A former Road and Bridge Department foreman announced his candidacy Thursday for the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners.
“I want what’s best for the Montezuma taxpaying citizens, really I do,” Brett Likes said during the meeting. “Because I love it here. This is a great place.”
Likes, speaking before the Montezuma County Republicans, said he will seek the District 1 seat currently held by Jim Candelaria.
Candelaria’s two-term limit ends in November 2026. He was elected in 2018, and reelected in 2022.
The other two commissioners will continue serving their terms.
District 2 Commissioner Kent Lindsay was reelected in 2024 after a 2020 term, having served from 1997 to 2005. District 3 Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer was elected in 2024 after serving two terms from 2004 to 2012.
“I’ve seen different commissioners come and go,” Likes said.
Likes said he was born and raised in Montezuma County. He has worked for the county Road and Bridge Department for 35 years.
He ended his role there as foreman in August and now works for D&L Construction in Cortez.
Likes said he would hold no conflicts of interest if elected.
“Could you elaborate just a little bit on what you’ve seen working for the county in Road and Bridge that has maybe caused some of the concern on your part?” asked Naomi Riess, a Republican candidate running for Colorado House District 59.
“The way our money is spent,” he said. “That’s a big one.”
Likes acknowledged that certain spending falls under state mandates. Still, he described some county spending as “unnecessary.”
After announcing his candidacy in the Cortez Chamber of Commerce, Likes stepped aside to answer a few questions for The Journal.
Likes said he was not yet ready to dive into specific issues fueling his anticipated campaign. He said his primary goal was to introduce himself to the public.
But he reiterated that his main goal would be “making the best use that we can of our tax dollars.”
Asked about political leaders or historical figures who inspired him, Likes mentioned Ronald Reagan.
“And right now, President Donald Trump is doing a fine job as well,” he said.
Likes said he plans to register his candidacy with the Colorado Secretary of State in about three days.
