2024 Election Showdown Kicks Off
Dan Williams, the Teller County District 1 Commissioner for the last few years, has announced his intention to run for a second and final term.
The announcement was made at the Oct. 10 meeting of the Teller GOP Party, and represented the first major campaign pursuit for local contenders in the forthcoming 2024 election. The election is expected to set a record turnout since it is a presidential vote year.
“I would be honored to continue to serve the residents of Teller County for another term, while we have made great strides there is still much work to be done and we are getting after it,” said Williams.
Williams joined Erik Stone and Bob Campbell as a county commissioner three years ago at the height of the COVID pandemic. Along with his fellow commissioners he focused on the economic recovery of Teller County businesses with the careful over-watch of federal ARPA dollars and other state programs, aimed at returning the county to normal operations. He has heavily focused on fostering good relations with the cities and communities within Teller County.
Along with the Teller County Sheriff, Office of Emergency Management and the various fire chiefs, Williams leads and fosters the life, health, and safety of Teller County residents, particularly with regards to Fire and Crime prevention. He is a familiar face leading from the front and communicating to our residents during all crisis events.
Major investments in new equipment, radios, and other operational capabilities were improved and increased during his first term. His support of law enforcement has been unwavering, with improvements to the jail, body armor, laser sights, increased ammunition and the largest single pay raise to law enforcement officials and other first responders in recent history.
“Our first responders and our law enforcement community ensure our quality of life and safety in Teller County, their ability to not only work, but live in our county makes all the difference”.
A popular community and veteran leader, Williams is at the forefront of Veteran issues, serving on both the 5th and 7th Congressional District Service academy nomination boards as well as the Congressional Veteran Affairs advisory board. In his first term, a full-time County Veteran Services Officer was hired, which now sees nearly 500 veterans a month.
Williams is a familiar and respected presence in Denver, testifying repeatedly on numerous bills that impact rural Colorado and defending local control and rural land use issues. No easy feat as a Republican in a Democratic super majority.
Working and testifying alongside his fellow commissioners, Senate Bill 23-108, which originated with the Teller County Commissioners was successfully introduced by Senator Mark Baisley and passed unanimously allowing the Teller County Commissioners to temporarily reduce mill levy rates to reduce the property tax burden to our residents for 2024.
He has also been a constant voice in the community, calling for respectful discourse and an end to the vitriol and anger that has gripped our country.
“I continue to listen to our residents and all viewpoints, we are all trying really hard to focus on the issues, challenges, and solutions without tearing each other apart.”
Fiscally conservative, under his watch, Teller County has balanced its budget every year and is now debt free. “We are now focused on getting out of any buildings we do not own and moving forward in planning a County Service Center.”
Prior to becoming the District 1 County Commissioner, Williams served Teller County as a consultant and as its planning director. While serving as planning director, Williams assisted the previous Board of County Commissioners in writing both the Teller County Strategic Plan and the 2020 Teller County Growth Management Plan. He is a West Point graduate with two master’s degrees, including one from Kings College in London England. He is a 2017 graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies.
Williams serves on numerous boards and organizations including, the 5th US Congressional District Service Academy Nomination Board; the 7thUS Congressional District Service Academy Nomination Board; the 7th Congressional District Veterans Advisory Board; Coalition of the Upper South Platte (CUSP); the Pikes Peak Round Table; Community of Caring – Aspen Mine Center; Arkansas Basin Round Table Board Member; Member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Environment, Energy and Land Use Board and Public Lands Board; the Southern Teller County Focus Group; the Southern Shooting Partnership Board; the Teller County Wildland Fire Counsel; the Governor’s Clean Energy Task Force, and is on the executive committee and board member for the Court Appointed Special Advocate CASA organization.
Williams is a member of VFW Post 6051 and commands American Legion Post 1980. Dan is a decorated 30-year US Army Combat Veteran and Apache Pilot. Dan and his wife Suzan have two children and 3 grandchildren and live on their ranch near Cripple Creek.
The 2024 race will also determine the District 3 seat, currently held by Erik Stone, and a spree of state positions and of course, the highly contested showdown for president.
The preliminary election contests will kick into high gear next spring during the county caucuses and assemblies and primaries.
