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Candidate forum season heats up across Routt County

Zach Fridell
State Rep. Scott Tipton serves lunch at the community center Friday as part of the Routt County Republican Central Committee's pig roast.The Rout County Republicans purchased the pig for the roast at the junior livestock auction at this year’s Routt County Fair.
John F. Russell

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For full 2010 election information, including sample ballots, a mail-ballot application, polling locations and more, visit the Routt County website at http://www.co.routt.co.us. It’s too late if you haven’t registered to vote, but all voters can update their information on the website.

More

For full 2010 election information, including sample ballots, a mail-ballot application, polling locations and more, visit the Routt County website at http://www.co.routt.co.us. It’s too late if you haven’t registered to vote, but all voters can update their information on the website.

Steamboat Springs — The candidates are shaking hands and filling their calendars with scheduled appearances as several major groups across Routt County host election forums. — The candidates are shaking hands and filling their calendars with scheduled appearances as several major groups across Routt County host election forums.

— The candidates are shaking hands and filling their calendars with scheduled appearances as several major groups across Routt County host election forums.

A chance to grab hands and pat backs, each of the forums offers if not something different, at least a chance for a different audience leading up to the Nov. 2 election.



Routt County resident and forum organizer Chuck Mc­­Connell said each forum has brought in a new crowd.

“There are new people, different people, in attendance at each of these forums,” he said. “For example, there have been excellent forums in Oak Creek and Hayden, and there were nearly completely different audiences in both of those.”



Those forums were well-attended, he said, and the candidates have several more high-profile forums to go.

At 1 p.m. Tuesday and again Oct. 19, the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs will hold a forum at The Steamboat Grand for Rotarians and their guests.

The Routt County League of Women Voters will host two events Wednesday. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Rex’s American Grill & Bar, the League, along with the Com­munity Agriculture Alliance, the Northwest Colorado Farmers Union and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Assoc­iation, will host a researcher from The Bell Policy Center, a Denver nonprofit organization dedicated to self-sufficiency.

The topic will be Amend­ments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 and how they would affect local economies.

Representatives from local entities that would be affected if the measures pass also will speak.

The League then will host a policy forum at 7 p.m. Wed­nesday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Organizer Jo Stanko said the event would follow the traditional format of questions submitted by audience members, collated by a committee and asked by a moderator.

The Steamboat Pilot & Today, Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors, and Routt County Demo­­cratic and Republican parties will host another forum starting with a mixer at 5 p.m. Thurs­­day at the Steam­­boat Springs Community Center.

Routt County Democratic Party Chairwoman Catherine Carson said she hopes the future forums will keep the candidates to the issues instead of personal or sensational remarks. She said jobs and the economy are major topics that haven’t been discussed in depth.

“I think how the state is going to handle the budget is another good question that hasn’t been discussed yet,” she said.

The two candidates for Routt County sheriff have provided some highlights with personal spars at the earlier forums, but Stanko said she intends to keep everyone — including sheriff candidates Gary Wall and Garrett Wiggins — on track for the forum she’s running.

“Last time those two ran, they did a very nice job of sticking to our guidelines, and we’re just hoping they will do that — otherwise, we’ll just ask them to leave,” Stanko said. “That doesn’t sound very nice, but we’re just a bunch of little old ladies, and we’re going to stick to those kinds of things.”


Election events across Routt County

■ Today

Democratic Colorado attorney general candidate Stan Garnett visits for a public meet and greet at noon at the Abbott residence, 140 Park Ave.

■ Starting Tuesday

Ballots mailed to all registered voters who requested a mail-in ballot. Mail ballots can be requested at the Routt County Clerk and Recorder’s office in the 500 block of Lincoln Avenue or online through the county’s site until Oct. 26.

■ Tuesday

Candidate forum hosted by the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs, at 1 p.m. at The Steamboat Grand, featuring county coroner candidates or their representatives. Other candidates to be announced. Rotarians and their guests are welcome.

Meet and greet with Republican Routt County sheriff candidate Garrett Wiggins from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library.

Meet and greet with state Rep. Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, about his recent trip to Arizona from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Library Hall at Bud Werner Memorial Library.

■ Wednesday

Forum about the impacts of proposed Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Rex’s American Grill & Bar. A researcher from The Bell Policy Center will participate with local entities that would be affected. Sponsoring groups include the Community Agricultural Alliance, the Northwest Colorado Farmer’s Union, the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association and the Routt County League of Women Voters.

League of Women Voters candidate forum, 7 p.m. at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Call Jo Stanko at 970-879-3936.

■ Thursday

Candidate forum hosted by the Steam­boat Pilot & Today, Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors and Routt County Democratic and Republican parties, at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. A social hour is from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the forum.

Meeting about ballot issue 3A at 7 p.m. at the Stagecoach fire station hosted by the Improve Soroco Schools committee.

■ Oct. 18

Early voting begins. Voters who didn’t request a mail-in ballot can cast a ballot at the Routt County Courthouse.

■ Oct. 19

Candidate forum hosted by the Rotary Club of Steamboat Springs, at 1 p.m. at The Steamboat Grand, featuring county sheriff candidates or their representatives. Other candidates to be announced. Rotarians and their guests are welcome.

■ Oct. 26

Last day to request a mail-in ballot.

■ Oct. 29

Early voting ends.

■ Nov. 2

Election Day. Polling locations will be open across the county, according to precinct.


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