Brief by Central Staff
Politics – July 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
State Rep. Carl Miller, a Leadville Democrat, will be leaving office a little early. Gov. Bill Owens has appointed him to a four-year term on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission.
Miller was elected to his first term in 1996, and was re-elected in 1998, 2000, and 2002. His 61st district originally stretched from Leadville into the San Luis Valley, but redistricting after the 2000 census changed it to Lake, Summit, and Eagle counties.
Facing Colorado’s eight-year term limit, Miller could have run for the state senate, but pointed out that a Democrat would have no chance in the 4th Senate District, since it extends east to heavily Republican Douglas County. “They designed that seat for a suburban Republican,” he said, “and I wouldn’t have a chance.”
Miller takes his PUC seat on July 1. Even though the legislature is not in session, a replacement must be named by the party’s vacancy committee, since the term runs until January.
The replacement will be Gary Lundquist, a Summit County Commissioner. Lundquist, who has been endorsed by Miller, is also a candidate for that House seat, so he’ll be running as the incumbent — in a technical sense, anyway.
Another local House seat will be open this year on account of term limits; Rep. Lola Spradley, a Beulah Republican, cannot seek another term from House District 60.
The district comprises Park, Chaffee, Custer, eastern Saguache, and western Frémont counties. Her 2002 opponent, Emily Tracy of Cañon City, has the Democratic nomination this year. Tom Massey of Poncha Springs is the Republican nominee — a realty agent, he has served on the town board and the school board. There’s also a Libertarian candidate, Roger Easley of Park County.
