2022 Election: Weld County voting guide
By Kelly Ragan
If you haven’t been paying attention to politics yet (we don’t blame you), now’s the time to tune in.
Election Day is just around the corner, and ballots will be mailed out Monday.
The NoCo Optimist has worked to compile a 2022 voter’s guide to help you make sense of local issues and candidates. We’ve also provided links to solid reporting on statewide issues so you can dig deep into the issues.
State Representative District 50
Ryan Gonzalez
Ryan Gonzalez is a political newcomer running for House District 50 as a Republican candidate.
Gonzalez graduated from Greeley’s Northridge High School. In 2018, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado.
On his website, Gonzalez describes himself as the proud son of Mexican immigrants.
“I will lead not only as the child of immigrants who has grown up in Greeley, but also as a member of a new generation and as a Hispanic man,” he said on the website. “Latinos should not be used as pawns for political gain. Instead, we can step forward and lead our communities for all the people – and this is what I’m doing.”
As of Oct. 15, Gonzalez reported a total of $29,695.24 in campaign contributions and a total of $23,183.37 in campaign expenditures.
Gonzalez told The Denver Post his top three priorities included:
Reducing regulation on small businesses
Giving tools back to law enforcement to do their job
Working well with colleagues
At a League of Women Voter’s candidate forum, Gonzalez said he was running for House District 50 because was tired of the divisiveness and polarization in politics and believed people deserved better.
Ryan Gonzalez spoke at the League of Women Voters Greeley-Weld County forum In September. He answered a variety of questions designed to educate voters about the candidates running for office.
The NoCo Optimist summarized the responses for brevity and clarity, but you can watch the full forum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc-.
Question: What do you believe is the most pressing issue Coloradoans face and how should it be addressed in the state legislature?
Gonzalez said the most pressing issue he’s hearing about from voters is inflation. People feel it at the gas pump, when they get groceries and when their rent rises, he said.
“We have to loosen regulations,” he said. “There are too many regulations and too many laws that have driven up costs.”
Gonzalez said he believes taxes and fees should also be cut.
Question: What would you do to see that Colorado's election system is secure and safe to ensure fair and democratic elections?
Gonzalez said he believes there is always room for improvement in election security.
“We have to clean out our voter rolls and make sure only legal voters vote,” he said. “I want to make it easy to vote, harder to cheat.”
Gonzalez believes in voter ID laws – something Mexico has and works well, he said.
Question: What will you do to support and ensure equal access to resources, such as food, housing insecurity, educational opportunities, equal access to resources for all people, including the Latinx and immigrant populations in your house district?
Gonzalez said he believes in eliminating regulations and lowering taxes to encourage competition. With competition, he said, prices go down.
“If you look at 8th Avenue, small businesses are getting crushed by regulation, by fees, by taxes,” he said. “A lot of times we make it harder for competition to actually jump in, which will help drive down the prices of many goods and resourcesbut also make it accessible for people in the Hispanic community to start businesses.”
Question: What are your positions on issues related to women's health care and reproductive rights?
Gonzalez said he’s a big believer in women’s rights, as well as men’s rights. When it comes to reproductive decisions, he believes that should be between a woman and her doctor.
“I believe that government should not be involved in that,” he said.
Question: How can you as a legislator work to end the epidemic of gun violence in America?
Gonzalez said gun violence is more about mental health than it is about guns.
“It’s the person behind the gun. I can tell you if you take away the guns, what you’re going to see is an uptick in auto violence, you’re going to see explosives, you’re going to see knives,” he said. “If people want to do evil, they will do evil. You do not need a gun.”
Gonzalez said he also believes in teaching people gun safety at a young age to prevent misuse.
Question: What are you willing to do to provide adequate funding for K-12 education?
Gonzalez said he believes the state needs to reallocate its budget.
“There’s more money that should go into education, but the fact of the matter is it’s not, and I feel like it is a waste,” Gonzalez said.
Question: Do you believe the state legislature should address climate change, such as moving away from dependence on fossil fuels?
Gonzalez said no one is opposed to renewable energies, but he believes the public sector needs to work with the private sector to increase options – and that shouldn’t be at the expense of oil and gas.
“We have to encourage and incentivize, but not force (energy companies to change),” Gonzalez said. “I believe we can do a transition over time to get those renewable and clean forms of energy and start moving toward a greener place.”
Mary Young
Mary Young is the incumbent House District 50 representative. A Democrat, Young was appointed to the office in 2019 and was re-elected Nov. 3, 2020. Before serving as an elected official, Young worked as a school psychologist and a special education teacher.
“I am committed to continuing to work towards crafting and supporting legislation that supports the needs of hard-working families during these tough times and the health of small businesses,” Young said on her website. “We know that physical/mental health, economic health, and social justice are all intertwined. I am committed to addressing these areas as we move forward.”
As of Oct. 15, Young reported a total of $111,920.27 in campaign contributions and a total of $48,891.88 in campaign expenditures.
Young told The Denver Post her top three priorities this legislative session included:
Improving the economy and saving people money
Public safety, especially around mental health and substance use disorders
Providing safe water and improving air quality
Young also spoke at the League of Women Voters forum in September. The NoCo Optimist summarized the responses for brevity and clarity, but you can watch the full forum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc-.
Question: What do you believe is the most pressing issue Coloradoans face and how should it be addressed in the state legislature?
Young said she believed the economy was the most pressing issue.
The legislature did lots of good work last year to address issues in the economy and save people money, Young said, and she believes that work needs to continue.
“We saved small businesses taxes, we saved property owners taxes, we expanded access to the Child Tax Credit which brings families out of poverty,” Young said.
Question: What would you do to see that Colorado's election system is secure and safe to ensure fair and democratic elections?
Voting is critical to democracy, and it’s important to continue to monitor how it works, Young said. Colorado has been upheld as a state with an accessible, model system, she said.
“I think we need to continue to monitor fraud, but it has never risen to a level of concern in our state,” she said.
Question: What are your positions on issues related to women's health care and reproductive rights?
Young said she supports women’s reproductive health rights, noting that she voted for the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which codified in the Colorado Constitution that women would have access to birth control and abortion care.
Question: How can you as a legislator work to end the epidemic of gun violence in America?
Young said the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in 2019 propelled her into pursuing the House District 50 seat.
Young said she believes in access to mental health care in combination with common sense gun laws to address gun violence.
“We have to continue to pursue and look at well-researched methods to address this,” Young said.
Question: What are you willing to do to provide adequate funding for K-12 education?
Young said she’s willing to look at all options to adequately fund K-12 education. It’s important, she said, to come up with a bipartisan solution on salary schedules and funding for service that works.
“We need to continue working on solving this problem, and I’ll do anything to come to a solution that will work,” Young said.
Question: Do you believe the state legislature should address climate change, such as moving away from dependence on fossil fuels?
Young said we need to make a responsible transition to a clean energy economy done in concert with the energy industry.
Along the way, she said, we should ensure climate solutions are just and protect workers and vulnerable communities.
“Developing sustainable resources of energy and protecting the environment doesn’t have to be an either/or situation,” Young said.
Kyle Moore, Libertarian
Kyle Moore is a political newcomer. He describes himself as a regular guy.
He told The Denver Post his top three priorities for the legislative session included:
Reducing taxes
Increasing energy production
Reducing the power of state government
Moore does not have a campaign website and did not speak at the League of Women Voters forum.
Moore told The Denver Post he’s tired of politicians ignoring the common person.
As of Oct. 10, Moore reported a total of $34.98 in campaign expenditures.
Weld Commissioners
Weld County Commissioner – At Large
Kevin David Ross, Republican, unopposed
Ross grew up outside of Eaton, where he went to school. He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Wyoming, according to his website.
Ross previously served as a Weld County Commissioner for 10 months in 2020 when he was appointed to a vacant seat.
Then in 2020, Perry Buck defeated Ross to win the Republican nomination for the Weld County Comission at-large seat.
Ross prioritizes fiscal responsibility, protecting and securing water rights, supporting oil and gas, supporting agriculture and improving transportation.
Weld County Commissioner District 2
Scott James, Republican, unopposed
James was first elected in 2018, defeating Democrat Duane Leise by a nearly 30% margin, according to the Greeley Tribune.
“People here know and respect the western way of individualism, determination, perseverance, and hard work,” he said in a news release announcing his run for re-election. “With grit and tenacity, we work together and we respect one another. We don’t need to be told what to do because we instinctively know what’s right.”
Weld County Council
Weld County Council District 2
Nancy Teksten, unopposed
Teksten has served on more than 40 committees and boards, according to Weld, including United Way, The Rotary Club of Greeley, UNC Performing and Visual Arts Board, Greeley Chamber of Commerce, Aims Community College Foundation Board of Directors and more.
Weld County Council voted to approve salary increases for elected officials this year, including the Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, and Assessor.
Weld County Council District 3
James Welch, unopposed
Welch is a fourth-generation resident of Weld County. He graduated from University High School in 1990 and then from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1993 with degrees in chemistry and mathematics. He now works at Hach Company as a research chemist developing chemical methods for measuring compounds in water, according to Weld. He served on the Weld County Planning commission from 2004-2007.
In 2018, he served on the Weld County Ad-Hoc Charter Review Committee, which recommended nine proposed amendments to the county charter.
Weld County Council At-Large
Elijah Hatch
After losing the primary election for County Commissioner At Large to Kevin Ross, Hatch tossed his hat back in the ring for county council. He has served in the role previously.
“Having already served one year on the council, then running for commissioner, I now have a better understanding of (the council’s) importance, and fully appreciate the role of County Council,” he said on his website. “I will work to the fullest extent of the charter to ensure the integrity of our county.”
Gillian Smith
Smith serves as the president of the Republican Women of Weld, according to her website. For 25 years, she has worked as an oil and gas accountant. She also serves on boards for the Weld County Area Agency on Aging, as well as Happiness through Horses.
“With an accounting background, fiscal responsibility, integrity, and accountability are part of who I am,” she said on her website. “The character and skills I have developed in my personal and professional endeavors will serve the County Council well.”
County Assessor
Brenda Dones, Republican, unopposed
Dones was first elected in 2018, also unopposed.
As assessor, Dones has been responsible for managing the delivery, classification, listing and valuation of all property within the county to develop a fair and equitable tax base, according to a news release announcing her candidacy.
Dones has more than 28 years of experience in the field and has served in Weld County for more than 22 years.
Dones spoke at a Weld County Council meeting earlier this year advocating for a pay raise for the role of assessor. Council voted to increase pay for this position from $120,000 to $156,000.
Clerk and Recorder
Carly Koppes, Republican, unopposed
Koppes was first elected to the position in 2014, then re-elected in 2018.
“The three divisions, Elections, Motor Vehicle and Recording, have responsibilities and complexity that require a leader who truly understands the day-to-day operations as well as the impacts of proposed state and federal legislation,” Koppes said when she announced her run for re-election. “I am that leader and that is why I am asking to continue to serve you as your Weld County Clerk and Recorder.”
Koppes spoke at a Weld County Council meeting earlier this year advocating for a pay raise for the position for the role of Clerk and Recorder. Council voted to increase pay for this position from $120,000 to $156,000.
County Sheriff
Steve Reams, Republican, unopposed
Reams has worked at the sheriff’s office since 1997. As sheriff, he’s overseen more than 450 employees at the agency. This includes operating the Weld County Jail and serving the Weld District courts.
“Sheriff Reams is an unwavering defender of the Constitution,” his campaign website stated before the website expired. “He knows that respecting the vision of our founders and protecting our Constitutional rights is the best guarantee for a free society, and the best safeguard against big government encroaching upon our lives.”
Reams spoke at a Weld County Council meeting earlier this year advocating for a pay raise for the position of Sheriff. Council voted to increase pay for this position from $160,000 to $208,000.
Weld County Ballot Measures
Weld County School District 6 Ballot Issue 4A
By Dan England
The last time Greeley-Evans School District 6 brought a Mill Levy Override to voters, they pulled out all the stops. They had to. The district, according to officials, was in desperate need of money, and voters had rejected an MLO request in the past.
This time, five years after the district was finally successful in getting the MLO (by a roughly 60/40 vote), they’re coming back to voters to ask for a renewal. And it seems so peaceful, especially when you consider the overall political landscape, according to Tom Norton, former Mayor of Greeley who is leading the Yes on 4A campaign.
It’s a little easier, too, given that the district isn’t really asking for a tax increase, Norton said, but just to keep things the way they are now. The district doesn’t need more money; it just needs the same property tax rate voters approved five years ago when they OK’d an increase of 10 mills.
“Last time we really had to do an outreach,” Norton said. “Asking to maintain a tax instead of asking for an increase makes a big difference. It’s easier, but it also makes me more nervous because it’s so much quieter. You don’t know if you got the message out.”
The MLO renewal would last 10 years. A levy of 10 mills means $10 for every $1,000 in assessed value. Assessed value is complicated, so here’s a tax calculator from Weld County to help you, and here’s some other information on Weld’s tax rate.
But there does remain some opposition to the MLO, led, in part, by Sherrie Peif, an investigative reporter for Complete Colorado who covered education for at least a decade. She calls it a tax increase because assessed value increases over time (especially lately as the market, while cooling off, exploded the last couple of years). That worries her, she said, because she believes the district’s motivation for keeping expenses under control may wane.
Still, she acknowledges that District 6 needs some money from voters.
Read the full story on Ballot Issue 4A here.
Weld County Referred Ballot Question 1A
This ballot question asks voters if Weld should add a section to the Weld County Home Rule Charter to specifically prohibit collective bargaining (read: unionizing) between Weld County and its employees.
As it stands, the rules in Weld are vague. Weld was exempt from a state law that passed this year granting employees of county governments (think automotive mechanics, caseworkers, public works, etc. rather than elected officials) the right to unionize. Weld was exempt because of its “unusual government structure” as a county governed by a home rule charter, but the charter doesn’t specify whether unionizing among county employees is allowed.
“We think voters need to address that issue specifically,” said Bruce Barker, attorney for the county in a previous interview with the Optimist. “That’s what this does.”
Congressional races
Congressional District 4
Ken Buck, incumbent, Republican
Ike McCorkle, Democrat
Ryan McGonigal, American Constitution Party
Congressional District 8
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Republican
Yadira Caraveo, Democrat
Richard Ward, Libertarian
Tim Long, Colorado Center Party
Statewide ballot measures
Amendment D: New 23rd Judicial District Judges
Amendment E: Extend Homestead Exemption to Gold Star Spouses
Amendment F: Changes to Charitable Gaming Operations
Prop. FF: Healthy School Meals for All
Prop. GG: Add Tax Information Table to Petitions and Ballots
Prop. 121: State Income Tax Reduction
Prop 122: Access to Natural Psychedelic Substances
Prop. 123: Dedicate Revenue for Affordable Housing Programs
Prop. 124: Increase Allowable Liquor Store Locations
Prop. 126: Third-Party Delivery of Alcohol Beverages