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WEEK OF NOVEMBER 17, 2022

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Marlin wins Clear Creek Commissioners race BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Democrat George Marlin came out as winner over unaffiliated Hunter Shriner in the Clear Creek County Commissioners race, according to unofficial results on Nov. 9. As of Nov 9., Marlin leads the commissioners race with 2,969 votes. Shriner trails Marlin with 1,936 votes. This is the final count released by the county for the evening, though the county will receive ballots from other counties and military and overseas voters for the next 8 days. George Marlin, born and raised in Idaho Springs, was elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 2018. Marlin was instrumental in hiring a public information officer for the county during his first term,

as public knowledge of county affairs is one of his goals as a commissioner. Marlin hopes in his next term to continue his work on affordable housing, securing broadband for different areas in the county and improving behavioral health programs. With his early lead, Marlin hopes the numbers continue to favor him. If he should pull out a win, he has plans for his next steps. “The first order of business is to finish out my first term...so I’m going to wake up [tomorrow] and get to work,” Marlin said. “I’ll be excited to start my second term and keep working to solve the problems we face as a community.” Going into the night, Marlin had a strong lead over Shriner. Hunter Shriner currently lives

in Beaver Brook Canyon, and is running to unseat Marlin as County Commissioner. Shriner aims to refocus local efforts on the core responsibilities of government that makes the county unique. Shriner is a proponent for personal responsibility, individual freedom and government accountability. Shriner supports more parental input in curriculum planning for schools, and hopes to give more individual autonomy to businesses to make decisions around COVID and other health crises. Looking at the results, Shriner has not officially conceded but recognized the numbers are not in his favor. “I would say that the differential is insurmountable,” Shriner said. “I’m proud of the campaign I led.”

George Marlin

Results show voters favoring Clear Creek County ballot measures BY OLIVIA JEWELL LOVE OLOVE@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Clear Creek County voters cast votes on multiple ballot issues, and the most recent polling numbers show that votes will pass ballot issue 1A, ballot issue 2B and ballot issue 2A. As of the evening of Nov. 9, ballot issue 1A has 3,212 yes votes. Passing this measure will allow the county to use a minimum of 60% of the revenue from the existing lodging tax to support housing and childcare for

the tourism-related workforce, including seasonal and other community employees. A maximum of 40% of this tax revenue will continue to be used for advertising and marketing local tourism. Ballot issue 2B currently has 464 votes in favor. If passed, the measure will increase taxes in Idaho Springs $900,000 in 2023 and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually in each subsequent year through a one percent increase in the city sales tax rate. Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, the revenues from the

one percent increase will be used for the purpose of funding water and wastewater capital improvement projects and reducing the impacts of potential future rate increases to customers, and all tax revenues will be collected, retained and spent as a voter-approved revenue change. Ballot issue 2A is the closest race so far, with 464 yes votes and 301 no votes. Passing this measure will increase taxes in Georgetown $225,000 in 2023 and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually in each subsequent year through a two

percent town sales tax on lodging services. Starting on Jan. 1 2023, the revenues from the two percent increase will be solely used to support activities of the town’s business promotion commission, organization, promotion, marketing and management of public events, as well as supporting the tourism industry in numerous ways. These ballot measures could mean more support for the county that is struggling to attract and retain workers.

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