Election Results
The yards signs are gone, the glossy mailers no longer clog our mailboxes, the robocalls have ceased (for now) and the results are in.
In one of the most expensive races on record for a U.S. Senate seat, Republican Cory Gardner (with a leg up from The Denver Post) defeated Democratic incumbent Sen. Mark Udall, 48 percent to 46 percent.
Sitting governor John Hickenlooper fought off a challenge from Bob Beauprez, winning 49 to 46 percent. 5th District Congressman Doug Lamborn continues to somehow convince voters in El Paso County that he is, in fact, working on their behalf, and beat challenger, retired Air Force Major General Irv Halter, 60 to 40 percent.
In House District 3, sitting Congressman Scott Tipton beat challenger Abel J. Tapia 60 to 35 percent.
For State Senate District 5, Democrat Kerry Donovan won the seat that belonged to Gail Schwartz by beating Republican Don Suppes 49 to 46.7 percent. In State District 4, it was Democrat Dan Pabón besting David Dobson 78 to 22 percent. In State District 2, Democrat Alec Garnett easily defeated Jon Roberts 72 to 27 percent.
House District 60 seat went to incumbent Jim Wilson; House District 62 found Democrat Ed Vigil winning over Republican Marcy Freeburg. In House District 61, Democrat Millie Hamner defeated Republican challenger Debra Irvine 52 to 43 percent. House District 59 was a nail-biter, with Republican J. Paul Brown eking out a victory over Democrat Mike McLachlan, 17,274 to 17,106 votes.
A statewide “personhood” amendment failed for a third time in a lopsided vote of 64-36 percent. Amendment 68, which would have allowed limited gambling at horse racing tracks in Arapahoe, Mesa and Pueblo counties, was defeated 71 to 29 percent. Proposition 105, calling for the mandatory labeling of genetically modified foods, lost 65 to 34 percent.
In an ironic switch, the two state Senate seats that were lost after a recall election over gun safety reform legislation last year went back to the Democrats in the general election.
Gunnison Sage Grouse Protected
On Nov. 12, federal officials granted protection to the Gunnison sage grouse after a lengthy study period. The bird is now listed as a threatened species, as opposed to an endangered listing, under the Endangered Species Act. The sage grouse will see additional protections to keep it from becoming endangered.
The listing may bring restrictions to oil and gas drilling and other disruptive activities within the bird’s habitat in parts of Colorado and Utah.
Shortly after the announcement, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper renewed a threat by the state to block the measures, claiming the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ignores 20 years of work by state and local officials to protect the bird.
There are an estimated 5,000 Gunnison sage grouse that remain in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. About 2,200 square miles will be designated as critical habitat.
Leadville Hospital to Close
St. Vincent Hospital in Leadville will soon be closing its doors. The 135-year-old hospital will be phasing out services over the next few months after Lake County voters rejected a property tax hike to support the 25-bed hospital.
Originally founded by a group of nuns from Kansas who arrived in Leadville to provide medical services to the booming mining town, the hospital currently employes 107 full- and part-time staff members. The entire hospital will be shuttered by March 31, according to the Summit Daily.
Large Concert Proposed for Salida
A Boulder-based concert promoter wants to bring a three-day music festival to Salida in late August 2015, which could draw as many as 35,000 attendees.
Madison House Presents hopes to hold the event on the Vandaveer Ranch property south of U.S. Hwy. 50, where they will have performance stages and offer camping for concert-goers. The site would require the construction of temporary roads, as well as access to water and electricity. The promoters are currently in negotiation with city officials over permitting and other logistics.
During a public meeting held on Nov. 3 in Salida, promoters predicted a windfall in revenue for the city but refused to disclose the names of any bands that will be in attendance. They did say tickets for the event will run around $150, not including camping. The potential event will likely generate plenty of controversy, not unlike the proposal for artist Christo’s Over the River project. Stay tuned.
Shorts …
• The Westcliffe Town Board has amended an ordinance to comply with the International Dark Skies Association.
• Buena Vista trustees voted 4-1 to issue a letter of intent to purchase the old Texaco station and real estate office at the gateway to town.
• A $43,248 Energy and Mineral Impact grant was awarded to Fremont County to complete design work at Pathfinder Park near Florence.
• An Amish Cemetery has been approved by Custer County and will be located off C.R. 124.
• The Gunnison City Council passed an ordinance allowing for the establishment of a dog park on the south side of Jorgensen Park.
“Notable Quotes”
“I’m shocked by the number of people who have come up to me since the vote and said, ‘I didn’t believe it would happen.’” – Karen Rinehart, St. Vincent Hospital’s director of community relations, on the hospital’s imminent closing. – The Summit Daily, Nov. 19, 2014.
“If you’re getting a tattoo from someone in their basement, kitchen, bathroom or garage, you can bet with 100 percent certainty that you’re getting an illegal tattoo.” – Fremont County Environmental Health Officer Sid Darden, regarding reports of people in Fremont County getting tattoos and body art from unlicensed individuals. – The Mountain Mail, Nov. 6, 2014
“I’m a city guy. I have no idea how I ended up in Chaffee County.” – Sheriff Pete Palmer, who is planning to move back to Lakewood after he retires in January from four years as Chaffee County sheriff and a long career in law enforcement. – The Chaffee County Times, Nov. 20, 2014
“I think we need to look at why there are so many lots for sale. We don’t want to burn down the barn to get rid of the rats.” – Westcliffe trustee and planning commission board member Rod Thornburg, referring to the proposed initiative to ban real estate “For Sale” signs in Westcliffe. – Wet Mountain Tribune, Nov. 13, 2014
