Cortez voters will choose from 11 candidates for City Council in April after city officials held a drawing Thursday at City Hall to determine the candidates’ positions on the ballot.
The candidates will compete for five open seats, including the seat held by current council member Dennis Spruell, who is seeking another term. The remaining vacancies are those of Mayor Rachel Medina, Matthew Keefauver, Robert Dobry and Lydia DeHaven. After the election, the seven‑member council will choose a mayor, according to City Clerk Danielle Wells.
The 11 candidates, in ballot order, are Travis Shepherd, Kathleen Swope, Charles P. Borchini Jr., Michael Earl Biscoff (Gandolf), Carly Wolf, Clarisa Osborn, Randy Vialpando, James McGinley, Bruce Burkett, Dennis Spruell and Claire West.
Three seats carry a four‑year term and two carry a two‑year term.
To get on the ballot, each candidate was required to submit a nomination packet with 25 signatures of support. The packets were due Jan. 26.
During voting, residents may select up to five candidates. They may choose fewer but cannot choose more; ballots marked for six or seven candidates will be invalid. Wells said that if someone accidentally selects six candidates, they can draw a clear “X” over the candidate they want removed, and their votes will still count.
The election is Tuesday, April 7, and will be conducted by mail only. Residents should ensure their voter registration and address are current. Updates can be made at www.govotecolorado.gov or in person at the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder at 140 W. Main St.
To vote in the municipal election, residents must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 on Election Day and have lived within city limits for 12 consecutive months before the election.
