Primary Election Results
Several contested election results occurred in the region in the August 10 primaries.
In Chaffee County, current Sheriff Tim Walker beat his opponent, John Spezze by 12 votes – not enough to justify an automatic recount. Afterwards Spezze questioned the integrity of the ballot boxes but decided not to pursue a recount. Walker will face Democrat Pete Palmer in November.
Problems in the Lake County Clerk and Recorders Office were resolved after it was discovered that some early votes were also listed with the absentee votes. The Colorado Secretary of State’s office later confirmed that all votes were accounted for. In that sheriff’s race, Democrat Rod Fenske won the primary over current Sheriff Ed Holte and Tony Medina. He will run against his brother-in-law, Republican Calvin Dawe, in the November general election. Delores Semsack beat Stephanie Olsen in the Democratic county commissioner primary and Kevin Cannell won the Republican commissioner primary over Dave Schutte by 16 votes.
In Westcliffe, all three Republican primary winners; county commissioner, sheriff and treasurer will run unopposed in November as there are no challengers on the Democratic side.
Republican Scott Tipton beat tea party favorite Bob McConnell in the race for Third Congressional District and will face incumbent Democrat John Salazar in the general election.
Statewide, current U.S. Senator Michael Bennet beat former state Representative Andrew Romanoff and will run against Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck who defeated former Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton on the Republican side.
Republican Dan Maes beat out former Congressman Scott McInnis and will face Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper in November for the Governor’s seat. Former Congressman Tom Tancredo will also be running on the American Constitution ticket amidst fears he will split the Republican vote. Tancredo had threatened to run as a third-party candidate unless Maes and McInnis dropped their bids.
Buena Vista Trustees Deny Motion to Ban MMJ Dispensaries
BUENA VISTA – After preparing a draft ordinance to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, the Town of Buena Vista board of trustees denied the motion August 10 and approved its first dispensary licence application.
On July 27 the Trustees approved a motion 5-1 to prepare an ordinance to ban dispensaries outright from city limits after a public meeting was held on the topic.
Trustees later voted 4-2 against the ban.
“Christozilla” makes the Post
Salida artist and Colorado Central Magazine contributor Jack Chivvis had his artwork featured on the cover of The Sunday Denver Post on August 15. The illustration accompanies an article about the controversy over the proposal by artist Christo for the Arkansas River – Over the River.
The Post ran the artwork featuring a cartoon version of Christo as “Christozilla” in the form of a giant monster wreaking havoc in the Arkansas River canyon. The artwork was first featured on the cover of the March 2006 issue of Colorado Central.
Improved Bat Viewing
MONTE VISTA – A new trail and viewing area has been established to watch bats at the former Orient mine in the northern San Luis Valley.
Established by State and federal agencies and the Orient Land Trust, the improvements will allow easier public access for viewing the Mexican free-tailed bats who ascend in large numbers from the old mine near Villa Grove every summer.
Crestone Needle Claims Two Victims
WESTCLIFFE – A Texas couple perished while climbing near the Crestone Needle in Custer County on July 26. 57-year-old Duane Buhrmester and 56-year-old Linda Buhrmester of Plano were found in a mudslide area and it is believed they were caught by surprise by severe weather. About 20 search-and-rescue members were involved in the recovery efforts.
He was a psychology professor and associate dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas.
BP Logos Removed
DURANGO – After receiving worker complaints of harassment, oil company BP removed their logos from about 200 vehicles in their fleet in Southwest Colorado according to the Associated Press.
BP employees had reported verbal abuse from the public in and around Durango coming on the heels of the giant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico back in April. Of the many gas extractors in LaPlata County, BP is the largest.
Notable Quotes
“There is a lot of work involved for us. All of these groups say they are nonprofit, but there is no one as nonprofit as us.” – Chaffee County Fairgrounds Director Jim Mick referring to a request by a group wanting to have rental fees waived. The Mountain Mail, Aug. 4, 2010.
“There’s a start and a finish line at 6th and Harrison and in between is 100 miles of hell.” – Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike competitor and six-time winner Dave Weins. Leadville Herald-Democrat, Aug. 19, 2010.
“I couldn’t wait for it to be over. That was ridiculous.” – 2010 Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike winner Levi Leipheimer. Leadville Herald-Democrat, Aug. 19, 2010.
