UPDATE: 2021 Jefferson County Ballot Recommendations

Note: Upon further digging, it looks like Amendment 119 doesn’t provide enough legislative oversight in the creation of these out-of-classroom programs, nor proper oversight over the newly-created board who will be spending millions of dollars unchecked. The idea is good, but the execution here will create another unaccountable bureaucracy. No on 119.

Below you will find our recommended votes for the 2021 ballot in Jefferson County, with explanations where necessary. Obviously, some of these options will not be available to all Jeffco citizens. Local candidates often run unaffiliated or with hidden political views, which makes it difficult to determine what their values actually are. So we did some digging for you.

Arvada Council Member-At-Large: Michael Griffith. His opponent, Lisa Smith, is endorsed by New Politics, an organization that promotes liberal candidates like Jason Crow.

Arvada Council Member District 1: Chelsea Canda. Her opponent, Randy Moorman, is a radical environmentalist who works for Boulder-based Eco-Cycle and thinks the bad air quality from California wildfires means Arvada needs to engage in climate change reforms. Moorman is supported by the LGBTQ Victory Fund, and fosters children with his “husband” Scott.

Arvada Council Member District 3: John Marriott.

Edgewater Council Members: Some pretty terrible choices, unfortunately. Vote for all except Hannah Gay Keao.

Lakewood Council Member Ward 1: Cathy Kentner is likely the lesser of two evils.

Lakewood Council Member Ward 2: Charles Davis seems like the lesser of two evils.

Lakewood Council Member Ward 3: Mike Bieda

Lakewood Council Member Ward 4: Rich Olver

Lakewood Council Members Ward 5: Mary Janssen, Michael Gunstanson

Littleton Mayor (First directly elected mayor in Littleton history): No Recommendation

Littleton Council Member-At-Large: Krista Kafer

Mountain View Mayor: No Recommendation

Westminster Mayor: Nancy McNally

Westminster Council Members: Bruce Baker, David DeMott, Kathleen Dodaro, Kristine Ireland

Wheat Ridge Council Member District III: Amanda Weaver

Jeffco School Board District 1: Jeffrey Wilhite. Danielle Varda is the union-backed, “Jeffco Kids Slate” candidate who will keep kids masked indefinitely.

Jeffco School Board District 2: Theresa Shelton. Paula Reed is the union-backed, “Jeffco Kids Slate” candidate who will keep kids masked indefinitely.

Jeffco School Board District 5: Kathy Miks. Mary Parker is the union-backed, “Jeffco Kids Slate” candidate who will keep kids masked indefinitely.

Amendment 78: YES. This amendment would force all funds coming from outside sources to the state of Colorado to be specifically allocated by the legislature, rather than spent according to the whim of the governor.

Proposition 119: NO. Upon further digging, it looks like Amendment 119 doesn’t provide enough legislative oversight in the creation of these out-of-classroom programs, nor proper oversight over the newly-created board who will be spending millions of dollars unchecked. The idea is good in concept, but the execution here will create another unaccountable bureaucracy.

Proposition 120: YES. Even though politicians gutted some of the beneficial effects of this reduction in property taxes with Senate Bill 293, some reduction is better than none.

Arvada Ballot Question 3C: Yes. All adult residents of Arvada should be allowed to serve on the City Council.

Arvada Ballot Question 3D: Yes. Adding 15 more days to fill a City Council vacancy is fine.

Arvada Ballot Question 3E: Yes. More time to gather signatures for an initiative petition gives everyone more time to study issues.

Arvada Ballot Question 3F: Yes. More time to gather referendum signatures.

Golden Ballot Question 2A: No on pot shops.

Golden Ballot Question 2B: No on pot shops.

Golden Ballot Question 2C: No on additional lodging taxes.

Lakewood Ballot Question 2D: No on tax increases not subject to TABOR.

Littleton Ballot Issue 3A: No on sales tax hike.

Westminster Ballot Question 3G: Yes on updating charter to align with state election law.

Westminster Ballot Question 3H: Yes. Not a bad idea to have city employee background checks done outside of Westminster PD.

Westminster Ballot Question 3I: No. Gender-neutral pronouns? Grow up.

Westminster Ballot Question 3J: No. The existence of at-large City Council members is not a problem that needs yet another government commission.

Westminster Ballot Question 3K: No on pot shops.

Westminster Ballot Question 3L: No on pot shops.

Westminster Ballot Question 3M: No to additional taxes and debt not subject to TABOR. Raise revenue through more favorable business conditions in the city, not less.

Westminster Ballot Question 3N: No on additional debt and spending not subject to spending and revenue limitations under TABOR.

Pleasant View Metropolitan District Ballot Issue 6A: This mill levy raises taxes to increase the general fund of the district. No recommendation.