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Week of November 17, 2022
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
EnglewoodHerald.net
VOLUME 102 | ISSUE 40
Fewer metro area property owners County cements blue hold are challenging assessments on board of commissioners
More could come as market fluctuates
Democrats Summey, Campbell-Swanson elected
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As home prices in the counties around Denver shot up over the last decade, tens of thousands of residents argued officials incorrectly estimated the values of homes and other properties. They demanded their taxes be reduced. But that trend, practically a rite in some regions, reversed in recent years. Challenges filed with county assessors declined as homeowners apparently acknowledged the rising cost of real estate. “People today understand that values have been going up dramatically,” said Scot Kersgaard, the Jefferson County assessor. “Day after day, week after week, it’s been in the newspaper constantly.” The news is also on websites, like Zillow, Redfin and Trulia, which SEE ASSESSMENTS, P12
BY ELLIS ARNOLD, ROBERT TANN EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM, RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Eight other questions were on the Englewood ballot, all seeking changes to the city home-rule charter to reflect current realities. Ballot Issue 2D will eliminate gender-specific language in the charter and replace it with “gender silent” language. It was approved 62-38. Ballot Issue 2E will align charter language about municipal elections with state elections, which are mail-in. The longtime language
In the race for two district seats on the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners, voters cemented the county’s strong blue shift, electing two Democrats in Districts 2 and 4 and handing the party a 4-1 board majority. Jessica Campbell-Swanson of District 2 and Leslie Summey of District 4 won decisive victories over their Republican opponents after campaigning on progressive messages around public health, housing and the working class. They will now join the leadership board that controls policy decisions and hundreds of millions in spending for the 650,000-person county. “I think people across demographics, age, gender, race, income, are starting to see some of the old tired ideas aren’t working and they’re ready for something else,” said Campbell-Swanson, a former English teacher, political attorney, campaign consultant and chief of staff for state Rep. Iman Jodeh. The five commissioners oversee Arapahoe County government and represent different parts of the county. District 2 includes Greenwood Village, parts of west Centennial, and part of the south Aurora and east Centennial area. District 4 covers southwest Aurora, roughly west of Buckley Road.
SEE ELECTION, P2
SEE COUNTY, P21
Home values have been a source of contention between assessors and citizens for years but decreased recently. However, market fluctuations could increase tensions SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE again.
Ballot measures pass for alternative policing, road upkeep Sales taxes will increase BY SCOTT GILBERT SGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Voters in Englewood approved sales-tax increases for road upkeep and alternative policing in the Nov. 8 election. Ballot Issue 2B, which will add 0.2% to the city’s sales tax for repaving, repairing, maintaining and improving city streets, was approved 53-47 in returns posted the
afternoon of Nov. 10. It is expected to add about $2 million annually to the streets budget and will add 2 cents to each $10 purchase of taxable goods in the city. Ballot Issue 2C, which will add 0.1% to the city’s sales tax to create a dedicated funding source for alternative policing services to address homelessness, mental health and addiction, was approved 62-38. It is expected to add about $978,000 annually to the police budget and will add 1 cent to each $10 purchase of taxable goods in the city.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30
CHOW NOW
Charcuterie boards gain in popularity
P16