Candidates interested in standing for election on one of five area boards can submit their name from Jan. 26 through Feb. 20
Story by Suzy Blackhurst
On Jan. 26, just six short weeks from now, people interested in serving on one of five special taxing districts in the Estes Valley can get an early jump on other candidates. Procrastinators have until Feb. 20 for their name to be printed on a ballot for the elections which will be held May 6, 2025.
Operating as Estes Park Health, the Park Hospital District may be the first such special district to set parameters for spring elections. During its meeting on Dec. 11, the EPH board voted unanimously to pay $34,309 to Circuit Rider of Colorado, a Littleton firm, for organizing and managing its election for two positions.
David Batey, chair of the EPH board, is term limited and ineligible to again seek a seat on the board. Batey first was elected to the board in 2018, and again in 2022. Drew Webb’s current term expires in 2025. At this point he has made no public declaration about his plan for the future.
Other special taxing districts that will hold elections in May include Upper Thompson Sanitation District, Estes Park Sanitation District, Estes Valley fire Protection District, and the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District. By state law, all special districts are required to adhere to the same guidelines and election-related dates.
Each district can determine whether to conduct its election in person or by mail. EPH board members agreed their election would be conducted by mail.
Candidates for special district offices are not required to collect signatures before seeking a seat on the various boards as they are in municipal elections. Self-nomination forms will be made available from Jan. 1 through Feb. 20 either by contacting Circuit Rider or Rachel Ryan, executive assistant at EPH. Ryan has been named the deputy designated election official for the election. Forms can be filed from Jan. 26 through Feb. 20.
According to state law, if there are not more candidates than the number of offices to be filled by March 4, including those candidates who file affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates, “the designated election official if instructed by resolution of the governing body, shall cancel the election and declare the candidates elected.”
In addition to Park Hospital District, positions on the Upper Thompson Sanitation board of directors held by Chris Eshelman, Stan Gengler, Kent Bosch, and Mike Morton expire in 2025.
Estes Park Sanitation District board positions currently held by Jennifer Waters, Todd Plummer and Frederick Houser expire in 2025 as does every position on the Estes Valley Fire Protection District. Those spots currently are filled by Chris Buser, Mike Lewelling, Ryan Bross, Brian Tseng, and David Hamrick.
Three seats on the Estes Valley Park and Recreation District board of directors held by Scott Dorman, Dan Dorman, and Michael Fallon expire in 2025.
Elections for directors of the Estes Park School District will take place Nov. 4, 2025. School board seats currently held by Stacy Ferree, Ava Kendell and John Davis will be up for election.
Information about Special District Elections is available on the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Local Government website.
