Over 1.6 million Coloradans voted in the 2023 election. That is roughly 41% of eligible voters across the state. In Boulder County, 118,255 voters cast their votes out a potential 249,906 active and inactive registered voters.
Ballots are still being counted and as of now, none of the results are final, however, some races have clear winners.
Longmont had four seats open on its city council this year, mayor, Ward I, Ward III and at-large.
Joan Peck garnered 60% of the votes for the office of mayor. Her opponents, Terri Goon and Ethan Augreen, claimed 26% and 14% respectively.
“I am humbled and honored to have been reelected as Longmont's mayor. I am looking forward to pushing many of the important projects and initiatives across the finish line. I want to thank both Terri and Ethan and to congratulate them on a race well run,” Peck said via email.
Peck plans to continue her work on the NW Passenger Rail and the NW Corridor project in hopes that she will be able to produce a definite result before her new term is over. She also wants to prioritize an ethics code for the Longmont City Council and focus on housing at all levels, she said.
Incumbent Sean McCoy took his race for the at-large seat with 47% of the vote. Steve Altschuler and Beka Venturella shared the remainder of the votes with 29% and 24% respectively.
The Ward I election was the only race that did not have an incumbent as Tim Waters announced that he would not seek reelection earlier this year. Diane Crist currently holds 41% of the vote with Nia Wassink trailing with 32%. Harrison Earl gained 27% of Ward I’s votes.
The Ward III race was fought by four candidates with incumbent Susie Hidalgo-Fahring taking the lead with 41% of the vote. Gary Hodges was a close second with 37% of the vote and Ron Gallegos and Spencer Adams garnered 17% and 5% respectively.
Although voters in Longmont reelected each incumbent, they did not choose to pass any of Longmont’s three ballot measures that would have supported a new library branch, recreation center, performing arts center and a land swap with the YMCA that would allow for more affordable housing. Each failed with over 65% of the votes against the measures.
The Boulder County ballot measures did pass. Ballot Issue 1A — which extends the Open Space Sales and Use Tax — passed with 81% of voters in support. Ballot Issue 1B — which extends the sales and use tax for affordable and attainable housing — passed with 71% of the votes. Neither measure will increase taxes for Boulder County, they both will continue taxes already in place.
"“We are so grateful to the voters of Boulder County for giving us the funding needed to help make a difference on this critical issue in our community. The Commissioners and county staff will host a community engagement process in 2024 which will help guide the details of how the money will be spent. We look forward to engaging with Boulder County residents, housing experts and community members on this important matter,” said Commissioner Marta Loachamin about 1B.
On Thursday, Gov. Jared Polis called for a special session of the General Assembly to address property tax increases that will be due for the 2023 tax season. Increases could be as much as 40-50%. This call for action is in response to State Proposition HH failing with 60% of the votes against it. Polis said in a public announcement that the government has a responsibility to help Coloradans with this issue and it will.
Proposition II passed with 67% of the voters in favor. The measure will use revenue from taxes on cigarettes, tobacco and other nicotine products to invest $23,650,000 into the enhancement of the voluntary Colorado preschool program.
People in Boulder County voted in favor of Proposition HH with 59% in support. Proposition II results in the county mimicked state results with 83% in favor.
