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Petition for 700 vote succeeds

City manager confirms enough verified signatures to return annexation to City Council

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

City Manager Jon Roberts confirmed today that there are enough verified petition signatures to return the Steamboat 700 annexation to Steamboat Springs City Council and potentially put the proposal to a public vote.

City, ACLU reflect on campaign spending limit provision

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

The Craig City Council was an even split on a ballot question in Tuesday’s election that asked voters whether they wanted to delete a city charter provision on campaign spending.

More mail-only elections likely for primaries, odd years

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Routt County's first election conducted exclusively with mail ballots isn't likely to be its last. That means an all-mail-ballot format may continue to be used in August primary and November odd-year elections in Routt County.

Hermacinski eyes council presidency

Economic development, growth issues on council's priority list

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Cari Hermacinski is making no secret of her aspirations to be the next president of the Steamboat Springs City Council. Hermacinski won re-election Tuesday against former City Council President Kevin Bennett. Kenny Reisman and Jim Engelken, who also is a former councilman, won their races and will be the only new members to join the body when it meets Tuesday for the first time since the election and begins to chart a course for the next two years.

Voter turnout at 36 percent

South Routt voters had no elections, weren't included in count

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

A surge of voters Monday and Tuesday pushed participation in the 2009 Routt County election to more than 36 percent, but it was still below that of recent odd-year elections.

Vance Fulton keeps Hayden District B seat

Incumbent tops challenger Laurie Hallenbeck for School Board

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Hayden School Board member Vance Fulton will retain his seat and get his first full term as a board member. Fulton received 341 votes to opponent Laurie Hallenbeck's 206 in the District B School Board race.

Frentress wins Hayden District A seat

4th-generation Hayden resident beats Zehner for School Board

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

A former member of the Hayden Town Board, now Hayden Town Council, will represent District A on the Hayden School Board. Tim Frentress received 356 votes to the 192 received by opponent Darren Zehner, a 65 percent to 35 percent victory.

Connelly wins uncontested 4-year School Board seat

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Denise Connelly won an uncontested race for her District 3 School Board seat Tuesday and will serve a second term. She received 2,749 votes.

Brian Kelly wins School Board seat

Longtime local defeats former educator Bill Kennedy for District 1

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Brian Kelly won another chance to give back to the education community. He received 2,174 votes to challenger Bill Kennedy's 1,546, taking the Steamboat Springs School Board District 1 seat.

Magill re-elected in unopposed race

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Walter Magill, a 39-year-old engineer and surveyor, will return to the Steamboat Springs City Council. Magill was first elected to the council in 2007 to finish a vacated term. Magill did not face an opponent in the District 3 race and will serve for four years. He received 2,293 votes.

Reisman defeats Solomon for District 2 seat

Small-business owner, soccer coach wins City Council seat

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Kenny Reisman beat Ken Solomon for a District 2 seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council in Tuesday's election. He won with 56.3 percent of the vote, 1,776 to 1,379.

Engelken takes at-large City Council seat

Former councilman defeats Pietras for 2-year position

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Former Steamboat Springs City Councilman Jim Engelken won a return to city leadership Tuesday, defeating political newcomer Kyle Pietras for the council's two-year, at-large seat.

Hermacinski re-elected to City Council

Council president pro tem easily defeats Bennett

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

In what turned out to be the most lopsided race of the 2009 election, Cari Hermacinski defeated Kevin Bennett for a District 1 seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council. She won with 63.6 percent of the vote, 2,066 to 1,184.

City's approval of Referendum 2C reduces signatures needed on petitions

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

With the approval of Referendum 2C on Tuesday, city voters made it easier for residents to formally challenge decisions made by the Steamboat Springs City Council. The referendum passed with 64 percent of the vote, 1,947 to 1,114.

Hayden OKs car rental, lodging tax hikes

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Hayden voters passed a referendum Tuesday that will increase sales tax for car rentals at Yampa Valley Regional Airport. Based on 2008 rental car figures, Referendum 2B would generate $143,500 next year for the town of Hayden.

Hermacinski, Reisman, Engelken win City Council seats

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Cari Hermacinski has retained her seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council. Joining her will be newcomer Kenny Reisman and former council member Jim Engelken. All three won their contested races Tuesday night. Brian Kelly won the contested Steamboat Springs School Board race.

Low turnout projected for today's elections

Many counties across Colorado are projecting turnout of less than 50 percent

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

The Denver Post reports that last-minute ballots streamed into county clerks' offices around the state Tuesday, but many counties still expected overall turnout to be well below 50 percent.

Last-day voters weigh in

Elections officials have now collected more than 620 ballots today

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

More than 850 people have dropped of ballots or voted as of 6 p.m. today, Routt County election officials said. Anyone who still needs to vote must deliver a ballot to the Routt County Courthouse in downtown Steamboat Springs by 7 p.m.

Election day arrives in Steamboat

Voter turnout surges in recent days; ballots accepted until 7 p.m. today

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Voter turnout through Monday surged by about 1,000 votes since late last week. More than 4,000 Routt County residents now have voted in the 2009 election.

2nd finance deadline arrives

Hermacinski's fundraising prowess continues in October

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Coucilwoman Cari Hermacinski continued to raise money at a breakneck pace last month and reported about $8,500 in fundraising in her bid for re-election in the second of three campaign finance filings this election cycle.

Elections Office, clerk's office only drop-off locations for votes

Ballots due in the Routt County Courthouse, in downtown Steamboat, by 7 p.m. Tuesday

Monday, Nov. 2, 2009

Today and Tuesday, voters must return their ballots at the Routt County Courthouse, on Lincoln Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets in downtown Steamboat. Ballots can be returned in the Elections Office on the third floor and the Routt County Clerk & Recorder's Office on the second floor. Voters can drop off ballots until 5:30 p.m. today and until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Elections Office opens at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Youth vote largely absent in Routt County

Fewer than 600 people younger than 45 have voted

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Residents younger than 45 account for just one-fifth of the ballots cast in Routt County's 2009 election, even though about half of the county's registered voters are in that age group. The discrepancy has caused some to worry that the county's first election conducted exclusively with mail-in ballots may not be conducive to young voters.

Steamboat Briefs: More voters return completed ballots

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Routt County election officials received and certified 213 completed ballots Wednesday, bringing the total number of Routt County residents who have voted in this year's election to 2,322.

City Council candidates discuss local economy

Government hopefuls offer a variety of ideas to help stimulate area businesses

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

As local businesses struggle through shoulder season and downtown construction, Steamboat Springs City Council candidates are offering an array of ideas to boost the city's economy. Candidates mentioned more marketing dollars, improving local quality of life through affordable housing and open space programs, reviving the demolished Ski Time Square and talking with local business owners about their needs.

More voters return ballots

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Routt County election officials received 213 ballots Wednesday, bringing the total number of Routt County residents who have voted to 2,322.

Longtime residents among those Routt County voters missing ballots

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Undeliverable Routt County ballots don't just belong to transient and inactive voters. Some of the area's active, longtime residents - including one candidate for the Steamboat Springs City Council - also have experienced trouble getting their hands on a ballot with their name on it.

Candidates concerned mail-only ballots are affecting turnout

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Steamboat Springs City Council candidates said Monday that they are frequently hearing questions about Routt County's first mail-only election, and some expressed concern that the new ballot process could affect voter turnout.

Clerk: Only 5 percent of voters have completed, returned ballots

Less than 700 completed ballots received; 1,022 undeliverable

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Kay Weinland urges voters to complete their ballots and send them in to avoid a last-minute rush. A little more than 1,000 ballots were returned to elections officials as "undeliverable" by the U.S. Postal Service.

Hayden election has multiple contested races for 1st time in years

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

There's an interesting wrinkle to this year's Hayden School Board race: Four candidates are vying for two seats. The candidates, all longtime Hayden residents, can't remember when there was this much interest in the School Board.

Contributions from outside Routt enter council races

Bennett, Solomon receive highest percentage of local dollars

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Finance reports show $4,655 in contributions from outside of Routt County to candidates for City Council - about a fifth of the total.

County clerk: Mail-in vote going smoothly

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Kay Weinland said the all-mail election is going much smoother than previous elections, with only a few questions from voters who have not received their ballots.

Committee collecting signatures to put Steamboat 700 to vote

First step taken toward city vote on Steamboat 700 annexation

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

It looks as if the Steamboat Springs City Council - regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 3 election - will put Steamboat 700 to a citywide vote rather than repeal the annexation if petitioners gather enough signatures to trigger the city's referendum process.

County says mail ballots secure

1st all-mail election puts spotlight on verification processes

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

Local election officials say they are taking a variety of steps to secure mail-in ballots in Routt County's first all-mail election, but they also stress that voter responsibility can play a role in ensuring a fair, secure election this fall.

Brian Kelly has worked closely with the school district for years

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Brian Kelly, 55, is opposing education veteran Bill Kennedy for the District 1 Steamboat Springs School Board seat. They're vying for the seat being vacated by John DeVincentis, who is not running for re-election.

In 39-year career, Kennedy has taught, coached and been an administrator

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

After a 39-year career as an educator in New York, Bill Kennedy is opposing longtime local Brian Kelly for the District 1 Steamboat Springs School Board seat.

Mail-in vote blurs the lines

Postal Service spokesman: Campaigning at post office illegal

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Routt County's first mail-only election is forcing elections and Postal Service officials to take a closer look at election law and oversight. On Thursday, county election officials fielded several calls from residents concerned about whether candidates are permitted to campaign on U.S. Postal Service property.

Polarizing Bennett seeks return to council

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

Kevin Bennett's previous City Council service ended eight years ago, but the impacts of his tenure still resonate today - in capital projects, open space expansions and lasting partnerships - as well as in lingering anger and questions about his value to the community in another term at Centennial Hall.

Hermacinski says record speaks for itself

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

Voters would be hard-pressed to say Councilwoman Cari Hermacinski hasn't kept her 2007 campaign promises. Hermacinski won the council seat after running a campaign focused on open and transparent government, fiscal responsibility, and repairing the city's relationship with Routt County and the Yampa Valley Housing Authority.

Referendum procedure set for Steamboat 700

No petitioners registered day after council OKs annexation

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

On the first day after the Steamboat Springs City Council approved the annexation of the Steamboat 700 development, no petitioners had registered to create a referendum to bring the issue to a citywide vote.

Hermacinski raises most cash

Incumbent leads City Council fundraising by more than $9,000

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Steamboat Springs City Council member Cari Hermacinski reported $15,089 in fundraising since July in her bid for re-election, outpacing her opponent and second-highest fundraiser Kevin Bennett by more than $9,000.

Commissioners promise to hold gravel pit to strict conditions

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

On Tuesday night, County Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak told developer Ed MacArthur of Steamboat Sand and Gravel that he would be asked to live up to most of the same stringent requirements placed on an applicant four years ago before winning a permit to mine gravel along the Yampa River south of Steamboat Springs.

Our View: New taxes make sense for Hayden

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

As planning and growth issues continue to affect the entire county, particularly areas west of Steamboat Springs city limits, it's important that the town of Hayden has a strong, well-funded government. As such, we think Referendums 2A and 2B are reasonable tax measures that will help Hayden boost its slim coffers by tapping into its most valuable economic resource - Yampa Valley Regional Airport.

City Clerk's office to process candidate fundraising totals today

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Steamboat Springs City Clerk Julie Franklin said campaign finance reports for local candidates will be available today.

School Board candidates speak at forum

Hopefuls give answers about class size, BOCES, district's future

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

Despite decreasing funding and tighter budgets, candidates for the Steamboat Springs School Board said opportunities abound for the school district.

Hayden voters to decide whether to boost rental car, lodging taxes

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

When mail-in ballots are sent to Hayden voters beginning today, they'll have to decide whether to adopt two tax measures that would boost town coffers as soon as 2010.

Bennett defends voting stance

Ads tout record of public votes; not all issues made it that far

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

City Council candidate Kevin Bennett, whose campaign ads cite the need for a public vote on Steamboat 700, said Monday that his council didn't seek a public vote on the adoption of the West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan in 1999 partly because the community wouldn't understand the plan's complexities.

Clerk's office mails ballots

Voters should check mailboxes as soon as Wednesday

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

The Routt County Clerk and Recorder's Office is putting more than 13,000 ballots in the mail today, the same day the Steamboat Springs City Council is scheduled to take a vote on the most politically charged issue in recent memory.

Engelken supports more open space, less growth

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

Jim Engelken, 51, is running for the two-year, at-large City Council seat, against landscaper Kyle Pietras. Engelken moved to Steamboat Springs in 1979 as a Safeway employee. He has worked at the grocery store since then and served on the City Council from 1995 to 2001.

Pietras thinks time working for city prepared him to lead it

Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009

Spend some time with Kyle Pietras, and one thought comes to mind: This guy is so Steamboat. Pietras' concern about whether Steamboat will remain the type of place where people can create similar stories is one of his chief motivations in running for City Council.

Reisman says time spent with community trumps experience

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009

One word consistently pops up in conversations with or about Kenny Reisman: passion. Reisman will face longtime local Ken Solomon for the District 2 Steamboat Springs City Council seat in this year's election.