1+ week, 4+ hour ago (883+ words) Fortunate. That's a word some of Kevin Grantham's former legislative allies have used to describe him recently. Grantham, a Fremont County commissioner and formerly the president of the Colorado Senate, is seeking the Republican Party's nomination for state treasurer. He doesn't have a primary opponent. "I believe treasurer is that sort of race," Grantham said. "I have joked that, yes, I'm the only Republican running for state treasurer, and the only Republican not running for governor." There are 21 candidates for the Republican nomination for governor, according to filings at the secretary of state's office. Four other Republicans who filed have withdrawn. Being presently unopposed does not mean Grantham is a shoe-in for the job, although he did once have the nickname "The Boss." He would need to secure the Republican Party's nomination and then face a general election race against…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (833+ words) Promoting justice and integrity. This is the slogan and inner mantra of 2026 Fremont County Sheriff candidate Stephen Jones, a 41-year veteran of law enforcement and a former sergeant with the Fremont County Sheriff Department. "I became a cop " to help people out on the street and to make a difference on the street," he said. Originally from Honolulu, Jones moved to California in 1966 with his family, where he subsequently grew up and graduated from high school. He served as an acting sergeant many times throughout his time at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office and, in 2006, retired from the job. "I thought I was done with law enforcement," he said with a laugh. "I used to tell myself, "When I get out of here, I'm going to get a real job.'" Alongside his beloved wife, Linda, Jones moved to Colorado,…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (528+ words) Voter turnout for Tuesday's coordinated election was 43.96 percent, which is lower than the turnout in the last two odd-year elections. Turnout was about 50% in 2023 and about 55% in 2021. Fremont County Clerk and Recorder Justin Grantham said several factors could play into the declines. "With the three major school districts cancelling " Re-1, Re-2, and Re-3, that is definitely part of that," he said. "That leaves less to vote on." Additionally, the swimming pool operations funding question, which would go to the Ca'on City Area Recreation and Parks District to operate the pool, was presented by the City of Ca'on City; therefore, only registered voters within city limits were eligible to weigh in. Limiting the votes to just Ca'on City also decreased the number of eligible electors by about 10,000 had it been open to everyone within the Rec District boundaries. "It's discouraging when…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (121+ words) CITY OF CA'ON CITY ISSUE 2B: EXCISE TAX FOR THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF THE COMMUNITY RECREATION POOL CITY OF CA'ON CITY ISSUE 2A: SALES AND USE TAX CONTINUATION FOR STREET RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS City of Ca'on City " Mayor Phil Lund " 3,868 Jeremy Reeves " 2,572 Alyssa Klugh " 1,927 City of Ca'on City " City Council " District 3 Shantel Corl " 496 Pam Simmons " 680 Rick Ratzlaff " 2,067 Freddie Toney " 2,202 CITY OF FLORENCE ISSUE 2C: SALES AND USE TAX OF THE CITY OF FLORENCE TO REMAIN AT 0.5% City of Florence " Mayor Steve Wolfe " 751 Andie "Love" Herrera " 242 City of Florence " City Council " Ward 1 Rudl Mergelman " 233 Brenda Gardner " 282 Deer Mountain Fire Protection District Issue 6A...

1+ mon, 14+ hour ago (279+ words) Derek Irvine, a dedicated veteran of Fremont County law enforcement with a distinguished 29-year career, announced his candidacy for Fremont County Sheriff. Irvine is seeking to succeed Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper, who in September announced he would not seek a third term in office. Irvine, 50, running as a Republican, has a strong commitment to public safety, community engagement, and the protection of constitutional rights. He brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision for the future of law enforcement in the county. "Throughout my career, I've remained devoted to serving the citizens of Fremont County," Irvine said. "Now, I'm excited to take this commitment to the next level by running for Fremont County Sheriff. I aim to continue to build a professional, effective, and accountable law enforcement organization that ensures the safety and well-being of all residents and…...

1+ mon, 1+ day ago (273+ words) If the federal government shutdown continues much longer, thousands of Fremont County residents are at risk of not receiving their food-purchasing assistance. Fremont County Commissioner Dwayne McFall addressed the potential of individuals not receiving their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits if the program ceases at the end of October. During Tuesday's Board of County Commissioners meeting, McFall said there are 7,482 SNAP recipients in Fremont County, which is about 15.3% of the county population. Attorney General Phil Weiser on Tuesday joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending during the government shutdown SNAP, a federal program that helps more than 40 million Americans buy food. "We are asking the court to resume essential food assistance for the more than 600,000 Coloradans who use SNAP…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (237+ words) Rick Gutierrez was formally introduced as the new director of the Fremont County Public Health & Environment Department during Tuesday's Board of Fremont County Commissioners meeting. Gutierrez, whose first day at his new post was Sept. 29, replaces Paula Buser, who is retiring. "I'm honored to have the opportunity to serve as your public health director," he said during the meeting. Gutierrez has a master's degree in mental health counseling and has worked providing outreach services and connecting homeless individuals to mental health services in Washington state, where he also oversaw housing services. For the past six years, he has served as the Director of Operations at Hildebrand Care Center, where he has overseen critical areas, including facility management, safety, and emergency management. "He brings a wealth of mental health experience and strong community ties to Fremont County that will greatly benefit…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (231+ words) Robert Krause, 34, possession of a weapon by a previous offender, false reporting, possession of an explosive device, obstruction, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest. Daecen Garcia, 30, DUI, DUI " vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, failure to yield to the right of way. Kenneth Garrett, 47, fugitive of justice " theft (Oklahoma). Mark Summerford, Jr., 43, DWAI. Brandon Woolsey, 30, failure to appear X4. Stephen Brancato, 18, vehicular eluding, resisting arrest, obstruction, reckless driving, no driver's license, failure to obey traffic control device. Daniel Castel, 37, fugitive of justice " possession of a controlled substance (El Paso County). Kevin Hougland, 25, driving under revocation, speeding. Gregory Stuart, 32, DUID, speeding 20-24 over, weaving. Ashley Wriske, 23, Florence, burglary, motor vehicle theft. Kelli Hartley, 43, menacing, assault, criminal mischief, harassment, child abuse, crimes against an at-risk adult. Brake Larsen, 18, Penrose, assault. Raelynn Reno, 33, Westcliffe, trespass. Elijah Rosario, 25, failure to appear " intimidation of a victim. Chase…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (435+ words) Ballots for the 2025 Coordinated Election are scheduled to be mailed out beginning Monday, with Election Day set for Nov. 4. Fremont County Clerk and Recorder Justin Grantham said this year's election will focus primarily on local races, though voters will also weigh in on two statewide ballot measures. Residents of'Ca'on City'and'Florence'will participate in their bi-annual city council elections. Voters living within city limits will have the opportunity to elect mayors and city council members, depending on their district. Notably, Ca'on City's District 3 race will feature no named candidates on the ballot, but certified write-in candidates are eligible. Because write-in votes require manual review, final results may take longer to report. Information about these candidates is not provided by the city or county; it is the responsibility of each candidate to campaign and inform voters, Grantham said. Voters eligible for these elections…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago (205+ words) Joshua Noller, 44, felony menacing, disorderly conduct X2, prohibited use of a firearm, reckless endangerment. Nicholas Cavarra, 32, failure to appear X4. Joshua Mondragon, 30, driving under revocation " habitual, reckless driving. Matthew Sweeney, 35, Cotopaxi, DUI, careless driving, no insurance. Diego Compos, 19, DUI, careless driving, no insurance, no headlamps. David Fien Jr., 33, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, criminal mischief, failure to appear. Jillian Knight, 40, Florence, failure to appear " theft. Teresa Riodan, 36, Cotopaxi, assault " strangulation. Ashley Wriske, 23, Florence, criminal mischief, violation of a protection order. Lindsey Stringer, 26, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeremy Woolridge, 44, failure to comply " assault. Miguel Cruz, 35, stalking, trespass. Michael Holmes, 41, failure to appear " theft, fugitive of justice " assault (Chaffee County). Christopher Neisius, 37, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, no license plate light. Dewey Remp, 44, child abuse, violation of a protection order, assault, failure to appear " harassment. Audrey…...