look at how increased vehicular and schoolchildren long-term. pedestrian traffic due to population growth is contributing to our deteriorating roads and sidewalks.
JD Mangat
urban and business growth while preserving Website: jd4lafayette.com its small-town feel?: The Age: 28 City of Lafayette should Family: Tejwant (father), continue to work with Jasbir (mother), Jasjit groups like our Urban Re(sister) newal Authority and Chamber of Commerce to attract How long have you lived in new businesses to LafayLafayette?: 28 years Mangat ette while ensuring our Professional background: Eighth grade social studies teacher existing businesses have the tools to thrive. We only have a limited at Angevine Middle School Political/community experience: amount of space left in Lafayette, Serving on City Council since 2018, and that should be filled with a combination of affordable housing, serving as Mayor since 2021 retail, parks/trails and commuEducation: Centaurus High School, nity open space. We must take a bachelor’s degree in business adbalanced and pragmatic approach ministration from the University of when it comes to development to Colorado Boulder, master’s degree ensure we maintain a well-rounded in curriculum and instruction from budget. the University of Colorado Denver How can Lafayette continue to What is the biggest challenge build off its current sustainabilthat the City Council currently ity practices?: I am very proud faces? If elected, how would of all the work Lafayette has you address this challenge?: accomplished so far in meeting Addressing the need for affordable our sustainability goals. Over the housing and living expenses is last few years, we have developed Lafayette’s biggest concern. As a a sustainability plan, expanded teacher, I cannot afford to live in our three-cart disposal services, our city. I am fortunate enough to pushed for 100% electrification live with my parents as I save up. of new builds, and much more. The development of Colorado’s Lafayette needs to continue these largest (400-plus units) affordable efforts by collaborating with our housing project, Willoughby Corner, resident sustainability board and in Lafayette has been my most other government agencies to hit proud accomplishment while serv- our other goals, especially in the ing on Council. I hope to continue transportation field. Bus transit to work with our staff, council and services, micromobility options, other cities to push for more major and bicycle- and pedestrian-friendprojects like this. ly commuting should all be prioriHow can Lafayette balance tized in the next year.
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Lafayette City Council Gala Orba
use, but the economy is not great right now, so it’s Website: galaforcitycounhard for us to pay for it. cil.vote Citizens are also suffering Age: 41 from endless construction Family: My parents, on South Boulder Road, brother, and twin niece and crime is up. and nephew are in downI’d like to open a hometown Chicago. I put all my less shelter and make it Gala Orba aspirations, careers, and a channel for permanent dreams first before starthousing, and I’d like to allocate ing my own family. some housing for the homeless. How long have you lived in I will invite our wealthier residents Lafayette?: 1.5 years and Boulder to pay for the water holding facilCounty for 13 years ity. We must recruit more police Professional background: I roofficers to the force. tate through my favorite careers. I would like to look at the plans Currently, I sell travel packages, for the South Boulder Road teach aerial yoga, tutor and am construction with my friend, a applying for a part-time nanny master plumber. Together we’ll be position. able to determine if Castle Rock Political/community experiConstruction has a viable plan in ence: Moms Demand Action, place. I know what done looks like. Our Mayor Our Choice Initiative, How can Lafayette balance Partners in Mentoring. I ran an urban and business growth Exploratory Campaign for an office while preserving its small-town in Boulder just to learn the ropes feel?: Lafayette isn’t growing of campaigning. My public service economically as fast as you think roots are in grassroots activism. I it is. We could use more small and enjoyed teaching the public about independent business growth for the unfortunate side effects of nurturing our people as well as biotechnology, genetic engineermore public servants to provide ing, pesticides and nanotechnolmore afterschool activities for ogy. youth and the elderly. I don’t agree Education: St. Ignatius College with the question in the sense Prep, Fordham University Manthat I don’t truly see it that way. hattan 2000-2002, University of I believe that Lafayette balances Cape Town, South Africa, Study preserving the small-town feel Abroad 2002. I resumed college naturally. I think this question is a at DePaul University Chicago, fear-based question. graduating in ’09 with a bachelor’s How can Lafayette continue to in actuarial science mathematics. build off its current sustainabilGraduated from the University of ity practices?: I’d like to see solar Colorado Boulder in 2014. panels on all new construction. I’d What is the biggest challenge also like to see a commitment to that the City Council currently stop supplying styrofoam at our faces? If elected, how would restaurants and a move from sinyou address this challenge?: gle-use plastics to paper takeout The city is doing well overall containers citywide. My campaign post-pandemic. However, the city mainly revolves around the So Bo is being sued because we don’t construction project, gun safety have a homeless shelter. We are measures and creating a homeless also facing an issue (in which) a shelter. prior council decided to build a water holding facility for public
Eric Ryant
ton of state and federal grant money that could help jumpWebsite: ericryant.com start programs, whether it’s Age: 63 the homeless, affordable Family: Living with Andee housing, climate change or Lindsay for 10 years. Faworking with the police or fire thered three children, Chase departments. This is an area (VP of the Lafayette Chamthat can help our community ber), Kendall and Sloane grow without hurting our Ryant already tight budget. How long have you lived in Lafayette?: Two years How can Lafayette balance urban and business growth while Professional background: Four preserving its small-town feel?: decades of business experience in Working in the community for a several industries: manufacturing, long time, there needs to be some importing, construction and retail Political/community experience: growth, but carefully measured to keep the small-town feel. Lafayette My experience in several industries has helped me develop great leader- has a wonderful family neighborhood feel, which I want to preserve, ship and management skills. Since I’ve been a business owner in Lafay- so I want to invite businesses that ette for over 10 years, I have a great enhance the community. I want to keep all open space, maintain parks understanding of the community. Education: Florida State University and nature areas that leave the natural beauty of the town intact. We What is the biggest challenge also need to keep in mind our senior that the City Council currently community and make sure that our faces? If elected, how would town makes it easy for them to get you address this challenge?: One around. of the biggest challenges in the community while listening to fellow How can Lafayette continue to build off its current sustainability residents is the homeless. There practices?: The city is in the right are small towns like ours that have direction. Their current programs, programs that could be a working such as the Green Business Promodel for the city. The town needs gram, Partners for a Clean Environto research it, because there is ment and xeriscape programs, to always a solution. We just need to find the right program. The city also name a few. More can be done with needs a full-time grant writer; pres- state and federal grant money that’s ently they don’t have one. There is a out there. We just need to find it.
John Watson
that would help conserve our precious resource and still Website: N/A maintain it to not be a huge Age: 56 issue in the future. I would Family: Single with two encourage us not to let HOAs grown daughters and a shih require us to continue to tzu require watering of our lawns and incentive zero landscapHow long have you lived in ing. Lafayette?: Sixteen years Watson How can Lafayette balance Professional background: urban and business growth while Licensed life and health insurance preserving its small-town feel?: broker Political/community experience: I would encourage that when we lose a business, that we make every (Not answered) attempt to see what might benefit Education: Graduate of Missouri the community as a whole. State University How can Lafayette continue to What is the biggest challenge build off its current sustainability that the City Council currently faces? If elected, how would you practices?: Continue our sustainability practices by encouraging and address this challenge?: Biggest challenge facing Lafayette would be working with the continued effort to have sources of natural energy our future shortage of fresh water. like solar and wind to help lessen our If elected I plan to address this reliance on coal and oil. issue head-on and offer programs
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Longmont Mayor Ethan Augreen
costs by eliminating the municipal tax on groceries Website: ethanforlongand incentivizing a qualimont.com ty discount grocery store Age: 43 to open. I’ll keep energy Family: Single; brother lives affordable by implementin Lafayette; parents live ing a comprehensive out-of-state, visit often, wealth-building plan to own vacation townhouse in Augreen preserve energy securiLongmont I caretake. ty, maximize local clean How long have you lived in Long- energy, and prevent the 2030 “Zero Carbon” energy cliff. mont?: Six years Critically, homeless people are Professional background: 20+ not above the law although there years experience grassroots enviseems to be a pattern of law ronmental/climate action, policy analysis, permaculture design, sus- enforcement treating them as tainable food systems, regenerative such. I’ll demand laws be enforced equally so homelessness no longer land management, AmeriCorps is tolerated as excuse or shield for service. Political/community experience: criminal activity. Furthermore, I’m against bringing Multiple leadership awards, state a train from Denver now because, legislative lobbying experience, honestly, it will surely be another election judge, Student Senate pipeline facilitating more homepresidency in college, free speech lessness, drugs, and criminal acadvocate, currently Libertarian tivity moving into Longmont. Let’s Party of Colorado endorsed. address the homelessness we have, Education: MA Environmental not make it worse. Leadership (Naropa); BA History/ Finally, I’ll adamantly oppose bad Political Science (Rutgers) policy promoting homelessness. As mayor, what will you do to Locking down the economy and address homelessness in Longdriving people out of work in mismont?: Solving homelessness guided over-reaction to a poorly requires multi-faceted approachunderstood health scare was a es. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution; each person experiencing calamitous mistake we’re still homelessness is unique. I’ll activate suffering terrible blowback from. Never again! City resources to employ a team Do you support the ballot meaof mental health and social work professionals proactively engaging sures to fund a new library, recreation center, arts and enterunhoused people and identifying case-by-case solutions to support tainment center and land swap with the local YMCA?: No, these folks getting shelter, whether it’s are inadequate and poorly formulatreferral to Longmont Housing Authority, assistance finding employ- ed tax increases when you examine ment, addiction treatment, access the details (or lack thereof) and extra proof why Longmont needs to nonprofit wraparound services, enhanced leadership, competency etc. in mayor’s office to advance straI’ll be hyper-focused on creating more good jobs, breathing vibrancy tegic, accountable, cost-efficient into Main Street, eliminating vacant community development projects. Is Longmont’s Inclusionary storefronts, and flexing mayoral Housing Ordinance, which leadership to ensure every homerequires 12% of units in new less person who’s able to work residential developments to be has abundant opportunity to be affordable to low- and modemployed. The modular home-building factory erate-income buyers, a good I bring to Longmont will have space policy?: It’s not bad, but my plan to create ultra-affordable home devoted to rapid construction of ownership options by bringing a compact ultra-affordable housing modular home-building factory to units geared for the homeless. Longmont is better. Fighting cost inflation helps prevent homelessness. I’ll reduce food
Joan Peck
Website: joanpeckforlongmontmayor.com Age: 75 Family: Two sons, one daughter-in-law and a grandson How long have you lived in Peck Longmont: 46 years Professional background: Worked in the banking industry, wrote programs for a startup. Saint Vrain Valley School District, owning my child care business and retiring from IBM. Political/community experience: Led the petition drive to amend the Longmont Charter to ban fracking in our city. Led petition to put a measure on the ballot to disallow a local church to build a sub-city and residential development near and around Union Reservoir that would be tax-exempt. Education: Degree from NAU in computer science. Attended FRCC to get Microsoft certified. As mayor, what will you do to address homelessness in Longmont?: Homelessness or unhoused peopIe is an ongoing challenge that may never be solved, but we can and are working to manage. It is not illegal to be homeless. Municipalities have state and federal laws that they must adhere to in dealing with the homeless or unhoused populations. I formed a group to address unhoused people. With the information gathered, the group, city staff and homeless outreach non-profits hosted two meetings with faith communities for input and ideas. It’s an ongoing discussion with many ideas being brought forward. The city cannot manage this challenge alone. We need community support.
Do you support the ballot measures to fund a new library, recreation center, arts and entertainment center and land swap with the local YMCA?: Yes, I do support these ballot measures. For the eight years I have served on council, residents have been asking for amenities that differ wildly. The question for council was, how do we choose? Who will be the winner or loser of our decision? What we needed was more input. Staff gathered all the “asks” and put them in a survey for our residents to rank. From the input we received, council chose the top three to take a closer look at. Staff put together a transparent cost analysis of each project which council approved for ballot measures. Council is not raising your taxes. If residents approve of one or more of the measures, they will be the ones saying with their vote, that they agree to tax themselves for that project. Your vote is your voice. Is Longmont’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, which requires 12% of units in new residential developments to be affordable to low- and moderateincome buyers, a good policy?: Yes, this is a good policy. About 12 years ago our Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, IHO, was removed by the sitting council. Because of that move, Longmont slowly lost the affordability for workers to be able to live in our community and housing prices began a slow rise. We are seeing the results of not having an IHO today. Many developers will not build housing with prices or rents under market value, thus the need to give them a way to work with the city to accomplish what we need.
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Longmont Mayor
Longmont City Council At Large
Terri Goon
Steve Altschuler
recreation center, arts and entertainment center Website: terrigoon4longand land swap with the mont.com local YMCA?: All of these Age: 60 amenities sound wonderful Family: Not Provided for Longmont. I cannot support these ballot measures How long have you lived asking for taxpayer money in Longmont?: About 45 to fund things which are not years Goon a requirement of governProfessional background: ment. All of these measures forcibly Database manager Political/community experience: take money through taxation from people to give to those with specific I am currently on the Commission interests. Special interests are for Judicial Review. I have been on the Historic Preservation Commis- wants and not needs. This is the essence of crony capitalism. The sion in town, have been elected library needs maintenance and it as a vice chair for Boulder County should be budgeted for, but the balRepublicans and tend to volunteer for a number of things at a time be- lot measure should not have an antween church, politics and animals. nex request added. At a time when we are bracing for a large property Education: bachelor’s degree in tax hike and the state legislation social science has not passed any relief is not the As mayor, what will you do to time to ask for more. And there is no address homelessness in Longyear where it becomes moral to take mont?: Homelessness is a tragic money from some to give to others issue. In Longmont, we are sad to that are out-voted. This is why we see those in such circumstances. are a constitutional republic so that Many people want to help. As the there are limits to government and mayor, I would ask that police con- democracy does not turn into mob tinue to watch for illegal activity. rule. When police maintain a presence, Is Longmont’s Inclusionary Housthe homeless who are doing illegal ing Ordinance, which requires activities tend to move on. Those 12% of units in new residential interested in help have multiple op- developments to be affordable to tions within our nonprofit communi- low- and moderate-income buyty. When mental health is an issue, ers, a good policy?: While it would it’s especially tragic. We no longer be great to have more affordable institutionalize people against their housing, the city itself should not will, which can lead to homelessbe in the housing business. Instead, ness. I will assure that the city is it should divest itself of these types not in the way of anyone wanting of arrangements that do not work to open spots for the mentally ill as planned. Housing is a function and make certain the city is not of free markets. If we continue to hindering those who would build block the housing that is needed affordable housing. in Longmont we will automatically Do you support the ballot have higher priced housing here. measures to fund a new library,
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would be lower. The only reason for the YMCA land Website: steve4longmont. swap is so the City Council com can change the zoning Age: not provided laws and build low-inFamily: Married with a 19 come, high-density units. year-old in college We already have 2,700 low income units. To my How long have you lived in knowledge, there is no time Longmont? 28 years Altschuler constraint on this program. Professional background: 35 years owning my own business We could be subsidizing each unit Political/community experience: for 50 more years. Plus, we are encouraging people to keep their None income low, or lose the assistance. Education: Two years at a junior Make it a limit of two to three college in California, AA in business years and make it a requirement What will you do to address that they take classes at (Front homelessness in Longmont?: Range Community College) to help First, stop giving the homeless further their own value to society. free drugs. I’ll bet 25% — 35% will More government overreach. leave the next day for a different Is Longmont’s Inclusionary city. Second, whatever we do, we Housing Ordinance, which must help veterans first. Third, requires 12% of units in new make sure we are helping Longresidential developments to be mont homeless first, don’t tax us affordable to low- and modto help homeless from all over the erate-income buyers, a good state. Fourth, protect our kids and policy?: Again, I am a believer in businesses; have an ordinance the free market, not socialism. that camps must be at least 100 Plus, having a city force builders to feet from a retail store front and provide “affordable housing” does 500 feet from a school. Fifth, offer the opposite; it creates higher pricmental assessments and help es for the remaining units. Forcing those who want help. builders to pay “in-lieu” is really Do you support the ballot just a fancy name for “extortion,” measures to fund a new library, not what I think our city should recreation center, arts and be doing.If the city really wants to entertainment center and land help anyone — affordable housing, swap with the local YMCA?: I am low-income housing, sheltering a free market Capitalist. If there homeless etc. — they need to quit was an interest in the museum enabling the behavior that got that somebody would buy it, market it person into that position. Get menand profit from it. The rec centers tal help where needed and insist are the same point. The city should on extra schooling or mentoring so not own markets where individthat person helps themselves, too. uals can come in and run things better and cheaper, plus our taxes
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Longmont City Council At Large Sean McCoy
parking lot at Hover and Nelson to provide a safe Website: mccoyforlongspace for the unhoused mont.com to stay and get their lives Age: 58 together. Family: Married Maureen I believe we should add a O’Brien-McCoy 31 years place on our city bill paper Daughters Claire & Mollie document as well as online How long have you lived in McCoy to donate to the unhoused, Longmont?: 58 years gift card to be distributed Professional background: Social to the unhoused by hope and the Our Center. Studies teacher at Monarch HS in Louisville, CO. Boulder Valley I believe we should look at other School District.I teach US Govern- housing possibilities like palment, US History and Economics. let-homes for the unhoused memPolitical/community experience: bers of our community. In the 1990s and 2000s I served Do you support the ballot on several boards and commissions measures to fund a new library, including the Longmont Housing recreation center, arts and and Human Services Commission, entertainment center and land Longmont Planning and Zoning swap with the local YMCA?: Yes, Commission, Longmont Police as a current sitting At-Large City Standards and Review Board, Council Member I voted with the and Boulder County Open Space rest of council to add this to this Commission.I then served as the years ballot for the community Ward 3 Longmont City Council member to decide if they are supMember from 2007 to 2011. After portive of adding this tax to achieve my council term I served on the the goals of bringing these quality Historic Preservation Commission. of life aspects to Longmont. Currently serving a special At-Large Is Longmont’s Inclusionary council term as of November 2022 Housing Ordinance, which I currently am the Boulder County requires 12% of units in new Consortium of Cities Representaresidential developments to be tive for Longmont from the. City affordable to low- and moderCouncil. ate-income buyers, a good poliEducation: Undergraduate degree cy?: Increasing work-force housing in Political Science from Fort Lewis for low and moderate income earnUniversity. Master’s degree in ers in all new developments is a Education from the University of good thing and is a personal goal of Northern Colorado. mine. I would even support a larger percentage to make sure we are What will you do to address really addressing the overwhelming homelessness in Longmont?: I community need. believe we should create a shortterm RV park in the old Walmart
Beka Venturella
initiatives focused on early intervention, such as rent Website: bekaforlongmont. assistance programs. Addicom tionally, outreach programs Age: 35 should be strengthened to Family: Husband Vince, identify and assist those at 4-year-old son and 1-yearrisk of becoming homeless. old daughter Do you support the ballot How long have you lived in Venturella measures to fund a new Longmont?: 7 years but in library, recreation center, Boulder County for 14 years. arts and entertainment center and land swap with the local Professional background: Hair YMCA?: I absolutely support the stylist Political/community experience: programs being funded in these ballot measures, however I believe Advocated at the Colorado State Capitol on gun violence prevention that the tax increases they will each bring will place an unsustainbills during the 2023 legislative able burden on struggling families session and young people. Issue 3D (Arts Education: Trade School — Cosand Entertainment Center) has a metology & Aesthetician more sustainable funding mechWhat will you do to address anism since it will require the homelessness in Longmont?: Longmont Alliance for Arts and On City Council, I plan to address Entertainment to raise $35 million homelessness in Longmont by: through outside funding, rather 1. Increasing the availability of afthan through citizen taxes. With fordable housing units within Long- a rising cost of living impacting mont by partnering with developers families and residents all across to incentivize affordable housing Longmont, I believe this funding projects, zoning changes and colstructure that requires a portion laborating with local organizations of funding to come from non-tax to repurpose vacant properties into sources is easier on Longmont affordable housing units. residents and a better path for implementing these programs. 2. Investing in shelters and services. I will support increased Is Longmont’s Inclusionary funding for shelters to accomHousing Ordinance, which modate the homeless population requires 12% of units in new by creating safe and supportive residential developments to be spaces. I’ll also prioritize allocating affordable to low- and modresources to fund wrap-around erate-income buyers, a good services, including mental health policy?: Yes, Longmont’s Inclusupport, addiction treatment and sionary Housing Ordinance is a job training. good policy. It helps ensure that our city remains accessible to people of 3. To prevent homelessness in all income levels. the first place, I would support
Candidate for City Council Ward 1 Paid for and authorized by Nia for Longmont
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Longmont City Council Ward 1 Diane Crist
neighborhoods. What works in Ward 1 will work in other Website: cristforlongmontneighborhoods. It is importcouncil.com ant that city planning begin Age: Not provided at the neighborhood level. Family: Married, four adult Do you support the ballot children, two grandchildren measures to fund a new How long have you lived in library, recreation center, Longmont?: Thirty years, arts and entertainment Crist 26 in Ward 1 center and land swap Professional background: I am a with the local YMCA?: No, not at this time. Businesses are still business design and development recovering from pandemic effects accountant and business owner. on their bottom line. The city I improve profitability and effectiveness in private and government has several capital improvement projects that have almost doubled business concerns. I am a budget in cost due to inflation and supply and cash flow expert. Political/community experience: chain issues. The funding requested for the ballot issues may not 2021 candidate introducing the adequately fund the actual costs to Hyperloop. Current Vice Chair of the Transportation Advisory Board. create these projects which will put us in another Fast Tracks situation BOCO elections since 2014. where we contribute a lot in taxes Education: BS Business Adminbut are never able to build the projistration, Professional Accounting Degree, Advanced Economics stud- ect. The best way to create recreation and library services for all ies, Minor Mass Communications is to lease space in neighborhoods What do you think is the most for extension facilities. This can be pressing issue facing Ward 1 done for a fraction of the cost, is today and what would you do adaptable, does not increase taxes to address it?: Longmont City or ruin a park. Council has four at-large seats Is Longmont’s Inclusionary (including mayor) and three ward Housing Ordinance, which seats. The current council’s toprequires 12% of units in new down approach assumes what is residential developments to be good for the whole city is good for each ward. I believe the ward seats affordable to low- and moderate-income buyers, a good poliwere created in the city charter to give a voice to each neighborhood. cy?: Inclusionary housing promotes multicultural diversity, and creates I intend to advocate for Ward 1 in equitable affordable housing by the areas of economic developpositioning units with equal access ment, safety, tourism and access to city services such as recreation, to essential city and neighborhood library services and transportation. services like schools, jobs, places of worship, grocery, recreation, library, Ward 1 has a high rate of naturally personal care, banking, transportaoccurring affordable housing that tion, and entertainment opportunishould be preserved by lowered ties. Inclusionary zoning programs property taxes for those who do not inhibit development but rent at market or below. Much of often accelerate it. The city needs the new high-density housing is to apply the ordinance more evenly disconnected from the existing commercial areas. We must rework and not offer a buyout to developers. Also, considerations regarding the structure and fabric of our ease of resale should be addressed. neighborhoods to integrate these new elements and rebuild cohesive
Harrison Earl
now is the wrong time to ask voters to approve Website: harrisonforlongmassive tax increases on mont.com top of increasing property Age: 37 taxes from housing values. Family: Wife Elisabeth is a The property and sales tax family medicine physician increases that the current at Salud Family Health CenCity Council has proposed ters, goldendoodle puppy to fund these projects are Maximus is a very good boy. Earl far too onerous for LongHow long have you lived in Long- mont residents already struggling with affordability. If I am elected, mont?: 6 years Professional background: I work I’d go back to the drawing board and look for other creative ways to for airports around the country and help them improve their airline fund these projects and move them forward, without such a high tax service; I’ve worked in commercial burden on residents. I am a believer aviation for 15 years Political/community experience: and a supporter in all these projects I chair Longmont’s Airport Advisory and the value they bring to LongBoard and have served on the board mont, just not at the costs that voters are being asked to bear. since 2018 Is Longmont’s Inclusionary Education: Bachelor’s degree in business from Washington Univer- Housing Ordinance, which requires 12% of units in new sity in St. Louis residential developments to be What do you think is the most affordable to low- and modpressing issue facing Ward 1 erate-income buyers, a good today and what would you do to policy?: Yes, I think the City of address it?: The most pressing Longmont should have an Incluissue facing all of Longmont today sionary Housing Ordinance and is housing affordability, with people that increasing both affordable and being priced out of living in Longattainable housing in the city is mont. We need to focus on differgood policy. However, I don’t think ent kinds of housing development, the current ordinance is effective single-family, multi-family, condos enough, as it allows developers and ADUs to help make more hous- to pay fees instead of developing ing available in Longmont. Should affordable units. We also need I be elected, I will push the City to make sure we’re developing Council to change some of Longmultiple types of affordable and mont’s zoning ordinances to speed attainable units, not simply small approval of certain types of devel- apartments, to best meet the opments, which will lower building needs of all types of residents and costs and enable more affordable families, which is not something housing across the city. the current ordinance addresses. Do you support the ballot meaI’d push to make changes to the sures to fund a new library, rec- ordinance to make sure it supports reation center, arts and enterthe actual construction of more tainment center and land swap affordable and attainable housing with the local YMCA?: I support that meets the needs of a diverse adding new amenities to Longmont group of our residents. and enhancing access to our library and recreation centers. However,
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
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Longmont City Council Ward 1 Nia Wassink
What do you think is the most pressing issue Website: niaforlongmont. facing Ward 1 today and com what would you do to Age: 38 address it?: Family: Husband of almost This housing crisis needs a 15 years, 3 cats multi-prong, multi-dimenHow long have you lived in sional approach. There is no Longmont? Since 2015 Wassink silver bullet. What we know is that we need a brave, inProfessional background: I have worked in and for the nonprof- novative Council, working in tandem with our City staff to get this done. it sector my entire career. I now own a small business that provides Approaches include: consulting services for nonprofits, • Supporting mixed-density degovernment agencies and political velopments, because one type of causes. housing can’t serve everyone. Political/community experience: • Reviewing and refining regulations I’ve sat on numerous nonprofit of short-term rental properties boards, primarily working with and • Holding true to our inclusionary supporting children and youth. housing regulations I’ve volunteered and worked on a number of local political campaigns, • Supporting conversions to highsupporting candidates or measures er-density zoning • Supporting ADUs (Accessory that I believe in. Dwelling Units) Education: Undergraduate de• Working with our state legislagree in sociology from University tors to address statewide policy of Michigan. Masters of nonprofit management from Regis University changes • Working with community partners in Denver.
who represent some of our most vulnerable — older adults and those with disabilities — to ensure that they have access to appropriate housing solutions • Ensuring service coordination and more upstream solutions for our unhoused community Do you support the ballot measures to fund a new library, recreation center, arts and entertainment center and land swap with the local YMCA?: I deeply believe in public libraries, the arts, and access to recreation facilities. Each of these elements contributes to a healthy, connected community. • I will be supporting the funding for a new library, as studies have indicated that we are in need of a new library, based on our population size. • I will be supporting the funding for a new rec center and YMCA land swap deal both because we have exceeded the population for our current facilities and because of the potential for significant affordable
housing with the deal. • I will not be supporting the arts and entertainment center because it presents many potential future obstacles for our community. At present, we cannot fully staff our performing arts space (The Stewart Auditorium). In a year when property taxes are increasing and we have a cost of living crisis, the arts and entertainment center is a “wonderful to have” facility that we cannot afford. Is Longmont’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, which requires 12% of units in new residential developments to be affordable to low- and moderate-income buyers, a good policy? Numerous studies show that inclusionary housing requirements significantly impact the stock of affordable units in a city. It is also but one tool in our toolbox to address the affordable housing needs of our community.
Beka Venturella ! e t o V this November 7th!
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Believing in Longmont
I ask for your vote Longmont Mayor
Together we will make this city a shining example of what is possible with people in control of their own lives and treasure with government protecting both
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Longmont City Council Ward 3 Spencer Adams
ate-income households. Do you support the ballot Website: Spencerforward3. measures to fund a new com library, recreation center, Age: 24 arts and entertainment Family: I don’t have a wife center and land swap nor any children. with the local YMCA?: How long have you lived in As a City Council member, Longmont: One year Adams I would support the ballot measures to fund a new Professional backaround: library, recreation center, arts and I’ve been in construction project entertainment center and land management for five years in the commercial and industrial field. The swap with the local YMCA in Longmont. I believe that these projects past two years have been in solar project management. I’m currently would enhance the quality of life the operations manager for Colum- and well-being of the residents of bine Roofing and Solar right here in Longmont by providing them with more opportunities for learning, Longmont. recreation, culture and social interPolitical/communitv eynerience:I action. I think that these projects participate in as many community would also benefit the local econevents possible such as Coffee omy by attracting more visitors, With Council, and I’ve seen most City Council meetings for the past businesses, and investments to the city, as well as creating more jobs year. Education: High school diploma at and revenue. Is Longmont’s Inclusionary Wasson H.S. in Colorado Springs. Housing Ordinance, which What do you think is the most requires 12% of units in new pressing issue facing Ward 3 residential developments to be today and what would you do affordable to low- and modto address it?: Ward 3 in Longerate-income buyers, a good mont is facing several issues that policy?: As a City Council member, may affect the quality of life and I would support the Inclusionary well-being of its residents: the Housing Ordinance (IH) as a good proposed ballot questions for policy for Longmont. I believe that funding a new recreational center, the IH policy is aligned with the a new branch library, and an arts city’s vision and values of creatand entertainment center. Some residents may have concerns about ing a diverse, inclusive and livable the cost, location and necessity of community for all residents. I think these projects. The availability and that the IH policy is an effective affordability of housing in the city: and flexible tool for addressing the housing affordability and availabiliSome residents may struggle to ty challenges that the city is facing, find or maintain adequate housing especially in light of the population options that suit their needs and growth and economic developbudget. As a city council member ment that the city is experiencing. of Ward 3, I would engage with I understand that the IH policy has the residents of Ward 3 and listen some costs and trade-offs, but I to their opinions and preferences think that they are outweighed by on the ballot questions. I would also support policies and programs the benefits and savings that the that promote housing stability and IH policy generates for the city and its residents. affordability for low- and moder-
Ronald (Ron) Gallegos
land swap with the local YMCA?: I won’t support Website: not given ballot measures for a new Age: 69 branch library as a standFamily: not given alone issue, building a new rec center in SW, an art and How long have you lived in entertainment center, or Longmont?: Resident since the land swap with the Y. 1985 A rec center at the GarProfessional background: Gallegos den Acres location would Project/Process/Product/ negate the need for additional Line Manager for U S West 18 years; owner of Gallegos & Compa- real estate purchases for a branch ny Financial Services & Consulting library and rec center, plus having the additional benefit of including a Residential & Commercial Mortpolice substation, additional meetgage Brokerage; owner Conjeos ing room, and a small auditorium Fine Art Gallery. Political/community experience: all at a single site. Performing arts center is a cost to the city budget City Council Longmont Ward III 1995-1999; Board of Directors Na- (that) won’t generate enough revenue to sustain itself or all the costs tional League Cities, Washington, it will incur in its building and mainD.C., Locally Elected Hispanic Officials, Washington, D.C., Colorado tenance. A more practical approach would be to wed the concept of Municipal League a PAC to a convention complex Education: Political science CU, that would include a 4-star hotel, business administration University conference facilities, upscale retail of Phoenix, Dartmouth College and shops. Convention activity can What do you think is the most create a tourist environment and pressing issue facing Ward 3 have a positive economic impact on today and what would you do the community and existing retail. to address it?: The issue most Is Longmont’s Inclusionary pressing to Ward III would be traffic Housing Ordinance, which in the neighborhood. Looking for requires 12% of units in new mitigation solutions to manage and residential developments to be slow down traffic on residential affordable to low- and modstreets through the use of street erate-income buyers, a good bumps, signage and a roundabout. policy?: I was on the council that Neighborhood meeting with Planinstituted the original 10% or cash ning and Traffic Department and instead of, yes, I support the 12% Transportation Advisory Board to Inclusionary Housing Ordinance for discuss, and reach agreement on new residential developments to a master plan for traffic mitigabe affordable for moderate-income tion and solution agreeable to the buyers. I think it is a good policy neighborhoods in Ward III. Better and will foster the kind of housing signage for traffic onto Francis diversity we are striving for as a Street North. Building a rec center community. We should change at the Garden Acres Park that the existing zoning for residential would include a library and police building, to allow for more mixed substation. developments as well as encourage Do you support the ballot multistory condos and owner-ocmeasures to fund a new licupied units in commercial zones brary, recreation center, arts to promote retail and living centers and entertainment center and together in a single unit.
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Longmont City Council Ward 3 Susie Hidalgo-Fahring
of development and infill, I am acquiring input and Website: susieforward3. reviewing our land code com to ensure that language Age: 51 appropriately addresses Family: My husband, two criteria and best approach daughters (32 and 24), son for development in Ward (21) 3. Throughout my time on council, I have advocated How long have you lived in Hidalgofor prioritizing the needs of Longmont?: 18 years Fahring our North Main St. busiProfessional background: nesses and streets. I have Educator, 19 years in St Vrain Valley supported efforts to staff and fund School District — 3rd grade bilinNeighborhood Impact Teams and gual teacher Political/community experience: provide more services to address concerns surrounding safety and 4 years experience of serving on homelessness. Longmont City Council, particiDo you support the ballot meapated in Gov Hickenlooper’s TBD sures to fund a new library, recColorado committee in 2012, Vice reation center, arts and enterPresident for the St Vrain Valley tainment center and land swap Education Association, 7 years on with the local YMCA?: I personally the SVVEA/SVVSD Negotiations Team, CORE/LEADS Public Safety intend on supporting these ballot measures. The purpose of bringing Steering Committee, Supporting these forward was in response to Action for Mental Health Latino the overwhelming message we Outreach heard from many of our residents Education: ECE Associates that we are in need of expanded Degree, BA Visual and Performamenities and local activities for ining Arts, Elementary Education dividuals, especially our youth. We Endorsement, Certified Bilingual were mindful of inflation and other Cross-Cultural Language Acquisieconomical hardships when devistion Development ing the financial structure of these What do you think is the most ballot measures, which is a split pressing issue facing Ward 3 of mill levy override and sales tax. today and what would you do The finance team pulled together a to address it?: There are a few structure that meets the requirepressing issues we are working ments and constraints of TABOR on in the Ward 3 area. Throughout while still allowing for an appromy time on Council, I have heard priate level of funding. We also concerns surrounding traffic and honored the requests of the Library pedestrian safety, walkable ameand Parks & Rec Advisory Boards to nities, navigating growth and how run the Library measure as a stand we manage infill development. For alone request and the combination our businesses on North Main, I’ve of the recreation center and the Y witnessed concerns surrounding recreation partnership on the east unhoused individuals deterring cus- side of the city. tomers and overall personal safety. Is Longmont’s Inclusionary In addressing traffic and safety. Housing Ordinance, which I have supported moving forward requires 12% of units in new with Vision Zero in an effort to residential developments to be create cyclist and pedestrian safe affordable to low- and modmultimodal roads and pathways erate-income buyers, a good which puts safety in the forefront for all users. For my second term, I policy: Yes. I also plan on digging deeper to look at how we can plan on working with stakeholders incentivize the building of the 12% and staff to utilize vacant spaces into the developments rather than as potential sites for storefront settling for the cash-in-lieu option. libraries, youth based centers, and community areas. In matters
Gary Hodges
with the local YMCA?: One of our councilmemWebsite: hodges4council. bers recently said there com is never a good time for Age: 56 a tax increase, and while Family: Wife, Lisa. Daughthat may be true, now is a ter, Amber and son-in-law, particularly bad time. We Jonah (two grandsons). are staring down a massive Son, Mack. All call Longproperty tax increase in Hodges mont home. 2024that will only be exacHow long have you lived in Long- erbated over time if Proposition HH, a supposed property tax reduction mont?: 26 years Professional background: Atmo- on this year’s ballot that would eliminate our future TABOR refunds spheric Science. Senior Associate forever, passes. I’m pleased the Scientist with CU and NOAA Political/community experience: three local measures are on the balCandidate for Longmont City Coun- lot for the public to decide, which is the right thing to do. For myself, cil in the 2022 special election. Seven years Transportation Adviso- I am leaning “no” on all three, but if elected and they pass, I will work ry Board. Boulder County Precinct diligently to ensure our city gets Lead 2020 general election. the outcome promised by each. Education: Bachelor’s and masIs Longmont’s Inclusionary ter’s degrees in meteorology from Housing Ordinance, which Florida State University requires 12% of units in new What do you think is the most residential developments to be pressing issue facing Ward 3 affordable to low- and modtoday and what would you do erate-income buyers, a good to address it?: Sadly, it is the policy?: Though I recognize the negative influence of vagrancy sincere motivation to expand along north Main Street and the affordable housing for present and destabilizing impact it is having on future Longmont residents, I am our business community. I outnot a fan of this ordinance. Is it fair line a clear path out of this in my to make 88% pay more for housing Solutions-Based Platform. That so that 12% can pay less? The funsaid, I’ll provide one example of damental problem is that it doesn’t something that can be done now. eliminate a burden, it merely shifts Let’s move the methadone clinic it to another group. It is governfrom its current location to one ment picking winners and assigning that makes more sense than the losers. But it is more insidious than abandoned nook off Main Street that. Because of inefficiencies in where it currently resides. If drug the system the newly burdened substitution is truly health care as group will be larger than the one is often professed, it should be in a relieved. This perverse outcome hospital setting so patients can be will predictably snare many in the easily reached and provided a hand affordable housing trap, creating up out of addiction, and not merely a barrier to entry into market-rate dispensed homeless maintenance. housing. The pursuit of affordable Do you support the ballot meahousing should not make housing sures to fund a new library, rec- affordability worse. reation center, arts and entertainment center and land swap
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Longmont Ballot Issues Longmont Ballot Issue 3C: New branch library
termined) for not more than twenty years beginning with tax collection year 2024 to fund the acquisition or What it asks: “Shall City of construction of a new branch library Longmont taxes be increased and from an additional city sales $7,400,000 annually in the first and use tax rate of .15% beginning full year and by whatever additional Jan. 1, 2024, to fund operation amounts are generated annually in and maintenance of all city librareach subsequent year from a mill ies, shall ordinance O-2023-37 levy of not to exceed 1 mill (provided authorizing such tax increases be that such mill levy may be adjusted approved, and shall the proceeds of to account for changes in the meth- such taxes and investment income od by which assessed value is dethereon be collected and spent
without regard to any limitation contained within Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?” What it means: Should Longmont raise property taxes for no more than 20 years to fund the construction of a new branch library? If approved, an additional sales and use tax rate of 0.15% would be collected to fund the operation and maintenance of the new and existing libraries.
Longmont Ballot Issue 3D: Arts and entertainment center
Longmont Ballot Issue 3E: Recreation center; YMCA land swap
center, shall ordinance O-2023-36 authorizing such tax increases be approved, and shall the proceeds of such taxes and investment income What it asks: “Shall City of thereon be collected and spent Longmont taxes be increased without regard to any limitation $12,500,000 annually in the first contained within Article X, Section full year and by whatever additional 20 of the Colorado Constitution or amounts are generated annually in any other law?” each subsequent year from a mill What it means: Should property levy of not to exceed 1.9 mills (pro- taxes be increased to fund the vided that such mill levy may be construction of an arts and enadjusted to account for changes in tertainment center in Longmont? the method by which assessed val- The Longmont Alliance for Arts ue is determined) for not more than and Entertainment would have to twenty years to fund the construc- raise $35 million in private funding, tion of an arts and entertainment first, before any new tax would be center provided that the mill levy collected. If approved, an additional will be first levied beginning with sales tax would be collected to the year in which $35,000,000 fund the center’s operation and in private funding for construction maintenance. has been made available to the What supporters say: Longmont city, and an additional city sales needs an arts and entertainment and use tax rate of .09% to fund center. Such a facility would the operation and maintenance of attract new people to the area and the arts and entertainment center promote culture. provided that the sales and use What opponents say: While an tax increase shall take effect on arts and entertainment center the first day of the sixth month sounds nice, the free market should prior to the projected completion date of the arts and entertainment fund it instead of the taxpayers.
What supporters say: The existing library is not big enough to support Longmont’s growing population. A new library and bringing the current one up to a preferred level of service are integral to the city. What opponents say: The existing library is sufficient and should be funded adequately through existing revenue.
Dry Creek Community Park, shall the city be authorized to convey the portion of Centennial Park needed to construct these facilities to the What it asks: “Shall City of YMCA, shall ordinance O-2023-39 Longmont taxes be increased authorizing such tax increases be $20,700,000 annually in the first approved, and shall the proceeds of full year and by whatever additional such taxes and investment income amounts are generated annually in thereon be collected and spent each subsequent year from a mill without regard to any limitation levy of not to exceed 2.78 mills contained within Article X, Section (provided that such mill levy may 20 of the Colorado Constitution or be adjusted to account for changes any other law?” in the method by which assessed What it means: Should taxes be value is determined) for not more raised to fund the construction of a than twenty years beginning with new recreation center at Dry Creek tax collection year 2024 to fund Community Park as well as a land recreation facilities including swap with the local YMCA? The the construction of a recreation city could use the Lashley Street center at Dry Creek Community property to construct affordable Park, a mill levy of not to exceed 2 and attainable housing and the mills (provided that such mill levy YMCA would use the Centennial may be adjusted to account for Pool site to build a new recreation changes in the method by which center with a pool and ice rink as assessed value is determined) for well as child care and affordable not more than three years to fund housing. in partnership with the YMCA the construction of a recreation facility What supporters say: Longmont needs a new recreation center and (including a pool and ice rink) and the land swap would also lead to affordable housing provided that more affordable housing, which the the tax will not be levied until the city desperately needs too. YMCA has received a low-income What opponents say: The city housing tax credit award, and an already has a recreation center and additional city sales and use tax rate of .11% beginning Jan. 1, 2025, should fix Centennial Pool instead of offering it up as part of a land to fund the operation and mainteswap. nance of the recreation center at
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Louisville Mayor Josh Cooperman
usage of our open spaces and the City Charter’s proWebsite: joshforlouisville. tections for native wildlife com inhabiting our open spaces. Age: 40 This mitigation must also Family: My wife and I have not further fuel climate two daughters in elementachange, especially, by ry school. safeguarding the capacHow long have you lived in Cooperman ity of our open spaces to sequester carbon dioxide. Louisville?: 4 years Professional background: Theo- The City must balance all of these considerations in designing and retical physicist Political/community experience: implementing wildfire mitigation on our open spaces. Fortunately, Louisville Sustainability Advisory the City can draw on scientifically Board since January 2021, Louisville Bee City USA Committee since sound measures, like carefully executed ruminant grazing, to strike March 2023, Facilitator for SNAP this balance between preservation at the Louisville Farmers’ Market and mitigation. Education: Bachelor’s in physics How can Louisville continue to from Williams College, master of work towards its sustainability philosophy in history and philosogoals?: Louisville’s primary susphy of science from the University of Cambridge, master of science in tainability goal is — and should be clinical investigation and doctorate — reducing its carbon footprint to mitigate climate change. The City in physics from the University of should work towards this goal as California, Davis follows. First, City Council should What issue would you like to adopt and implement its recently see the council address and proposed plan for decarbonizing resolve?: In recovering from the the City’s buildings and fleet in a Marshall fire, Louisville has yet to timely, cost-effective manner. This adopt wildland-urban interface effort would set an example for building codes. The city should the considerably more formidable adopt such codes, specifically task of community-wide decaradapted to Louisville’s wildfire bonization. Next, the City should risks, before the state’s mandated thoroughly educate its residents codes come into effect. Specifical- and business owners on how to ly, the city should require fire-hard- decarbonize their homes and ening measures for new builds, at businesses. Beyond detailing the least in high risk areas, and should process, resources, and incenincentivize fire-hardening measures tives, this educational campaign for existing buildings, prioritizing should clearly convey the economic high risk areas. The city should benefits and rightly prioritize equity accompany such incentives with and justice. Finally, the City should a thorough educational campaign initiate concerted efforts to adapt for all residents and businesses in Louisville to our changing climate: partnership with the Louisville Fire implementing wildfire mitigation Protection District. measures, preparing thoroughly for The many open spaces in climate-related emergencies, modLouisville are beloved by resiernizing land-use design standards, dents. How can the city work to expanding its tree canopy, replacpreserve open space while still ing non recreational turf grass addressing wildfire mitigation?: with native plants, and removing The Marshall Fire demonstrated unnecessary hardscapes. These unequivocally that Louisville must latter efforts would address many mitigate wildfire risks on its open of Louisville’s secondary sustainspaces. This mitigation must reability goals. spect the community’s recreational
Chris Leh
How can the city work to preserve open space Website: LehForLouisville. while still addressing com wildfire mitigation?: Age: 61 Wildfire mitigation is Family: Married, 2 daughessential to preserve ters Open Space. The Marshall Fire found an abundant How long have you lived in fuel source in non-naLouisville?: 29 years Leh tive species, and sound Professional background: management requires control of Lawyer, Co-Founder & Managing both. It also requires maintaining Partner, Leh Law Group vegetation at a reasonable height. Political/ Community experiRegenerative agriculture using catence: Councilmember (9 yrs.); tle and goats can help accomplish Commissioner, Louisville Revithis. Regularly mowing Open Space talization Commission (4 yrs.) & swaths bordering residential areas Louisville Planning Commission (2 helps create a barrier to mitigate yrs.); Board Member/Chair, Blue Sky Bridge (9 yrs.); Board Member, wildfire. Finally, voters should pass Imagine! Foundation (4 yrs.); Trust- ballot measure 2C to ensure proper funding for preserving Open Space ee, Legal Aid Foundation (6 yrs.); Co-Chair, Employment Law Section and ensuring wildfire mitigation. How can Louisville continue to Education: Bachelor’s in public work towards its sustainabilpolicy, Princeton; juris doctorate ity goals?: One step is electing degree from NYU School of Law; Mediation Certificate, Harvard Law leaders who are committed to Louisville’s sustainability goals. I School Program on Negotiation continue to strongly support the What issue would you like to see clean energy and carbon emission the Council address and rereduction goals we adopted in solve?: I would like the Council to 2019, and the policy framework we work together to improve Louispassed in our 2020 Sustainability ville’s economic vitality so we can Action Plan. Voters should take retain and grow current businesses time to learn candidates’ views and attract new ones. First, we about both. should revise our antiquated land Another step is found in the use rules and planning processes. Community Decarbonization Plan Some types of applications may Council recently passed to encournot need multiple reviews by our planning commission. Others might age residents to reduce greenhouse be handled better administratively. gas (GHG) emissions by retrofitBoth our rules and processes need ting their homes. In partnership to be clear, consistent, predictable, with Xcel, for example, we hope to provide incentives to residents expeditious, and fair. to replace their gas furnaces with Second, in response to Marshall electric heat pumps. Fire survivors’ rebuilding of homes, Third, Louisville needs to increase our Community Development Deits housing stock, which presents a partment masterfully streamlined great opportunity to meet our susour residential permitting protainability goals. Building denser cess. We should focus resources housing reduces its carbon footon improvements for commercial print. Constructing it near our bus applicants also. rapid transit station will encourage Third, Council should rely primarily residents to use public transportaon incentives, not mandates in tion, reducing GHG emissions. Louinducing changes by businesses. isville can incentivize developers to The many open spaces in Louachieve both with a mix of zoning isville are beloved by residents. changes and incentives.
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Louisville Mayor
Louisville City Council Ward 1
Sherry Sommer
Caleb Dickinson
still addressing wildfire mitigation?: Providing Website: sherryforlouisopen space maintenance ville.com and fire mitigation requires Age: 60 adequate funding. It is Family: Children, Sam, 24, absolutely essential that and Hannah, 20. Louisville residents vote in favor of the open space tax How long have you lived in renewal with a small inLouisville?: 11 years Sommer crease, to total ½ cent per Professional background: dollar on sales tax. The city is using Property management Political/community experience: a variety of strategies to keep our open space healthy and provide fire Community leader in Louisville, mitigation including regenerative 2012-present. agriculture, which includes grazing Education: Bachelor’s in political goats and cows to accomplish science, Colorado College, master’s preservation and fire mitigation. in political science, University of How can Louisville continue to Colorado, Boulder and master’s work towards its sustainability in teaching English as a second goals?: Sustainability has fiscal, language, University of Colorado, social, and environmental compoDenver. nents. I spoke about fiscal health What issue would you like to in the first answer, above. Rising see the Council address and housing prices have led to a spike in resolve?: Many Louisville resiproperty taxes and many residents dents tell me economic vitality is have told me they’re concerned their number one concern. To be they may not be able to afford to clear, the city can’t influence some stay in Louisville. We need to look important issues like leasing rates. at the allowed scale and mass of The city can make the planning housing in existing neighborhoods, process more transparent and easy with an eye to preserving existing to navigate. I urge our council to affordable housing. Many who work support the concept plan review in Louisville can’t afford to live process. Council should also suphere. This makes our community port small businesses by easing less diverse and increases comregulations and should use busimuting and pollution. I propose ness incentive packages to attract building affordable housing that fits new, small businesses as well as the scale and mass of our town and larger businesses that will support is integrated into our community. our fiscal health. Our council must We need to prioritize housing for keep the city’s long term fiscal people who already work here and health in mind during the comlive here. I also support ADU’s that prehensive planning process and create affordable housing for long consider the effects of the repeal term residents. It’s important that of Gallagher on our budget. we plan housing that meets the The many open spaces in community’s need for affordability Louisville are beloved by resirather than investor desire to mondents. How can the city work etize our town. to preserve open space while
our small business owners and do whatever we can to Website: Caleb4Louisville. usher in the next generaorg tion of amazing businesses Age: 40 in our town. Vacancies need Family: Partner: Dr. Kathto be filled and we need erine Dickinson, Children: to support that goal with Mazie (Centaurus), Athena some aggressive measures. (LMS), Alexandra (LES) Dickinson 4. Council has already laid How long have you lived in the groundwork and set Louisville?: 13 Years, but born and clear policy guidelines to implement raised here. EDI and environmental goals. I don’t Professional background: Owner think this is an area of “new” focus as we have already set a very high of Fox Property Management and standard that is currently in place. Trusted Home Maintenance Political/community experience: The many open spaces in Louisville are beloved by resiCurrent Louisville City Council dents. How can the city work to Member since 2019. Former Hispreserve open space while still toric Preservation Commissioner, addressing wildfire mitigation?: DBA board member, Chamber of Don’t worry, our Open Spaces are Commerce board member, and Economic Vitality Committee Chair. preserved. They are not maintained as well as they could be and some Current Finance Committee Chair, of that lack of maintenance creates Chair of Louisville Rising some real issues. There is an Open Education: Bachelor’s in Finance from Leeds School of Business, CU, Space and Parks tax on the ballot Boulder. Post grad studies at NCCU this fall. If that measure fails, we will simply not have the resources in Mathematics and Education we need. If the measure passes, What issue would you like to we will have the funds we need to see the Council address and continue to “preserve” our natural resolve?: 1. We need to continue spaces while upgrading our wildfire to work in support of our Marshall mitigation practices. Louisville Fire families that have rebuilt, are has an unusually large percentage in the process of rebuilding, and the ones that are still displaced for of our city dedicated to parks and months or years. We aren’t a city if open space, which requires real money to care for it. So vote yes. we don’t have our citizens. How can Louisville continue to 2. Affordable housing is a major concern for our residents and those work towards its sustainability goals?: Our residents care deeply that can’t live here because of the issue. The next City Council needs about the environment. No surprise to focus on leveraging State money then that Louisville is a shining star when it comes to environto bring real, actual projects to mental sustainability. We have all our city. This is tough work that will face nimby opposition, but it’s made this a huge priority. This will not change during my tenure. If important work and our residents we don’t protect our environment support it. nothing else matters. 3. Our brick and mortar businesses need our help. We need to focus on
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Louisville City Council Ward 2 George Colbert
landscape, ensuring sustainable growth and preWebsite: colbert4louisville. serving its unique charm. com The many open spaces Age: 46 in Louisville are beloved Family: I am married to by residents. How can Michael Ann Colbert. We the city work to preserve have two sons in college. open space while still Our oldest is focused on Colbert addressing wildfire mitenvironmental studies at CU igation?: Louisville’s open Boulder and our youngest studspaces represent more than just ies Business at Oklahoma State land; they’re part of the soul of our University. We have two Labrador town. The challenge lies in merging Retrievers named Hazel and Rip. the preservation of these invaluable How long have you lived in Louis- spaces with proactive wildfire mitville?: 4 years igation. A strategic approach would Professional background: Direc- involve allocating dedicated funds for maintaining the health and resiltor, Customer Success/Director, Domestic Sales/ Senior Leadership, ience of these areas, coupled with the deployment of advanced fire Technology Political/community experience: suppression systems/techniques. Collaborative community efforts, City Council, The Village, Okla. along with the city’s resources, (2019) Education: Industrial Safety, Uni- can ensure that our cherished open spaces remain both beautiful and versity of Central Oklahoma safe for generations to come. What issue would you like to How can Louisville continue to see the Council address and resolve?: The most pressing issue work towards its sustainabilI believe the Council should address ity goals?: Louisville’s vision for sustainability is a commendable is business vitality. Louisville has recently seen a decline in business step in the right direction. However, to ensure a smooth transition vitality, which has multiple implications. The heart of the issue lies and lessen the financial burden on in dwindling foot traffic, increasing our residents and businesses, we vacancies in commercial zones, and should offer better incentives to make this switch more accessia noticeable shift in consumer beble and appealing. Concurrently, I haviors. A lack of business vitality firmly believe in looking beyond the not only affects the local econoimmediate horizon. That’s why I my in terms of reduced sales tax advocate for exploring Next Generrevenues but also diminishes the overall charm and community spirit ation Geothermal Energy Solutions that thriving local businesses bring. to provide baseload energy to our power grid(s) that can replace The additional challenges of high rents and bureaucratic hurdles have burning fossil fuels, won’t pass the buck onto home and business made it even harder for entrepreowners, positioning Louisville as a neurs to sustain their ventures. leader in sustainable practices, and By addressing these challenges ensuring a greener, more energy-efhead-on and fostering an environficient future for our community. ment where businesses can thrive, Louisville can revitalize its business
Deborah Fahey
resolve?: There are several issues that I would like Website: faheyforlouisville. to see addressed and com resolved. Economic and Age: 70 community vibrancy, Family: Mother of four, housing and sustainable ingrandmother of two and frastructure, and the health wife of one and safety of our residents each need to be addressed. How long have you lived in Fahey Louisville? 43 years The many open spaces in Louisville are beloved by resiProfessional background: Acdents. How can the city work to tivity Director at a memory care preserve open space while still facility and Meal Site Coordinator addressing wildfire mitigation?: at Louisville Senior Center Political/community experience: By returning the open spaces to their natural vegetation and main4 years as City Councilmember taining the areas that are closest to Ward 2 and 4 years as member of the Historic Preservation Commis- residences. How can Louisville continue to sion, 20 years volunteering with work towards its sustainability local schools, 10 with Louisville’s goals?: Completing our decarseniors, and 10 with our Historic bonization of city facilities and Museum. providing incentives for residential Education: Degree in Psychology from University of Colorado Boulder and commercial buildings to decarbonize as well. What issue would you like to see the Council address and
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| 2023 VOTER GUIDE | PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN MEDIA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Louisville City Council Ward 3
Louisville Ballot Issue
Barbara Hamlington
Louisville Ballot Issue 2C: Open Space and Parks Sales Tax increase, extension
The many open spaces in Louisville are beloved Website: barbara4louisville. by residents. How can com the city work to preAge: 38 serve open space while Family: Barbara’s husband still addressing wildfire is a professor at the Unimitigation?: With over versity of Colorado, Boulder 2000 acres of open space and her daughter is in third Hamlington land in our community grade at Louisville Elemenand historic support of tary School the parks and open space tax, I How long have you lived in Lou- believe the residents of Louisville are committed to protecting isville?: 7 years our environment and addressing Professional background: Barbara has worked in the healthcare wildfire mitigation. Continuation and biotechnology space for over a of the parks and open space tax is decade. She is currently the Senior critical to ensuring Louisville has Director of Medical Affairs at Con- the funds necessary to preserve and protect open space while vergent Genomics. Political/community experience: simultaneously addressing wildfire mitigation. These funds allow our City Council city to reduce wildfire risks by Education: Bachelor’s in Neuroreplacing weeds and non-native science and master’s in Genetic grasses with native plants, as well Counseling, University of Michigan as reduce wildfire fuel through What issue would you like to measures such as mowing and see the Council address and grazing. resolve?: I would like to see the How can Louisville continue to Council strategize creative soluwork towards its sustainability tions to support our local economy goals?: Decarbonization of muand address commercial vacancies. nicipal, residential and commercial Sales tax revenue accounts for a buildings is essential to reduce substantial portion of the city bud- our impact on the environment get. In order to make progress on and make progress towards our the goals outlined in our compresustainability goals. I support the hensive and work plans, we need a municipal decarbonization plan for healthy and balanced budget — a the City of Louisville and believe strong local economy is essential the next step is to strategize what to achieving this. I supported the resources are needed to encourage recent expansion of the business residents and businesses to make assistance program. In addition environmentally sustainable choicto attracting and retaining local es as well. I believe that incenbusiness through incentivization, tivizing residents and businesses I believe that modernizing our to retrofit existing systems with building codes and streamlining environmentally friendly choices is administrative processes is escritical to achieving our sustainsential to promoting a vibrant and ability goals. Furthermore, I believe diverse local economy. Solutions that it is also important to work such as these allow for strategic with developers and contractors to economic growth that aligns with incentivize environmentally friendly the comprehensive and work plans, building material choices in new and maintains the character of construction. Louisville.
Dietrich Hoefner Did not respond.
stitution or any other law?” What it means: If passed, on Jan. 1, 2024, the open space and parks sales tax will increase to 0.5%, a What it asks: “Shall the City 0.125% increase. The 0.125% inof Louisville taxes be increased crease will be used only to acquire, $1,500,000 in the first full fiscal preserve and maintain open space year and by such amounts as may and mitigate wildfire risks. The be generated annually thereafter, 0.125% increase will automatically beginning Jan. 1, 2024, and autoexpire in 10 years. The current open matically expiring after 10 years, space and sales tax 0.375 sales tax, by the imposition of an additional previously passed by voters in 2012, .125% sales and use tax to be used will be extended for another 10 solely to acquire, restore, preserve, years. The 0.375% sales tax will be protect and maintain open space equally divided between separate and mitigate wildfire risks within parks and open space funds, and be open space areas; and shall the used solely to acquire, improve and current .375% sales tax approved maintain parks. The 0.375% sales by the voters in 2012 for open space tax is set to expire Dec. 31, 2023. and parks purposes be extended What supporters say: 2C extends from its current expiration date of the expiring tax for an additional Dec. 31, 2023, for an additional 10 years, to be equally divided between 10 years and increases the open space and park sales and use tax separate parks and open space from 3.75 cents to 5 cents on every funds, with the open space funds $10 so that open space and parks used for the purposes described properties are maintained while above and parks funds used solely providing funding for strategic open to acquire, improve and maintain space and trail corridor acquisitions, parks; and shall all such sales and restoration of open space habitat, use tax revenues be collected, building new connector trails, and retained and spent as a voter-approved revenue change under Article improving wildfire resiliency efforts. X, Section 20 of the Colorado Con- What opponents say: There is no known opposition.
Nederland Ballot Issue Nederland Ballot Issue 6A: EcoPass Public Improvement District
What it asks: “With no increase in any district tax, shall the district’s existing ad valorem property tax mill levy imposed at a rate not to exceed 1.85 mills approved by the district’s voters in 2013 be extended for 10 years for the purpose of paying the costs of providing a Regional Transportation District EcoPass to all district residents; shall the revenues and the earnings on the investment of the proceeds of such tax constitute a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limitations set forth in Section 29-1-301 of the Colorado Revised Statutes; and shall the district be authorized to administer an EcoPass program for non-resident employees of employers operating within the district without collecting additional revenues from district residents; all in accordance with the Board of the Boulder County Nederland EcoPass Public Improvement
District’s Resolution N23-001?” What it means: The question asks if voters would like to extend an existing property tax for an additional 10 years to provide RTD EcoPasses for all residents of Nederland’s EcoPass District. It also asks if the district should be allowed to administer an EcoPass program for non-resident employees who work in the district. No district taxes would be increased. If the tax is not renewed, the EcoPass program in the district will be terminated. What supporters say: No known groups formally supporting the measure. However, a county commissioner said the Nederland town board and an advisory committee there supported the measure being moved forward to the ballot. Nederland community members have also given positive feedback on the program, and the program enjoys high ridership, the commissioner said. What opponents say: No known opposition.
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Superior Ballot Question Superior Ballot Question 301: Home Rule Charter Commission
What it asks: “Shall the Town of Superior form a home rule charter commission for the purpose of drafting a home rule charter?”
What it means: If passed, Superior would start the formation of a home rule commission charter and elect nine members to serve on the commission. The charter will allow Superior to run on a form of government written by residents, rather than follow state statutes.
The charter will allow Superior to make decisions on local matters such as taxation, election dates and land use. What supporters say: Supporters say a home rule charter will allow Superior to make decisions on local matters with little state interfer-
ence. What opponents say: Concerns have been made about the cost of drafting a charter and whether taxes will be increased in the charter.
Superior Home Rule Charter Commission Jeff Chu
Website: N/A Age: 57 Family: Married with two adult children How long have you lived in Superior?: 25 years Professional background: Chu Business development and marketing professional in the semiconductor industry. Prior to that, more than 10 years as an engineer with Ball Aerospace and other defense contractors. Political/community experience: Superior Town Trustee from 2002 to 2010. Before that, served on the Superior Planning Commission and Citizens’ Advisory Committee. After that, work travel limited formal involvement, but I stayed informed and engaged as time permitted. Education: Master’s degree in electrical engineering If elected, what townwide issue would you like to see resolved within the Home Rule Charter?:
Heather Cracraft
I do not believe there is a single townwide issue that can be “resolved” by adopting a Home Rule Charter. Instead, I believe home rule provides some protections against state overreach and new options for addressing issues with significant local impacts that may currently be addressed by the state. Recent threats by the state to change zoning laws to address affordable housing is an example of the former, while the fracking scare of a few years ago is an example of the latter. It may provide some help with the airport noise issues, but that is likely more of a state versus federal authority issue. If the residents vote “yes” to pursue home rule, my objective for the charter is to provide us these tools while maintaining an efficient and fiscally responsible city government that does not need to drastically grow to fulfill the tenets of said charter.
If elected, what townwide issue would you like to Website: N/A see resolved within the Age: 52 Home Rule Charter?: I am Family: Empty-nest parnot running because there’s ent of two great kids a specific issue that I want to have addressed within How long have you lived the charter. I am running in Superior?: 26 years because I want to create Professional backCracraft an overall charter that’s in ground: 13 years as the the best interest of the communiExecutive Director of the Superior ty. The charter needs to focus on Chamber of Commerce and now support of our businesses, a comfive years in the athletic department at the University of Colorado mon-sense land-use code and a government and staffing structure Boulder Political/community experience: that’s as effective as it is efficient. Then we will see if the residents Variety of volunteering want to transition to a Home Rule Education: Marketing degree from community. CU Boulder
Claire Dixon
As a small business owner in Superior and neighboring Website: N/A municipalities, I recognize Age: 44 that moving to home rule Family: I am married to will affect the way taxes Gary Dixon. We have four are collected in our town. children, ages 21, 18, 15 This has the potential to and 11 increase the administrative burden on local businessHow long have you lived in Dixon es. I would like to ensure Superior?: Since 2011 Professional background: Finan- that this process is coordinated smoothly and in the most straightcial Coordinator and Community forward manner possible so as not Outreach for Dixon Orthodontics to affect our burgeoning busiPolitical/community experience: ness districts or discourage small PTO Volunteer, Eldorado PK-8 (2021-present), Superior Chamber businesses from setting up shop of Commerce member (2013-pres- in Superior. In the same vein, as our community continues to grow ent), Cultural Arts and Public Spaces committee member (2016- in population, it is vital that our governing processes remain open, 2020) transparent and ethically sound. Education: Bachelor of Arts from A home rule charter will spur our Brigham Young University, Master government into keeping pace with of Arts from Virginia Commondevelopment, allow for localized wealth University solutions to zoning and budgeting, If elected, what townwide issue and ensure the protection of our would you like to see resolved unique assets. within the Home Rule Charter?:
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023
Superior Home Rule Charter Commission Clint Folsom
Town of Superior. During my eight years serving Website: N/A as Mayor of Superior, I Age: 53 learned about the advanFamily: I’m married to Lestages of home rule and lie, and we have two teenadvocated for its adoption, age sons: Colin and Nick and I’m pleased that our current Board of TrustHow long have you lived in ees is moving this idea Superior?: 25 years Folsom forward. To me, one of the Professional background: many compelling reasons to adopt Owner and employing broker of Folsom and Company Real Estate. a home rule charter is the issue of sales tax collection. Superior is Founded in 1993, we are a small, unique because it receives a majorfamily-owned brokerage helping ity of its annual revenue from retail people buy and sell homes in the sales tax. We also share a ZIP code Boulder Valley region and beyond. Political/community experience: with our larger neighbor Louisville, which frequently populates when Town of Superior: Planning Complacing online orders. Because missioner 2008-2014 and Mayor Superior is a statutory town, the 2015-2022. state collects our sales tax, pays Education: Bachelor of Science itself then sends the balance to in business, University of Colorado Superior. The town cannot directly Boulder, 1993 audit retailers to ensure accuracy, If elected, what townwide issue and it’s very likely we are losing would you like to see resolved significant revenue as a result of within the Home Rule Charter?: this structure. Home Rule is long overdue for the
Mike Foster
business administration from Santa Clara University Website: N/A If elected, what town Age: 51 wide issue would you like Family: Wife, Saadia, and to see resolved within our cat the Home Rule Charter?: How long have you lived in I’m running for the Home Superior?: 3.5 years Rule Committee because I believe in local control. Professional background: Foster Having the residents and I’ve worked in local governTown Board establish land use ment and the private sector and codes and zoning that work for our have a great deal of experience community, while being more in volunteering in my community. I control of local tax revenues, is imtry to look at problems objectively and co-create solutions that meet portant for Superior as we continue to grow. The Town is at an inflecmultiple objectives. tion point in its development, and Political/community experinow is the time to take our rightful ence: Chair of Superior’s Advisory place in the driver’s seat. I’m lookCommittee for Environmental Sustainability, former candidate for ing forward to collaborating with fellow Home Rule Charter CommitSuperior’s Board of Trustees tee members to set the Town up for Education: Master’s degree in a superior future.
Sean Maday
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Website: maday4superior. Michigan State University com If elected, what townAge: 40 wide issue would you like Family: Wife (Ivy), three to see resolved within daughters (Andi, Iris, Elsi) the Home Rule Charter?: and three dogs (Morgan, Superior is growing, and Stella, Cricket) the needs of the commuMaday How long have you lived in nity are changing. I would Superior?: 11 years like to see the Home Rule Charter create a governance structure that Professional background: ensures each neighborhood in the Started my career in the U.S. Air Force; spent 15 years working in the town has equal representation in local government. In general, I do technology sector Political/community experience: not want the Home Rule Charter to be an overly long, complex or Appointed to the Colorado Board prescriptive document. The Home of Veterans Affairs by Gov. Jared Rule Charter should establish broad Polis; ran the Engaged Citizens principles of good governance while project to make Town of Superior allowing residents and their elected meetings searchable and discovrepresentatives to tailor specific erable policies to meet the evolving needs
Chris Hanson Did not reply.
Ryan Hitchler
within the Home Rule Charter?: During my Website: ryanhitchler.com petition run in 2022, the Age: 42 Town of Superior was a Family: Married 11 years statutory city, which is to wife Anne, father to son governed under the state Reilly (10) and daughter of Colorado rules. The Ada (9) petition rules are archaic, difficult to understand How long have you lived Hitchler and follow, and must be in Superior?: 11 years updated. I want to be part Professional background: Pasof the Home Rule Commission to sionate software product leader make citizen-led efforts clearer and and entrepreneur easier to understand going forward. Political/community experience: Recently co-led a petition to In addition, self-governance under successfully halt the development the town will allow the citizens of of a massive health and life science Superior to create and lead their own path, not bound by the state facility in Downtown Superior, gathering well over 700 signatures. rules, which are much more difficult The town board unanimously voted to change. Home rule will allow us to control our destiny and avoid oil to overturn the ordinance as a and gas drilling scares like in 2018, result. for example. Superior should follow Education: Master’s degree in its peers and neighbors like Louisengineering management from the ville and Boulder (as well as 84% University of Colorado Boulder of municipalities with populations If elected, what townwide issue greater than 10,000) and operate would you like to see resolved under Home Rule. See my website
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Superior Home Rule Charter Commission Stephanie Schader
nomics from University of Colorado Boulder, master’s Website: Facebook: Stephof business administration anie for Superior from Virginia Tech Age: 55 If elected, what townFamily: It’s just me and my wide issue would you like dog, Hugo. to see resolved within How long have you lived in the Home Rule Charter?: Superior?: 4years Zoning and land use is top Schader of mind for me. I believe the Professional background: Town should be in control over the I work for Ginnie Mae as a Senior zoning and land use in our comPolicy Advisor, I have 30+ years experience in the financial services munity, not the state. That said, I believe Home Rule offers additional and mortgages. Political/community experience: benefits, like the ability to set tax I ran for Trustee in 2022, though rates, including limiting property tax increases, and directing how I wasn’t elected, I continue to the money is spent. This allows the actively follow issues that come Town to make the decisions they before the board. feel best meet the needs of the Education: Bachelor’s in ecocommunity.
Dalton Valette
Board of Trustees in 2018 Education: Bachelor of Website: daltonvalette. Arts, Drew University and com Master of studies in law, Age: 27 University of Colorado Family: Born in Louisville Boulder and raised in Superior, to If elected, what townSuperior residents Brett wide issue would you like Valette and Lita Van Wa- Valette to see resolved within genen, with three younger the Home Rule Charter?: sisters. Ensuring that we establish How long have you lived in Su- a municipal government structure perior?: Since 1995, homeowner that has the necessary safeguards since 2022 to prevent individuals from grinding Professional background: Legal functions to a halt or making the consulting government serve their interests Political/community experience: and not the needs of the larger Superior community. Superior Historical Commission member, Event Manager for Phil Weiser in 2022, candidate for
Ryan Welch
Rule Charter Committee is in the process of a town Website: N/A converting to Home Rule Age: 50 and not one specific issue. Family: Married with senior I want to play an active and sophomore daughters in role in shaping the town’s high school governance structure. Superior is a 4-square-mile How long have you lived town with different needs in Superior?: Ten years. Welch and desires than a large Twenty years in the local city or a rural area. Home rule gives area. I was born and raised in our local government the flexibility Colorado. Professional background: Seven to listen to and meet the unique years in active-duty Air Force and needs of the residents in Superior. I value listening to my communiover 20years working in various technical and management roles in ty and working together to find solutions. As chair of the Superior the same technology company Political/community experience: Open Space Committee, I led the Six years on the Town of Superior evaluation of open-space-related Open Space Advisory Committee components of land-use proposals. This work involved listening to Education: Bachelor of engineering residents and collaborating with from the United States Air Force the town’s planning commission, Academy, master’s of engineering staff and board. My experience from the University of Washington serving Superior and my passion for If elected, what townwide issue community engagement make me would you like to see resolved an excellent candidate to serve on within the Home Rule Charthe committee. ter?: My interest in the Home
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Colorado Ballot Issues Proposition HH: Property taxes
HH provides long-term property tax relief for homeowners and businesses. The measure will also What it asks: “Shall the state relimit the impact on local services, duce property taxes for homes and make Colorado a more competitive businesses, including expanding environment for businesses and property tax relief for seniors, and allow seniors to downsize or move backfill counties, water districts, without losing the benefits of their fire districts, ambulance and hospi- homestead exemption. tal districts, and other local governments and fund school districts by What opponents say: The propousing a portion of the state surplus sition would take away TABOR tax refunds from citizens for a “tiny up to the proposition HH cap as bit” of property tax relief. Proposidefined in this measure?” tion HH increases taxes by reducing What it means: The measure or eliminating future TABOR rewould make changes to state funds, potentially growing the state property taxes and state revenue budget by up to $2.2billion per year limits, including reduce residential by 2032. The measure removes property tax assessment rates, important taxpayer protections provide funds to local governments and gives the state Legislature the to make up for decreased property power to extend the new revenue tax revenues, create a limit on local cap forever without asking voters. government property tax revenue Opponents believe that property and create a new cap on state tax relief should not come at the revenue. expense of TABOR refunds. What supporters say: Proposition
Proposition II: Tobacco tax
nicotine taxes approved by voters in 2020through Proposition EE on the state’s universal preschool What it asks: “Without raising program. taxes, may the state retain and spend revenues from taxes on ciga- What supporters say: Proposition rettes, tobacco, and other nicotine II maintains tax rates that voters already approved in Proposition products and maintain tax rate EE by a two-thirds majority. The on cigarettes, tobacco, and other measure ensures that money nicotine products and use these collected from these voter-aprevenues to invest twenty-three proved taxes can be used for its million six hundred fifty thousand intended purpose — supporting dollars to enhance the voluntary preschool programs — rather than Colorado preschool program and creating refunds for distributors of make it widely available for free instead of reducing these tax rates cigarettes, tobacco products and nicotine products. and refunding revenues to cigarette wholesalers, tobacco product What opponents say: Proposition II is a tax increase. Taxes distributors, nicotine products on cigarettes, tobacco products distributors, and other taxpayers, for exceeding an estimate included and nicotine products impose a in the ballot information booklet for financial burden on people suffering from addiction, particularly for peoproposition EE?” ple with lower incomes. Rejecting What it means: The measure Proposition II will reduce the high would allow the state to keep and taxes on these products and proutilize excess revenue ($23.65 vide tax relief to Coloradans. million) generated from increased and new tobacco, cigarette and
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It’s time for the next generation of leadership in Boulder. Jacquesforcouncil.org
I listen to our community to ensure equity and sustainability in Boulder’s built and natural environments. We need to get serious about: Sustainability, Affordability, and Safety. Vote for a truly innovative and independent candidate, born and raised in Boulder. Someone who truly cares about our community.
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What are Boulder folks saying about Bob? These folks have shared why they believe that you should elect Bob as Boulder’s mayor. Visit BobYatesBoulder.com to see 350 more endorsement quotes. And Page 3 of this Election Guide has a list of more than 1,000 people who are supporting Bob’s election as Boulder mayor. Bob is a gifted and committed community leader with the connections and credentials to make him an excellent mayor.” LESLIE DURGIN, FORMER BOULDER MAYOR
Bob is first and foremost a person of integrity.” SAM WEAVER, FORMER BOULDER MAYOR
Bob has put more energy into being a council member than anyone I have observed in my half century in town.” SUSAN OSBORNE, FORMER BOULDER MAYOR
He will get things done.” MARK WALLACH, BOULDER MAYOR PRO TEM
Bob’s beliefs align with the challenges Boulder has.” STEVE BOSLEY, FORMER CU REGENT AND FOUNDER OF THE BOLDER BOULDER
Bob is one of the finest elected officials that I have observed in my 33 years living in Boulder.” LEONARD SEGEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HISTORIC BOULDER
He will listen and engage with a wide variety of people - which is essential for a mayor to do.” CRYSTAL GRAY, FORMER BOULDER DEPUTY MAYOR
Bob is the most hardworking, thoughtful and transparent member of the City Council.” BETSY HAND, FORMER COMMUNITY CHAIR, CONFERENCE ON WORLD AFFAIRS
Bob’s positions are taken after thoughtful consideration of any issue.” MARK VILLARREAL, ARTIST
Bob has experience, character, integrity and, most important in politics, a sense of humor.” LIBBY BERRY, PSYCHOTHERAPIST
Bob’s ability to work and listen to many divergent interests is vitally important and impressive.” CHUCK SISK, FORMER LOUISVILLE MAYOR
Bob Yates has the vision, drive and experience to collaboratively lead our community as mayor.” NANCY GEYER, FORMER CEO, MUSEUM OF BOULDER
KATHY BEECK, DIRECTOR, BOULDER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
PETER WATERS, MANAGING PARTNER, T|ACO RESTAURANT
KYLE HECKMAN, PRESIDENT, FLATIRONS BANK
LISA MORZEL, FORMER BOULDER DEPUTY MAYOR
Bob is a huge supporter of the arts in Boulder, and a great listener.”
Bob understands and supports the needs of Boulder’s small businesses.” Bob is a pragmatic leader and strong communicator.”
Bob has the vision, integrity, experience, and pragmatism to be Boulder’s next mayor. “
Bob is the kind of strategic leader who looks at an issue from all sides and works well with fellow members of Council.” —SUSAN GRAF, FORMER CEO, BOULDER CHAMBER
He’s exceptionally responsive, respectful, and good for Boulder.” MARY STREET, LAWYER
Bob runs not as a progressive or conservative, but as a local problem solver.” CRAIG JONES, DIRECTOR, TPE BOULDER
Bob is not afraid to ask tough questions and think outside the box.” SEAN MAHER, FORMER CEO, DOWNTOWN BOULDER PARTNERSHIP
He’s a voice of reason and common sense.” LENNA KOTTKE, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VIA MOBILITY SERVICES
*Affiliations do not imply organizational endorsements.
To learn more about Bob, visit www.bobyatesboulder.com PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY BOB YATES FOR MAYOR.