ELECTION LOV E L A N D
Loveland and Larimer County area voters guide Oct. 11, 2020
ELECTION GUIDE
It’s time to vote
This year, Loveland-area voters will have a say in the taxes they pay; who represents them on the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners and at the Colorado Statehouse; which changes, if any, will be made to the Colorado Constitution; whom they’ll send to Congress; and who will sit in the Oval Office. To prepare local voters for what to expect on this year’s ballot, we’ve produced this guide to local and regional races and ballot issues, focusing on the information you won’t find elsewhere. And we’re providing the Larimer County
clerk’s comprehensive list of polling locations, so that you know where and when to drop your ballot. Here’s a lineup of what’s inside: Page 3: Loveland sales taxes Page 4: Loveland Rural Fire property taxes Page 5: Berthoud broadband; Weld RE-5J tax increase Pages 6-7: Larimer commissioner District 2 Pages 8-9: Larimer commissioner District 3 Page 10: District attorney
Page 11: State Senate District 23 Pages 12-13: State House District 51 Pages 14-15: State House District 49 Page 16: 2nd Congressional District Page 17: CU regents Pages 18-19: State ballot items Pages 20-23: Sample ballots For issues and candidates not covered here, watch election coverage in our daily paper. Thank you for reading. And please make time learn about candidates and issues, then vote. — John Vahlenkamp, editor
Voter Service and Polling Centers: Open Oct. 19 – Nov. 3
Voter Service and Polling Center Locations: Open Nov. 2-3
Where and when to vote 24-Hour Ballot Box Drop Locations: Open through Nov. 3
Voters may drop off their voted ballots 24 hours a day at the following ballot drop box locations. Ballots will be accepted in these boxes until 7 p.m. Election Night: • Larimer County Courthouse, 200 W. Oak St., outside southwest entrance, Fort Collins • Loveland Vehicle Licensing Office, 200 Peridot Ave., Loveland • Estes Park Vehicle Licensing Office, 1601 Brodie Ave., Estes Park • Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., Fort Collins • Colorado State University Lory Student Center, 1101 Center Ave. Mall, Fort Collins • Red Feather Lakes Community Library, 71 Fire House Lane, Red Feather Lakes • Wellington Public Library, 3800 Wilson Ave., Wellington • Berthoud Community Library, 236 Welch Ave., Berthoud • Timnath Public Works Building, 4800 Goodman Road, Timnath • Fort Collins Police Services, 2221 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins • Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins • Larimer County Human Services, 1501 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins • South Transit Center, 4915 Fossil Blvd., Fort Collins • Overland Foods, 3333 County Road 54G, LaPorte • Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., Loveland • Elks Lodge, 1424 E. Mulberry St., Fort Collins • Loveland Police & Courts, 810 E. 10th St., Loveland • Estes Park Municipal Building, 170 MacGregor Ave., Estes Park
Voters may drop off their voted ballot, obtain a replacement ballot, change their address or register to vote at the above Voter Service and Polling Centers only during the following times: • Larimer County Courthouse, 200 W. Oak - 1st Floor, Fort Collins • Loveland Police & Courts , 810 E. 10th St., Loveland • Estes Valley Community Center, 660 Community Dr, Estes Park • Colorado State University-Lory Student Center, 1101 Center Ave Mall, Fort Collins Times: • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Oct. 19-30 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 3
Voter Service and Polling Center Locations: Open Oct. 30 – Nov. 3
• Council Tree Covenant Church, 4825 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins • Clearwater Church, 2700 S. Lemay Ave., Fort Collins • Drake Centre, 802 W. Drake Ave., Fort Collins • Fort Collins Elks Lodge, 1424 E. Mulberry St., Fort Collins • Grace Community Church, 240 Barberry Place, Loveland • Immanuel Lutheran Church, 4650 Sunview Drive, Loveland • King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2919 N. Wilson Ave.,
Loveland Times: • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 3
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• Front Range Community College, Longs Peak Student Center, Fort Collins Times: • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 3
Voter Service and Polling Center Locations: Open Nov 3. only
• Brookside Gardens, 619 E. County Road 8, Berthoud • Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., Fort Collins • Hilton Hotel, 425 W. Prospect Road, Fort Collins • American Legion, 2124 W. County Road 54G, LaPorte • The Ranch Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland • River of Life Fellowship, 3161 E. County Road 62E W,
Wellington Times: • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 3
Grocery Store Ballot Drop-Off Locations: Open Oct. 30 - Nov. 3
• King Soopers, 2602 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins • King Soopers, 1842 N. College Ave., Fort Collins • Safeway, 2160 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins • Safeway, 1426 E. Harmony Road, Fort Collins • King Soopers, 1275 Eagle Drive, Loveland Times: • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 • 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 3
ELECTION GUIDE
Loveland Ballot Issue 2A 1% mixed sales tax hike
WHAT IT SAYS Authorizing an additional sales and use tax of 1% to be imposed beginning January 1, 2021, except that the sale of food for home consumption remains taxed at 3%, to support the city’s public safety, infrastructure and capital equipment, and operations and maintenance shall City of Loveland taxes be increased not more than $21,130,000 annually in the first fiscal year of collections (2021) and by whatever amounts are raised annually thereafter by an additional sales and use tax of one percent (1%), thereby raising the city sales and use tax from three percent (3%) to four percent (4%), provided that the sale of food for home consumption shall be excluded from any such additional sales and use tax increase and remain taxed at the current rate of three percent (3%), commencing January 1, 2021, provided that the increased revenues shall be used solely for the following purposes at the following percentages: •For public safety at twenty percent (20%), •To acquire, construct, and maintain the city’s infrastructure and capital equipment at fifty percent (50%), and •For municipal operations & maintenance at thirty percent
(30%); with all spending reported in the city’s annual independent audit published on the city’s website; and shall all the tax revenues and investment earnings thereon be collected, retained and spent as a voter-approved revenue change pursuant to Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution?
WHAT IT MEANS The city of Loveland is asking voters to approve a 1% sales and use tax increase, excluding food bought for home consumption, which would remain taxed at the current rate. Voters last agreed to raise the city’s sales and use tax to 3% in 1984. State law requires voter approval for tax increases as well as a cap on collections, in this case $21.13 million, above which the proceeds of a hike would have to be refunded. Sales tax makes up the bulk of the city’s general fund revenue, totaling about $47.85 million, or 51%, in the 2019 revised budget. According to Loveland’s chief financial officer, Alan Krcmarik, the hike would raise an estimated $17 million for the city in its first year, with a margin of error of about $1.25 million. On top of the city sales tax, Larimer County and Colorado collect sales taxes of 0.8% and 2.9%,
respectively. A July 7 city staff memo broke down each category as potentially including: •Public safety — “City-provided services such as police, fire and rescue, emergency operations, risk management, flood response, and traffic control and engineering.” •Infrastructure and capital equipment — “Physical and organizational structures and facilities including, but not limited to buildings, roads, and equipment.” •Municipal operations and maintenance — “Basic city services that residents expect, include but are not limited to street repair, administrative support, planning and land use regulations, public library, parks and recreation, permits and licensing, repair and renovation of facilities and equipment.”
WHAT PROPONENTS SAY A sales tax increase is the only way to offset a general fund imbalance of roughly $6 million per year that is projected to continue until the end of the decade and start to put a dent in the city’s list of unfunded capital projects, which includes $110 million in sidewalk improvements, $374.28 million in additional
transportation projects, $9.7 million in needed fire station renovations as well as other essential public safety and infrastructure items. The increase will ensure roads and bridges are maintained, firefighters and police officers are paid competitive wages and other existing services are preserved. Many nearby communities have higher sales tax rates, including Fort Collins (3.85% generally and 2.25% on food for home consumption), Longmont (3.53%), Estes Park (5%), Greeley (4.11% generally and 3.46% on food for home consumption) and Berthoud (4%). Increasing Loveland‘s tax would put the city on even footing with other communities than drive shoppers away.
WHAT OPPONENTS SAY The increase would financially strain a community that is already grappling with the economic fallout of COVID-19. Loveland’s city government cannot be trusted to spend the proceeds of the increase responsibly, and the three categories in the ballot language do not exclude any expenditure. The city should cut its budget further before asking voters to raise the sales and use tax.
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ELECTION GUIDE
Loveland Rural Fire Ballot Issues 6A and 6B Maintaining property tax collections
WHAT THEY SAY Ballot Issue 6A Without increasing taxes, starting in 2022 and thereafter, shall Loveland Rural Fire Protection District be authorized to continue to collect 2.90 mills approved by voters in 2012 for general operating purposes expiring in 2022, for the purpose of meeting the ongoing and future general operating needs of the district, including financing the construction of a strategically planned fire station to be located on donated real property and maintaining staffing levels necessary to continue the current high level of service to district residents and property owners? Ballot Issue 6B Without increasing taxes in 2021, shall Loveland Rural Fire Protection District be authorized beginning in 2021 and annually thereafter to set the mill levy at a rate sufficient to generate the tax revenues levied in 2020, as such amount is adjusted annually
thereafter for inflation and local growth, to stabilize revenue for operating and other expenses?
WHAT THEY MEAN The Loveland Rural Fire Protection District surrounds the city of Loveland and collects property taxes to fund firefighting services offered through the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. In 2012, voters opted to raise the district’s mill levy by 2.9 mills to its current rate of 8.708 mills. The language of the 2012 ballot issue phases out the increase in 2022, which would eliminate roughly $1.2 million in annual revenue. 6A would allow the district to maintain its current mill levy of 8.708 mills. If the current level of funding is maintained and the city’s 1% mixed sales tax hike also passes, the authority may break ground as early as next year on Fire Station No. 10, on the eastern edge of the district in Johnstown. The language of 6B would
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allow the district to work around the consequences of the Gallagher Amendment to the state Constitution, which caps the share of state property tax revenue that can come from residential properties at 45%. As home values have risen, the state has been forced to slash its residential assessment rate, which has also impacted other local governments that depend on property taxes. The second LRFPD issue would allow the district to adjust its mill levy annually to continue to collect the amount of revenue that was collected in 2020, which is currently projected to be around $3.8 million, according to LFRA Chief Mark Miller.
WHAT PROPONENTS SAY Allowing the mill levy to sunset would wipe out roughly a third of the district’s revenue and jeopardize the current level of service for residents, which could in turn impact homeowners’ insurance rates. Both items are necessary
to keep up with population growth and inflation. With Colorado’s Legislature considering reducing the state’s residential assessment rate further in 2021, from 7.15% to 5.88%, an additional $1 million could be lost if the district isn’t given the flexibility to change its mill levy. The failure of both issues could eliminate more than half of the district’s budget. Although maintaining the amount of revenue collected in 2020 may require a mill levy adjustment down the road, neither issue is a tax increase.
WHAT OPPONENTS SAY The current mill levy places too much of a burden on property owners, who should also be able to take full advantage of a drop in the residential assessment rate. The district should not be able to adjust its mill levy without first returning to voters. The government of the district is too large and ought to be scaled down.
ELECTION GUIDE
Berthoud Ballot Issue 3B
Muni broadband, phone service and TV WHAT IT SAYS Affirming the Town of Berthoud’s right to provide internet, telecommunication, and cable television services. Without increasing taxes, shall the citizens of the Town of Berthoud re-establish the Town’s right to provide all services restricted by Title 29, Article
27 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, described as “advanced services,” “telecommunications services,” and “cable television services,” including any new and improved broadband and highspeed internet services and facilities based on future technologies, either directly or indirectly, with public and/or private sector partners, to residents, business-
es, schools, libraries, non-profit entities and other users of such services?
would allow the town to research and potentially offer those services to residents in the future.
WHAT IT MEANS Before a municipality such as Berthoud can offer internet, telephone or television services, state law requires the majority of voters to pass a referendum. Passing the ballot question
WHAT PROPONENTS SAY There are no organized groups supporting this measure.
WHAT OPPONENTS SAY There are no organized groups opposing this measure.
WELD COUNTY SCHOOLS
RE-5J Ballot Issues 5A and 5B Tax increase, issuance of bonds
GENERAL FUND OVERRIDE
Shall Weld County School District RE-5J taxes be increased $4 million annually for a limited 10 year period (beginning in collection year 2021), which moneys shall be used in all district schools for educational purposes with financially transparent expenditures to be publicly reported on the district’s website to provide funds to: • attract and retain quality teachers and staff; • expand career and technical education programs at the middle and high schools; • provide additional safety, security, and mental health personnel across the district; and • replace buses that have reached the end of their service
life and maintain transportation safety, through a property tax override mill levy to be imposed at a rate sufficient to produce the amount set forth above, to be deposited into the general fund of the district, shall be in addition to the property taxes that otherwise would be levied for general fund and shall constitute a voter approved revenue change?
GENERAL OBLIGATION
BONDS Shall Weld County School District RE-5J debt be increased $149 million, with a repayment cost of up to $276 million, and shall district taxes be increased by up to $11.3 million annually
for the following purposes: • replacing Letford Elementary School on land given to the district by the town of Johnstown by providing matching money required to receive an awarded $9.5 million state “best” grant; • constructing a new Roosevelt High School at a new location; • converting the existing Roosevelt High School into a middle school; • making improvements to Milliken Elementary school and Pioneer Ridge Elementary school to address safety and security needs and extend their useful life; • addressing repairs and improvements to the early learning center and knowledge quest academy facility;
and to the extent funds are available exercising lease purchase options, by issuing general obligation bonds which shall bear interest, mature, be subject to redemption, with or without premium, and be issued at such times, at such prices (at, above or below par) and containing such terms, not inconsistent herewith, as the board of education may determine; shall ad valorem property taxes be levied without limit as to the mill rate not inconsistent with the cost parameters set forth above and in an amount sufficient in each year to pay the principal of and interest on such debt; and shall the district’s debt limit be established at 6% of the actual value of the district’s taxable property to permit the issuance of such bonds?
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ELECTION GUIDE L ARIMER COUNTY
Commissioner District 2 Bob McCluskey
Age: 70 Family: Wife, Kathy; daughters-in-law, Allie and Lindsey; sons-in-law; Kyle and Scott; grandsons, William and Ethan Time in area: 67 years Professional background: PresiMcCluskey dent of Poudre Valley Creamery and Loveland City Dairy, partner in Smart Document Management Political/Community experience: Served on the Fort Collins City Council and in the Colorado House of Representatives, as well as president of the Fort Collins Parks and Recreation Board, chairman of Poudre Fire Authority, board member for the Fort Collins Rotary Club, chairman of the Juvenile Services Planning Committee, and board member Fort Collins Community Foundation. Education: Fort Collins High School graduate, bachelor’s degree and master’s in business administration from Stanford University Political affiliation: Republican Campaign website: mccluskeyforlarimer.com
What are your top priorities for Larimer County?
First we need to reopen the economy, in a safe way. Next, we need to create more, higher paying jobs for Larimer County residents. By creating more, higher paying jobs, or primary jobs, we will reduce the need for expanding our transportation system, improve our air quality, and make housing more attainable for Larimer County residents. We need to keep our taxes low and
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ensure safety and security for all. We need to protect our environment and property rights .We need to expand services to our veterans and invest in families through affordable child care.
What do you see as the county’s role in supporting recovery of both the Cameron Peak Fire and the coronavirus pandemic?
The county’s role in recovery for the Cameron Peak fire will have several facets. One of the key elements will be a group assessing the infrastructure damage done by the fire. There are a number of municipalities and county facilities located in the burn area which may need repair. The water group will evaluate the debris and water quality from the fire. Still other county groups will coordinate help for cleaning up the area. The county’s health department and the Workforce Center will support the county’s response to the coronavirus. The health department will continue to monitor the outbreak and lead the testing and contact tracing activities. The Workforce Center will need to support local businesses in reopening in a safe manner. With a higher unemployment rate, the center will need to assist Larimer County residents to find jobs and expand retraining programs.
In what way should Larimer County government be involved in facilitating growth or economic development?
Larimer County will see an increasing number of development proposals with the rapid
growth in the county. By implementing the newly adopted Comprehensive Plan, the county will facilitate smart growth in the county. The county should reach out to the municipalities and talk about development in the various urban growth areas to have more consistent future development in the county. Larimer County should be involved in economic development through the Workforce Center and acting as a regional convener to facilitate economic development in Northern Colorado. This would include bringing together municipalities, neighboring counties, economic development groups, and chambers of commerce.
How big of a priority is creating attainable housing throughout the county? What is Larimer County government’s role?
As the price of housing increases in the county, the number of residents who will be able to pay for their housing will decrease. There are a number of ways being tried to rein in the cost of housing. They all are partial answers to how we can have more attainable housing. I think the piece we don’t hear enough about is to create more high paying jobs in Larimer County so the need to travel further is reduced .The county, as convener, needs to bring stakeholders together to formulate strategies that are good for the entire county.
ELECTION GUIDE L ARIMER COUNTY
Commissioner District 2 Kristin Stephens
Office: Larimer County Board of Commissioners District 2 Age: 52 Family: Three children Time in the area: 30 years Professional background: 10 years as a bookstore manager, Stephens 15 years as a graduate coordinator in statistics Political and community experience: Fort Collins City Council (2015-present); mayor pro tem (2019-present); former chairwoman of Poudre Fire Authority (2015-2016 and 20192020); vice chair of the National League of Cities’ Human Development Committee (2019-present); representative and finance committee member, North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (2019-present); 4-H Leader (2004-present) Education: Bachelor’s degree in history from Colorado State University Political affiliation: Democrat Campaign website: KristinforLarimer.com
What are your top priorities for Larimer County?
My top priorities are helping individuals and businesses recover from COVID, protecting our environment, and addressing climate change. I have worked on these issues at the municipal level, so I have current and relevant experience to help our county. People are struggling; local groups have distrib-
uted $1 million in rent assistance, and the Food Bank serves 500 households a day. We need to get food, housing assistance and childcare resources to community members. We must also help small businesses stay open. Finally, we cannot ignore our air quality, water issues, and extreme weather events due to climate change.
What do you see as the county’s role in supporting recovery of both the Cameron Peak Fire and the coronavirus pandemic?
The county needs to play a big role in supporting recovery from both devastating events. If elected, I will push for federal and state recovery dollars to help with the destruction from the Cameron Peak Fire. Because I have built strong relationships with our state and federal officials, I can effectively advocate for this funding. We also need to help individuals and businesses recover from COVID. I will use CARES and other dollars to help with housing and food security issues for our residents and will keep funding local efforts like the Larimer County Small Business Recovery Loan Fund.
In what way should Larimer County government be involved in facilitating growth or economic development?
government should facilitate growth, but I do believe we should plan for sustainable growth. We should make sure that we have adequate resources for growth, especially water, and that we are not creating urban sprawl. A healthy economy is important to our county, so I support providing resources to help our local businesses thrive and expand. I am committed to helping our businesses during COVID, and will advocate for local, state, and federal funds to help them stay afloat during this difficult time.
How big of a priority is creating attainable housing throughout the county? What is Larimer County government’s role?
Creating both affordable and attainable housing in our community needs to be a priority. Too many people in our county are overburdened with high rents, and many middle-class families cannot afford to be homeowners. I have worked on housing affordability on the Fort Collins City Council and will continue to prioritize this at the county level. The county can play a role as a convener; I will work with nonprofits, home builders, banks, and state and federal officials to find solutions to this problem. All our county residents deserve to live in a safe, affordable home.
I do not necessarily believe that county
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ELECTION GUIDE L ARIMER COUNTY
Commissioner District 3 Ben Aste
Age: 62 Family: Married 38 years with two married children and three grands Time in the area: Nearly five decades Professional background: Worked Ben Aste in “blue collar and white collar” positions for multiple corporations. Have started four successful small businesses in Larimer County. Am the founder and chief executive officer of Uncle Benny’s Building Supplies, LLC, which has been running successfully for over 25 years, spearheading the restreaming of building materials from the landfill in Larimer County Political and community experience: Served politically in the caucuses since I was 18. Also, served as a precinct committee person for several years. Supported and volunteered in multiple community organizations including schools, FFA, 4-H, Scouts, first responders, teen suicide prevention, and many more. Logged countless hours of life coaching, helping those with drug and alcohol addictions. Volunteered after the 1976 and 2013 floods. Attended all of the Planning Commission meetings for over eight months prior to running for office. Education: Graduated from Loveland High School in 1976, attended a vocational technical school for two years, have three years of college education
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Political affiliation: Republican Campaign website: vote4aste.com
What are your top priorities for Larimer County?
Ensure that the current businesses are back to 100% as safely as possible, and help as many new businesses start-up strong. With increased cash flow in businesses, there will be more jobs created. Encourage the development of attainable housing in Larimer County in a collaborative manner. When the budget can bear it, I want to see the completion of currently targeted road and bridge projects. I would like to see this done without raising taxes. Getting the word out to citizens in this county about how many programs and services are available to them of which they are unaware. This is a concern with the department heads of many of these programs.
What do you see as the county’s role in supporting recovery of both the Cameron Peak Fire and the coronavirus pandemic?
Larimer County does a good job mitigating disasters such as the 2012 High Park Fire and the regional 2013 flood. Our Office of Emergency Management has created processes to support residents and communities in their
recovery from all types of emergencies and disasters. After conferring with the current county staff, I feel that we are moving forward in a positive direction concerning both of these current challenges.
In what way should Larimer County government be involved in facilitating growth or economic development?
I think it is critical for the county to encourage balanced growth, aiding business startups, as well as attracting new businesses to the area. But even more importantly, we need to support the current businesses and ensure their continued presence, building a robust economically stable community.
How big of a priority is creating attainable housing throughout the county? What is Larimer County government’s role?
Attainable housing is a necessary part of a balanced community. Young families and first-time home buyers need to have a springboard to begin to build equity. Retirees on a fixed income also need affordable housing. This is only possible through a collaborative effort of public, private and non-profit organizations.
ELECTION GUIDE L ARIMER COUNTY
Commissioner District 3 Jody Shadduck-McNally
Age: 54 Family: Married to Thomas for 27 years, three children. One son in graduate school at Colorado State University, one son working on a PhD at the University of Colorado, and a Shadduck- daughter, a senior in high McNally school. Time in the area: Born and raised in Northern Colorado and have lived in Larimer County for 20 years. Professional background: Small business owner and consultant, non-profit founder and board member, community advocate, volunteer, former exercise physiologist and volunteer EMT. Political and community experience: Served on the leadership team for the 2018 Larimer County Mental Health Matters Initiative and several other winning campaigns; volunteer for two decades in the Thompson School District on accountability committees, task forces on graduation guidelines, the Master Plan Committee, two strategic planning teams, and two budget proposal task forces; appointed twice to serve on the Loveland Human Services Commission and the Larimer County Office on Aging Advisory Council; volunteer for several nonprofits in Larimer County; volunteered after the 2013 floods on Big Thompson River riparian restoration work in 2016, 2017, 2018, and trail mitigation work in Lory State Park; and graduate of the CSU Water Literate Leaders class 2019-2020. Education: Bachelor of science, University of Colorado, Boulder. Master’s of science, University of New Mexico Political affiliation: Democrat Campaign website: jodyforlarimer.com
What are your top priorities for Larimer County?
1. COVID-19 recovery and resiliency. I know how to help Larimer’s small businesses to navigate the state and federal resources and remain open. 2. Clean air and water, environmental protection. I am passionately committed to preserving open spaces and protecting our air, water & quality of life. 3. Affordable housing. I have many strategies for how safe and affordable housing can be attainable for all Larimer County residents. 4. Sustainable Growth. Through creative collaboration and vision, I plan to protect our values into the future. Please visit my website for policy proposals on these and more issues that matter to Larimer County residents.
What do you see as the county’s role in supporting recovery of both the Cameron Peak Fire and the coronavirus pandemic?
Larimer County has been dealt a difficult blow with these simultaneous events. The role of strong county leadership has never been more important. We will be called on to lead recovery efforts with agency partners and the Larimer Recovery Collaborative group. We will need to be creative as well as parsimonious in our choices of resource allocation. I have been listening to the Sheriff’s Department and Office of Emergency Management in the Cameron Peak Fire and understand the concerns of stakeholders as well as next steps. We must collaborate between agencies to bring resources to displaced families and businesses in this difficult time.
In what way should Larimer County government be involved in facilitating growth or economic development?
Larimer County’s population will continue to grow as more people move to our beautiful area to work, retire, study, play, or raise a family. Now is the time to plan for smart growth while deciding together where we want to be as a county in 50 years. The challenges of smart, sustainable growth will require collaborative and creative leadership in order to guide development while preserving and protecting our natural areas. The county needs to collaborate as a region to guide the housing, workforce and transportation networks of the future while working to minimize urban sprawl.
How big of a priority is creating attainable housing throughout the county? What is Larimer County government’s role?
I plan to ensure that housing is safe, attainable, and affordable for all those who desire to work, retire, or study in Larimer County. Finding affordable housing in Larimer County should not be a crisis. Right now, middleclass families cannot afford to live in the communities where they work and fixed or lowincome families are often just one paycheck away from homelessness. We can influence contributing factors to unaffordability at a county level, and I know how to do that. I have detailed plans for builders’ incentives to include affordable housing in their plans and maintain manufactured and tiny home communities.
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ELECTION GUIDE
8th Judicial District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin
Mitch Murray
Age: 36 Family: My wife, Jessica, is a PhD candidate in social work. Time in the area: Seven years in Larimer County, 11 years in Colorado Professional background: Career prosecutor, eight years as a Deputy District Attorney, tried over 60 McLaughlin criminal jury trials including first-degree murder. Political or community experience: Vice president of the Board for Bike Fort Collins; member of the Food Bank of Larimer County Advisory Council Education: BA in government from Cornell University; JD from the University of Colorado Law School Political affiliation: Democrat Campaign website: McLaughlinforDA.com
Age: 58 Family: My wife and I have five children, age 20 to 30, one grandchild, age 7, and a 12-year-old puppy. Time in the area: I have lived in Larimer County since 1989. Professional background: Attorney with the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for 30 years, first as a deputy district attorney prosecuting misdemeanor and Murray traffic cases, then juvenile cases, adult felonies and as the sex assault/crimes against children prosecutor. Promoted to supervise other attorneys as chief of county court, then chief of district court, supervisor of the special victims unit, eventually assisting in managing the entire District Attorney’s Office, a staff of over 80 as Assistant District Attorney. Served as Assistant DA for Cliff Riedel, our elected District Attorney, for almost eight years. Political or community experience: Serve on the Board of Directors for our local Child Advocacy Center, on the Larimer County Child Protection Team, and the 8th Judicial District’s Child Fatality Review Team, and as chairman of Colorado’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Board. Education: Graduated from University of Colorado Law School in 1988; undergraduate degree from Ohio Northern University. Political affiliation: Republican Campaign website: VoteMitchMurrayDA.com
How will the police reform movement affect prosecution and the courts in Larimer County?
Well-qualified and trained police are essential to ensuring our community safety. However, we cannot expect police to solve all our problems themselves, and not every problem is best solved by an armed officer. Using mental health co-responders, de-escalation, and other resources can prevent criminal actions before they occur. Ultimately, the DA has authority over charging decisions, and I will use my discretion to seek justice, not just punishment. I know a DA must work together with police, but also provide a check and balance on police actions, and I will not be afraid to fill that role.
What do you feel the DA does right, and what changes would you like to see?
There are many dedicated public servants at the DA’s office but they lack the right tools to best serve the community. We need a cultural shift and change in leadership. I will promote alternatives to incarceration, including creating diversion programs for low-level, non-violent offenders. I will utilize treatment options that hold offenders accountable in ways that address the root causes of their behavior, therefore reducing recidivism and increasing safety. I will engage with the community and include diverse and marginalized voices while working to address injustice. I will focus resources on the most serious crimes that impact our community safety.
What are your points of view on facilitating public access to court information?
Transparency and accountability are at the heart of my campaign. The current administration has not been forthcoming with data, open about their decision-making process, or responsive to community questions and concerns. I will collect, analyze, and publish demographic data and address problems we find. I will be open and honest with the community about our practices, policies, and priorities. I will engage with the community by holding town halls and responding to media inquiries. I will do those things regularly and not just in an election year. When big decisions are made, I will stand up and be accountable to the community.
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How will the police reform movement affect prosecution and the courts in Larimer County?
By increasing awareness of racial injustice and the need for bias training, this movement can improve law enforcement and our criminal justice system. Local law enforcement agencies have demonstrated an eagerness to improve what they do and how they interact with the public. The courts are more aware, and jurors who hear these cases are aware, of how bias can unfairly impact people. The District Attorney’s Office will have to address these concerns during our prosecution. With this increased awareness, I believe we can do a better job ensuring that bias is not affecting our decision making or outcomes.
What do you feel the DA does right and what changes would you like to see?
We do a very good job handling our cases, making sure we are achieving just results, protecting the community, and helping victims of crime. We work well with our criminal justice partners, collaborating to make sure we are doing the best job possible. I will increase our community outreach and transparency, meeting with the various communities that make up this jurisdiction, hearing their concerns, answering their questions, and building trust in the criminal justice system. I will increase our social media presence so that we communicate to the public what we do and will expand our adult diversion.
What are your points of view on facilitating public access to court information?
SEE MURRAY, 23
ELECTION GUIDE
State Senate District 23 Sally Boccella
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Party: Democratic Website: www.sallyforcolorado.com/ Age: 51 Family: Married, two children Where in District 23 do you live and how long have you lived there? Johnstown Professional background: Currently I am a substitute Boccella teacher. My background includes marketing, film production and broadcasting. Political/community experience: I serve on three Weld RE-5J School District committees and have been a constituent advocate, bringing constituents together with their elected officials. Education: I am a first-generation college graduate from University of Colorado Boulder earning a bachelor of arts in distributed studies with an academic focus on political science and philosophy.
Party: Republican Website: www.KirkmeyerforColorado.com Age: 62 Family: Two daughters both married; six grandsons all living in Weld County; Where in District 23 do you live and how long have you lived there? Unincorporated southern Weld; 38 years Kirkmeyer Professional background: Small business owner 15 years; dairy farmer/ranching 27 years Political/community experience: Weld County Commissioner; Gov. Bill Owens Cabinet; Director Colorado Emergency Management and numerous boards, commissions and coalitions including State Transportation Advisory Committee: NW United Credit Union; Boys & Girls Club; State Human Services Board; and 911 Board Education: Bachelor’s degree, CU Boulder; teaching certificate
How does your prior professional experience best position you to serve as state senator for District 23?
How does your prior professional experience best position you to serve as state senator for District 23?
I have a very diverse professional background, which gives me a unique perspective. Being a nontraditional student and a first-generation college graduate I was able to develop new relationships that expanded my view of the world and the challenges that people face based on their socioeconomic situations.
How do you think the pandemic has most adversely affected people in District 23? If elected, what will you do to help them overcome those challenges?
COVID-19 has brought many existing inequities into light. We have inequity in education, income opportunity and healthcare that have been devastating to our society. We can make those changes one step at a time. We desperately need high-speed internet for everyone, a just transition for workers, and affordable health care for all. I believe that together we can accomplish these steps toward creating a system that works for all Coloradans.
Tell readers about your stance on Colorado gun laws. How will you balance individual rights with protecting people from gun-related tragedies?
In Colorado, we value our rights and our responsibilities. I am committed to supporting common sense gun safety policy and protection of the Second Amendment. These do not have to be mutually exclusive. I am in favor of common-sense gun safety measures including universal background checks, magazine limits, and the Extreme Risk Protection Orders law. I supported the efforts of the Legislature this session to require reporting of missing or stolen firearms and proper gun storage. Common sense gun legislation strengthens the Second Amendment.
My experience and accomplishments as a small business owner, a dairy farmer, the emergency manager for Colorado, running a state department and being a county commissioner set me apart from my opponent. My record as a Weld County Commissioner tells the story. I run toward a challenge, not away from it. I want to take my record of leadership in Weld County to the state Capitol to build a bright future for Colorado. Single-party, Denver-centric interests currently dominate at the state Capitol and jeopardize our state’s economic and fiscal future. I will continue to work to defend the interests of northern Colorado communities — by promoting consensus, where possible, with vigor. I will be a check and balance on the current Legislature’s overreach.
How do you think the pandemic has most adversely affected people in District 23? If elected, what will you do to help them overcome those challenges?
No more lockdowns! They are not effective and causing mental health issues, along with job loss and businesses closing. We need to get out of the mindset that an open economy is incompatible with public health. It’s not what we do that jeopardizes health and safety. It’s how we do it. Safely operating schools in person should be a top priority
Tell readers about your stance on Colorado gun laws. How will you balance individual rights with protecting people from gun-related tragedies?
There is no tension between individual rights and protecting people from gun crimes. Guns belong in the hands of law-abiding citizens. At the same time, I believe we need tough penalties on those who use a gun in the commission of a crime.
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 11
ELECTION GUIDE
Colorado House District 51 Hugh McKean
Age: 52 Family: Two children: Hanna and Aiden Time in area: Loveland resident since 1997 Professional background: Contractor in Loveland since 1993 McKean Political/community experience: Currently serving as the state representative for Colorado House District 51, previously a Loveland City Council Member for Ward III and involved with the Thompson R2-J School District Education: Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University Political affiliation: Republican Campaign website: mckeanforstatehouse.com
What are the most important issues facing the Colorado Legislature in the next two years, and how would you propose to address them?
The most important issues in Colorado for the foreseeable future revolve around our
12 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
budget. We experienced a financial catastrophe last year, resulting in an almost 25% reduction in discretionary funding in the General Fund. This will be exacerbated this year as we try to find ways to fund education, roads and bridges and Medicaid.
What should be the Legislature’s role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and assisting in the recovery — balancing residents’ and business people’s civil rights with the need to protect people’s health?
We need to know where the goalposts are. Asking Coloradans to don masks, socially distance and alter their lives in terms of work and school and life is a sacrifice nearly all are willing to make if it means that we get through this pandemic as successfully as possible. Success means that those who need care can find it, that we have testing available and that we have a path back to what normal looked like for all of us a year ago. What we need to do better as a state is to tell people exactly what those decision
points are, what the rate of infection needs to be to relax our protocols and what life looks like after we get to a steady baseline. If we do that well, our friends and neighbors will be able to tolerate restrictions on the way they are used to living so that we can get there together.
To what extent is systemic reform needed in policing? What role should the Legislature play, beyond the recently passed Senate Bill 217?
The passage of Senate Bill 217 last year hurt us as a state. We have officers in Loveland and across the state looking elsewhere to find work, good police officers who have been told by that legislation that their families will not be protected if there is a lawsuit filed against them. That’s unacceptable to me. While there are some officers who need to be held accountable, by and large the officers we have in Loveland and in Colorado do their jobs honorably and well. The blanket approach from SB 20-217 is doomed to fail.
ELECTION GUIDE
State House District 51 Vern Richardson
Age: 65 Family: Wife Jane died in 2006 after 25 years of marriage; son Jason and grandson Mason in Montana. Time in area: Has lived in Larimer County since the 1950s Richardson and in Loveland over 30 years, 1981-1998 and 2006 to present. Professional background: A work accident in the mid-1980s changed career path from construction to manufacturing. “Drafting to part design, project management, quality technician, QA manager were all steppingstones to my current position as a sales manager at a custom injection molding company in Berthoud.” Political/community experience: Has served on the city of Loveland’s Disabilities Advisory Commission since 2012 and as the chairman since 2015. Active since 2008 in Larimer County and Colorado Democratic parties. Chairman of House District 51 for Larimer County Democratic Party from 2013 to 2020 until stepping down to run for office. Education: Vocational training in mechanical drafting/machine design, graduating with an associate’s degree from Front Range Community College. Political affiliation: Democrat Campaign website: vernrichardson4hd51.com
What are the most important issues facing the Colorado Legislature in the next two years, and how would you propose to address them?
The COVID economic crisis is threatening our economy to the point it may not recover for more than two years. From restaurants to service industries, oil and gas, small businesses or mom-and-pop shops, it seems many may fail. Forty percent to 60% of employees work for these employers, and many may go under. When that happens, there will be an avalanche of evictions and foreclosures. This does not take into consideration funding for essential services, schools and infrastructure. The Colorado Legislature will need to come together and work to find solutions to the problems our citizens will be facing. Working across the aisle, quit pointing fingers and find the solutions so all Colorado families can thrive. This could be the toughest thing our state has ever faced; this should not be an us-vs.-them, but all working together.
What should be the Legislature’s
role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and assisting in the recovery — balancing residents’ and businesspeople’s civil rights with the need to protect people’s health?
I work for an essential employer and only closed two days. Employee safety has been the highest priority, then keeping everyone employed and providing our essential customers with their products. That said, social distancing was mandatory, but if civil rights are violated, choosing not to wear a mask and associating with those who do violates their rights as well. To me, that is just a way to build a barrier. Consider the rights of all, not just yourself.
To what extent is systemic reform needed in policing? What role should the Legislature play, beyond the recently passed Senate Bill 217?
We ask a lot from emergency responders, but the police have one of the toughest jobs. When they show up at a call or a traffic stop, we are asking them to identify a situation before they can understand or comprehend the variables. We should not be defunding but provide them funding for better tools and nonlethal alternatives and help to identify potential life-threatening injuries before a situation gets out of control. It is unfortunate this has also been polarized into an usvs.-them.
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 13
ELECTION GUIDE
State House District 49 Mike Lynch
Age: 51 Family: Wife Alex; daughter Carly, 14; son Spencer, 15 Time in area: Wellington resident; in the district for 19 years Professional background: Former Army officer, business owner Lynch Political/community experience: TEDx talk on lost wax casting; military academy selection boards for Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, Congressman Cory Gardner, Sen. Cory Gardner; candidate for Colorado State Senate vacancy; board member of Loveland Downtown Working Group; board of directors for Redeemer Lutheran Church; board of directors for Project Smile; board officer for Larimer County Republican Party; member of Larimer County Rural Land Use Board; member of Northern Colorado Veterans Plaza Board; alumni president New Mexico Military Institute class; vice president of West Point alumni class; recreational youth soccer coach; Lego robotics coach; member of Roundup Riders of the Rockies; Leadership Program of the Rockies graduate. Education: University of Chicago – Booth School of Business, MBA candidate (left pro-
14 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
gram for job), 1999; University of Colorado Boulder, Master of Public Administration, 1996; United States Military Academy at West Point, bachelor of science, 1993; New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, Associate of Arts, 1989; United States Army at Fort Benning, Ga., Airborne School, Bradley Commander School master fitness trainer. Political affiliation: Republican Campaign website: LynchForColorado.com
What should be the Legislature’s role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and assisting in the recovery — balancing residents’ and businesspeople’s civil rights with the need to protect people’s health?
The state needs to continue to provide accurate information to the people. This is a test in personal responsibility. Give us the information, and if you are at risk, isolate; if you are not, go about your life. Reopen the state immediately.
What are the most important issues facing the Colorado Legislature in the next two years, and how would To what extent is systemic reform you propose to address them? Due to the coronavirus shutdowns in the needed in policing? What role state mandated by our governor, we will be should the Legislature play, beyond experiencing quite a budget shortfall for our the recently passed Senate Bill 217? state. This will require some very careful budgeting for the essential duties of our government, which is to provide infrastructure and safety for our citizens. Due to our unprecedented growth in population, infrastructure is more important than ever.
I think the awareness campaign we have underway will help get the “bad apples” exposed. SB 217 will help in accountability, and additional attention should take care of the rest.
ELECTION GUIDE
State House District 49 Yara Zokaie
Age: 28 Family: Husband; two sons, Remy, 3, Roman, 1 Time in area: Windsor resident for four years Professional background: Tax attorney Zokaie Political/community experience: I am not a politician, but I have been involved in the community — both in my work as a tax attorney for local businesses and as a mom to young kids. Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, law degree, master’s degree in the laws of taxation Political affiliation: Democrat Campaign website: www.yaraforcolorado.com
What are the most important issues facing the Colorado Legislature in the next two years, and how would you propose to address them?
The biggest issue we face as a state in the next two years is recovering from the economic impact of coronavirus. So often in times of economic downturn, we negotiate on the backs of those most detri-
mentally impacted. These vulnerable groups include middle- and low-income families, small businesses and working-class folks. It is time that we prioritize these groups. We also must invest in our public schools, which have been hit hard by this crisis.
What should be the Legislature’s role in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and assisting in the recovery — balancing residents’ and businesspeople’s civil rights with the need to protect people’s health?
is left behind as we work to address the underlying problems that the crisis has exacerbated. I know that we can get through this difficult time together, but we must have elected representatives who listen to the people, not giant corporate and lobbyist donors. That is why I am 100% grassroots funded.
To what extent is systemic reform needed in policing? What role should the Legislature play, beyond the recently passed Senate Bill 217?
To address the economic conditions caused by the pandemic, we must be responsive to the problems our communities are facing. This includes providing aid to individuals and small businesses, increasing unemployment benefits and putting in place a temporary eviction moratorium during the period of recovery. We must also ensure that no one is left with financial difficulties due to medical treatment related to COVID-19. If we want to come out of this economic crisis with the same Colorado communities we know and love, we need to ensure that no one
It is clear that a large portion of our population believes that systemic reform of policing is necessary. It is our job as leaders to listen when our constituents demand action, and I am proud that Colorado passed Senate Bill 217. The Legislature must also monitor how this bill works in practice and close any loopholes that may be used. To the communities that have been harmed by improper policing, I wholeheartedly promise to listen to your voices and take action when needed.
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 15
ELECTION GUIDE
2nd Congressional District Joe Neguse Neguse
Age: 36 Family: Wife Andrea, daughter Natalie How long have you lived in CD2? 18 years (30 years in Colorado) Professional background: Attorney, former director of Colorado’s consumer protection agency Political/community experience: Former CU Regent for 2nd Congressional District (2009-2015), cofounder of New Era Colorado, commissioner on Boulder Hous-
ing Authority Education: University of Colorado at Boulder, B.A. (summa cum laude); University of Colorado School of Law, J.D. Party: Democratic Website: joeneguseforcongress.com
What is the most important issue facing constituents in the 2nd Congressional District, and how will you address it?
The public health risks and economic impacts created by the pandemic pose significant challenges. As your representative, I’ve worked to help Boulder County at every turn, fighting to secure economic relief and ensure equal access to health care. We’ve pursued a bold legislative agenda — introducing more legislation than any freshman lawmaker in the country, and passing more bills into law this Congress than any member of Colorado’s House delegation. If given the opportunity, I will continue to address these challenges by leading locally, holding a record number of town halls and leveraging our community’s talent to develop bipartisan solutions.
Do you support additional federal coronavirus relief aid for individuals, businesses and communities? Why or why not?
Charlie Winn Age: 77 Family: Wife and two children Professional background: M.D. with 45 years of practice, retired Navy captain Political experience: None prior Education: M.D. with specialty in radiology, undergraduate degree in radiation physics, fellowship in Winn philosophy, University of Goettingen, Germany. Party: Republican Website: WinnforColorado.com
What is the most important issue facing constituents in the 2nd Congressional district, and how would you address it?
Dealing with the COVID-19 crisis is the issue of greatest concern presently. The disease itself has caused considerable suffering but the response to it has also caused great harm and disruption. Besides the mortality from the disease, there have been excess deaths due to suicide and delayed treatment for other diseases. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director) Dr. Fauci said this would be much like the 1968 Hong Kong flu pandemic. I was in med school at that time and understand the natural course of a pandemic. We must take the data and, with this evidence, we can get past this medical crisis and get back to school and work. Further lockdowns only prolong the pandemic and concomitant suffering.
Do you support additional federal coronavirus relief aid for individuals, businesses and communities? Why or why not?
I strongly support additional federal stimulus for families, communities and small businesses, including direct cash assistance payments and funds to support our schools. I have been a consistent champion for the same, and introduced multiple legislative proposals to provide direct aid to small cities and counties, funds to support USPS, our homeless population, food security programs and more, several of which have now passed the House. Coloradans are struggling amid this economic crisis, and we cannot expect them to SEE NEGUSE, 23
The CARES Act and the relief it provided was necessary to deal with the hardships from the lockdowns required to slow the spread and not overwhelm the health care resources. The money allotted has not yet been spent. Further lockdowns are not needed. They will not end this pandemic and will exacerbate the suffering and the non-COVID deaths. We know what we must do: hand hygiene including sanitizers, distancing with appropriate wearing of masks and additional protection for those in our society who are at greater risks. Then open up businesses and school. Additional aid only adds to the debt that our children must pay. SEE WINN, 23
Thom Atkinson
Gary Swing
Libertarian Thom Atkinson did not complete the candidate questionnaire.
Unity Party of America candidate Gary Swing did not complete the candidate questionnaire.
16 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
ELECTION GUIDE
CU Regent Congressional District 2 Callie Rennison
Age: 56 Family: Spouse: Dave Vaughan; cat: Pente; lilaccrowned Amazon parrots: Clover, Grace, Gabbie and Dewey How long have you lived in CD2? 12 years Rennison Professional background: Department of Justice statistician, assistant professor at the University of Missouri – St. Louis; professor at the University of Colorado Denver in the School of Public Affairs. Political/community experience: Board member, Breaking Silence, 2015-Present Education: Ph.D. in political science, University of Houston; M.A in political science, University of Houston; M.A. in sociology, University of Houston; B.S. in psychology, University of Houston Party: Democratic Website: callie4cu.com
What is the most important issue facing the University of Colorado system and how will you address it as a regent?
Without question, the most important
issue facing CU is affordability and accessibility. Regents must partner with state legislators to rid the state of TABOR and Gallagher. Regents must work as a team to educate the public about the damage that TABOR and Gallagher have done to higher education funding and how that is tied to high tuition costs. Every regent decision needs to be made with an emphasis on keeping costs down and prioritizing academics and research. We must remove upper and middle management positions that are not supporting the system’s mission, and we must consolidate and/or remove poorly performing or duplicative units.
The Board of Regents is a historically partisan board, with notable votes along party lines. Do you support the board’s partisan nature? Why or why not? The partisan influence of past regent decisions has been detrimental to the CU system and the people in it. It has eroded the public’s trust in the regents, and harmed the board’s legitimacy. I commonly hear people are tired of political bickering when there are real problems requiring real attention, leadership
and solutions. Regents should make decisions in the best interest of students, staff and faculty in the system, as well as community members — regardless of partisan leanings. Regents should be focused solely on making CU the best it can be, making it affordable and accessible, making it work for everyone, supporting people in the system and providing Colorado with the educated workforce it requires.
How can the Board of Regents best navigate the coronavirus pandemic?
The coronavirus pandemic is characterized by unknowns, making it a challenging situation to manage. The Board of Regents must ensure the campus leadership is guided first by the principle of keeping students, staff, faculty and community members safe and healthy. Decisions related to the coronavirus must be made using scientific knowledge from experts. The board needs to ensure campus leadership is operating with much greater transparency and trust given many in the CU system and community members feel budget health has taken precedence over individual health.
Christian Vernaza Libertarian Christian Vernaza did not complete the candidate questionnaire.
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 17
ELECTION GUIDE
Colorado state ballot items
AMENDMENT B
Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR20-001 - Repeal Property Tax Assessment Rates Referred to the voters by the state legislature Without increasing property tax rates, to help preserve funding for local districts that provide fire protection, police, ambulance, hospital, kindergarten through twelfth grade education, and other services, and to avoid automatic mill levy increases, shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution to repeal the requirement that the general assembly periodically change the residential assessment rate in order to maintain the statewide proportion of residential property as compared to all other taxable property valued for property tax purposes and repeal the nonresidential property tax assessment rate of twenty-nine percent?
AMENDMENT C
House Concurrent Resolution HCR20-1001 - Bingo Raffles Allow Paid Help and Repeal Five-Year Minimum Referred to the voters by the state legislature Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the conduct of charitable gaming activities, and, in connection therewith, allowing bingo-raffle licensees to hire managers and operators of games and reducing the required period of a charitable organization’s continuous existence before obtaining a charitable gaming license?
AMENDMENT 76
Initiative #76 - Citizenship Qualification of Electors Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution requiring that to be qualified to vote at any election an individual must be a United States citizen?
AMENDMENT 77
Initiative #257 - Local Voter Approval of Gaming Limits in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution and a change to the Colorado
18 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald
Tracy Fuller of Loveland holds her baby, Kennedy Fuller, as she fills out her ballot Tuesday on Nov. 6, 2018, at the vote center in the Loveland Police and Courts Building. Revised Statutes concerning voter-approved changes to limited gaming, and, in connection therewith, allowing the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other games in addition to those currently allowed and increase a maximum single bet to any amount; and allowing gaming tax revenue to be used for support services to improve student retention and credential completion by students enrolled in community colleges?
PROPOSITION EE
House Bill HB20-1427 - Cigarette Tobacco and Nicotine Products Tax Referred to the voters by the state legislature
Shall state taxes be increased by $294,000,000 annually by imposing a tax on nicotine liquids used in e-cigarettes and other vaping products that is equal to the total state tax on tobacco products when fully phased in, incrementally increasing the tobacco products tax by up to 22% of the manufacturer’s list price, incrementally increasing the cigarette tax by up to 9 cents per cigarette, expanding the existing cigarette and tobacco taxes to apply to sales to consumers from outside of the state, establishing a minimum tax for moist snuff tobacco products, creating an inventory tax that applies for future cigarette tax increases, and initially SEE ISSUES, 19
ELECTION GUIDE ISSUES from page 18 approval at the next even-year election of any newly created or qualified state enterprise that is exempt from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution, if the projected or actual combined revenue from fees and surcharges of the enterprise, and all other enterprises created within the last five years that serve primarily the same purpose, is greater than $100 million within the first five fiscal years of the creation or qualification of the new enterprise?
using the tax revenue primarily for public school funding to help offset revenue that has been lost as a result of the economic impacts related to COVID-19 and then for programs that reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine products, enhance the voluntary colorado preschool program and make it widely available for free, and maintain the funding for programs that currently receive revenue from tobacco taxes, with the state keeping and spending all of the new tax revenue as a voter-approved revenue change?
PROPOSITION 118
PROPOSITION 113
Senate Bill SB19-042 - National Popular Vote Shall the following Act of the General Assembly be approved: An Act concerning adoption of an agreement among the states to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote, being Senate Bill No. 19-042?
PROPOSITION 114
Initiative #107 - Restoration of Grey Wolves Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the restoration of gray wolves through their reintroduction on designated lands in Colorado located west of the continental divide, and, in connection therewith, requiring the Colorado parks and wildlife commission, after holding statewide hearings and using scientific data, to implement a plan to restore and manage gray wolves; prohibiting the commission from imposing any land, water, or resource use restrictions on private landowners to further the plan; and requiring the commission to fairly compensate owners for losses of livestock caused by gray wolves?
PROPOSITION 115
Initiative #120 - Prohibition on Late-Term Abortions Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning prohibiting an abortion when the probable gestational age of the fetus is at least twenty-two weeks, and, in connection therewith, making it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine to perform or attempt to perform a prohibited abortion, except when the abortion is immediately required to save the life of the pregnant woman when her life is physically threatened, but not solely by a psychological or emotional condition; defining terms related to the mea-
JENNY SPARKS / Loveland Reporter-Herald
An election judge hands an “I voted” sticker to a voter on Nov. 6, 2018, at the vote center in the Loveland Police and Courts Building.
sure including “probable gestational age” and “abortion,” and excepting from the definition of “abortion” medical procedures relating to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy; specifying that a woman on whom an abortion is performed may not be charged with a crime in relation to a prohibited abortion; and requiring the Colorado medical board to suspend for at least three years the license of a licensee whom the board finds performed or attempted to perform a prohibited abortion?
PROPOSITION 116
Initiative #306 - State Income Tax Rate Reduction Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%?
PROPOSITION 117
Initiative #295 - Voter Approval Requirement for Creation of Certain Fee-Based Enterprises Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes requiring statewide voter
Initiative #283 - Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado, and, in connection therewith, authorizing paid family and medical leave for a covered employee who has a serious health condition, is caring for a new child or for a family member with a serious health condition, or has a need for leave related to a family member’s military deployment or for safe leave; establishing a maximum of 12 weeks of family and medical leave, with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications, with a cap on the weekly benefit amount; requiring job protection for and prohibiting retaliation against an employee who takes paid family and medical leave; allowing a local government to opt out of the program; permitting employees of such a local government and self-employed individuals to participate in the program; exempting employers who offer an approved private paid family and medical leave plan; to pay for the program, requiring a premium of 0.9% of each employee’s wages, up to a cap, through December 31, 2024, and as set thereafter, up to 1.2% of each employee’s wages, by the director of the division of family and medical leave insurance; authorizing an employer to deduct up to 50% of the premium amount from an employee’s wages and requiring the employer to pay the remainder of the premium, with an exemption for employers with fewer than 10 employees; creating the division of family and medical leave insurance as an enterprise within the department of labor and employment to administer the program; and establishing an enforcement and appeals process for retaliation and denied claims?
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 19
SAMPLE BALLOT Official Ballot for General Election Larimer County, Colorado Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Federal Offices
State Offices
Presidential Electors (Vote for One Pair)
State Senator - District 23 (Vote for One)
Joseph R. Biden / Kamala D. Harris Democratic
Donald J. Trump / Michael R. Pence Republican
Don Blankenship / William Mohr American Constitution
Sally Boccella Democratic
State Representative - District 49 (Vote for One) Yara Hanlin Zokaie
Howie Hawkins / Angela Nicole Walker
Mike Lynch
Green
Blake Huber / Frank Atwood Approval Voting
Jo Jorgensen / Jeremy "Spike" Cohen Libertarian
To vote your ballot:
Republican
Bill Hammons / Eric Bodenstab Unity
Angela Myers Clerk and Recorder Instructions to Voters
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Democratic
Republican
State Representative - District 51 (Vote for One) Hugh McKean Republican
Brian Carroll / Amar Patel American Solidarity
Use black ink.
Mark Charles / Adrian Wallace Unaffiliated
Fill in the oval completely.
Phil Collins / Billy Joe Parker Prohibition
Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente / Darcy G. Richardson
Alliance
Dario Hunter / Dawn Neptune Adams Progressive
Princess Khadijah Maryam Jacob-Fambro / Khadijah Maryam Jacob Sr.
Unaffiliated
Alyson Kennedy / Malcolm Jarrett
Do not mark in any of the incorrect ways shown below.
Socialist Workers
Joseph Kishore / Norissa Santa Cruz Socialist Equality
Republican
Cathy Kipp Democratic
State Representative - District 53 (Vote for One) Jeni Arndt Democratic
Adam Shuknecht Libertarian
District Attorney - 8th Judicial District (Vote for One) Gordon McLaughlin
Gloria La Riva / Sunil Freeman
Mitch Murray
Socialism and Liberation
Democratic
Republican
Joe McHugh / Elizabeth Storm
County Offices
Brock Pierce / Karla Ballard
County Commissioner - District 2 (Vote for One)
Unaffiliated
Unaffiliated
Jordan "Cancer" Scott / Jennifer Tepool Unaffiliated
Kanye West / Michelle Tidball Unaffiliated
Write-In
United States Senator (Vote for One) John W. Hickenlooper Democratic
Kristin Stephens Democratic
Bob McCluskey Republican
County Commissioner - District 3 (Vote for One) Jody Shadduck-McNally Democratic
Ben Aste Republican
Cory Gardner
Judicial
Daniel Doyle
Colorado Supreme Court Justice (Vote YES or NO)
Republican
Approval Voting
Stephan "Seku" Evans Unity
Raymon Anthony Doane
Libertarian (Signed declaration to limit service to no more than 2 terms)
Write-In
Representative to the 117th United States Congress - District 2 (Vote for One) Joe Neguse Democratic
Charlie Winn Republican
Thom Atkinson Libertarian
Gary Swing Unity
State Offices Regent of the University of Colorado Congressional District 2 (Vote for One) Callie Rennison Democratic
Dick R. Murphy Republican
Christian Vernaza Libertarian
State Senator - District 14 (Vote for One)
20 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
Donna Walter
Kyle Kenley Kopitke / Nathan Re Vo Sorenson Independent American
If you make a mistake, ask for a new ballot.
Write-In
State Representative - District 52 (Vote for One)
Hans D. Hochheimer Republican
Joann Ginal Democratic
Shall Justice Melissa Hart of the Colorado Supreme Court be retained in office? YES
NO
Colorado Supreme Court Justice (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. of the Colorado Supreme Court be retained in office? YES
NO
Colorado Court of Appeals Judge (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Ted C. Tow III of the Colorado Court of Appeals be retained in office? YES
NO
Colorado Court of Appeals Judge (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Craig R. Welling of the Colorado Court of Appeals be retained in office? YES
NO
District Court Judge - 8th Judicial District (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Susan Blanco of the 8th Judicial District be retained in office? YES
NO
District Court Judge - 8th Judicial District (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Julie Kunce Field of the 8th Judicial District be retained in office? YES
NO
SAMPLE BALLOT Judicial
State of Colorado
State of Colorado
District Court Judge - 8th Judicial District (Vote YES or NO)
Proposition EE (STATUTORY)
Proposition 118 (STATUTORY)
SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED BY $294,000,000 ANNUALLY BY IMPOSING A TAX ON NICOTINE LIQUIDS USED IN E-CIGARETTES AND OTHER VAPING PRODUCTS THAT IS EQUAL TO THE TOTAL STATE TAX ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS WHEN FULLY PHASED IN, INCREMENTALLY INCREASING THE TOBACCO PRODUCTS TAX BY UP TO 22% OF THE MANUFACTURER'S LIST PRICE, INCREMENTALLY INCREASING THE CIGARETTE TAX BY UP TO 9 CENTS PER CIGARETTE, EXPANDING THE EXISTING CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO TAXES TO APPLY TO SALES TO CONSUMERS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE, ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM TAX FOR MOIST SNUFF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, CREATING AN INVENTORY TAX THAT APPLIES FOR FUTURE CIGARETTE TAX INCREASES, AND INITIALLY USING THE TAX REVENUE PRIMARILY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET REVENUE THAT HAS BEEN LOST AS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS RELATED TO COVID-19 AND THEN FOR PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE THE USE OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS, ENHANCE THE VOLUNTARY COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND MAKE IT WIDELY AVAILABLE FOR FREE, AND MAINTAIN THE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY RECEIVE REVENUE FROM TOBACCO TAXES, WITH THE STATE KEEPING AND SPENDING ALL OF THE NEW TAX REVENUE AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE?
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado, and, in connection therewith, authorizing paid family and medical leave for a covered employee who has a serious health condition, is caring for a new child or for a family member with a serious health condition, or has a need for leave related to a family member's military deployment or for safe leave; establishing a maximum of 12 weeks of family and medical leave, with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications, with a cap on the weekly benefit amount; requiring job protection for and prohibiting retaliation against an employee who takes paid family and medical leave; allowing a local government to opt out of the program; permitting employees of such a local government and self-employed individuals to participate in the program; exempting employers who offer an approved private paid family and medical leave plan; to pay for the program, requiring a premium of 0.9% of each employee's wages, up to a cap, through December 31, 2024, and as set thereafter, up to 1.2% of each employee's wages, by the director of the division of family and medical leave insurance; authorizing an employer to deduct up to 50% of the premium amount from an employee's wages and requiring the employer to pay the remainder of the premium, with an exemption for employers with fewer than 10 employees; creating the division of family and medical leave insurance as an enterprise within the department of labor and employment to administer the program; and establishing an enforcement and appeals process for retaliation and denied claims?
Shall Judge Stephen John Jouard of the 8th Judicial District be retained in office? YES
NO
District Court Judge - 8th Judicial District (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Juan G. Villaseñor of the 8th Judicial District be retained in office? YES
NO
County Court Judge - Larimer (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Mary Joan Berenato of the Larimer County Court be retained in office? YES
NO
County Court Judge - Larimer (Vote YES or NO)
Shall Judge Kraig Ecton of the Larimer County Court be retained in office? YES
NO
County Court Judge - Larimer (Vote YES or NO)
YES/FOR
Shall Judge Joshua B. Lehman of the Larimer County Court be retained in office? YES
NO
NO/AGAINST
Proposition 113 (STATUTORY)
YES/FOR
Shall the following Act of the General Assembly be approved: An Act concerning adoption of an agreement among the states to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote, being Senate Bill No. 19-042?
NO/AGAINST
City of Loveland
Ballot Issue 2A Ballot questions referred by the general assembly or any political subdivision are listed by letter, and ballot AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL SALES AND USE TAX OF YES/FOR NO/AGAINST questions initiated by the people are listed numerically. 1% TO BE IMPOSED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021, A ballot question listed as an "amendment" proposes a EXCEPT THAT THE SALE OF FOOD FOR HOME Proposition 114 (STATUTORY) change to the Colorado constitution, and a ballot CONSUMPTION REMAINS TAXED AT 3%, TO SUPPORT THE CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND question listed as a "proposition" proposes a change to CAPITAL EQUIPMENT, AND OPERATIONS AND there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes the Colorado Revised Statutes. A "yes/for" vote on any Shall MAINTENANCE concerning the restoration of gray wolves through their ballot question is a vote in favor of changing current law reintroduction on designated lands in Colorado located west of SHALL CITY OF LOVELAND TAXES BE INCREASED NOT the continental divide, and, in connection therewith, requiring MORE THAN $21,130,000 ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST or existing circumstances, and a "no/against" vote on the Colorado parks and wildlife commission, after holding FISCAL YEAR OF COLLECTIONS (2021) AND BY any ballot question is a vote against changing current statewide hearings and using scientific data, to implement a WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY law or existing circumstances. plan to restore and manage gray wolves; prohibiting the commission from imposing any land, water, or resource use restrictions on private landowners to further the plan; and requiring the commission to fairly compensate owners for losses of livestock caused by gray wolves?
State of Colorado Amendment B (CONSTITUTIONAL) Without increasing property tax rates, to help preserve funding for local districts that provide fire protection, police, ambulance, hospital, kindergarten through twelfth grade education, and other services, and to avoid automatic mill levy increases, shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution to repeal the requirement that the general assembly periodically change the residential assessment rate in order to maintain the statewide proportion of residential property as compared to all other taxable property valued for property tax purposes and repeal the nonresidential property tax assessment rate of twenty-nine percent? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Amendment C (CONSTITUTIONAL) Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the conduct of charitable gaming activities, and, in connection therewith, allowing bingo-raffle licensees to hire managers and operators of games and reducing the required period of a charitable organization's continuous existence before obtaining a charitable gaming license? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Amendment 76 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Proposition 115 (STATUTORY) Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning prohibiting an abortion when the probable gestational age of the fetus is at least twenty-two weeks, and, in connection therewith, making it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine to perform or attempt to perform a prohibited abortion, except when the abortion is immediately required to save the life of the pregnant woman when her life is physically threatened, but not solely by a psychological or emotional condition; defining terms related to the measure including "probable gestational age" and "abortion," and excepting from the definition of "abortion" medical procedures relating to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy; specifying that a woman on whom an abortion is performed may not be charged with a crime in relation to a prohibited abortion; and requiring the Colorado medical board to suspend for at least three years the license of a licensee whom the board finds performed or attempted to perform a prohibited abortion? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Proposition 116 (STATUTORY)
THEREAFTER BY AN ADDITIONAL SALES AND USE TAX OF ONE PERCENT (1%), THEREBY RAISING THE CITY SALES AND USE TAX FROM THREE PERCENT (3%) TO FOUR PERCENT (4%), PROVIDED THAT THE SALE OF FOOD FOR HOME CONSUMPTION SHALL BE EXCLUDED FROM ANY SUCH ADDITIONAL SALES AND USE TAX INCREASE AND REMAIN TAXED AT THE CURRENT RATE OF THREE PERCENT (3%), COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2021, PROVIDED THAT THE INCREASED REVENUES SHALL BE USED SOLELY FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES AT THE FOLLOWING PERCENTAGES: ·
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AT TWENTY PERCENT (20%),
·
TO ACQUIRE, CONSTRUCT, AND MAINTAIN THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AT FIFTY PERCENT (50%), AND
·
FOR MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE AT THIRTY PERCENT (30%);
WITH ALL SPENDING REPORTED IN THE CITY'S ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT PUBLISHED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE; AND SHALL ALL THE TAX REVENUES AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS THEREON BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Town of Windsor Ballot Issue 3A
SHALL TOWN OF WINDSOR TAXES BE INCREASED $65,652.00 (FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR INCREASE) ANNUALLY AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution YES/FOR NO/AGAINST ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER THROUGH THE requiring that to be qualified to vote at any election an ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A NEW EXCISE individual must be a United States citizen? TAX OF THREE PERCENT (3%) UPON THE PRICE PAID Proposition 117 (STATUTORY) FOR SPECIFIED LODGING SERVICES PROVIDED WITHIN THE TOWN OF WINDSOR AND UNDER WHICH ALL Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes YES/FOR NO/AGAINST REVENUE COLLECTED AS A RESULT IS EXCLUSIVELY requiring statewide voter approval at the next even-year DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF LOCAL election of any newly created or qualified state enterprise that BUSINESSES, DESTINATION TOURISM, CONVENTIONS, Amendment 77 (CONSTITUTIONAL) is exempt from the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, Article X, Section AND RELATED ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE TOWN BY 20 of the Colorado constitution, if the projected or actual BRANDING AND MARKETING THE TOWN AND Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution and combined revenue from fees and surcharges of the enterprise, SPONSORING COMMUNITY EVENTS, AUTHORIZING THE and all other enterprises created within the last five years that TOWN TO COLLECT AND SPEND SUCH REVENUES AS A a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning voter-approved changes to limited gaming, and, in connection serve primarily the same purpose, is greater than $100 million VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE therewith, allowing the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and within the first five fiscal years of the creation or qualification of NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE the new enterprise? LIMITATION CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF Cripple Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, AND UNDER SUCH games in addition to those currently allowed and increase a YES/FOR NO/AGAINST ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MARKETING COMMISSION maximum single bet to any amount; and allowing gaming tax FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS revenue to be used for support services to improve student FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF REVENUE DERIVED retention and credential completion by students enrolled in THEREFROM? community colleges? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%?
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 21
SAMPLE BALLOT Town of Berthoud
Loveland Rural Fire Protection District
Ballot Question 3B
Ballot Issue 6A
Affirming the Town of Berthoud's right to provide internet, WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES, STARTING IN 2022 AND telecommunication, and cable television services. THEREAFTER, SHALL LOVELAND RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE Without increasing taxes, shall the citizens of the Town of TO COLLECT 2.90 MILLS APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2012 Berthoud re-establish the Town's right to provide all services FOR GENERAL OPERATING PURPOSES EXPIRING IN restricted by Title 29, Article 27 of the Colorado Revised 2022, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING THE ONGOING Statutes, described as "advanced services", AND FUTURE GENERAL OPERATING NEEDS OF THE "telecommunications services", and "cable television DISTRICT, INCLUDING FINANCING THE CONSTRUCTION services", including any new and improved broadband and OF A STRATEGICALLY PLANNED FIRE STATION TO BE high-speed internet services and facilities based on future LOCATED ON DONATED REAL PROPERTY AND technologies, either directly or indirectly, with public and/or MAINTAINING STAFFING LEVELS NECESSARY TO private sector partners, to residents, businesses, schools, CONTINUE THE CURRENT HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE TO libraries, non-profit entities and other users of such services? DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST
Weld County School District RE-5J
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Ballot Issue 5A
Ballot Issue 6B
GENERAL FUND OVERRIDE
WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES IN 2021, SHALL LOVELAND RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED BEGINNING IN 2021 AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER TO SET THE MILL LEVY AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO GENERATE THE TAX REVENUES LEVIED IN 2020, AS SUCH AMOUNT IS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FOR INFLATION AND LOCAL GROWTH, TO STABILIZE REVENUE FOR OPERATING AND OTHER EXPENSES?
SHALL WELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-5J TAXES BE INCREASED $4 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR A LIMITED 10 YEAR PERIOD (BEGINNING IN COLLECTION YEAR 2021), WHICH MONEYS SHALL BE USED IN ALL DISTRICT SCHOOLS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITH FINANCIALLY TRANSPARENT EXPENDITURES TO BE PUBLICLY REPORTED ON THE DISTRICT'S WEBSITE TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO: -ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY TEACHERS AND STAFF; -EXPAND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS;
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District
-PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SAFETY, SECURITY, AND MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL ACROSS THE DISTRICT; AND Ballot Issue 6C -REPLACE BUSES THAT HAVE REACHED THE END OF THEIR SERVICE LIFE AND MAINTAIN TRANSPORTATION IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN ADEQUATE FIRE, RESCUE, AND SAFETY, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, AND ONLY IN THE THROUGH A PROPERTY TAX OVERRIDE MILL LEVY TO BE IMPOSED AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE THE AMOUNT SET FORTH ABOVE, TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE DISTRICT, SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE LEVIED FOR GENERAL FUND AND SHALL CONSTITUTE A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Ballot Issue 5B GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS SHALL WELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-5J DEBT BE INCREASED $149 MILLION, WITH A REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $276 MILLION, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED BY UP TO $11.3 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: -REPLACING LETFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON LAND GIVEN TO THE DISTRICT BY THE TOWN OF JOHNSTOWN BY PROVIDING MATCHING MONEY REQUIRED TO RECEIVE AN AWARDED $9.5 MILLION STATE "BEST" GRANT; -CONSTRUCTING A NEW ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL AT A NEW LOCATION; -CONVERTING THE EXISTING ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL INTO A MIDDLE SCHOOL;
EVENT THAT THE RESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT RATE IS REDUCED BELOW THE CURRENT RATE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF ARTICLE X OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, SHALL THE POUDRE CANYON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT (DISTRICT) BE PERMITTED TO ADJUST ITS PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY TO OFFSET ANY RESULTING DECREASE IN REVENUE CAUSED BY THE REDUCTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT RATE; AND SHALL SUCH TAX PROCEEDS BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT AS VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND SPENDING CHANGES IN EACH YEAR, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY CONSTITUTIONAL OR STATUTORY SPENDING OR REVENUE LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES?
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Larimer County Public Improvement District Glenn Ridge Estates PID #72 Ballot Issue 6D
SHALL TAXES BE INCREASED $32,000 ANNUALLY (IN THE FIRST YEAR) OR SUCH GREATER AMOUNT AS IS RAISED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPOSED GLENN RIDGE ESTATES PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 72 BY THE IMPOSITION OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES AT A MILL LEVY RATE NOT TO EXCEED 23.740 MILLS, THE REVENUES OF -ADDRESSING REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WHICH WILL BE COLLECTED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, EARLY LEARNING CENTER AND KNOWLEDGE QUEST 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, SUCH REVENUES ACADEMY FACILITY; TO BE USED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AS REQUESTED IN THE AND TO THE EXTENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE PETITION FOR CREATION OF THE DISTRICT AND FOR EXERCISING LEASE PURCHASE OPTIONS, BY ISSUING THE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES; SHALL GLENN GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS WHICH SHALL BEAR RIDGE ESTATES PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. INTEREST, MATURE, BE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, WITH OR WITHOUT PREMIUM, AND BE ISSUED AT SUCH 72 BE CREATED; AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES, THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES RECEIVED BY TIMES, AT SUCH PRICES (AT,ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) THE DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON BOTH AND CONTAINING SUCH TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT CONSTITUTE VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND/OR HEREWITH, AS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY DETERMINE; SHALL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES BE SPENDING CHANGES AND BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY LEVIED WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO THE MILL RATE NOT SPENDING, REVENUE RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION INCONSISTENT WITH THE COST PARAMETERS SET FORTH ABOVE AND IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT IN EACH CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT YEAR TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SUCH DEBT; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT'S DEBT LIMIT BE BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND EXPEND FROM ITS MILL LEVY ANY SUCH AMOUNT WHICH IS MORE THAN ESTABLISHED AT 6% OF THE ACTUAL VALUE OF THE THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE DISTRICT'S TAXABLE PROPERTY TO PERMIT THE PERMITTED UNDER THE 5 1/2% LIMIT IMPOSED BY ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS? SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES IN 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST -MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO MILLIKEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND PIONEER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS AND EXTEND THEIR USEFUL LIFE;
22 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Larimer County Public Improvement District Trappers Point PID #70 Ballot Issue 6E SHALL TAXES BE INCREASED $93,000 ANNUALLY (IN THE FIRST YEAR) OR SUCH GREATER AMOUNT AS IS RAISED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPOSED TRAPPERS POINT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 70 BY THE IMPOSITION OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES AT A MILL LEVY RATE NOT TO EXCEED 41.272 MILLS, THE REVENUES OF WHICH WILL BE COLLECTED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, SUCH REVENUES TO BE USED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AS REQUESTED IN THE PETITION FOR CREATION OF THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES; SHALL TRAPPERS POINT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 70 BE CREATED; AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES, THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON BOTH CONSTITUTE VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND/OR SPENDING CHANGES AND BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING, REVENUE RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND EXPEND FROM ITS MILL LEVY ANY SUCH AMOUNT WHICH IS MORE THAN THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PERMITTED UNDER THE 5 1/2% LIMIT IMPOSED BY SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES IN 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER?
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Rockview Wildflower Ridge PID #71 Ballot Issue 6F SHALL TAXES BE INCREASED $90,000 ANNUALLY (IN THE FIRST YEAR) OR SUCH GREATER AMOUNT AS IS RAISED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPOSED ROCKVIEW WILDFLOWER RIDGE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 71 BY THE IMPOSITION OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES AT A MILL LEVY RATE NOT TO EXCEED 46.616 MILLS, THE REVENUES OF WHICH WILL BE COLLECTED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, SUCH REVENUES TO BE USED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AS REQUESTED IN THE PETITION FOR CREATION OF THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES; SHALL ROCKVIEW WILDFLOWER RIDGE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 71 BE CREATED; AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES, THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON BOTH CONSTITUTE VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND/OR SPENDING CHANGES AND BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING, REVENUE RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND EXPEND FROM ITS MILL LEVY ANY SUCH AMOUNT WHICH IS MORE THAN THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PERMITTED UNDER THE 5 1/2% LIMIT IMPOSED BY SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES IN 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Vine Drive PID #29 Ballot Issue 6G SHALL THE VINE DRIVE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 29 TAXES BE INCREASED $20,000.00 DOLLARS ANNUALLY (ESTIMATED FIRST FISCAL YEAR DOLLAR INCREASE IN 2021), AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNT AS MAY BE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY THE IMPOSITION OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES AT A MILL LEVY RATE NOT TO EXCEED 21.871 MILLS, THE REVENUES OF WHICH WILL BE COLLECTED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, AND UPON APPROVAL OF THIS MILL LEVY, THE REVENUES RAISED PURSUANT TO THE BALLOT MEASURE APPROVED NOVEMBER 2, 2004, SHALL TERMINATE ON DECEMBER 31, 2020, WITH THE REVENUES COLLECTED BY IMPOSITION OF THE 21.871 MILL LEVY TO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT AND CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF ROADS IN THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE DISTRICT, AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX, THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON BOTH CONSTITUTE VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND/OR SPENDING CHANGES AND BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING, REVENUE RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND EXPEND FROM ITS MILL LEVY ANY SUCH AMOUNT WHICH IS MORE THAN THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PERMITTED UNDER THE 5 1/2% LIMIT IMPOSED BY SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES IN 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER? YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
SAMPLE BALLOT MURRAY from page 10
Larimer County Public Improvement District
St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District
Meadows at Rolling Hills PID #73 Ballot Issue 6H
Ballot Issue 7A
SHALL TAXES BE INCREASED $21,250 ANNUALLY (IN THE FIRST YEAR) OR SUCH GREATER AMOUNT AS IS RAISED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPOSED MEADOWS AT ROLLING HILLS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 73 BY THE IMPOSITION OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES AT A MILL LEVY RATE NOT TO EXCEED 31.993 MILLS, THE REVENUES OF WHICH WILL BE COLLECTED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, SUCH REVENUES TO BE USED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AS REQUESTED IN THE PETITION FOR CREATION OF THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES; SHALL MEADOWS AT ROLLING HILLS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 73 BE CREATED; AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES, THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON BOTH CONSTITUTE VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND/OR SPENDING CHANGES AND BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING, REVENUE RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND EXPEND FROM ITS MILL LEVY ANY SUCH AMOUNT WHICH IS MORE THAN THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PERMITTED UNDER THE 5 1/2% LIMIT IMPOSED BY SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES IN 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER?
SHALL ST. VRAIN AND LEFT HAND WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $3,337,003 AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY AN ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY OF 1.25 MILLS (WHICH INCREASE AMOUNTS TO APPROXIMATELY $9 IN 2021 FOR EVERY $100,000 IN RESIDENTIAL HOME VALUE), FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE DISTRICT'S WATER PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES: · PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN DRINKING WATER SOURCES; · MAINTAIN HEALTHY RIVERS AND CREEKS; · SAFEGUARD AND CONSERVE DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION; · PROTECT FORESTS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO WATER SUPPLY AND REDUCE THE RISK OF WILDFIRES; WITH OVERSIGHT BY THE APPOINTED BOARD OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND SUBJECT TO ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITS PUBLISHED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE; AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM SUCH INCREASE BE COLLECTED, RETAINED, OR SPENT AS VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGES AND AS AN EXEMPTION TO THE LIMITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY?
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
Crystal View PID #69 Ballot Issue 6I SHALL TAXES BE INCREASED $88,000 ANNUALLY (IN THE FIRST YEAR) OR SUCH GREATER AMOUNT AS IS RAISED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPOSED CRYSTAL VIEW PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 69 BY THE IMPOSITION OF AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES AT A MILL LEVY RATE NOT TO EXCEED 102.982 MILLS, THE REVENUES OF WHICH WILL BE COLLECTED BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, SUCH REVENUES TO BE USED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AS REQUESTED IN THE PETITION FOR CREATION OF THE DISTRICT AND FOR THE GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES; SHALL CRYSTAL VIEW PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 69 BE CREATED; AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES, THE SPECIFIC OWNERSHIP TAXES RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON BOTH CONSTITUTE VOTER APPROVED REVENUE AND/OR SPENDING CHANGES AND BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING, REVENUE RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND EXPEND FROM ITS MILL LEVY ANY SUCH AMOUNT WHICH IS MORE THAN THE AMOUNT WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PERMITTED UNDER THE 5 1/2% LIMIT IMPOSED BY SECTION 29-1-301, COLORADO REVISED STATUTES IN 2021 AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER?
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
YES/FOR
NO/AGAINST
The public should have access to court information and most criminal proceedings and records should be open. The U.S. and Colorado Constitution guarantee a defendant’s right to a public trial by an impartial jury, highlighting the tension between the public’s right to know and a defendant’s right to a fair trial. Certain records, names of sexual assault victims or juveniles, must be protected and information may be temporarily sealed to protect an ongoing investigation or ensure a fair trial. Disclosures by the district attorney are limited by the Rules of Professional Conduct to protect that right to a fair trial.
NEGUSE from page 16 weather this alone. As Colorado’s only member of House leadership, I will continue to fight for the priorities above.
As a U.S. representative, how will you address the impacts and causes of climate change?
I firmly believe that climate change is an existential threat, which is why I’ve prioritized climate action during my first term in Congress. Over one-third of the bills I’ve introduced are focused on addressing the crisis, including proposals to invest in regenerative agriculture, expand clean energy, safeguard climate science and conserve our public lands — including the CORE Act, which became the first major Colorado wilderness legislation to pass the House in over a decade. As a member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, I brought the committee to Boulder to hear from city officials and scientists and several of my proposals —inspired by constituents in Boulder County — were included in the committee’s report. Many have since passed the House, including our plan to equip communities with resilient infrastructure. If elected again, I would continue legislating aggressively and working to build consensus on bold climate action proposals.
WINN from page 16 As a U.S. Representative, how will you address the impacts and causes of climate change?
The question is how to balance protecting this planet while providing the food, water and energy for nearly 8 billion people. We have the technology that includes solar, wind, clean fossil fuel and nuclear power, especially newer fourth-generation plants. There must be open and robust discussion unencumbered by political rhetoric. Congress must work together and build for the future of our planet.
2020 ELECTION GUIDE • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 23
REMEMBER TO VOTE FOR YOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
President
Cory Gardner
U.S. Senate
Charlie Winn
Hans Hochheimer
Barb Kirkmeyer
Michael Lynch
Hugh McKean
Donna Walter
Bob McCluskey
Ben Aste
Mitch Murray
Donald Trump
Senate District 23
Commissioner District 2
House District 49
Commissioner District 3
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24 • OCTOBER 11, 2020 • 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
Congressional District 2
House District 51
District Attorney
State Senate 14
House District 52
Dick Murphy
CU Board of Regents