On April 7, Cortez voters will elect five candidates to City Council. The election is contentious – with 11 candidates competing – and consequential as more than half the City Council seats are up in the air.
Ahead of the first candidate forum and before the city mails out ballots to voters on March 16, The Journal sent out five questions to 10 candidates with available contact information. We received nine responses. Below, in alphabetical order, candidates discuss their beliefs, priorities and competency to make their appeal to voters for the April 7 election.
Cortez residents can register to vote or update their registration information by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov or visiting the Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder’s Office at 140 W. Main St. Also on the ballot are four questions proposing changes to the City Charter. A sample ballot, listing the City Council candidates alongside the ballot questions is available on the elections page of the city website.
Any City Council candidates who did not receive the form can contact avanderveen@the-journal.com to get their answers published before the April 7 election.
City Council candidate forum schedule
Candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Montezuma County
When: Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Where: Council Chambers at Cortez City Hall at 123 E. Roger Smith Ave.
Who can attend: Anyone, open to the public.
Candidate forum hosted by Republican Women of Montezuma County
When: Friday at 6 p.m.
Where: Breakfast Room at The Baymont Inn at 2279 Hawkins St.
Who can attend: Anyone, open to the public.
Age: 46
Occupation: Process server
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
Cortez has got to do better. The current council has been asleep at the wheel while the citizens have overpaid millions in sales taxes over the past half-dozen years. Now they want to approve remote council meetings, give the City Council raises without voter consent and revise the city code to make it more DEI compliant by replacing he/him with they/them. I love Cortez and want to make it better. I promise to serve my full term and not bail out early for any reason.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
We’ve got to fix crumbling infrastructure, use technology to improve public safety and promote smart development. We should create a nonprofit land bank to acquire, hold, manage and redevelop vacant, abandoned or tax delinquent properties.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
I currently serve as a commissioner on the Cortez Planning and Zoning Commission and am a graduate of the Cortez Citizens Police Academy. I am a small-business owner, a beekeeper and a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
It’s important to have different opinions. Council votes shouldn’t all be 7-0. I will be a voice of the people, not the puppet of a political party, big business or the government bureaucracy.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
The citizens deserve to know what’s going on. There shouldn't be any backroom deals, cover-ups or cronyism. I'm against closed meetings unless it's absolutely necessary.
Age: 36
Occupation: Pastor
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
Government was established by God for the purpose of protecting life, ensuring liberty and maintaining order so citizens can carry out their God-given purpose in life. Serving in public office is a way to seek the welfare of our community. If elected to office, my objective will be to serve our community in fulfilling these purposes. As an elected official, I will consider the needs of our community and work hand-in-hand with our citizens to ensure our city continues to be a great place to live.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
If elected to office, my top three objectives will be as follows:
- Ensure the public safety of our citizens and the support of our law enforcement.
- Operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
- Reduce taxes and support local institutions.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
For the past decade, I have been involved in our government through local meetings and annual visits to our state and national capitols. I have learned how to be involved and affect change. Admittedly, I have much to learn and am willing to grow.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
Disagreements are unavoidable. But, how you handle them makes a difference. If the disagreement was personal, I would go to them directly to work it out. If it was in a council meeting, I would respectively express my opinion and seek a resolution.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
These laws were established to ensure transparency and accountability for those serving in public office. Thomas Jefferson taught that an informed public is the only secure foundation for a free republic. As a councilman, I would respect these laws.
Age: 74
Occupation: Transformative organizational development leader.
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
As a resident of Cortez that loves this community and everyone in it, I can't sleep at night with the profound lack of down-the-road vision, planning and accountability to the community that I see. I want our future front and center on the City Council agenda. I've been before the council repeatedly toward that end. And will continue. With declining revenues I want a better plan than taxing ourselves to death.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Centering around a three year economic plan that all segments of our community are thriving.
- Converting our unsustainable poverty exploitation industry to a poverty to prosperity industry.
- Engaging all segments into a future creating community.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
MBA degree from Syracuse University, master’s in school counseling. 27 years leading complex organizations, out of trouble, to thriving and prospering. By causing a focus shift from minutiae and personal agendas, to a clear mission for community-wide thriving.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
I believe in the truth. Not mine or yours, but that which will survive the test of time. I'll pay any personal price to help us find it, and to stand on it. Ultimately it's not my responsibility whether others do the same. That works miracles.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
The concept is wonderful. My faith is in truth, and truth thrives in sunlight. I am horrified that so little time is spent together by the seven bosses. That's crazy. I'm at this seven days a week all day long. We need to devote massive time together.
Age: 38
Occupation: Office manager
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
It is an important time to be a part of local politics because of the state of the economy. It's important to ensure our community is being fiscally responsible, utilizing resources available, promoting local business growth that's conducive to our community and bringing in revenue. Behind all of those major goals is the day-to-day operation, and I believe my life and work experiences have equipped me with the knowledge to handle both. I want to do the work.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I feel I can narrow this down to one topic: maintenance. The city has recovered from fraud and stabilized personnel. Now we need to work on maintenance of our facilities, water pipes and vehicles with fiscally responsible decision making.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
I work closely with law enforcement, various municipal agencies as well as various political positions. I have overseen large budgets, several federal and state grants and various boards. I feel familiar with our local government operations.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
I believe in understanding everyone's perspective. You can disagree with someone politely, but make sure you understand what they are saying, that they feel heard and that you understand the facts of the situation. Respectful communication is key.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
They are very important to the transparency and participation of the public and need to be adhered to. The statute is very clear on how these need to be handled. I have had many trainings on the topic and would ensure the law is followed.
Age: 51
Occupation: Service writer
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
I am running for City Council, because I want to see Cortez grow and be a viable and stable city for the Southwest. I think the fathers of our nation intended for every American to serve. Whether it is serving for our armed forces or being a public servant.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I believe the top three priorities when I get elected are job creation, housing, city infrastructure. This is going to take some well thought out planning. All of these things must grow together.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
From my many years of management experience and business ownership, I have developed the skills to be an effective City Council member.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
Not everyone is going to agree 100% of the time. Just because we don’t agree doesn’t mean that you’re my enemy. This is a part of what makes this country great! We have to find our way back to finding solutions and not division.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
Transparency is a must! The information is out there. You must be willing to do the work to find out what you want to know. If for some reason you cannot find that information, it is the job of the city to help you find it and answer your questions.
Age: 68
Occupation: Business owner/retired law enforcement officer
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
I have been on City Council for the past four years. I enjoy working with City Council to help protect the great city I have grown up in. A lot has been accomplished in the last four years but there is more to be done. Two council members are left with only two years of experience. I want to help them continue to work with small businesses and attract responsible development. We are currently debt free and I want to keep it that way.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I have no personal agenda. The council has been working on long term planning. This includes infrastructure, protecting parks and maintaining city services. Staying within the city’s budget is a must for me.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
I was a police officer for the City of Cortez and retired after 30 years. I then was the elected sheriff of Montezuma County for four years. I served on Cortez City Council as a Council member and mayor pro tem.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
If you're not disagreeing on some subjects, you're not doing your job. I try to persuade fellow council members of my position and why I feel that way. The beauty of having seven members on council is the ability to listen to others ideas.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
Transparency has been and will always be a priority. Keeping citizens informed with open communication is imperative.
Age: 69
Occupation: Retired teacher
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
Cortez has been my home for most of my life and I care deeply about what happens here and I want to have a voice in the future of my community. Many positive improvements have moved Cortez forward in the last few years, and I would like to be involved in what can come next. The current council and mayor have set a plan in motion for the upcoming years and I would like to contribute to bringing their vision to fruition and possibly add to the priorities they have promoted.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top priorities if elected are addressing water usage, developing affordable housing and continued economic development.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
As a teacher for over forty years, I worked with various stakeholders to move agendas forward for the needs of the many I served. I feel that I effectively collaborate with others and listen purposefully as a good council member should.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
I believe everyone’s opinions should be respected and heard. I would make an effort to find common ground to collaborate or compromise and understand another’s perspective.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
I support the statues that create transparency and believe them to be integral for effective governance. I would do my due diligence and speak out if I was uncertain that the statues were being followed to the letter and spirit of their intent.
Age: 32
Occupation: Self-employed business consultant
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
I was born in Cortez, raised in Alaska. My parents returned in 2012 and I bought my house on the south side of town in 2021. I love living in Cortez, and this feels like the right time to serve our town and people. Running is a civic duty I can do. My intention is for local government to be understandable and clear; when the answers are incomplete, I’ll ask for help and will consider all the angles and implications. My focus isn’t national politics or personal ambition; it’s serving our town.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Maintain a balanced and profitable budget
- Address Cortez's infrastructure issues by minimizing stray animals within city limits and improving roads, sidewalks and bike lanes
- Invest in community-driven approaches to economic vitality and livability
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
As a contractor managing funding alongside a council of governments, I have learned when to bring the public actively into decisions. I know government procedure and have built positive working relationships with officials across our region.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
Understanding the core of a disagreement can sometimes yield empathy and deeper understanding. I would respond with gentle curiosity to resolve a dispute and try to come to a mutual compromise. If none can be achieved, I would seek outside counsel.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
CORA and Sunshine Laws aim to keep the public informed and decisions fair. I agree with these laws and would refrain from public conversations in a private setting, either by shutting it down or removing myself.
Age: 32
Occupation: Owner of Doobie Sisters
Why are you running for Cortez City Council?
I am running for City Council to help make a difference in my community in a way I can’t through the nonprofits boards I sit on.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top priorities would have to be infrastructure, safety and Cortez’s economy.
What experience or education do you have with city government or local politics that will inform your ability to be a good council member?
I’m a graduate of Leadership Montezuma. This course gave me insight into city government and inspired me to step up and run for City Council two years ago and again in this election.
How would you respond to a disagreement with a fellow member of council?
I think it is important to have conversations when having different opinions. When it comes to the people who sit on City Council, our common goal is to do what’s best for Cortez and all of the people who live within it.
How do you feel about Colorado open meeting and open records laws? How would you adhere to them as a City Council member?
I think it is extremely important for the city and City Council members to be as completely transparent with their community as possible. It’s never a good thing when things have to be hidden.
