Week of November 17, 2022
FREE
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
HighlandsRanchHerald.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 22
VOLUME 35 | ISSUE 50
Democrat Bob Marshall looks to unseat Kurt Huffman Hopeful for HD43 upset BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
At the Invest in DCSD watch party on Nov. 8 in Highlands Ranch, Superintendent Erin Kane said the results were not what she was hoping for, but was optimistic about the support shown by voters. “I’m actually feeling good because we were at 39% (approval
Six days after the 2022 midterms, Democrat Bob Marshall maintains his lead in the race for Colorado House District 43 against incumbent Republican Kurt Huffman. After Nov. 8, the final day to cast ballots, Douglas County has eight days to finish counting all ballots. As of press time, Marshal held a slim lead over Huffman with 50.35% of the vote. Huffman was at 49.65%. Marshall Colorado law requires a recount if there is a less than 0.5% difference between candidate’s votes. District 43 covers all of Highlands Ranch. In a statement posted the morning of Nov. 9 Huffman on Facebook, Huffman said the race was too close to call. The Huffman campaign reiterated that message on Nov. 10 in a statement sent to Colorado Community Media. “We are closely monitoring incoming numbers from the clerk’s office,” Holly Horn, campaign general consultant, said. “To say this race is anything but too close to call would be premature.” Meanwhile, Marshall celebrated his win on Election Night when initial results showed him in the lead. Speaking to Colorado Community Media on election night, Marshall said he was elated but wasn’t surprised by the results. “I was making headway any time I talked to someone,” Marshall said. “I was meshing very well with the community.” Marshall ran on a campaign of supporting public safety, public education and environment, as well as being a pro-choice candidate and a supporter of gun control. Huffman’s campaign focused on opposing state mandates, addressing
SEE SCHOOLS, P5
SEE ELECTION, P2
Home values have been a source of contention between assessors and citizens for years but decreased recently. However, marSHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE ket fluctuations could increase tensions again.
Fewer metro area property owners are challenging assessments More could come as market fluctuates 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 track the value of homes. But the last word on the value of SEE ASSESSMENTS, P6
As school measure fails, Kane vows to return next year Teacher compensation remains an issue BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County School District’s $60 million mill levy override and $450 million bond ques-
tions failed in the 2022 election. The mill levy override would have gone toward making staff compensation more competitive, with the average teacher to see a 9% salary increase. The bond money would have been used to build three new elementary schools, on top of maintaining and improving other district buildings.