Wheat Ridge has a new mayor for the first time in eight years, a lodging tax was approved in Mountain View and Edgewater voters favored their incumbent city council members and mayor in the Nov. 4 general election.
According to unofficial results from the Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s office, Wheat Ridge Councilmember Korey Stites ran unopposed for mayor and received 8,083 votes (100%). Stites replaced Bud Starker, who reached the city’s eight-year term limit for elected officials.
In District 1, Kathleen Martell — also unopposed — garnered 1,921 votes (100%). Martell replaced Councilmember Janeece Hoppe (also term limited) and joined incumbent Jenny Snell as the district’s council members.
A contested race in District 2 resulted in incumbent Scott Ohm retaining his seat by a 1,376-974 tally (59%-41%) over Alex Gouldsmith. Ohm and Councilmember Rachel Hultin continue to represent the district.
The District 3 race saw Pat Quinn defeat Justin Slocum, 1,788-1,308 (58%-42%). Quinn succeeds Councilmember Amanda Weaver. Stites held the second District 3 seat and had to resign to run for mayor.
At its Nov. 10 meeting — where the new council members were sworn into office — City Manager Patrick Goff told the newly-seated council the city charter calls for vacant council seats to be filled within 30 days. Applications for the District 3 seat were taken through Nov. 21 and the council planned to interview candidates on Dec. 1 and make an appointment on Dec. 8.
In District 4, Mike Okada ran unopposed and collected 1,492 votes (100%). Okada replaced Leah Dozeman, who was term limited. Okada and Councilmember Dan Larson represent the district.
Ballot question 2B, which called for the elimination of the requirement to elect the city clerk and city treasurer, was defeated by a 5,461-4,388 tally (55%-44%). It would have taken effect upon a vacancy in either office or Nov. 2, 2027, whichever occurs first.
With the defeat of the ballot measure, Goff told the council City Treasurer Chris Miller would continue to serve through Nov. 2 2027, when his term of office ends.
The city clerk’s seat has been considered vacant since the February death of Steve Kirkpatrick. The charter does not specify how to fill vacancies in either office, Goff said, so the council agreed to a schedule to file the position at its Nov. 17 meeting.
Applications for the city clerk will be taken from Jan. 12-23, council will interview the applicants on Feb. 2 and make an appointment on Feb. 9.
Three seats filled in JeffCo Schools races
In the Jefferson County School District, voters decided three races. In District 1, Denine Echevarria defeated Michael Yocum, 102,786-55,496 (65%-35%).
The District 2 race saw Peter Gibbins wiBy a 112,917-53,276 (68%-32%) margin over Samuel Myrant. And a three-way race in District 5 saw Tina Moeinian defeat incumbent Mary Parker and fellow challenger Gloria Rascon.
Moeinian garnered 68,171 votes (42%); Parker received 52,015 votes (31%) and Rascon 46,400 votes (28%).
Lodging tax approved in Mountain View
Mountain View voters approved a lodging tax ballot question, elected three town council members and reelected the mayor.
Ballot issue 2A sought an 8% lodging tax to raise an estimated $87,600, beginning in 2026. It was approved by a 132-104 (56%-44%) margin.
Incumbent Mayor Emlie Mitcham defeated Jeff Kiddie by a 136-93 (59%-41%) tally.
The top three vote-getters for town council were David “Doc” Davis 130 votes (20%), incumbent Kathleen S. Bailey with 102 votes (16%) and Janet Rudolph with 99 votes (15%).
Other candidates were Tyle Shepherd, 94 votes (15%); Laura Dennis, 81 votes (13%); incumbent Nancy B. Unger, 77 votes; (12%) and Tim Samp, 59 votes (9.2%).
Incumbents chosen in Edgewater
Edgewater saw all incumbents reelected for mayor and city council. The only challenger on the ballot will also fill a council vacancy.
Steve Conklin easily won another two-year term as mayor with 958 votes (99%). A write-in candidate, Cassidy Binder, received eight votes (0.83%). The ballot listed only Binder’s first name at his request.
Three current council members will serve additional four-year terms: Hannah Gay Keao, 893 votes (27%); Joel Newton, 859 votes (26%); and Lily Steier, 845 votes (26%). In fourth place was challenger Mark Stechschulte at 662 votes (20%). He will fill the vacant council seat.
The county clerk and recorder’s office planned to canvass the election results on Nov. 25.
