Some cities get to vote for sheriffs and coroners. This November, Wheat Ridge voters were asked something far more basic: should two long-standing elected positions — the city treasurer and city clerk — remain in the hands of voters, or become appointed, professional staff roles? That was the essence of Ballot Measure 2B.
And the verdict? A pretty decisive nope.
2B didn’t just fall short — it failed by what political consultants politely call “a meaningful margin.” Unofficial results showed roughly 60% voting against the change. In today’s standards, that’s a landslide.
Some celebrated the outcome as “democracy preserved.” Others were simply stunned the measure didn’t even come close. And in between were plenty of people asking the same question I heard over and over: Why were both positions lumped into one ballot question? Several voters told me they might’ve supported changing one, but not both.
But that’s the surface. The deeper reason — one I heard everywhere from coffee shops to council chambers — is simple: We don’t trust government. And not just our government. Scroll through any social media platform and you’ll see it — left, right, middle, upside-down. There’s a national distrust of institutions big and small. I’m not just talking about Congress or political parties. I’m talking about municipal agencies, school districts, state regulations… even in my own world, the National Association of Realtors and the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. If you ask the average resident whether they trust the institution, the answer is usually a long, dramatic sigh.
This distrust shows up in everything: mask mandates, speed-trap cameras, crowing roosters vs. legal roosters, vaccine skepticism, frustrations with schools. It’s a long list.
But can we also acknowledge the other side? We’re living longer. Cars are safer than ever. Our parks are cleaner. Our water is better regulated. Wheat Ridge — whether we want to admit it or not — has become a highly desirable place to live, invest, and develop. The city manages tens of millions of dollars annually, including everything from police services to maybe even a new $17 million Anderson Pool rebuild.
And truthfully, we’ve been lucky. Our current elected city treasurer is sharp, experienced, and deeply committed… and also term-limited. Next time, we could just as easily elect someone with zero financial background who wins because their yard signs were catchy. That’s the uncomfortable part of fully electable positions: experience is optional.
And yet, the romantic belief persists — that an elected clerk or treasurer is the last heroic gatekeeper holding back government overreach with a thunderous “Not in my city!” while dramatic music plays in the background.
Reality is less cinematic. The city staff manages our finances well, attracts developers willing to invest millions, supports our police, improves our parks, and keeps Wheat Ridge one of the safest small cities in the metro area. They’re… pretty good at their jobs.
And if you really want a say? There are ways. Lots of them.
Commissions. Task forces. Running for council. And yes — simply showing up at council meetings where you get three full minutes to sound off on anything from zoning to zebra mussels.
Still, Wheat Ridge voted “no” on 2B. And odds are, it’ll be back on the ballot next year—likely with a stronger campaign behind it.
So the real question is this:
What would rebuild your trust?
What would you need to see or hear to believe that moving these positions from elected to appointed is the right thing? What would make you say, “Yeah… I’m good. We don’t need to vote on clerk or treasurer anymore”?
Because until we answer that, the measure will keep coming back — and voters will keep saying “not today.”
