Garfield County Clerk Mildred Alsdorf said she will not conduct a recount in two close votes from Tuesday’s election unless a candidate or campaign committee requests it.

“There will not be an automatic recount,” Alsdorf announced Thursday.

She received conflicting advice Wednesday from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office about whether or not to conduct a recount in the two races, but issued her decision not to recount on Thursday.

Neither vote falls within the one-half of 1 percent rule for an automatic recount.

City Councilman Rick Davis, who lost by a three-vote margin to challenger Larry Beckwith, announced Thursday that he would step down from City Council Thursday and will not ask for a recount.

“It would just be disruptive,” Davis said. “We need to allow council to move ahead.” (See a letter from Davis, page A16.)

In Parachute, supporters of the District 16 mill levy override ballot question 3C are mulling whether to seek a recount. The question failed in a 630-622 vote.

Alsdorf noted that a requested recount will cost the campaign committee between $750 and $1,000. Requesters have until Nov. 28 to request a recount, and Alsdorf must finish the recount by Dec. 5.

Rose Belden, director of business services for District 16, said she spoke with Alsdorf about the process of requesting a recount, and will take the information to the District 16 School Board meeting on Nov. 11 for their consideration.

Contact Heather McGregor: 945-8515, ext. 517

hmcgregor@postindependent.com