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County Ballot Issue 1A: Lodging Tax

YES.  This would increase the current Lodging Tax from 2% to 6% (short-term rentals less than 30 days) and provide funding for childcare, housing for tourism-related workforce and public infrastructure improvements.

Colorado Proposition LL

YES.  Allows the State to keep and spend $12.4 million (already collected) for the Healthy Meals for All Program and maintain taxes on households earning $300,000 or more annually.

Colorado Proposition MM

YES.  Increases state income taxes for households earning $300,000 or more annually.  The increased tax revenue would be used to offer free school meals to all public school students, implement previously approved local food purchasing and employee wage components of the Healthy Meals for All Program and help fund SNAP.

RE-1 School Board

Party rules only allow us to recommend the unaffiliated candidates. Two candidates are running for one seat that has a two-year term (vacated earlier this year) and we will be well-served by either Gary Duncan or Jill Peterson.  Three Candidates are running for two seats with a regularly scheduled four-year term where Victoria Edwards is very well qualified.

Profiles of all five candidates are based on conversations with each, responses they made at a public forum where all candidates answered ten questions, and their responses to questions in the September 25 and October 2 issues of The Mountain-Ear. 

RE-1 School Board: Two-Year Candidates (choose one)

Gary Duncan

After retiring from the U.S. Army, he earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration and pursued a second career in education.  He would have a strong presence at the school and would honor the school’s hierarchy of communication policy.  Although he values collaborative decision-making among the board, he disagrees with the current practice of unified (5-0) decisions.

Jill Peterson

Appointed by the current board in June 2025 to fill a vacant seat on the board.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and works as a data and software engineer at the University of Colorado.  She prepares for meetings, has identified areas of improvement for the board (student and teacher retention) and values critical thinking.

RE-1 School Board: Four-Year Candidates (choose two)

Victoria Edwards

A career lawyer focusing on business law which could enhance financial reporting and decision-making.  She has served on the District Accountability Committee, Gilpin County Education Foundation, Gilpin County School District Strategic Design Team.  Would like to evaluate expanding the curriculum to include more electives including trade.

Brady Fowler

Retired from U.S. Army.  He serves as a Deacon in his church and is involved in local politics.  Served as a District Accountability Board member at his daughter’s school.  He would advocate for more parental involvement in board decisions.  Disagrees that education is solely based on science and progressive reading.

Kirsten Goodlet

Career in education.  Earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s in School Counseling.  Current board member seeking a second term and a member of the Gilpin School Booster Club.  She supports higher pay for school staff and cites that the State of Colorado is on of the lowest ranked states for educator pay.