2008 Jefferson County
Citizen's Guide
The League gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Jefferson County Commissioners who have made possible the printing of this booklet.
To request the printed version of the 2008 Citizen's Guide call
the LWVJeffco office at 303-238-0032Jump to: Voting info, National Officials, State Officials, Jeffco Legislators, Courts,
Jeffco Government, Municipalities, Districts, Election Info, back page
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY has prepared this booklet as a public service to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Through its Voter Service activities, the League provides nonpartisan factual information on candidates and issues.
Contact the League for:
membership information (men welcomed)
voter information
speakers
trained moderators
publications
OFFICE AND MAILING ADDRESS
League of Women Voters of Jefferson County
1425 Brentwood St., #7
Lakewood, Colorado 80214
303-238-0032
www.lwvjeffco.org
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
Hidden in the hogbacks of Jefferson County lie dinosaur fossils, attesting to some of the earlier occupants of this area
150 million years ago. In modern times Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe Indians called the county home. They traveled
to the area in the 1700s and shared it with Spanish and French explorers and fur traders until the mid 1800s.
The news of gold brought the first influx of settlers to the county in the 1850s. Those who came seeking gold found
instead a land rich in beauty and in business, farming, and ranching opportunities. Golden was settled by these
immigrants and became the County Seat when the region was organized as Jefferson County in 1861.
Jefferson County's 780 sq. miles include a great variety of terrain: hogbacks, valleys, mountains, and plains. The county
is chiseled by five canyons and their creeks which flow to the South Platte River to the east. Elevations vary from 5,000
feet to over 11,500 feet.
Jefferson County's Open Space program, funded by a 1/2 percent sales tax, is nationally recognized and has preserved
over 51,000 acres of open space and manages 197 miles of natural and hard surfaced trails.
Estimated population as of January l, 2007, was 548,557, of whom 193,564 live in unincorporated areas of the
County.
VOTING QUALIFICATIONS
Any United States citizen may become a voter if he/she is:
Eighteen years old at the time of the election; and
A resident of Colorado for 30 days by date of the election; and
A resident of his/her precinct for 30 days; and
Registered to vote
Special district elections and bond issue elections may have further requirements concerning property ownership or ad valorem taxes paid during a certain period.
REGISTRATION
A citizen may register any time up to and including 29 days before an election at the following locations:
County Clerk's office or Motor Vehicle office
Any Driver's License office
Any Municipal Clerk's office
By mail through use of an official Voter Registration Application.
A citizen can register to vote only for him- or herself. Federal Election Law (HAVA) requires voters who registered to voter by mail after January 1, 2003 and who are voting for the first time, to show voter identification before they cast their ballot. For information concerning this new law and the requirements, please call the Elections Department at 303-271-8111. Registered voters can avoid cancellation of their registration by voting and by maintaining correct and current address information with the County Clerk. A voter can make changes in name, address or party affiliation at any registration site or by sending a signed written request to the Jefferson County Clerk, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, 80419, or a request can be faxed to 303-271-8197.
An eligible Colorado voter who is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can register by Federal postcard application obtained from the commanding officer.For Forms go to Secretary of State Election Center website by clicking this link: 2008 Voter Registration and Mail-in Ballot Application
PARTY AFFILIATION
To vote in a Primary Election, an unaffiliated voter must declare a political party affiliation. This may be done at the polls on Primary Election day. However, a voter may not change political party affiliation on Primary Election day.
To vote in a political party caucus, a voter is required to be registered with a political party for two months prior to the caucus date, which is the second Tuesday in April in even numbered years.
VOTING PLACES AND INFORMATION
Voting is done by precinct in designated polling places. Precincts may be combined for school, city, special district, and other elections. Polling places are changed as precinct lines are redrawn to comply with election code requirements. Nonpartisan elections can be conducted by mailed ballot. Active registered electors receive a ballot and instructions by mail.
The County Clerk sends to active registered voters an Election Information card which lists the voter's precinct number and voting place for primary and general elections. A package of information about referenda and/or initiatives which increase taxes and/or debt is sent to all households with active registered voters.
PROVISIONAL BALLOTS
Provisional ballots are available for voters whose names do not appear in the pollbook but who believe they are at the correct polling place and are entitled to vote. Call the Elections Department at 303-271-8111 for more information
EARLY AND MAIL-IN VOTING
For Primary and General Elections, any registered voter can choose to vote early in person or by mailed absentee ballot. No reason for doing so is needed. The mailed ballot does not need to be notarized. Early and absentee voting for school, municipal and other elections follow the same general procedure through the office of the governing body holding the election. Contact that office for details.
EARLY VOTING: Cast a vote in person (early) at a designated location. Locations and hours are set in advance, call 303-271-8111 or visit votejeffco.com for details.
MAIL-IN BALLOT: A written request must contain the following information: name, address, date of birth, party affiliation (Primary only), signature of applicant, election requested and address where ballot should be mailed (if different from residential address). Mailed ballots must be voted and returned to the designated election official no later than 7:00 p.m. on election day. Request absentee ballots from January 1st of the year of the election and no later than the close of business on the Friday immediately preceding the election; however, if the applicant wishes to receive the absentee ballot by mail, the application shall be filed by the close of business on the seventh day before the election. Absentee ballot applications may be downloaded from the Elections website: votejeffco.com. Voters can sign up to be on a Permanent Mail-in Ballot List. To be added to the list complete the Colorado Voter Registration Form and check the box in the "Permanent Mail-in Ballot List" area. A link to this form can be found on the Election Website at votejeffco.com or call the Elections office at 303-271-8111 for information. Once your name is placed on the list a ballot will be automatically mailed to you at the address on the form.
EMERGENCY ABSENTEE VOTING
Voting procedures are available for emergency situations arising after the close of early and absentee voting. For information call 303-271-8111.
NATIONAL OFFICIALS
President ($400,000) GEORGE W. BUSH (R) 4 year term
Address: President Bush expires 1-09
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington D.C. 20500 comments@whitehouse.gov.
202-456-1414/Fax 202-456-1111
Vice President ($215,700) RICHARD B. CHENEY (R) 4 year term
Address: Vice President Cheney expires 1-09
The Old Executive Office Building
Washington D.C. 20501 vice_president@whitehouse.gov
202-456-2326/Fax 202-456-7044
Senators ($168,500, No Honoraria) 6 year term
WAYNE ALLARD (R) expires 1-09
The Honorable Wayne Allard http://allard.senate.gov/
521 Dirksen Senate Off. Bldg. Su.525 or 7340 E. Caley Ave, Suite 215
Washington, D.C. 20510 Englewood, CO 80111
202-224-5941 Fax 202-224-6471 303-220-7414 Fax: (303) 220-8126
KEN SALAZAR (D) expires 1-11
The Honorable Ken Salazar http://salazar.senate.gov/
702 Hart Senate Office Building or 2300 15th St., Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20510 Denver, CO 80202
202-224-5852 Fax: 202-228-5036 303-455-7600 Fax:303-455-8851
Toll Free: (866) 455-9866
Representatives ($168,500 - No Honoraria) 2 year term
MARK UDALL (D) 2nd Cong. Dist. expires 1-09
The Honorable Mark Udall
100 Cannon House Office Building 8601 Turnpike Dr., Suite 206
Washington, D.C. 20515 Westminster, CO 80031
202-225-2161/Fax 202-226-7840 303-457-4500
http://markudall.house.gov/
TOM TANCREDO (R) 6th Cong. Dist. expires 1-09
The Honorable Tom Tancredo
1131 Longworth House Office Bldg. 6099 S. Quebec St., Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20515 Centennial, CO 80111
202-225-7882 Fax 202-226-4623 720-283-9772
http://tancredo.house.gov/
ED PERLMUTTER (D) 7th Cong. Dist. expires 1-09
The Honorable Ed Perlmutter
415 Cannon House Office Building 12600 W. Colfax Ave., Suite B400
Washington, D.C. 20515 Lakewood, CO 80215
202-225-2645 Fax 202-225-5278 303-274-7944 Fax: (303) 274-6455
http://perlmutter.house.gov/
Governor ($90,000) All 4 year terms BILL RITTER (D) expires 1-11 136 State Capitol Building Governor.ritter@state.co.us 200 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80203 303-866-2471 Lt. Governor ($68,500) BARBARA OBRIEN expires 1-11 130 State Capitol Building Ltgovernor.obrien@state.co.us 200 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80203 303-866-2087 Treasurer ($68,500) treasurer.kennedy@state.co.us expires 1-11 CARY KENNEDY 303-866-2441 Secretary of State ($68,500) secretary@sos.state.co.us expires 1-11 MIKE COFFMAN 303-894-2200 Attorney General ($80,000) attorney.general@state.co.us expires 1-11 JOHN SUTHERS (R) 303-866-4500
LEGISLATORS FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY
State Senators ($30,000/yr. plus per diem)
Senate 4 year term
State Capitol Democratic Senators 303-866-4865
Denver, CO 80203 Republican Senators 303-866-4866
expires
Dist. 16 Dan Gibbs (D) 303-866-4865 1-09
dan.gibbs.senate@state.co.us
Dist. 19 Sue Windels (D) 303-866-4840 1-09
sue.windels.senate@state.co.us
Dist. 20 Moe Keller (D) 303-866-4856 1-11
moe.keller.senate@state.co.us
Dist. 21 Betty Boyd (D) 303-866-4857 1-09
betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us
Dist. 22 Mike Kopp (R) 303-866-8459 1-11
mike.kopp.senate@state.co.us
Dist. 26 Steven Ward (R) 303-866-4846 1-09
steve.ward.senate@state.co.us
Dist. 32 Chris Romer (D) 303-866-4852 1-11
chris.romer.senate@state.co.us
State Representatives ($30,000/yr. plus per diem)
House of Representatives 2 year term
State Capitol House Members 303-866-2904
Denver, CO 80203
expires
Dist. 1 Jeanne Labuda (D) 303-866-2966 1-09
jeanne.labuda.house@state.co.us
Dist. 22 Ken Summers (R) 303-866-2927 1-09
ken.summers.house@state.co.us
Dist. 23 Gwyn Green (D) 303-866-2951 1-09
gwyn.green .house@state.co.us
Dist. 24 Cheri Jahn (D) 303-866-5522 1-09
cheir.jahn.house@state.co.us
Dist. 25 Robert Witwer (R) 303-866-2582 1-09
rob.witwer.house@state.co.us
Dist. 26 Andrew Kerr (D) 303-866-2923 1-09
andrew.kerr.house@state.co.us
Dist. 27 Sara Gagliardi (D) 303-866-2962 1-09
sara.gagliardi.house@state.co.us
Dist. 28 Jim Kerr (R) 303-866-2939 1-09
james.kerr.house@state.co.us
Dist. 29 Debbie Benefield (D) 303-866-2950 1-09
debbie.benefield.house@state.co.us
Dist. 38 Joe Rice (R) 303-866-2953 1-09
joe.rice.house@state.co.usREGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
(Unsalaried) Elected by Congressional District
1800 Grant St. 8th Floor 6 year term
Denver, CO 80203 303-860-5668
www.cu.edu/regents expires
Dist. 1 Michael Carrigan (D) 1-11
Dist. 2 Cindy Carlisle (D) 1-09
Dist. 3 Tilman Tillie Bishop (R) 1-13
Dist. 4 Thomas Lucero (R) 1-11
Dist. 5 Kyle Hybl (R) 1-13
Dist. 6 Paul Schauer (R) 1-09
Dist. 7 Pat Hayes (R) 1-09
At Large Steven C. Ludwig (D) 1-13
At Large Steve Bosley (R) 1-11
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
(Unsalaried) Elected by Congressional District
201 E. Colfax 6 year term
Denver, CO 80203-1704 303-866-6817 expires
www.cde.state.co.us
Dist. 1 Elaine Gantz Berman (D) 1-09
Dist. 2 Evie Hudak (D) 1-13
Dist. 3 Pamela Jo Suckla (R) 1-09
Dist. 4 Bob Schaffer (R) 1-13
Dist. 5 Peggy Littleton(R) 1-11
Dist. 6 Randy DeHoff (R) 1-11
Dist. 7 Jane Goff (D) 1-09
Commissioner of Education Appointed by Board
Dwight D. Jones 303-866-6646
For more information contact: Marjorie Reinwald
Phone: 303-866-6817 FAX: 303-866-6761
Email: state.board@cde.state.co.us
COURTS
www.courts.state.co.us
Judges of the county, district and state courts are appointed by the governor from a list of 3 names submitted by the respective bi-partisan nominating commission. After a two year provisional term, and at the conclusion of each successive full term, the voters are asked the question at the General Election: ``Shall Judge (Justice) . . . be retained in office? Yes . . . No. . .'' A majority of yes votes is needed for retention.
Supreme Court Justices
Chief Justice $132,027 Justices $129,207
Colorado State Judicial Bldg.
2 East 14th Ave. 10 year term
Denver, CO 80203 303-861-1111 expires
Mary J. Mullarkey, Chief Justice 1-11
Nathan B. Coats 1-13
Allison Eid 1-09
Gregory J. Hobbs 1-09
Alex J. Martinez 1-11
Michael L. Bender 1-11
Nancy E. Rice 1-111st Judicial District
Gilpin and Jefferson Counties ($118,973)
Jefferson County Government Center 6 year termGolden, CO 80401-6002 303-271-6197 expires
R. Brooke Jackson, Chief Judge 1-13
Dennis Hall 1-11
Christopher J. Munch 1-13
Tamara S. Russell 1-09Margie Enquist 1-09
Randal Arp 1-09
Lily Oeffler 1-09
Jane A. Tidball 1-09
Brian D. Boatright 1-09
Jack W. Berryhill 1-09
Stephen M. Munsinger 1-11
M.J. Menendez 1-11
County Judges ($113,856)
Jefferson County Government Center 4 year term
Golden, CO 80401-6002 303-271-6197 expires
James C. Demlow 1-09
Thomas Vance 1-11
Judy L. Archuleta 1-09
Charles T. Hoppin 1-11
Tina L. Olsen 1-09
Roy G. Olson, Jr. 1-09
John A. DeVita, II 1-09
District Attorney ($142,553) 4 year term
SCOTT STOREY (R) expires 1-09
500 Jefferson County Parkway
Golden, CO 80401 303-271-6800
JEFFERSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Jefferson County Government Center
100 Jefferson County Pkwy. - Golden, CO 80419 303-279-6511
Website: www.jeffco.us
County Commissioners ($63,203 or $87,300) 303-271-8525 4 year term expires
Dist. 1 Jim Congrove (R) 1-09
Dist. 2 J. Kevin McCasky (R) 1-09
Dist. 3 Kathy Hartman (D) 1-11
Clerk and Recorder ($87,300) All 4 year terms expire 1-11
Pam Anderson (R) 303-271-8168
Treasurer ($87,300))
Faye Griffin (R) 303-271-8330
Assessor ($87,300)
Jim C. Everson (R) 303-271-8667
Sheriff ($87,300))
Ted B. Mink (R) 303-271-5305
Coroner ($87,300))
Katherine Loughry-Stemp (D)
800 Jefferson County Pkwy.
Golden, CO 80401 303-271-6480
Surveyor (Fee Officer)
Diana Askew (D)
Public Trustee ($48,500 maximum) Appointed by Governor
Margaret T. Chapman 303-271-8580
County Administrator ($135,000) Appointed by Commissioners
Jim Moore 303-271-8500
County Attorney ($135,000) Appointed by Commissioners
Ellen Wakeman (acting) 303-271-8900
District Attorney (see Courts)
Department of Health and Environment
260 S. Kipling, Lakewood, CO 80226 303-232-6301
Director - Dr. Mark Johnson 303-271-5700
Jefferson County Public Library www.Jefferson.lib.co.us
Admin. Office - 10200 W. 20th, Lakewood 80215 303-232-7114
County Librarian - William Knott
Libraries
Arvada - 7525 W. 57th Ave. 303-403-5380
Belmar - 555 S. Allison Pkwy. 720-963-0900
Columbine - 7706 W. Bowles Ave. 303-932-2690
Conifer- 10441 Hwy. 73 303-982-5310
Edgewater - 5843 W. 25th Ave. 303-463-3142
Evergreen - 5000 Hwy. 73 303-674-0780
Golden - 1019 Tenth St. 303-279-4585
Lakewood - 10200 W. 20th Ave. 303-232-9507
Standley Lake - 8485 Kipling Street 303-456-0806
Wheat Ridge - 5475 W. 32nd Ave. 303-463-3145
Bookmobile Office 303-275-6173
TTY for hearing impaired 720-963-6647Human Services
Director - Lynn Johnson 303-271-1388
900 Jefferson County Pkwy., Golden, CO 80401
Open Space
Director Ralph Schell 303-271-5925
700 Jefferson County Pkwy. #100, Golden 80401
Motor Vehicles
Driver's Licenses
LAKEWOOD (MAIN OFFICE)
1881 Pierce St.Entrance 303-205-5609
No written tests or drive tests (Renewal only & and ID cards)
DENVER/ATHMAR
1865 W. Mississippi #C, 80223 (303) 937-9507
Full service officeBroomfield 5139 W. 120 Ave. 720-887-8396
Littleton 311 E. County Line Rd. 303-795-5954
License Plates
Arvada - 6510 Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 320 303-271-8100
Evergreen - 4990 S. Highway 73 303-271-8100
Golden - 100 Jefferson County Pkwy., Suite 2540 303-271-8100
Lakewood - 2099 N. Wadsworth Blvd., Unit H 303-271-8100
South Jeffco - 6004 S. Kipling Pkwy., #A 303-271-8100
JEFFERSON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
7490 W. 45th Ave., Wheat Ridge 80033
Director - Alan Feinstein 303-422-8600
JEFFERSON CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
4851 Independence St. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Chief Executive Officer - Dr. Harriet Hall 303-425-0300
A private, not-for-profit community mental health center, serving children and families, adolescents, adults, seniors, and individuals with serious mental illness at 14 locations in Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties.
24 Hour Emergency Service 303-425-0300
JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
1829 Denver West Dr., Golden, CO 80401
http://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/
The Jefferson County R-1 School District serves all of Jefferson County. The School Board consists of five members serving four-year staggered terms. Candidates run on a non-partisan basis from director districts in which they live, but are elected by the county-wide electorate. Official business expenses are reimbursed.
Board of Education (unsalaried) 303-982-6800 expires
Scott Benefield 11-09
Jane Barnes 11-11
Sue Marinelli 11-09
Dave Thomas 11-11
Vince A. Chowdhury 11-09
Superintendent of Schools ($170,000) 303-982-6800
Dr. Cynthia Stevenson
MUNICIPALITIES
There are twelve incorporated areas in Jefferson County: eight home-rule cities and four town governments. A home-rule city has adopted a charter written by a local citizens commission. All town governments must have a board of trustees, consisting of a mayor and six trustees.
ARVADA www.arvada.org population 107,050
City Hall, 8101 Ralston Rd., 80001-8101 (P.O. Box 8101) 720-898-7000Home rule city with Council-Manager form of government. Located in Jefferson and Adams Counties. Meets 1st and 3rd Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Study sessions 2nd & 4th Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Salaries: Mayor $1500/mo., Mayor Pro Tem $1250/mo., Council $1150/mo.
Mayor and Council Term expires
Bob Frie, Mayor At Large 11-11
Lorraine Anderson, Mayor pro tem District 3 11-09
Don Allard District 1 11-09
Mark McGoff District 2 11-11
Bob Dyer District 4 11-11
Marc Williams At Large 11-11
Aaron Azari At Large 11-09
City Manager - Craig Kocian ($184,000) 720-898-7500
City Clerk - Christine Koch 720-898-7550
Chief of Police - Don Wick 720-898-6652
BOW MAR www.bomar.gov population 729
5395 Lakeshore Dr., Bow Mar 80123 303-794-6065
Town government. Located in Jefferson and Arapahoe Counties. Board of Trustees (unsalaried) elected at large. All are two year terms. All terms expire 4-08.
Board of Trustees
Rick Pilgrim Mayor
Douglas Means Building
Jim St.Marie Public Works
Chris Markley Parks & Recreation
John Penaligon Budget
Phil Riedeset Public Safety
Garrett Baum Special Affairs
Town Clerk - Patricia Hoffman 303-794-6065/Fax 303-797-3174
EDGEWATER www.edgewaterco.com population 5,067
2401 Sheridan Blvd., 80214 303-238-7803
Home rule city with Mayor-Council form of government. Council elected at large. Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. Salaries: Mayor $500/mo., Council $300/mo.
Mayor and Council Term expires
Bonnie McNulty, Mayor 11-09
David Cooke, Council President 11-09
Andrew Bertapelle 11-11 William F. Bossert 11-09
Kent Johnson 11-11 Adam Gardner 11-09
Jamie McElheny 11-11 Joan E. Martin 11-11
City Clerk Elizabeth Hedberg 303-238-7803 ext. 11
Chief of Police Dan Keough 303-235-0500
GOLDEN http://ci.golden.co.us/ population 20,030
911 10th St., 80401-1097 303-384-8000
Home rule city with Council-Manager form of government. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Salaries: Mayor $1500/mo., Mayor pro-tem $1100/mo., Council $1000/mo.
Mayor and Council Term expires
Jacob Smith, Mayor At Large 1-12
Mary A. Weaver Ward 1 1-10
Joseph Behm Ward 2 1-10
Diane Chesbro Ward 3 1-10
Vacant Ward 4 1-10
Marjorie Sloan District 1 1-12
Karen Oxman At Large 1-12
City Manager - Michael Bestor ($153,700) 303-384-8010
City Clerk - Susan Brooks 303-384-8014
Chief of Police William Kilpatrick 303-384-8030
LAKESIDE population 20
PO Box 12672, 80212 303-458-1062
Town government. Board of Trustees elected at large. Salaries: Mayor $95.00/mo., Trustees $40.00/mo. All terms expire 4-08.
Board of Trustees
Robert Gordanier,Jr., Mayor
George Thomas, Mayor pro-tem Tony Vasquez
Gretchan Gordanier Lorene Thomas
Robert Bernhardt Henry Shueller
Town Clerk - Shirleee Gaccetta 303-458-1062
Chief of Police - Robert Gordanier, Jr. 303-455-1980LAKEWOOD www.lakewood.org population 147,023
480 S. Allison Pkwy., 80226-3127 303-987-7000
Home rule city with Council-Manager form of government. Meets 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Salaries: Mayor $30,402/year, Council $9,160/year.
Mayor and Council Term expires
Bob Murphy, Mayor 11-11
Ed Peterson, Mayor pro-tem Ward 3 11-11
Karen Kellen Ward 1 11-11
Vicki Stack Ward 1 11-09
Debbie Koop Ward 2 11-11
Cindy Baroway Ward 2 11-11
Sue King Ward 3 11-09
Doug Anderson Ward 4 11-09
Adam Paul Ward 4 11-11
Tom Quinn Ward 5 11-11
Diana Allen Ward 5 11-09
City Manager - Michael J. Rock ($223,785) 303-987-7050
City Clerk Margy Greer 303-987-7080
Chief of Police Kevin Palette 303-987-7100Littleton www.littletongov.org population 41,779
2255 West Berry Ave., 80165 303-795-3700
Home-rule city with Council-Manager form of government. City Council meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
Mayor and Council Term Expires
Doug Clark, Mayor &nbs