Spring 2025 Election Overview
The Estes Valley Voice Special Districts Election Guide has been prepared to help both voters and people interested in being candidates for office know about the upcoming elections.
Residents in the Estes Valley are often surprised when they learn how many governing bodies affect the rules and regulations under which they live and how their property tax bills are determined each year.
In addition to elections for commonly known government entities – Larimer County, the Town of Estes Park, and the Park School District – residents often are mystified by the need to vote for candidates in at least five political districts that can also collect property taxes, set fees, collect fines, and have elected boards of directors.
While several special districts serve the Estes Valley, there are three special districts that will hold elections on Tuesday, May 6, to fill open seats on their boards of directors:
- Estes Park Sanitation District (3 seats) (this election has been canceled)
- Estes Valley Fire Protection District (5 seats)
- Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District (2 seats)
- Park Hospital District /doing business as Estes Park Health (2 seats)
- Upper Thompson Sanitation District (4 seats) (this election has been canceled)
This guide answers questions about which special districts are holding elections, what these special districts do, how they are funded, and what the important dates and deadlines are.
While each special district has vastly different interests – from recreational opportunities to wastewater collection systems to health delivery structure – the boards of each organization all have several attributes in common:
- establish policy
- develop strategic direction
- provide financial oversight
- guide program management
- engage in community outreach
- ensure legal compliance
Become a candidate
If you are a registered voter in one of the districts, consider standing for office and serving on one of the boards.
It has been said that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. It is easy to stand on the sidelines and complain about elected officials and find fault with the positions they take and the policies that have been enacted. Democracy takes place at the local level, with local people stepping up to serve.
Few, if any, public service roles have any glamour attached to them. Elected and appointed members of public boards sit through many long and often tedious meetings. They deal with the details and minutia of governance. And they often get the brunt of a handful of vocal armchair critics. But the work they do is important.
Perhaps neighbors, friends, or family members have suggested that you should run for an opening on a public board. Maybe you have some experience or an interest in the work of one of the boards. You might be the right person to fill a seat.
Each district has an expert on hand who can answer your questions about the board you are interested in serving on and how to become a candidate. Feel free to ask them questions, and then if it’s right, throw your hat into the ring.
Dates, deadlines, and other election details
There may be about three months until votes are counted – Tuesday, May 6 – but if you are interested in serving on one of five different special district boards of directors, you need to file self-nomination paperwork by Friday, Feb. 28, if you want your name printed on the ballot. To have write-in votes counted, you need to file the necessary paperwork by Monday, March 3.
As dictated by state law, each special district sets some of its own regulations about how ballots are distributed and how, when, and where completed ballots are deposited. By state directive, the May 6 election cannot be a coordinated election (meaning that the separate special district elections can be done on one ballot) because the boundaries for each district are slightly different. Thus, each special district must conduct its own election.
If two positions are open for election and only two candidates have applied to appear on the ballot by March 3 (for instance, one self-nominated individual and one declared write-in candidate count), the election will be canceled, and those two candidates will be considered winners in the election.
If there is only one self-nominated candidate for the ballot, that individual will be declared a winner. An individual will be appointed to fill the second open position, and the election will be canceled.
Detailed timelines for special district elections have been provided by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
Changes and updates
While the special district elections are on the calendar and set to take place on May 6, things can change. By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled in a special district election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners.
The Estes Valley Voice will update this guide as candidates for each seat are declared and with news about the elections, including cancelations, as it unfolds. And we will alert readers that a change has occurred.
How and where to vote
In four of the five special district elections, voters will need to go to the four individual polling places of the four special districts on election day – May 6 – to receive a ballot and cast their votes unless they make prior arrangements for absentee ballots. Details are in the information below.
In one election, the Park Hospital Election, voters will receive a ballot in the mail that they can place in the drop box located in the front entrance of the main lobby of Estes Park Health on or before May 6.
What is a special district?
A special district is a local government unit that is designated as one that provides services or infrastructure that promotes the health, safety, prosperity, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the district.
Because Colorado law limits the types of services that county governments can provide to residents, special districts are created to fill the gaps that may exist in the services that a county provides and the services that residents of the area want.
The majority of districts draw their boundaries in unincorporated county land, but residents of a municipality can be included in one or more special districts.
There are more than 3,000 special districts in Colorado that are governed by the Special District Act, C.R.S. § 32-1-103. These include metropolitan, fire protection, ambulance, health service, mental health, water, sanitation, park and recreation, health assurance, and tunnel districts.
Additionally, there are about 1,000 other special districts—such as school, water conservancy and irrigation, agriculture and conservation, cemetery, and library districts, in addition to county, municipal, and county districts—which have their own enabling laws.
Why are special districts created?
The history of special districts in Colorado dates back to days of mining camps when the residents sought ways to join together to provide essential services, such as fire protection and sewer services, across county and municipal boundaries. In 1946, the Colorado General Assembly recognized the legal structure of special districts as a type of government created to provide certain municipal-type services in unincorporated or rural areas of the state.
As political subdivisions, special districts are units of local government that divide the costs of services among property owners and residents within the geographical area, which can encompass an area outside of a single municipality or county. They also provide the ability to finance large infrastructure and public facility projects over time.
The Colorado Special District Act outlines the procedures to form a district, how special districts can be funded, and the composition of special district governing bodies.
Who decides that a special district should be formed?
The voters. Voters determine if a special district in their area should be formed and then who will serve on the board of directors. The board of directors, elected by the voters of the district, determines if the district will levy taxes, charge fees, collect fines, and own property under the provisions of Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which is referred to by the acronym TABOR.
Who can vote?
This may come as news to many, but an eligible voter does not necessarily have to live in the district to vote in the district in a special district election.
The majority of eligible electors are individuals who are registered to vote in Colorado and who are residents of the special district, whether or not they own property or are owners of real or personal taxable property within the special district or if their spouse or civil union partner owns the property in the special district.
The law does not specify a manner in which non-resident owners of these types may qualify as voters according to C.R.S. § 32-1-103(5), but it does, however, for Business Improvement and Conservation Districts.
There are two other ways to qualify as an eligible voter in a special district election.
A person who is obligated to pay taxes under a contract to purchase taxable property situated within the boundaries of the special district–such as a real estate developer or business owner– or in the area to be included within the special district shall be considered an owner.
For all elections and petitions that require ownership of real property or land, a mobile home or a manufactured home shall be deemed sufficient to qualify as ownership of real property or land for the purposes of voting rights and petitions.
Estes Park Sanitation District (The election was canceled on Feb. 28, and the candidates were declared elected.)
Estes Park Sanitation District, formed in 1940, is the oldest special district in the state of Colorado. At 85 years old, the system now consists of about 29 miles of sewer main and 785 manholes, primarily serving the downtown area of Estes Park. The current wastewater treatment facility was constructed in 1964 and has seen numerous enhancements over the years, including routine maintenance and annual budgeted upgrades to ensure collection and treatment of wastewater meets increasingly stringent Colorado Department of Health regulations and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates.
| Type of election | This election has been canceled. |
| Location of in-person voting | This election has been canceled. |
| If mail-in, where to mail ballot | n/a |
| Location of drop box | n/a |
| Deadline for submission of intent to run for office | By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners. |
| How to obtain self-nomination or write-in paperwork and where to submit it | Contact: Carma Morin, 970-586-3516, or cmorin@estesparksanitation.org |
| Reason why the election can be canceled | By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners. |
| Term of office | Friday, February 28, 2025, for self-nomination forms. An affidavit of intent to be a write-in candidate must be filed with the DEO by the end of business on Monday, March 3, 2025. |
| Who currently serves on the board of directors | There are five board seats. Current directors are: Todd Plummer (term expires May 2025) Anthony Ricciardi (term expires May 2027) Frederick R. Houser (term expires May 2025) Ryan Leahy (term expires May 2027) Jennifer Waters (term expires May 2025) |
| Number of positions to be elected | Three |
| Continuing terms open for election | Todd Plummer Frederick R. Houser Jennifer Waters |
| Ineligible for office due to term limits | All expiring terms are open for election |
| Who has indicated they plan to seek office again? | Todd Plummer Frederick R. Houser Jennifer Waters |
| Who is eligible to vote in this election? | Any registered Colorado voter who is a resident in the district and/or a registered Colorado voter who is the owner or whose spouse/civil union partner owns taxable real or personal property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included in the special district, whether the person resides within the district or not. |
| How a ballot will be provided | Election canceled. |
| How to apply for an absentee ballot and receive absentee ballot directions | Election canceled. |
| Where and how to submit an absentee ballot | Election canceled. |
| Deadline for ballot to be received | Election canceled. |
| When will preliminary results be known | Election canceled. |
Estes Valley Fire Protection District
The Estes Valley Fire Protection District covers 66 square miles of the Town of Estes Park and surrounding unincorporated Larimer County, protecting a mix of urban municipalities, suburban neighborhoods, rural homesteads, and forests. This includes critical infrastructure for the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. The region had been protected since 1907 by the Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department. Once incorporated in 1917, the Town of Estes Park brought this organization on as a Town department.
In 2009, voters approved the formation of a special district, and in 2010, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District began operations. Funding for the District comes from sales tax, property tax, fire prevention plan review and impact fees, grants, and donations. In addition to being an all-hazards fire department, the district manages the community’s wildfire protection plan, is responsible for issuing fire restrictions and bans, and provides plan review and inspection services. EVFPD has mutual-aid agreements with Allenspark Fire Protection District, Big Elk Meadows Volunteer Fire Protection District, Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Lyons Fire Protection District, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
| Type of Election | In-person |
| Location of in-person voting | Estes Valley Community Center, lower level, 660 Community Dr., on Tuesday, May 6, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. |
| If mail-in, where to mail ballot | n/a |
| Location of drop box | n/a |
| Deadline for submission of intent to run for office | Friday, February 28, 2025, for self-nomination forms. An affidavit of intent to be a write-in candidate must be filed by the end of business on Monday, March 3, 2025. |
| How to obtain self-nomination or write-in paperwork and where to submit it | Contact: Sarah Luetjen at sluetjen@cegrlaw.com |
| Reason why the election can be canceled | By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners. |
| Term of office | Three directors serve a 4-year term Two directors serve a 2-year term |
| Who currently serves on the board of directors | There are five board seats. The current directors are: Christopher Buser (term expires May 2025) Steve Ferrante (term expires May 2025) Dave Hamrick (term expires May 2025) Mike Lewelling (term expires May 2025) Brian Tseng (term expires May 2025) |
| Number of positions to be elected | Five |
| Continuing terms open for election | all |
| Ineligible for office due to term limits | n/a |
| Who has indicated they plan to seek office again? | Christopher Busar |
| Candidates | 4-year terms (three seats open) Scott Dorman Steven Ferrante Jeff Robbins Jon (Hippy) Smith 2-year terms (two seats open) Christopher Buser Robert H. Foster Ryan S. Leahy Joshua Leeds Sandra Ellen Smith |
| Who is eligible to vote in this election? | Any registered Colorado voter who is a resident in the district and/or a registered Colorado voter who is the owner or whose spouse/civil union partner owns taxable real or personal property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included in the special district, whether the person resides within the district or not. |
| How a ballot will be provided | Estes Valley Community Center, lower level, 660 Community Dr., on Tuesday, May 6, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. |
| How to apply for an absentee ballot and receive absentee ballot directions | Contact: Sarah Luetjen at sluetjen@cegrlaw.com |
| Where and how to submit an absentee ballot | Contact: Sarah Luetjen at sluetjen@cegrlaw.com |
| Deadline for ballot to be received | Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7 p.m. |
| When will preliminary results be known | Expected on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Estes Valley Recreation and Parks District. First known as the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Recreation District, the EVRPD’s offerings have expanded exponentially over its lifetime to include operations at the Estes Park Marina, both Estes Park golf courses, Stanley Park’s ballparks and soccer fields, the skatepark, dog park, playground, running trails, and the Community Center. The district encompasses about 320 square miles in southwestern Larimer County and northern Boulder County and includes unincorporated land and the Town of Estes Park. Because of its long-standing precedence in special district boundaries, it has been used as a model for other quasi-political organizations throughout the area. The district is governed by a five-member board of directors that is responsible for the overall management and administration of the affairs of the district.
| Type of Election | In-person |
| Location of in-person voting | Estes Valley Community Center, lower level, 660 Community Dr., on Tuesday, May 6, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. |
| If mail-in, where to mail ballot | n/a |
| Location of drop box | n/a |
| Deadline for submission of intent to run for office | By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners. |
| How to obtain self-nomination or write-in paperwork and where to submit it | Contact: Heather Drees, 660 Community Drive, 970.480.1359, heather@evrpd.com, or on the district’s website. |
| Reason why the election can be canceled | By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners. |
| Term of office | 4-year term |
| Who currently serves on the board of directors | There are 5 board seats. The current directors are: Heather Bradley (term expires May 2027) Dan Derman (term expires May 2025) Scott Dorman (term expires May 2025) Michael Fallon (term expires May 2027) Mark Moraczewski (term expires May 2027) |
| Number of positions to be elected | Two |
| Continuing terms open for election | Dan Derman |
| Ineligible for office due to term limits | Scott Dorman |
| Who has indicated they plan to seek office again? | Dan Derman |
| Candidates | Dan Derman Aaron Dorman Derek Vinge |
| Who is eligible to vote in this election? | Any registered Colorado voter who is a resident in the district and/or a registered Colorado voter who is the owner or whose spouse/civil union partner owns taxable real or personal property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included in the special district, whether the person resides within the district or not. |
| How a ballot will be provided | In-person at the Estes Valley Community Center, 660 Community Dr., Estes Park. |
| How to apply for an absentee ballot and receive absentee ballot directions | Absentee ballots will be mailed. All other voting will be in person at the Community Center. |
| Where and how to submit an absentee ballot | Contact: heather@evrpd.com |
| Deadline for ballot to be received | Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. |
| When will preliminary results be known | Expected on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
Park Hospital District (doing business as Estes Park Health)
Estes Park Health was founded in 1975 as the Elizabeth Knutsson Memorial Hospital following an affirmative vote of residents in the area. The facility is designated as a Level IV Trauma Center and critical acute care facility with 24-hour emergency care. It also operates an urgent care facility and physician’s clinic. The medical health center is in the process of negotiating terms to affiliate with the state’s largest health care facility, UCHealth, a process that may be completed by early summer. Although the affiliation will affect the services provided, UCHealth has committed to maintaining the hospital’s operations and facilities. The hospital district will also remain intact as it will be responsible for collecting special district property taxes and other assets that will be transferred to UCHealth for operations.
| Type of Election | Drop-box |
| Location of in-person voting | n/a |
| If mail-in, where to mail ballot | n/a |
| Location of drop box | Contact Circuit Rider at info@ccriders.us |
| Deadline for submission of intent to run for office | Friday, February 28, 2025, for self-nomination forms. An affidavit of intent to be a write-in candidate must be filed by the end of business on Monday, March 3, 2025. |
| How to obtain self-nomination or write-in paperwork and where to submit it | Contact Circuit Rider, info@ccriders.us |
| Reason why the election can be canceled | By the end of the day on March 3, if there are no more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, the election will be canceled, and candidates on file will be declared winners. |
| Term of office | 4-year term |
| Who currently serves on the board of directors | There are five board seats. The current directors are: Stephen Alper (term expires May 2027) David Batey (term expires May 2025) Brigitte Foust (term expires May 2027) Drew Webb (term expires May 2025) Cory Workman (term expires May 2027) |
| Number of positions to be elected | Two |
| Continuing terms open for election | Drew Webb |
| Ineligible for office due to term limits | David Batey |
| Who has indicated they plan to seek office again? | No one |
| Candidates | Tim Cashman Thomas E. Leigh Max Salfinger Ralph Strickland Janet Zeschin |
| Who is eligible to vote in this election? | Any registered Colorado voter who is a resident in the district and/or a registered Colorado voter who is the owner or whose spouse/civil union partner owns taxable real or personal property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included in the special district, whether the person resides within the district or not. |
| How a ballot will be provided | Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters |
| How to apply for an absentee ballot and receive absentee ballot directions | Contact Circuit Rider, info@ccriders.us |
| Where and how to submit an absentee ballot | Contact Circuit Rider, info@ccriders.us |
| Deadline for ballot to be received | Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. |
| When will preliminary results be known | Expected on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
Upper Thompson Sanitation District (The election was canceled on March 4, 2025, and the candidates were declared elected.)
Founded in 1971, the Upper Thompson Sanitation District was formed to provide water treatment services to areas surrounding the Town of Estes Park and to improve the water quality of the Big Thompson River. Built with federal, state, and local funding at a cost of about $5.5 million, the needs of the area and environmental requirements have exponentially grown, and now, the plant that was brought online in 1976 must be replaced. In March, the UTSD board decided not to move forward with plans for the construction of a new water reclamation facility, which was estimated to cost $80 million. Board members are responsible for establishing district policies and strategic direction, financial oversight, program management, community engagement, and legal compliance.
| Type of Election | Election canceled. |
| Location of in-person voting | Election canceled. |
| If mail-in, where to mail ballot | n/a |
| Location of drop box | n/a |
| Deadline for submission of intent to run for office | Friday, February 28, 2025, for self-nomination forms. An affidavit of intent to be a write-in candidate must be filed with the DEO by the end of business on Monday, March 3, 2025. |
| How to obtain self-nomination or write-in paperwork and where to submit it | Contact: Suzanne Jurgens – suzanne@utsd.org or at the Upper Thompson Sanitation District, 2196 Mall Road, Estes Park |
| Reason why the election can be canceled | 1 two-year term, three four-year terms. |
| Term of office | 4-year term |
| Who currently serves on the board of directors | There are five board seats. The current directors are: Kent Bosch (term expires May 2025) Sue Doylen (term expires May 2027) Chris Eshelman (term expires May 2025) Andrew Kessler (term expires May 2025) Mike Morton (term expires May 2025) |
| Number of positions to be elected | Four |
| Continuing terms open for election | One 2-year term and three 4-year terms. |
| Ineligible for office due to term limits | N/A; the UTSD does not have term limits. |
| Who has indicated they plan to seek office again? | Chris Eshelman Kent Bosch Mike Morton Andrew Kessler |
| Who is eligible to vote in this election? | Any registered Colorado voter who is a resident in the district and/or a registered Colorado voter who is the owner or whose spouse/civil union partner owns taxable real or personal property situated within the boundaries of the special district or the area to be included in the special district, whether the person resides within the district or not. |
| How a ballot will be provided | Election canceled. |
| How to apply for an absentee ballot and receive absentee ballot directions | Election canceled. |
| Where and how to submit an absentee ballot | Election canceled. |
| Deadline for ballot to be received | Election canceled. |
| When will preliminary results be known | Election canceled. |