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Week of November 17, 2022
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
SouthPlatteIndependent.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30
VOLUME 78 | ISSUE 2
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
other metro area and Front Range cities that have embraced DDAs, including Englewood and Golden. Community leaders have said they hope the DDA will fastrack crucial projects for Littleton’s downtown, such as snow removal and landscaping as well as marketing campaigns and events. Downtown Littleton business owners had pitched the DDA as a rejuvenation of the area most recently during an Oct. 24 forum
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 DOWNTOWN, 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.
Downtown Development Authority approved Financing also gets go-ahead BY ROBERT TANN RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Littleton’s downtown could see major overhauls in the coming months and years after voters decided to create a new governing body and funding mechanism for the area. Voters overwhelmingly support-
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ed forming a Downtown Development Authority, or DDA. According to the unofficial results, the measure was passed by more than 64% of voters, along with approval for self-sustained funding and a raise in property taxes. “I’m very excited,” said Patrick Drisoll, councilmember for Littleton’s District 1 — which represents much of the downtown area. “This is the time to start changing the downtown landscape to what the owners want and the citizens.” Littleton now joins a host of
CHOW NOW
Charcuterie boards gain in popularity
P16