LAS ANIMAS COUNTY – The general election is coming up fast on November 6, 2018. Colorado voters will have a lengthy ballot in this year as we choose a new Governor, decide who will represent us locally, consider municipal and school district ballot measures, and make our choices on several constitutional and statutory ballot measures.
Local Clerk & Recorder offices will start mailing out ballots on Monday, October 15th. You have until October 29th to submit a voter registration application and still receive a ballot in the mail. If you miss that deadline, you can still submit an application at a Voter Service and Polling Center up to the day of the general election.
You may have already received the Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book) which provides voters with the text, title, and a fair and impartial analysis of each initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.
Here’s what you’ll find on your ballot in Las Animas County.
Congressional District 4
- Karen McCormick (Democratic)
- Ken Buck (Republican)
- Jared Polis / Dianne Primavera (Democratic)
- Walker Stapleton / Lang Sias (Republican)
- Bill Hammons / Eric Bodenstab (Unity)
- Scott Helker / Michele Poague (Libertarian)
- Wayne Williams (Republican)
- Jena Griswold (Democratic)
- Amanda Campbell (American Constitution)
- Blake Huber (Approval Voting)
- Brian Watson (Republican)
- Dave Young (Democratic)
- Gerald F. Kilpatrick (American Constitution)
- Phil Weiser (Democratic)
- George Brauchler (Republican)
- William F. Robinson III (Libertarian)
Regent, University of Colorado At Large
- Lesley Smith (Democratic)
- Ken Montera (Republican)
- Christopher E. Otwell (Unity)
- James K. Treibert (Libertarian)
State Board of Education Member District 4
- Tim Krug (Democratic)
- Debora L. Scheffel(Republican)
State Representative District 64
- Kimmi Lewis (Republican)
- Teri Nilson Baird (Democratic)
Las Animas County Commissioner District 1
- Dean Moltrer (Democratic)
- Felix M. Lopez (Republican)
Las Animas County Commissioner District 3
- Tony C. Hass (Republican)
- Dan Ruscetti (Democratic)
Las Animas County Clerk and Recorder
- H.L. Bowman (Republican)
- Patricia “Peach” Vigil (Democratic)
Las Animas County Treasurer
- Donna J. Leonetti (Democratic)
Las Animas County Assessor
- Jodi M. Amato (Democratic)
Las Animas County Sheriff
- Derek J. Navarette (Democratic)
Las Animas County Surveyor
- Gary Terry (Democratic)
Las Animas County Coroner
- Dominic A. Verquer (Democratic)
City/County/Precinct Questions
Trinidad School District Number 1: Ballot Issue 4A Mill Levy Override
Trinidad School District Number 1 wants voters to approve raising taxes up to $595,000 every year for a maximum of ten years by adding an additionally mill levy on real propery within the district to pay for recruitment, training and retention of teachers, campus renovations and repairs, and purchasing school buses and other vehicles.
Trinidad School District Number 1: Ballot Issue 4B General Obligation Bond
Trinidad School District Number 1 is asking voters to approve a bond measure that includes a debt increase of $4.75 million with a repayment cost of up to $7.65 Million, and a tax increase up to $387,800 annually, subject to project matching award of not less than $8.35 Million in “best” grant funds to pay for $13.186 million in repairs to Trinidad Middle School.
Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District Ballot Issue 6A
The district is asking voters to approve using excess monies as called for in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights in the Colorado Constitution. If the measure fails, the district would have to disperse the monies evenly to all voters within the district.
Colorado Supreme Court Justice
- Shall Justice Richard L. Gabriel of the Colorado Supreme Court be retained in office?
Colorado Court of Appeals Judge
- Shall Judge John Daniel Dailey of the Colorado Court of Appeals be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Rebecca Rankin Freyre of the Colorado Court of Appeals be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Elizabeth L. Harris of the Colorado Court of Appeals be retained in office?
- Shall Judge David J. Richman of the Colorado Court of Appeals be retained in office?
Ballot Measures
Amendment V – Reduction in age for the general assembly
The amendment would change the minimum age to be elected to the Colorado General Assembly from 25-years-old to 21-years-old.
Amendment W – Change format of judicial retention elections
The amendment would change the language for judicial retention elections on the Colorado ballot to simplify the listing of judges on the ballot.
Amendment X – Change definition of industrial hemp
If passed, the amendment would redefine industrial hemp so it falls in line with existing federal law and Colorado statutes. The intent of the sponsors is to allow lawmakers more flexibility in defining industrial hemp when federal law changes, rather than going back to the voters for a constitutional amendment.
Amendment Y – Congressional redistricting
Amendment Y will take the responsibility of redistricting away from lawmakers in Congressional districts and in the hands of a commission to draw district maps, thereby ending the practice of gerrymandering.
Amendment Z – State Senate and State House redistricting
Amendment Z will take the responsibility of redistricting away from lawmakers in the State Senate and State House and in the hands of a commission to draw district maps, thereby ending the practice of gerrymandering.
Amendment A – Prohibit slavery and indentured servitude
Amendment A seeks voter approval to remove a mention of slavery in the Colorado Constitution that allows slavery and indentured servitude to be used as a form of punishment for convicted criminals. While slavery and indentured servitude are already prohibited in the constitution, this measure would ensure it is prohibited in all circumstances.
If passed, Amendment 73 would amend the state constitution to raise income taxes on corporations, those earning more than $150,000 every year, and those earning more than $500,000 annually.
Amendment 74 – Just Compensation for Reduction in Fair Market Value by Government Law or Regulation
This initiative calls for property owners in Colorado to be compensated for any reduction in property values caused by state laws or regulations.
Amendment 75 – Campaign Finance Reform
If passed, Amendment 75 would change campaign finance rules in Colorado to allow candidates to raise more money from individual contributions if their opponent donates $1 million or more to their own campaign committee.
Proposition 109 – “Fix our Damn Roads”
If passed, Proposition 110 known as “Fix our Damn Roads” would call for the state to borrow $3.5 billion in bonds to fund the highest priority construction projects on CDOT’s list. The proposal also calls for state lawmakers to dedicate a minimum of 2 percent of general fund spending to repay debt from the project until it is paid in full.
Proposition 110 – Increase sales tax to fund transportation projects
If passed, Proposition 109 would increase Colorado’s sales and use tax from 2.9 percent to 3.52 percent for the next 20 years to fund transportation projects around the state.
Proposition 111 – Payday loan regulation
If passed, Proposition 111 calls for the state to cap the maximum interest rate that payday lenders can charge at 36 percent and would regulate the charging of fees from payday lenders.
Proposition 112 – Setback requirement for oil and gas development
If passed, the measure would mandate that all new oil and gas development locations be a minimum of 2,500 feet away from occupied buildings and “vulnerable areas”
Ballot Drop Off Locations and Polling Centers:
People can drop off ballots, register to vote, receive a replacement ballot and vote in-person along with other services at the Las Animas County Clerk’s Office located at:
200 East 1st Street, Room 205 Trinidad, CO. 81082
There is also a ballot drop off box located outside of that building. That box is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week until 7 p.m. on Nov. 6.
