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 every election item found on ballots across El Paso County. Your ballot may differ based on residency.
Congressional District 5
- Stephany Rose Spaulding (Democratic)
- Doug Lamborn (Republican)
- Douglas Randall (Libertarian)
- 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)
Regent, University of Colorado District 5
- Tony Wolusky (Democratic)
- Chance Hill (Republican)
State Senator District 2
- Beth “Hart” Harz (Democratic)
- Dennis Hisey (Republican)
State Senator District 9
- Gil Armendariz (Democratic)
- Paul Lundeen (Republican)
State Senator District 11
- Pete Lee (Democratic)
- Pat McIntire (Republican)
State Representative District 14
- Shane Sandridge (Republican)
- Paul J. Haddick (Democratic)
State Representative District 15
- Brenda Krause (Democratic)
- Dave Williams (Republican)
State Representative District 16
- Andrew Smith (Democratic)
- Larry G. Liston (Republican)
- John Hjersman (Libertarian)
State Representative District 17
- Kit Roupe (Republican)
- Thomas “Tony” Exum Sr. (Democratic)
State Representative District 18
- Mary Elizabeth Fabian (Republican)
- Marc A. Snyder (Democratic)
- Maile Foster (Independent)
State Representative District 19
- Tim Geitner (Republican)
- Asia M. Zanders (Democratic)
State Representative District 20
- Terri Carver (Republican)
- Kent Edward Jarnig (Democratic)
State Representative District 21
- Lois Landgraf (Republican)
- Liz Rosenbaum (Democratic)
El Paso County Commissioner District 1
- Frank J. DeLalla (Democratic)
- Holly Williams (Republican)
El Paso County Commissioner District 5
- Cami Bremer (Republican)
- Kari Frederick (Democratic)
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder
- Chuck Broerman (Republican)
- Elizabeth “Lisa” Wilkes (Democratic)
El Paso County Treasurer
- Mark Lowderman (Republican)
- Julie Torres (Democratic)
El Paso County Assessor
- Stephen Schleiker (Republican)
- Sue McKnight (Democratic)
El Paso County Sheriff
- Bill Elder (Republican)
- Grace A. Sweeney-Maurer (Democratic)
El Paso County Surveyor
- Destarte Ashleigh Haun (Democratic)
- Richard E. Mariotti (Republican)
El Paso County Coroner
- Chauncey Frederick (Democratic)
- Leon Kelly (Republican)
Town of Monument – Trustee
- Ann Howe
- Jim Romanello
- Kenneth W. Kimple
El Paso County Court Judge
- Shall Judge Christopher Edward Acker of the El Paso County Court be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Lawrence D. Martin of the El Paso County Court be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Douglas J. Miles of the El Paso County Court be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Ann M. Rotolo of the El Paso County Court be retained in office?
El Paso County 1A –Public Safety Sales and Use Tax
El Paso County Commissioners are asking voters to extend until 2029 the 1A Public Safety Sales Tax which allows for a 0.23% percent sales tax. Currently, the sales tax is set to expire in January 2021. The revenue from the tax will continue to be used to fund the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office.
Town of Palmer Lake 2A – Impose 5% sales tax on recreational marijuana
This measure is just one step towards allowing recreational marijuana sales in town. 2A asks voters to approve a 5% sales tax on retail marijuana and retail marijuana products with the aim of increasing town tax revenues by $500,000.
Town of Palmer Lake 2B – Permit the sale of recreational marijuana
Shall the Town of Palmer Lake municipal code be amended to permit the sale of retail (also known as adult use or recreational) marijuana and to license and regulate the same as set forth in proposed ordinance 14 of 2018?
City of Fountain 2C – Advanced high-speed internet service
Town of Green Mountain Falls 3A –Lodging and Occupational Tax
The Town of Green Mountain Falls is asking voters to approve raising taxes by $32,522 per year (and anything beyond that) by adopting a lodging and occupational tax of $4.50 per day on hotel rooms and similar accommodations. The measure also asks voters to allow the spending of all tax revenue without limitations called for by the Taxpayers Bill of Rights in the Colorado constitution.
Town of Green Mountain Falls 3B – Cease newspaper publishing of certain public notices
In order to save money on the cost of publication, shall the Town elect not to publish in the newspaper its proceedings related to payments of bills, contracts awarded and rebates allowed, with such information being reported publicly at least monthly as part of Board of Trustee meeting packets?
Town of Green Mountain Falls 3C – Limit newspaper publishing of full town ordinance texts
In order to save money on the cost of publication, shall Town ordinances, after they are adopted, be published in the newspaper by title only, with the full text of all such ordinances being made available for public review at Town Hall and, when possible, on the Town’s website?
Town of Green Mountain Falls 3D – Reduce Town Trustees from six to four
Shall the number of Town Trustees be reduced in number from six to four?
Lewis-Palmer School District No. 38 4A – Increase district taxes by $1 million per year for funding
Lewis-Palmer School District No. 38 is asking voters to approve a $1 million mill levy override (for 7 years) to fund additional safety and security staff and training at all schools.
Lewis-Palmer School District No. 38 4B – Increase debt by $36.5 million for capital improvements
Lewis-Palmer School District No. 38 is asking voters to approve a $36.5 million bond to build a new elementary school, change Bear Creek Elementary back to a middle school, and fund safety and security improvements at all schools.
El Paso County Colorado School District 49 4C – Mill levy override
In order to decrease the current mill levy override rate of 19.081 mills to 18.500 mills, shall school district 49 (El Paso County Colorado School District 49) mill levy override taxes be $16.5 million in 2018 for collection in 2019 and whatever amounts as may be generated annually thereafter by the imposition of a mill levy not to exceed 18.500 mills for the purposes approved by the voters in 2014 and 2016?
Ellicott School District No. 22 4D – Increase debt and taxes to facilitate campus improvements
Ellicott School District is asking voters to approve a $4.37 million bond to match funds from a grant to pay for security upgrades, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance projects, six new classrooms, an auxiliary practice gym, and track resurfacing for athletic events.
Harrison School District No. 2 4E – $180 million bond for improvements and renovations to all campuses
Harrison School District is asking voters to approve a $180 million bond to fund improvements and renovations to all campuses which will have oversight from a citizens oversight committee and yearly reporting to the public on the use of the funds.
Manitou Springs School District No. 14 4F
May Manitou Springs School District No. 14 collect the property tax revenues permitted by C.R.S. 22-54-108 as previously approved by district voters in 2015 notwithstanding any mill levy limitation?
Triview Metropolitan District – Collect up to $3.2 million in property tax revenue without increasingtax rate
The Triview Metropolitan District is asking voters to approve collecting up to $3.2 million in property taxes for improvements to roads and parks, plus securing renewable water rights.
Falcon Fire Protection District – 6B
Shall Falcon Fire Protection District’s taxes be increased $2,398,065 (first full fiscal year dollar increase) annually, beginning in levy year 2018 (for collection in calendar year 2019) by increasing the district’s existing property tax by 6.274 mills for a total mill levy of 14.886 mills to be used by the district for the purpose of providing proper fire protection, emergency response and safety for the residents, property owners, and businesses served by the district, including but not limited to:
• implementing a full-service, in-district, advanced life support ambulance service operated by the district to improve 911 response times for medical emergencies; and
• strategically adding firefighters and emts at each of the district’s staffed fire stations to address increased emergency call volume and to maintain emergency services; all revenue and any earnings on this tax constituting a permanent voter approved revenue change within the meaning of Article x, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution and an exception to the limitations set forth in section 29-1-301 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, and any other law?
Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District – 6C
Shall Black Forest Fire-Rescue Protection District taxes be increased $550,000.00 In 2019, and by such amount as may be collected annually thereafter by the imposition of an additional mill levy of up to 5.285 mills, for general operating purposes including but not limited to:
1. Maintaining timely emergency services and 911 response times;
2. Attracting and retaining experienced first responders, and mitigating costly turnover rates;
3. Fully staffing fire station two with an emergency response duty crew; and
4. Funding a long-term apparatus replacement schedule to allow for timely replacement of fire apparatus; and shall the district’s total mill levy of up to 14.5 Mills be subject to adjustment annually thereafter to offset revenue losses from refunds, abatements and any change to the percentage of actual valuation used to determine assessed valuation, so that tax revenues collected are not less than what would have been collected had such change not occurred?
Ellicott Fire Protection District – 6D
Shall the Ellicott Fire Protection District taxes be increased by $152,174.00 In fiscal year 2019 and by whatever tax revenues are generated by an ad valorem property tax mill levy rate in each fiscal year thereafter not to exceed an increased mill levy of 5.5 mills for a total mill levy not to exceed 15.016 mills in each fiscal year thereafter with the increased mill levy to be apportioned between the labor fund, general operating and the project fund for the ongoing operation and maintenance of fire protection services and shall the proceeds of such taxes and any investment income thereon be collected, retained and spent by the district in fiscal year 2019 and in each fiscal year thereafter, such authorization to constitute a voter-approved revenue change which may be collected, retained and spent by the district without regard to any spending, revenue raising, or other limitation contained in Article x, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, the limits imposed on increases in property taxation by section 29-1-301, Colorado Revised Statutes in any year, or any other law which purports to limit the district’s revenues or expenditures as it currently exists or as it may be amended in the future, all without limiting in any year the amount of other revenues that may be collected, retained and spent by the district?
Elbert Fire Protection District – 7A
Shall Elbert Fire Protection District be authorized to adjust the operating mill levy beginning in 2020 and annually thereafter at a rate sufficient to generate up to $243,157.56 (The amount being collected in 2018), subject to annual adjustment for inflation and local growth, for operations and other purposes?
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?
District Court Judge – 4th Judicial District
- Shall Judge Eric Bentley of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Linda Margaret Billings-Vela of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Jill M. Brady of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Robert L. Lowrey of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Timothy Schutz of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Larry Edward Schwartz of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge Scott A. Sells of the 4th Judicial District be retained in office?
- Shall Judge David L. Shakes of the 4th Judicial District 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”
There are plenty of Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs) available in El Paso County for voter registration, voting in person, and ballot drop-off.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SAMPLE BALLOT FOR EL PASO COUNTY
PHASE I – Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (through November 2)
Saturday October 27 and November 3: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Monday, November 5: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 6: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Locations Open October 22 – November 6, 2018:
- Main Office, Citizens Service Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Assessor Training Room, Ste 1017, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
- Downtown Branch, Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Southeast Branch, Powers Motor Vehicle Office, 5650 Industrial Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80916
- Fort Carson Branch, Fort Carson Motor Vehicle Office, 6351 Wetzel Avenue, Bldg 1525, Fort Carson, CO 80913
- North Branch, Union Town Center Motor Vehicle Office, 8830 N. Union Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
- Monument Town Hall Building, 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument, CO 80132
- The Independence Center, 729 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
- Falcon Fire Department, 7030 Old Meridian Rd, Falcon, CO 80831
- Zalman Center, 2755 Janitell Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
- Fountain Police Station, 222 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Fountain, CO 80817
- Citadel Mall, 750 Citadel Drive E., Suite 1040, Colorado Springs, CO 80909
- DOT – Hazardous Waste Facility, 3255 Akers Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80922
- Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, 15415 Gleneagle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
- Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Boulevard, Suite 121, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
- Sand Creek Library, 1821 S. Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80916
PHASE II – Hours of Operation
Monday, November 5: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 6: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Locations Open November 5 and 6, 2018:
- East Library, 5550 N. Union Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- Regional Building, 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
- Manitou Springs – City Hall, 606 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
- Corpus Christi Parish Hall, 2318 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
- Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
- DOT Substation – Calhan, 1010 Golden Street, Calhan, CO 80808
- St. Dominic Catholic Church, 5354 US 85, Colorado Springs, CO 80911
- Vista Grande Baptist Church, 5680 Stetson Hills Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80917
- Black Forest Fire Department, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80908
- SA Wilson, 930 Leta Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80911
- Victory World Outreach, 3150 S. Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80916
- The Barn – Woodmoor Community Center, 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument, CO 80132
- Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
