Vote for change, vote Carey and Arauza

Garfield County has three county commissioners. Together, the present commissioners have served for close to 60 years. That is too long. The commission waited 2 years to reluctantly vote to participate in Proposition 123.  Garfield County unnecessarily lost out on considerable sums that would have created security for many of our Garfield County residents needing affordable housing. We also don’t have State funds for Women’s health. This commission turned down funds for a Women’s Health Clinic for treating Cervical Cancer. Perry Will has voted to end contraception and abortion. They seem to feel they should be in charge of women’s health. 

We definitely need change.

We now have two great candidates for the Garfield County Commission who truly care about housing, women’s health and quality of life: Caitlin Carey and Steven Arauza.

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Caitlin has a law degree and wants to use her legal experience to get things done. She is raising her family here and knows the urgent housing needs of our community. She believes in listening and cooperating. 

Steven Arauza lives in Rifle with his wife and kids. He is a career public servant who brings strong working class values to his work. He understands oil and gas and its place in our economy, along with renewables. He advocates for affordable housing. 

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Don’t believe the campaign mailings you receive from their opponents. They are full of lies and offer no positive ideas. Caitlin and Steve do NOT support illegal immigration. No one wants to stop oil and gas. But we also want to expand renewables. 

Let’s get some new young ideas from people who are raising their families here. 

Vote for Caitlin Carey and Steven Arauza. 

That is a win for all of us. 

Cari Shurman, Carbondale

Fresh representation with Carey and Arauza

It is time for new ideas, passions, youth and energy to replace two incumbent commissioners. Candidates Caitlin Carey and Steven Arauza will bring fresh representation to the GarCo Board of County commissioners with new ideas, energy, and understanding of current conditions and future challenges.

Commissioner Mike Samson has served on the BOCC since 2008 and if re-elected will serve 20 years. Both he and candidate Perry Will are around 70 years old. If elected will serve with 75 year old Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. Perhaps I’m guilty of “ageism”, but will our county be best represented by these three older Republicans.

With housing affordability, job development, transportation and making decisions for the benefit of all GarCo residents it is important to have representatives that will seek balance and work to benefit all. Also to work cooperatively with local, regional, state and federal government agencies/entities. Carey and Steven have the willingness to do that and I believe have the best interests for all in their hearts and minds and will bring strong professional backgrounds to our next BOCC board.

Samson has shared he often prays for guidance on his vote. From whom does he gets that guidance? Our commissioners unanimously declined granting funds to help Carbondale provide fellow humans/migrants food, shelter and social assistance last year. Unanimously they declined to support the City of Rifle and Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork with their request for a letter of support for grant funds to build a modular housing manufacturing facility which would have created local jobs, training and affordable housing to county residents. His decision may have been reflected in his personal bias (or spiritual guidance) of not wanting to live with anyone above, below or next to him…

Arauza and Carey understand diversity in many forms, methods, importance and constituency. They are not tied to political party tenets or dogma but understand changing times and the need for adaptability, cooperation and prioritization towards the needs of our citizenry in a regional

Greg Jeung, Glenwood Springs

Remember 2019 when voting on 2A

Ballot measure 2A will double Glenwood’s existing street tax from 0.5% to 1.0%. You will pay a sales tax rate of 9.1% in most of Glenwood Springs. This rate is higher than 90% of other municipalities in Colorado, meaning 90% of other municipalities in Colorado keep their streets in order for less than you are being asked to pay.  Why can’t Glenwood do what 90% of other municipalities do?

We all want to see our streets improved, but who says we need more tax to do it? City Council, that’s who. Oh, and the Chamber, which is funded by the City and has never seen a tax increase they didn’t like.

Nearly all Colorado municipalities except Glenwood fund street repairs from their General Fund.  Since the current 0.5% street tax passed by 12 votes in 2005, Council has abdicated their responsibility to allocate all but small amounts from the General Fund to repair streets.  Millions have been spent on projects Council likes better than mundane street repairs.  

But citizens are smart. In 2019 a similar tax increase was resoundingly defeated by voters.  Voters knew then what they know today:  there is plenty of money for streets.  It just needs to be allocated to the streets.

Let’s tell Council the same thing we would tell a teenager asking for more allowance for gas money: before you get a raise that puts your allowance above 90% of your peers, let’s examine your spending habits. Then we’ll talk.

Monica Wolny, Glenwood Springs

Will is right for county commission

Dear Editor,

As we consider who to support for county commissioner, one candidate stands out for his proven leadership and commitment to our community—Perry Will. During his time in the Colorado Legislature, Perry demonstrated an unmatched ability to get things done, with an impressive 78% of the 142 bills he introduced being signed into law. This track record speaks volumes about his dedication to making a real difference for the people he represents.

Perry Will’s legislative success wasn’t just about passing bills—it was about addressing the issues that matter most to rural communities like ours. From protecting our water resources and promoting responsible land use to supporting small businesses and ensuring access to affordable healthcare, Perry has always been a champion for the needs of Western Colorado. His deep understanding of our agricultural heritage, wildlife management, and the challenges we face as a rural community uniquely qualifies him to lead as county commissioner.

As someone who has consistently worked across party lines to get things done, Perry has shown that he’s not afraid to tackle tough issues and find solutions that work for everyone. His proven record of success in the legislature gives me great confidence that he will bring the same level of commitment and effectiveness to the role of county commissioner.

We need a leader who understands our challenges and knows how to deliver real results. That’s why I’m supporting Perry Will for county commissioner, and I encourage my fellow citizens to do the same.

Russ Andrews, Carbondale

Arauza and Carey would bring collaborative leadership

Ballots have been mailed. When you get yours, please pay particular attention to the Garfield County commissioners races. The commissioners’ decisions directly affect all of us; we need commissioners that represent all of us. 

Steven Arauza is running against Mike Samson in District 3. Steven is a longtime resident of Rifle. He is a working parent, a geologist working hard to safeguard our natural environment. He is looking to expand access to healthcare, childcare, and attainable housing. 

Mike Samson is running for his fifth term, looking to continue his tired, backward-looking vision for the county. He has consistently voted against housing initiatives, harming both would-be residents and landowners. He has promoted hateful rhetoric toward Latinos. He voted against protecting drinking water supplies from fracking. He has supported shipping 5 million barrels of oil from Utah daily by rail through Glenwood Canyon. 

Caitlin Carey is running against Perry Will in District 2. Caitlin is a working parent, a long-time New Castle resident, and a town councilor. She will support county-wide community, work for attainable housing, enhanced transportation, and enhanced access to medical care. She will help protect our natural resources by building resiliency against fire and drought, and protecting our water rights.

Perry Will was culled from the state Senate to carry on the worn-out vision of the current commissioners. Some folks describe Perry as a “nice guy”. His voting record is far from “nice”. He voted repeatedly against women’s reproductive health care. He voted against protecting public libraries from partisan book-banning. He voted against improving access to affordable childcare. He voted against relaxing HOA restrictions against fire-resistant building materials. 

Garfield County deserves more than four more years of the same old. Please vote for Steven and Caitlin, as they bring us collaborative leadership, new energy, new ideas, and a thoughtful vision of the future for our county.

Kevin O’Brien, New Castle

Vote Velasco and Arauza

I am writing to express my strong support for two remarkable leaders in our community: State Representative Elizabeth Velasco and County Commissioner candidate Steven Arauza. Both embody the values of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to serving working families, making their public service vital to the future of our community.

Representative Velasco is Colorado’s first Mexican-born state representative and the first Latina legislator from the western slope. Her inspiring journey began in low-income mobile home parks in the Vail Valley, where she worked multiple jobs to support her education and family. This firsthand experience motivates her to advocate for policies that prioritize affordable housing, language access, community resiliency, and access to clean air and water. Her legislative efforts, like the Water Quality in Mobile Home Parks bill and initiatives for wildfire resiliency, demonstrate her passion for environmental justice and commitment to a healthier, more equitable future for all. 

Similarly, Steven Arauza offers extensive experience and a unique viewpoint in his county commissioner candidacy. Growing up in a single-parent working-class household, he understands the challenges of working families. His dedication to championing workers’ rights and enhancing working conditions is rooted in his personal experiences with food insecurity and childcare hurdles. Motivated by a brighter future for his young children, Steven aims to elevate the quality of life for all county residents. His commitment to public service and advocacy for workers and working families positions him as an exceptional candidate.

Both Elizabeth and Steven are committed to ensuring that the needs of working people are prioritized in their respective roles. Their leadership is not just about addressing immediate issues but about building a foundation for a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.

Let’s continue to support leaders like Elizabeth Velasco and Steven Arauza, whose public service is essential to shaping a better future for our community.

Jasmin Ramirez, Glenwood Springs

Carbondale Age Friendly group supports Carey and Arauza for county commission

Local elections matter. That’s why the Carbondale Age Friendly Community Initiative, a 501(C)4, is offering recommendations on local races; endorsing candidates that share the values of our organization. CAFCI has actively worked to pursue strategies to improve living conditions for people of all ages in Carbondale. 

We believe that Caitlin Carey and Steve Arauza, both running for Garfield County Commissioners, deserve our endorsement. Their support for affordable housing is a need that is widely recognized. And their commitment to clean water, clean air and sustainable land is critical to preserving the quality of life that we value. Both Steve and Caitlin support our youth, our seniors and our libraries. They share our belief that we must continue to work to further build respect and support for all community members.

CAFCI also urges you to consider re-electing State Representative Elizabeth Velasco. Representative Velasco has been at the forefront of issues that matter most to this community: environmental protections, affordable housing and inclusion of all citizens in community life. Her first term was impressive, increasing funding for rural education and furthering water conservation, improving emergency response systems and wildfire mitigation.

CAFCI hopes that you will join us in supporting these three candidates who are committed to protecting and improving our community for all residents.

Kathy Sgambati, Chair, CAFCI, Carbondale

Vote for Arauza and Carey to end energy boom-bust cycle

I’m going to give you “$15 million” reasons why we need new leadership in the county by voting for Steven Arauza and Caitlin Carey.

There is a $15.5 million dollar line item (#135) in the budget that has a larger superfluous of money except for the general fund and road & bridge (Page 29 of the 2025 budget). And it’s called the “Oil and Gas Mitigation Fund.” 

The Republican county commissioners have more money dedicated to promote and protect the O&G gas industry than most other county services that directly serve you. These are your federal tax dollars, which originated from the Roan Plateau drilling agreement, and should have been dispersed to our local communities impacted by the various O&G booms and busts of the past 10 years. Instead, the commissioners circumvented these funds for their own use. As a “committed” fund, only the commissioners decide how these funds are spent.

It is hard to follow the past expenditures, such as $500,000 was spent in 2023 under “services.” (Page 111 of the proposed 2025 budget.) There is no breakdown of what these services were without a special request from the finance department, but I have been following #135 line item for many years. 

The previous expenditures were for lobbyists and attorneys who fought against stronger federal and state O&G regulations to preserve air and water quality. Most recently, high-priced attorneys were hired to put pressure on the ECMC to adopt weaker Cumulative Impact rules. It was for O&G-related travel junkets for Mike Samson ($10,000+ in 2023). It was for memberships and advertisements to promote the pie-in-the-sky O&G Jordan Cove pipeline. The commissioners also support the Uintah oil train through the Colorado River Valley.

Mike Samson, and surely pro-O&G Perry Will, will continue these practices unless we vote for helping ourselves. O&G can take care of itself. It’s time to put that $15 million dollars back into our communities to resolve housing, transportation, infrastructure and growth problems. Vote for sensible budget decisions – Steven Arauza and Caitlin Carey.

Leslie Robinson, Rifle

Arauza will ‘walk the walk’

I encourage every voter to cast their ballot for Steven Arauza for Garfield County Commissioner. Now, I am married to him, so you might think I’m biased in his favor. And you’d be right – of course I am. But I’m also an unaffiliated voter who sincerely appreciates it when candidates stop leaning on their party and start focusing on genuinely connecting with their communities. 

I encourage you all to take a good long look at the folks running for office. Look past the flashy slogans and promises. Look past the staged campaign photos. Instead, look at their actions. What have they really done? Do they actually walk the walk? 

I’m here to tell you that Steven backs up his words with his actions. He doesn’t just pay lip service to our workforce. Steven fights for labor rights every day. He joined his union, became the district steward, participated in the bargaining unit, and was elected to the union’s executive board. He doesn’t just passively say our public lands are important. Steven volunteers to clean up litter and refuse. He grabs his boots and gloves and gets out there to repair trails. And Steven knows parent involvement is paramount to academic success for our public school students. That’s why he’s at our sons’ school, volunteering his time to ensure the staff and teachers have the community support they deserve. All this in addition to his 9-5.

Steven is a man with a brilliant mind and a big heart. He holds a BS from UT Austin (valedictorian of the Jackson School of Geosciences!) and an MS from UC Santa Barbara. And he put those degrees to good use working on the State side of oil and gas production for over a decade. He’s had lucrative job offers from private companies. But the big heart prevails. He’s fully devoted to public service. Steven feels it’s the most important thing he can do to have a positive impact in this world. I think that even if I wasn’t married to the guy, he’s the type of person I want to see in office.

Hannah Arauza, Rifle

Setting the record straight on proposition 80

I am a teacher and the President of our Union in the Garfield Re-2 School District and I want to clear up misleading information on proposition 80. Colorado Education Association, our statewide teachers union, does NOT support proposition 80. There have been misleading statements sent out to community members that say CEA supports the proposition. This is not true. 

Proposition 80 proponents market the proposition as allowing for school choice. However, school choice has already been the law of the land in Colorado for 30 years. 

Proposition 80 opens the door for a voucher program which would take money from public schools and divert it to private schools. While some may not see a problem with this, private schools are not held to the same standard as public schools, and private schools are allowed to pick and choose who they let in. For example, private schools have been known to discriminate based on religion, sexual orientation, or disabilities. 

Rural schools in Garfield County are already severely underfunded, and we cannot afford to lose any more funding. Why should tax payer dollars in Garfield County fund private schools on the Front Range? 

Vote how you choose, but please, be informed of the effects of Proposition 80.

Anthony Orttel, Parachute

Leaders don’t need to belittle

I am confident that anyone reading this does not routinely comment about others by using derogatory names or negative and dehumanizing adjectives, and that all of you would be furious if you learned that people were referring to your children or grandchildren in such a manner. Why, then, does it seem okay to some when a politician does that to an opponent he devalues? Yes, we may lose our tempers and say things we later regret, but we don’t do so deliberately and phrase our remarks so that it’s obvious we think they are “funny.” They are not.

Strong leaders feel no need to belittle others; they are too busy leading, and in the process, they try to lift up others who (often through no fault of their own) have in some fashion drawn the short straws in this complex world. It isn’t necessary to claim that people’s problems are the fault of someone else. They are just problems to be solved, and as the NFL says, “It takes all of us” to solve them. It also takes civil debate, a variety of ideas, and a willingness to listen to others who may have different values and different ideas. It does not take someone who says that he has the only possible solution and that everyone else is “evil” or “sick” or “stupid” or “the enemy.”

Please vote this fall, and consider the world you want your (grand)children to live in. 

Sharon McLin, New Castle

Vote Perry Will for experience

I consider myself fortunate to know both Caitlyn Carey and Perry Will. I admire both candidates for their dedication, as it’s not easy to subject yourself to the public criticism that comes with campaigning. 

Caitlyn is energetic and determined – Perry is experienced and open minded. Male or Female – I will vote for the most qualified to perform the duties of the job.

Experience Matters. Garfield County is faced with replacing 28+ years of experience in navigating the diverse interests of citizens, municipalities, neighboring counties, and the State of Colorado. Successfully overseeing Garfield County pertaining to the issues of housing, economy, environment, health care, transportation, and resource management (water, energy) requires decades of experience. We need to elect a person with the breadth and depth of knowledge to hit the ground running. We need to elect a person who has a proven ability to get things done. We need to elect a person who will work with the current county commissioners to continue moving Garfield County forward. On the job training is not a luxury we can afford right now. We need a person with experience in managing a $1-million-plus budget, knowledge of where Garfield County has been and what is needed to manage our continued growth. We need a person with ideas, a willingness to listen to others and the temperament to consider the needs of all Garfield County citizens. 

This person is our current State Senator Perry Will. Don’t be misled by lies about his voting record. The devil is always in the details and Perry Will has taken the time to read and consider the details of bills he has voted for and against. He is well-respected by his fellow legislators (both D and R) as a person with integrity willing to reach across the aisle to better understand issues and then thoughtfully vote for the good of the citizens he represents. The Voces Unidas ad stating he has voted “with us” only 21% of the time, leads me to ask – Who is “US”?

Please remember that Experience does matter. Perry Will has my vote.

Linda McKinley, Glenwood Springs

Vote Proposition 127 to show Colorado cares about its big cats

I sincerely thank the majority of the courageous CPW commissioners who are supporting Proposition 127 which, when passed will outlaw the trophy hunting of mountain lions and bobcats In Colorado. It is already illegal to hunt lynx in Colorado.

The current throwback practice of “hunting” our elusive and enigmatic cats is a cruel form of blood “sport”. This activity uses vicious dog packs, wearing GPS collars to chase, frighten, scare, and run these threatened majestic felines up a tree or to a cliff end where they are then shot at close range, often with a pistol. The meat is not eaten. The deceased critters are gutted skinned and made into rugs and/or their heads are mounted in an individual’s “trophy” room.

This killing leaves kittens without their mothers. Three out of four adult females killed each year are mothering dependent young. Kittens less than 1 year old have no chance of survival. Therefore, the killing of one female with kittens results in a multiple of deaths of many more cats. These young cats die a slow, agonizing and wretched death by starvation. This is not sport or sporting but a money-making endeavor to soak rich, often out-of-state, customers. What do they care so long as they bag their trophy and their money? 

Colorado law permits an unlimited bag limit for bobcats. Outfitters often charge more than $6,000 for a lion hunt and $3,000 for a bobcat hunt.

It’s time to end this unsporting, inhumane, selfish, and environmentally degrading activity. A yes vote on Proposition 127 will end the cruel, ego, and money driven trophy run down of our mountain lions and bobcats. A yes vote on Proposition 127 will still allow CPW to manage the rare problem cats in a professional and humane manner. It will protect people, pets, livestock, and the environment. Colorado will enhance its image that “Colorado Cares.” This is plain and humane common sense.

Michael G. Rosenberg, Carbondale

Vote no on 2A

Currently our total Sales Tax rate is 8.6%, which is already well above the average for municipalities in Colorado. Increasing it by 0.5% to 9.1% places us amongst the highest tax payers and above the following resort cities:

• Estes Park 8.7%
• Telluride 8.7%
• Durango 8.4%
• Steamboat 8.4%
• Golden 7.5%
• Pagosa Springs 6.9%

While our sales tax is made up of City, County, Special Taxing District for RFTA, and State taxes, the bottom line is that we would end up paying 9.1%. The increase proposed for the City tax from 3.6 to 4.1% represents a large 14% increase.

Given our high tax rate, I question the priorities of our City and feel that after funding essential services, we should first spend our funds on critical infrastructure, including roads and utilities, which we all agree need further funds. Beautification projects and other non-essential expenditures should now take a lower priority.

I would not oppose maintaining the current 0.5% “street tax”, which expires in 2026. Also, I understand that there are alternative funding sources within our current tax base and reserves and urge our City Council to fully address funding options and return to the voters next November with a clear and detailed breakdown of alternatives.

Please vote No on 2A.

Bob Littler, Glenwood Springs

Watch a rally to see how Trump leads

An open letter to all my family and friends and fellow Coloradans, 

As I sit here filling out my election ballot, I wonder if we all can grasp the enormity of what our vote means. We quote and blame every source we hear that we don’t agree with, and I fear we don’t look deeply enough into our candidates from local on up to presidential. 

I get it, how can we know it all, and it would take so much research to really know those judge candidates, or a random amendment. 

But, there is really no excuse in this day and age to not research our presidential candidates. They are in our face 24-7 on tv ads, tv stations etc. Our First Amendment protects free speech, but unfortunately, misinformation and actual lying are protected, too. Donald Trump is talking about “The enemy within”…this is him telling us what he will do to any person who has crossed him. Remember, he is telling us.

I would suggest that instead of the old “but I like their policies” position, we actually find out what the policies are, and watch some of the rallies, you won’t believe what you might hear. 

Maybe Hannibal Lecter can switch to eating cats and dogs instead of humans? Just sayin’…

Susie Straus, Glenwood Springs

Samson and Will know Garfield County

Mike Samson grew up in Rifle, went to college, got married, and moved back to Rifle where he and Janet raised their seven children on Mike’s salary as a teacher. He has been a teacher, coach, principal, and chool administrator before becoming a county commissioner. 

Mike has served Garfield County extremely well as a commissioner because knows the county and he knows the county and deeply cares about people, he absolutely relates to his constituents. 

Perry Will and his wife Susan moved here for Perry’s first job as a game warden. Perry rose through the ranks of the DOW and became the Division Manager of the Glenwood District, not only because he was an excellent warden and loves animals, but mostly because he cares about people. He and Susan have been extremely involved with rodeo, 4-H, school athletics, and much more, because they love and understand Garfield County and want to continue to make it better. Please vote for Mike Samson and Perry Will and for Garfield County Commissioner because they have the experience, love of community, wisdom, and integrity to lead Garfield County.

Kent Jolley, Glenwood Springs

2A means avoiding more expensive repairs later

Dear Editor, 

As the general manager of a local automotive retailer, I recognize the vital role of efficient infrastructure in our community. The proposed penny sales tax for Glenwood Springs will streamline funding for essential street and underground utility repairs, replacing an expiring ½ penny sales tax that has been in place for nearly 20 years. Measure 2A will increase this tax by an additional ¼ penny, focusing on street repairs, while also introducing another ¼ penny for underground utilities, potentially lowering utility costs by about $1.7 million annually. With 1.2 million visitors contributing, this approach minimizes disruption by consolidating repairs, ultimately ensuring safer and smoother roads for everyone.

I trust the coalition, Community on the Move, for providing accurate information regarding these crucial needs. Their transparency helps our electorate make informed decisions.

Unfortunately, some misinformation has circulated, similar to tactics used by big city politicians, attempting to cloud the importance of maintaining our infrastructure. We must reject such misleading politics in our close-knit community.

This tax will benefit both residents and visitors, paving the way for a prosperous future. By investing in these necessary upgrades now, we avoid more expensive repairs later and ensure fairness in the cost-sharing.

I urge everyone to vote yes on 2A to keep Glenwood thriving.

Carroll Winkler, Glenwood Springs