Elbert County
News
November 15, 2012
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourelbertcountynews.com
Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 117, Issue 42
Gardner targets employment, taxes Republican wins second term in 4th District By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com After winning his re-election bid in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner is anxious to get back to work. Jobs, taxes and agriculture are at the top of his to-do list. “I’m looking forward to returning to D.C. and representing the people of Elbert County, as well as other new parts of the district,” the Republican said from his home in Yuma. “I’ll be looking for ways to address the fiscal crisis we have before us, as well as ways to create jobs and economic opportunity, here in Colorado.” Elbert County and most of Douglas County will be in the 4th District come January because of last year’s redrawing of boundaries. The counties had been part of the 6th Congressional District and were represented by Mike Coffman, a Republican from Aurora. With a heavily Republican constituency, made up of more than 20 counties and 30,000 square miles, mostly in the state’s eastern plains, Gardner said the economy is an issue that transcends the entire district. “In order to plan for future growth and hiring, businesses need to know what kind of regulations to expect and what rate their profits are going to be taxed at,” Gardner told Colorado Community media earlier this year. “I have supported legislation that would keep taxes from increasing next year and repeatedly voted to get rid of burdensome regulations.” In the Nov. 6 election, Gardner took 59 percent of the vote in his victory over Democrat Brandon Shaffer, president of the state Senate. As far as what Elbert County residents can look for, Gardner said he’s ready to work on a responsible farm bill and blocking any increase in estate taxes. Gardner hosted a series of agriculture forums earlier this year, and said he heard testimony that the estate tax is the No. 1 killer of farms and ranches. Those who inherit valuable agricultural land do not always have the cash on hand to pay the estate tax and are forced to sell their family farm, he said.
U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner addresses the crowd on Election Night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Gardner, who won his race for a second term, represents Colorado’s sprawling 4th Congressional District, which spreads across the eastern plains and includes Elbert County after redistricting. Photos by Courtney Kuhlen | ckuhlen@ourcoloradonews.com
‘I’ve driven more then 75,000 miles across the district. I look forward to driving a few more.’ U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner A $5 million federal tax exemption is set to expire at the end of the year, dropping the taxable estate value to $1 million in January and increasing the tax rate from 35 percent to 55 percent. “We definitely don’t want to see taxes increase,” he said. “I know this is something that is of concern to Elbert County farmers and ranchers.” Given the increasing value of irrigated
land and the size of many ranches, some families will exceed the $1 million threshold. “I look forward to getting out and meeting the people of Elbert County,” said Gardner. “Over the past two years, I’ve driven more than 75,000 miles across the district. I look forward to driving a few more.” Gardner, 38, served in the state House of Representatives for five years before regaining the traditionally Republican U.S. House seat in 2010 from one-term Congresswoman Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins. Colorado’s 4th District geographically dominates the eastern plains and is predominantly rural. Its largest population centers are Fort Collins and Greeley.
Republican Cory Gardner said he looks forward to meeting residents of Elbert County, which was added to the 4th Congressional District after the 2010 census.
New commissioners brace for tough road Rowland, Ross cowboy up to tackle budget problems By Deborah Grigsby
dgrigsby@ourcoloradonews.com Winning more than 68 percent of the general election vote, Republicans Robert Rowland and Larry Ross just bought them-
selves a front row seat to one of the toughest jobs in Elbert County — county commissioner. With a $7 million debt and an end-ofthe-year bank account that will cover just about 15 minutes of operating costs, Rowland said the job may tough, but it is doable. “By Jan. 1, Elbert County will barely be able to make payroll,” he said. “It’s gonna take a lot of discipline and a steady hand on the yoke to pull us through, but it can be done. I already know the numbers and where we stand.”
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Rowland, elected in District 1, said he has already been working with incumbent commissioner Kurt Schlegel and others to bridge party gaps and prepare the county for a smooth transition. “We really don’t have time to waste, and I plan to hit the ground running.” Larry Ross, who assumes the District 3 commissioner seat in January, agrees digging the county Rowland out of debt has to come first. “It’s not gonna happen right away,” said Ross. “But it’s gotta happen and we have to be realistic when it comes to the budget.” Ross, a self-described “troubleshooter,” said one of his strong points is being Ross able to weed through complicated budgets and projects, something he brings with him from his facilities management days.
“I look at the county as one big project,” he said. “And as for the budget, we’ll just have to cut it into bite-size pies to eat the whole thing.” Hopeful for potential revenue from oil and gas exploration, both men caution the county to not act hastily. “We’ll get one chance to do this right,” said Rowland. “We have to manage these assets to the benefit of the county, working closely with the property owner, and most importantly, with the protection of our long-term water resources in mind.” Rowland, founder of the Elbert County Tea Party, touts more than 28 years’ experience in several managerial positions at the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Newspaper Agency, including production, transportation and human resources. Fourth-generation rancher Larry Ross is a Cherry Creek High School graduate, attended Colorado State University and has a resume that includes more than 30 years in real estate and facilities management.