Local Cities/Districts Facing Big Impacts with Tonight’s Verdict
Rick Langenberg
Based on early reports, Election 2025 won’t set any records for voter participation in Teller County and the lower Ute Pass.
An off-year, coordinated election, capped by the lack of many heavily contested contests, could result in a so-so turnout rate, falling well short of the 2024 presidential contest. That’s the analysis of key election observers and officials who are still hoping for a surge in last-minute ballot returns on Nov 4.
Clerk and Recorder Stephanie Kees sees the Nov. 4 election falling in line with past off-year coordinated elections that often generate a participation rate of less than 50 percent. Plus, she notes that this year’s contest has not featured the competitive slug match that often dominated the school board races in the past.
Still, a number of pivotal races and ballot issues are up for grabs, several of which could have big fiscal and political impacts, such as a bid for a home rule government in Cripple Creek and key tax questions in the RE-1 CC/V School District and the Florissant Fire Protection District. And although the gloves have not come off, compared to similar duels in the past four years, a hefty competitive showdown has ensued for three board seats for the Woodland Park RE-2 School District Board of Education.
And if you are a registered voter and are reading this article now and have not cast your ballot, act quickly. The absolute deadline is 7 p.m. this evening (Nov. 4) for returning ballots at the county’s 24/7 ballot box drop-off areas in Woodland Park, Divide and Cripple Creek (located respectfully at the county courthouse, the motor vehicle office in Woodland Park and at the Divide Marketplace) and at a designated voter service polling center (at the Woodland Park Library).
By early last week, Kees reported a light turnout, with only 3,157 returned ballots (as of Tuesday morning, Oct. 28). The big election winner still is the 24/7 secure ballot box drop-off areas. These outlets have become the predominate choice most Teller voters favor when returning their ballots, compared to dropping them in the mail or using the in-person, voter service polling center.
During the opening day of this center, this outlet at the library in Woodland Park was only frequented by a little more than a dozen voters.
However, these statistics could vastly change by later this evening.
A common trend in Colorado and local elections favors more people voting in the final day, largely due to the convenience of the drop-off box outlets and the technology provided. Voters are advised of the status of their ballots getting received, via e-mail. And with all the media coverage of mail-in voting, many distrust using the mail service in the tabulation of these counts.
The future of Colorado’s mail-in voting system is still up in the air, as President Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate this system altogether and have voting done through paper ballots, the old-fashion way. However, the president could face quite a court challenge, if he pursues this route. Colorado’s mail-in system has been heavily lauded by both Republican and Democratic leaders due to the convenience and lack of any surmountable lines. If changes do occur, they could occur in2026, which is when mid-term congressional elections take place.
Key Ballot and Candidate Issues
Tonight’s verdict will determine if the city of Cripple Creek can operate through a home rule government, which would allow it more flexibility from the current state, statutory setup. In fact, most cities in Colorado are home rule, including fellow gaming rivals Central City and Black Hawk. Voters will decide if they want to form a home rule charter commission. If most say yes on this question, the stage is then set to pick a nine-member commission. Eight candidates are listed on the ballot.
If this effort moves forward, then another vote will probably take place next year, which could give the okay or denial for the town’s first-ever city charter.
Commentary on this question has been divided. City leaders have heavily favored this option. But some locals, including casino workers, are opposed to this idea, contending that it would give the council and town administrator way too much power, and could open the door for more tax increases.
A pro-home rule effort has been formed by Councilman Jared Bowman, who compiled a local mailer on the issue. The main argument favoring home rule is that it would give the town more local control and more options, instead of relying on lawmakers in Denver to decide the town’s future. “Give home rule a chance,” said Bowman in describing the main yes push for this proposition. He noted that if individuals are worried about the council wielding too many powers, these issues can be addressed in the compiling of an actual city charter, which must be voted on.
The RE-1 school district, meanwhile, has placed an issue on the ballot, which doesn’t increase taxes, but would continue a previous levy okayed a number of years ago, when the district incurred debt. The tax revenue would be used to help retain teachers and improve district facilities.
In Victor, voters are deciding if they want to make the clerk/treasurer into an appointed position, instead of having this designated as an elected position.
In Woodland Park, voters tonight will decide the fate of three ballot propositions, calling for adjustments to the city charter. These deal with resident requirements for running for council and mayor, term limit changes for volunteer boards and allowing the clerk more time for reviewing petition-related recall signatures. Voters in the Florissant Fire Protection District are deciding on a nearly $400,000 tax increase proposition for better infrastructure and equipment.
And on a state-wide basis, voters are casting tallies on several tax-related questions.
As far as competitive races, the RE-2 school board races are commanding main stage attention again. Six candidates are vying for three seats. The outcome of tonight’s vote will play a huge role in determining the political future of the school board, which for the last four or so years has been dominated by more conservative members. This political allegiance is now in question. But contrary to past elections, the 2025 contest is much more civil, with most candidates emphasizing their individual qualifications, instead of branding themselves as part of a conservative or progressive slate, or whether they strongly support parental choice and the Merit Academy.
Two council seats will be decided in Cripple Creek, but only one of these is getting contested. The same scenario is true for the home rule charter seats, with eight candidates running for actually nine slots.
No competition has been waged on tallies for a mayor and two council seats in Victor or for school board seats in the RE-1 district.
For up-to-date election results, visit mountainjackpot.com. The unofficial results are slated to be announced, later in the evening of Nov. 4, according to Kees. But these are not final for at least another week or so, as provisional ballots have to be counted also. But rarely do these tallies impact local elections.
