Metropolitan District Board Election

Email: join@kcvolunteers.org
Phone: 303-618-8707
Area: Valley
Resident Since: 2012
Occupation: Business owner and ecologist

Community and/or Civic Organizations:

• KC Volunteers Founder
• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Audubon Society
• Rotary Club
• Colorado Native Plant Society education lead
• National Fire Protection Association
• Bradford PTA accountability committee participant
• Rotary Wildfire Ready
• Computing Technology Industry Association
• International Information System Security Certification Consortium

Hobbies:

• Chess
• Habitat gardening
• Conservation and reforestation
• Habitat restoration
• Home remodeling
• Volunteer work
• Fire mitigation and preparation with several different organizations and groups
• Community building with other neighborhoods including West Ranch, Willow Springs, Conifer, Evergreen, Morrison and Golden into a coordinated communication network where we share conservation practices with wildfire mitigation, ecological restoration, and emergency management
• Audubon Habitat Hero advocate

Why have you declared your candidacy for the Board of Directors?
I want to use my knowledge of ecology and finances to get things done efficiently. Public safety is critical. Dan Hatlestad understands this and after the fires in our neighborhood in December 2021 and showing a picture of the Waldo Canyon neighborhood burned to the ground turned to the entire neighborhood including the MA, MD and said, “this is your future if you don’t act immediately.” A few days later his prophecy was realized awfully close to home when a fire storm engulfed the neighborhoods south of Boulder and generated the largest toxic emissions plume ever in Colorado. The Marshall Fire burned 1,300 homes, killed 2 people including a noted conservationist, killed over 1,100 pets including cats and dogs and caused over $2 billion in damages.

Traci Wieland also understands the risks with not doing active maintenance because I have talked to her extensively, and she is doing a great job on renewal of the urban forest, parks and playgrounds. Only 5% Firewise compliance. Insurance is going up or being canceled on a regular basis. We need emergency evacuation drills; there are some evacuation plans but most of the neighborhood is not informed and the plans are not tested, verified or accredited. We need neighborhood-wide active ecological restoration projects such as turf removal, water reduction and habitat biomass enhancement.  We need programs that educate residents on native plants, flowers and trees.  We need more community work events like building playgrounds. We need urgent action on Massey Draw and Dutch Creek; they are drying up, the pond at Brannon Gearhart Park has been neglected so long is now considered “toxic waste.” I have discussed all of these with Chris Schroeder and Joe Levy, and working together we can get them resolved quickly and efficiently.

What skills or qualifications do you bring as assets to the KCRMD Board of Directors?

• Entrepreneur and Business owner.
• Member National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• NFPA Certified Wildland Fire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS).
• Audubon Society Gold Habitat Hero.
• Communications with several county and state officials including Lesley Dahlkemper, Deb Churchill, Andy Kerr, Tracy Tharp, Mark Baisley, Lisa Cutter, Brianna Titone and Tammy Story. They know about our perils with fire, insurance and water supply. The citizens groups I am involved with are working directly with these officials. We are leading the way for taxpayers and demonstrating by the people for the people government in action. Detailed understanding of NFPA requirements necessary to become 100% Firewise compliant as a neighborhood. I have an action plan to bring that to fruition.
  30+ years of experience with property maintenance and restoration.
• Colorado Native Plant Society education committee.
• VP on an HOA Board for 8 years.
• KC Volunteers Founder.
• Detailed understanding of high steppe plains ecosystems.
• Thousands of hours on conservation projects in the neighborhood.
• Volunteer for Denver Botanic Gardens.
• 30 years of experience in property management.
• Awards from the Mayor and City Council.
• 30+ years of Consulting experience on Contracts, Business Continuance, Disaster Recovery, Operations, Architecture, Compliance, Information Assurance, Security, Regulations, Laws, Policies, Procedures and Processes.
• Detailed understanding of irrigation systems.
• Colorado forest stewardship award winner.
• Rotary Wildfire Ready Education Committee.
• Knowledge of public finance and how Special Districts work using mill levies and bonds.
• Extensive knowledge of the issues we have as a neighborhood and the right relationships with officials and experts to get them solved inexpensively and in a timely manner.

The Master Association and Metropolitan District work hand in hand to manage Ken-Caryl Ranch. What relationship do you hope to maintain and/or build between the two entities and their respective Boards?
We have two fantastic leaders, Brian on the MA, and Traci on the MD. I know them both and they are kind, caring, genuine and professional. I know Brian and Traci share my thoughts on the conservation topics of drought, fire hazards, invasive species, habitat and water conservation because I have discussed these things with both. Our most pressing conservation issues are water conservation, fire mitigation and species conservation. We have great board members like Joe Levy, Mike Miro and Chris Schroeder that I have discussed the issues with, that know we need updated and more efficient processes.

The Boards have been torn with differences over trails and how we manage open space, parks and greenbelts. The KCCC feels cheated on some issues such as the prairie dog extirpation that did not go well. We wasted a lot of money and time and tragic loss of keystone species by mistakes. I have discussed with the KCTC ways we can agree on a conservation area that meets National Conservation Standards. I will bring closure to the conservation areas and get them implemented to mutual agreement. We will get the conservation areas completed this year.

I would like to connect the MA and MD with the state and local officials I am working with. We have many resources that we are utilizing well. I did a nationwide newscast with Lisa Cutter, a Colorado State Senator, and the West Metro FD Wildland Team. Our neighborhood received national recognition. Lisa also participated with our Girl Scouts and showed true leadership to our young women. I have been working with officials on several public safety initiatives, and they are more than interested in helping our community find ways to improve our infrastructure that do not involve more dues, fees and taxes.

The Metropolitan District Board is currently discussing the 2024 expiration of the voter-approved 2014 bond mill levy. What is your philosophy on this issue, and how would you like to see the conversation proceed?
It is the fiduciary duty of any board member to serve taxpayers. With that duty comes a responsibility to exercise good faith, due diligence and a duty of care. I have done a great deal of research and investigation in my solutions. Asking for tax revenue should not be taken lightly. Our school districts, fire districts and water districts are funded by property taxes, and in discussions with school and fire districts they are facing large cuts, massive impacts from inflation and shifts in demographics.

Working with officials I know the challenges we face. They are more than interested in helping with conservation projects and especially fire risk reduction. The USDA has announced, “The 2024 budget request for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s wildland fire and hazardous fuels management totals $2.97 billion, which is $647 million, or 28% above the comparable 2023 enacted level.” There are many ways for local governments to access this funding that we are not leveraging. Rather than more taxes, costs and fees, I will help you on our most pressing and most impactful issues for free. Reducing water consumption using the Audubon Habitat Hero program along with turf reduction would reduce costs and save money. Based on another project in Cherry Creek, my estimated savings is $1.5 million a year.

Kathy Webster wrote an excellent article in the Denver Post that closely mirrors my observations regarding the enormous costs associated with poor ecological practices; she said “Light pollution is costly and wasteful. IDA estimates that at least 30 percent of outdoor lighting in the U.S. is wasted.” More dues, fees and taxes are not the answer. Education, participation and cooperation are the answers. Reducing water consumption, saving electricity, reducing light pollution, creating volunteer programs and working together. There are enormous savings to be had.

What do you see as the major issues facing the Metropolitan District over the next three years, and how would you approach those issues as a Board member?
Outdated information and deferred maintenance; I hear people say they want things to be like they were 30 years ago. Since then, Colorado’s population has doubled; 22 years of drought, 20 years of invasive pine beetle species, the snowpack is declining and water supply is now severely threatened, the Colorado River crisis, six massive neighborhood fires have engulfed homes with the Marshall Fire being the most recent. We need immediate action and my knowledge of plants, ecosystems and conservation to directly address these quickly and save money and improve the environment.

Lack of partnerships and cooperation with state and county government. The Metro District gets its funding from the County, and we should be showing leadership so they will be interested in investing and assisting us. Taxpayers should see the value driven by the Metro District in educating and providing leadership with risk reduction, fuels management, forest renewal, ecological restoration and all the other things that make a big impact.

Cooperation and participation from residents are the key. JJ Hamilton and the residents on Mountain Laurel put in close to 200 hours of volunteer work in one day and set the standard for cooperation and participation. The KC Weed Warriors participated in hand weed removal preventing thousands of weeds growing, led by Dawn Hendry, Erlinda Stafford, Mark Celusniak, and others reduced the weeds in open space by 70% in a couple years.

Education on conservation topics. “A commitment to education is at the heart of the Audubon tradition. By inspiring more people in more places to value and protect the natural world, we are laying the foundation for future conservation.” Allocate funds to more community education, volunteer programs, events and actions and see big returns. We have 4,400 homes, 10,000 acres, over 12,000 residents – imagine the impact.

Email: joel@kcranch.org
Phone: 720-256-4480
Area: Plains
Resident Since: 2005
Occupation: Executive Director & Director of Scientific Affairs of a national organization

Community and/or Civic Organizations:
Incumbent KCRMD Board Member, 2020-2023; KCRMD Board President, 2022-23.

Hobbies:
Running (Ran the New York City Marathon in November 2022), golfing, spending time with my wife and son.

Why have you declared your candidacy for the Board of Directors?
I’m proud of my three years’ service to this community as an incumbent member of the Board. We’ve fixed the District’s finances by working with our excellent staff and focusing board time on finding solutions for our community’s largest priorities and working cooperatively with the Master Association.

Just look at the budgets approved for 2023 by both Ken-Caryl Ranch governing bodies. Your Master Association (funded mainly by HOA dues) listened to the community and is investing in fire mitigation and perimeter fence improvements. And your Metropolitan District (the Parks and recreation board, funded by property taxes and program user fees) is investing about $1.1 million in much-needed parks and facilities capital improvement projects in our community.

I’m especially proud of this achievement. It’s the second consecutive year the MD has been able to make that kind of capital investment as part of the District’s operating budget. Responsible budgeting since 2019 – as insisted by the MD Board and executed with skill and precision by District staff – is the reason we are in the position to be able to invest in about 20 significant capital improvement projects all across Ken-Caryl Ranch from North Ranch Park to the Community Center to Community Park in 2023 alone.

It’s also the reason the MD Board, after much discussion, was in the position to eliminate swimming pool pass fees for Ken-Caryl Ranch residents in 2023.

You might recall just four years ago, the Metro District had such cash flow problems that it had to borrow money from the Master Association just to cover its own expenses. But under new management and with focused board leadership, the District today boasts a balanced operations budget, has an appropriate fund balance and is now focused on addressing long-term deferred capital and maintenance projects that benefit us all.

What skills or qualifications do you bring as assets to the KCRMD Board of Directors?
I’m a problem-solver. With all due respect to those who passionately advocate for single agendas – and not to minimize their often-important passions – I am not a single-issue candidate for this board, which is why I hope to earn your vote and continue to be a good addition to the Board. There’s a big difference between any one strong individual belief and the clear mandate that our 10,000+ residents all share: Protect our community’s unique assets and do so with fiscal responsibility.

In addition to my service this past year as MD Board president, my professional and volunteer history has always centered on objective, respectful problem-solving and rational understanding of core issues.

Prior to moving to Ken-Caryl with my family in 2005, I served as board president of the Michigan Theatre of Jackson – a 501(c)(3) non-profit charged with restoring and operating a 90-year-old majestic community auditorium at a time when the organization faced fierce emotional, internal division between those who sought to make the building operational and those who would not compromise from full, expensive historic restoration of the building. My involvement in that organization centered on focusing both camps on realistic goals and sustainability – a path the organization has continued to build on. I was a problem-solver.

My involvement in my homeowners’ association in Florida followed that same path: encouraging civil conversation to problem-solve zoning and covenant issues.

My service to Ken-Caryl has also centered on respectful problem solving. The comprehensive, independent 2021 Ken-Caryl Ranch Community Residents Survey reveals that most Ken-Caryl residents value the same core principle: protect our services and amenities – they are why we chose to live here – and do so while being responsible stewards of our tax and fee dollars (Metropolitan District) and HOA dues (Master Association).

The Master Association and Metropolitan District work hand in hand to manage Ken-Caryl Ranch. What relationship do you hope to maintain and/or build between the two entities and their respective Boards?
The MD and the MA Boards work side-by-side to provide policy guidance on our parallel missions on behalf of the community to the professional staff for both organizations. Fostering a fully productive, functional and cooperative relationship between our HOA (the Master Association) and our Parks & Recreation District (the MD) has been a priority of mine in the past three years. And I think we’ve succeeded.

The MD was formed in 1988 when MA members voted to authorize the creation of a public entity in Ken-Caryl primarily to manage much of our community upkeep and provide our parks and recreation programming. It’s an arrangement that has benefited us all in many ways.

The best way for our boards to protect all of our investments as Ken-Caryl residents is to ensure that the culture of our leadership boards is fully functional, that our leadership is aware of its charge and that it is capable of steady guidance.

That’s why – in addition to asking humbly to earn your vote – I’d also ask you to consider candidates Mike Miro and John Ostrom for two of the three open Board positions. Mike and John have both served on this Board and are committed to keeping the Board focused on solutions for the community’s biggest issues.

The Metropolitan District Board is currently discussing the 2024 expiration of the voter-approved 2014 bond mill levy. What is your philosophy on this issue, and how would you like to see the conversation proceed?
The District righted its financial ship in the past four years and has begun re-investing in deferred maintenance and capital projects – now organized into a 10-year capital plan. Finding options to fund this work for the rest of the decade without raising taxes is a priority.

One such option – asking the community to vote to retain the existing four-mill levy from the 2014 bond (which expires in 2024) as an operations mill to fund capital projects – is already being vetted by the Board as a way to accomplish this without any effective tax increase. The 2021 Community Survey showed 68 percent of the community would be in favor of this concept.

The current board consensus is that before we ask voters to consider any option we want to have accurate projections to forecast District tax revenue – which is based on ever-changing formulas. And we’re getting that done. If you’ve been following our meetings, you know that staff has already begun collecting that information.

Bottom line: As one board member, I’m committed to finding a way to invest in our infrastructure and complete our deferred maintenance without asking Ken-Caryl Ranch residents for any effective tax increase.

But I’d ask you to consider this: Isn’t it wonderful that today, the MD is in a position to accurately forecast our challenges and face issues before they happen, as opposed to being in a mode of triage with only hard decisions and no options? Credit for this goes to our amazing staff for being able to adapt, and to the Board’s focus on major priorities.

What do you see as the major issues facing the Metropolitan District over the next three years, and how would you approach those issues as a Board member?
It all starts with fiscal responsibility. Maintaining our services in the face of a growing community and working with the Master Association to be Firewise are only possible if we continue to be good stewards of the District’s finances.

The common element of any community that has ever successfully navigated fiscal challenges is a responsive, responsible, problem-solving board that can work effectively to guide our qualified professional staff while best-representing community input to find solutions.

As new growth continues to be built in and around Ken-Caryl, our unique parks, open spaces and amenities need to continue to be strong, accessible assets for our community. The best way to protect that – to protect all of our investments into Ken-Caryl – is to ensure that the culture of our leadership boards is fully functional, that our leadership is aware of its charge and that it is capable of steady guidance as we prepare for what our community will look like, and what demands will be placed upon it, in 2030 and beyond.

I’m a big believer that, oftentimes, how you do things is just as important as what you do. The community’s mandate for what the Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District Board should do is fairly well spelled out. I’m dedicated to doing my part to ensure that the future of our community is shaped by steady, even-keeled leadership.

I’m optimistic about Ken-Caryl’s future. We have an outstanding staff and all the pieces we need to succeed. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to earn your vote.

Email: mikem@kcranch.org
Phone: Candidate chose not to publish.
Area: Valley
Resident Since: 2012
Occupation: Director at a structural and civil engineering firm, Dad

Community and/or Civic Organizations:
Current Ken-Caryl Ranch (KCR) MD Board Treasurer, KCR Community Planning Committee (2013 – Present), KCR Parks Advisory Committee, KCR Volunteer Open Space Patroller (2020 – Present), National Flag Football Head Coach

Hobbies:
Fly Fishing, hiking, traveling, reading, coaching, volunteering

Why have you declared your candidacy for the Board of Directors?
I’ve been on the MD Board for almost a year now and am running for re-election because I feel passionately that the next few years present exciting opportunities for the future of KCR, and I want to be an integral part of making these opportunities a reality. I am a fifth-generation Colorado native, have lived in our community for over a decade, and have been volunteering in KCR in some capacity since I moved here. I’ve noticed more divisiveness over the past few years and would strive to bring additional harmony to the community. Members of the MD Board are elected to serve the residents. I am not a single-issue candidate and intend to continue to base my decisions on the pulse of my fellow residents. I’m pleased with the Board’s collective accomplishments since I joined, but also understand that there is a lot more work to be done.

The stakes are high in this year’s election because of the limited candidate choices, which is why I’m endorsing my fellow colleagues Joe Levy and John Ostrom. Both bring proven leadership and a commonsense approach to decision making.

What skills or qualifications do you bring as assets to the KCRMD Board of Directors?
Over a decade of volunteer experience on KCR committees and projects. I’ve served (and actively participated) on the Community Planning Committee since 2013 and was involved in the creation/analysis of the 2021, 2017 and 2012 community surveys. Through those processes, I’ve come to understand the improvements and initiatives supported by most residents. I have a pulse on the community and intend to make decisions based upon that perspective.

My family and I moved to KCR in 2012 and I got involved immediately. I’ve also been a part of:

• Parks Advisory Committee – I led the effort for new signs and upgrades at Heirloom, Dakota Lodge and Saddlewood Parks.
• 2014 Bond Initiative – I created the PAC and was active on the campaign committee.
• Architect Selection Committee – I was invited by staff and board members.
• Project Manager Selection Committee – I was the only non-staff or board member.
• Volunteer Open Space Patroller – I am an avid hiker and enjoy meeting neighbors on the trail.

My two school-aged children and I are active users of the recreational activities and amenities managed by the MD. We swim in the pools, are enrolled in nature camps, and participate in activities and events specific to families with children. The MD Board focuses on recreational programming that my family and I actively use.

Decades of professional experience in the engineering design industry. I hope to continue to utilize the skills I’ve learned in my day job to benefit the community, especially as it relates to future capital improvement projects. I understand procurement, design, construction and maintenance of assets and enjoy putting those qualifications to use in my decision making.

The Master Association and Metropolitan District work hand in hand to manage Ken-Caryl Ranch. What relationship do you hope to maintain and/or build between the two entities and their respective Boards?
As the current Treasurer of the Metro District Board, I have forged valuable relationships with my peers on both boards and with staff. I look forward to continuing to work in a constructive manner with all our stakeholders and getting past the noise and divisiveness in the community. At the end of the day, I’m confident that the majority of us are rowing in the same direction. I look forward to leveraging my personal relationships and 11+ years of Ken-Caryl volunteering experience and institutional knowledge to benefit the community.

The Metropolitan District Board is currently discussing the 2024 expiration of the voter-approved 2014 bond mill levy. What is your philosophy on this issue, and how would you like to see the conversation proceed?
The community has an opportunity to fund capital projects, deferred maintenance, and additional parks and recreation offerings without raising taxes, and I am fully supportive of the rollover of the bond mill into an operational mill levy approach. The 2021 Community Survey indicated 68% support for continuing the mill levy at the current rate. That constitutes overwhelming support for the issue, which is why I am supportive of putting the question on the ballot in November. Based upon the survey data, I’m confident in my fellow taxpayers agreeing.

We have a great community, but cannot continue to address our appearance and amenities with a band-aid approach. This is a prime opportunity to fund the Metro District’s ongoing shortfall in revenue WITHOUT raising taxes or dues. Let’s continue to invest in making Ken-Caryl Ranch a premier front range community.

What do you see as the major issues facing the Metropolitan District over the next three years, and how would you approach those issues as a Board member?
Aging assets, amenities and infrastructure. The aesthetic view of our neighborhood is in decline. I’m supportive of the Metro District’s proposed 10-year capital improvement plan and look forward to vetting which projects or initiatives should take priority. While I support the continuation of the bond mill levy, I also respect resident’s money and would only desire to spend it on projects or initiatives that are essential or desirable.

Protecting our neighborhood against wildfire. The Marshall Fire highlighted the need to assess our current situation and prepare for the future. I fully support the Firewise Committee and feel they have the experience and expertise to help create a practical mitigation plan. I do not support a half-hazard approach that includes chopping down all our trees in the open space.

Misaligned and single-issue board candidates. Unfortunately, we have a lack of resident participation running for seats in recent MA and MD board of directors’ elections. This potentially creates a pathway for representation that does not accurately reflect the community at large. The stakes are especially high for this Metro District election cycle, and I would urge my fellow neighbors to join me in voting for John Ostrom and Joe Levy.

Email: ualkodiak@aol.com
Phone: 765-461-6338
Area: Valley
Resident Since: 1997
Occupation: I am recently retired, but have been employed in the following occupations:

• S. Marine Corps Officer and Fighter Pilot (21 years)
• United Airlines Pilot and Flight Instructor (10 years)
• United Airlines Operations Management (15 years)
• After 9/11 and while still a United Pilot I also served as a Federal Flight Deck Officer (6 years)

Community and/or Civic Organizations:

• Previous Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District Board member and Board Secretary
• S. Military Academy Congressional Nomination Interviewer for both Colorado U.S. Senators (7 years serving Senators Bennet, Udall, Gardner and Hickenlooper)
• Mentor to high school age young men and women interested in pursuing nomination and appointment to attend U.S. Military Academies (currently and for 7 years)
• Troop 989 Scoutmaster (8 years), Asst Scoutmaster (3 years), Committee member (10 years)
• Venture Crew Advisor (similar to Scoutmaster) for an all-female Scouting Venture Crew (3 years)
• BSA Peaceful Valley summer camp leader (12 years)
• Denver Area Council (BSA) Timberline District Unit Commissioner (3 years)

Hobbies:
Hiking/walking, cycling, traveling

Why have you declared your candidacy for the Board of Directors?
As residents of our amazing Ken-Caryl community, my wife Sharon and I have made this our “forever home,” and over the nearly 27 years that we have lived here, we have remained committed to contributing to our community in positive and supportive ways. Some time ago I was fortunate enough to be selected for appointment to fill a vacancy on the Ken-Caryl Ranch Metropolitan District Board of Directors and that experience was so challenging yet fulfilling, that I became committed to running in this KCRMD Board election. To be honest, I do not have an agenda or personal project I hope to further by being on the Board, but rather if elected, it is my intention to serve our community and be guided by what our community wants and needs as communicated through our resident surveys and listening to residents at every opportunity to do so. As an MD Board member, I am committed to keeping our community as wonderful as it always has been even as our community grows, ages and changes.

I would sincerely appreciate your vote in this upcoming election, and I promise I will work to earn that vote throughout my term. Because of the challenges that lie ahead, I would also like to strongly recommend your re-election of current Board members Joe Levy and Mike Miro, both whose experience, commitment and leadership continue to be enormous assets we need.

What skills or qualifications do you bring as assets to the KCRMD Board of Directors?
In addition to my previous experience as a KCRMD Board member, I was also an MD liaison and attended Master Association meetings and Open Space Committee meetings. This taught me a great deal about how everything works, and how we all work together for our community. During my military career, I was transferred (moved) 13 times. Each transfer included a new job with new responsibilities and working with new people. This taught me patience and humility (I don’t know everything…but I can learn, and I believe you learn more by listening than speaking). Both in the military and at United, where I ultimately held eight different management positions, I learned you get a lot more done working with others as a team, collaboratively, and by gaining consensus. I won’t ask others to do something I wouldn’t do myself.

The Master Association and Metropolitan District work hand in hand to manage Ken-Caryl Ranch. What relationship do you hope to maintain and/or build between the two entities and their respective Boards?
It is essential that the MD Board work closely with the MD District Manager and her staff. While serving on that board, I learned that it is just as essential that the MD and the District Staff work closely with the MA Board and the Association’s General Manager and Staff. While we have different areas of responsibilities and some organization procedural differences, we all work together towards the common goal of serving our Ken-Caryl residents. In addition to each organization having its own monthly meetings, the MA and MD have a joint meeting together every other month. In the effort to serve our community we enjoy a relationship with each other that is based on mutual respect and admiration in the pursuit of common goals. Not surprising really, given that we all actually are friends and neighbors.

BTW congratulations to Chris on his re-election and Debbie on her election to the Master Association Board!

The Metropolitan District Board is currently discussing the 2024 expiration of the voter-approved 2014 bond mill levy. What is your philosophy on this issue, and how would you like to see the conversation proceed?
Deciding whether to continue the mill levy and its burden on our resident taxpayers is a tough choice. We wisely chose to ask the residents about it in the 2021 Resident Survey conducted by Corona Insights. That survey resident response showed that 68% wanted to continue the mill levy at its current rate. I want to have this discussion on continuing the mill levy because of what I see and hear around this community I love so much, and is perhaps the same things that the 68% sees and hears.

We have an aging infrastructure, examples of which include: an enormous irrigation system that is in need of replacing and modernization, a very large population of Narrow Leaf Cottonwood trees that are reaching the end of their natural life (and ironically these Cottonwoods have aggressive root systems that often damage the irrigation system), pine trees planted decades ago so close to each other on road medians that they are actually killing each other, ADA requirements in our facilities that must be met by law, and community fencing that is falling apart and looks horrible. For these and other costly issues we face, there is rarely an option to do nothing, but rather we must decide how to address these challenges in a prioritized, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner.

What do you see as the major issues facing the Metropolitan District over the next three years, and how would you approach those issues as a Board member?
Infrastructure – As you may have gathered from my answer in the previous question, in my opinion the aging infrastructure is certainly a major issue that must be continually addressed in a logical, proactive and fiscally sound approach. Our community’s aesthetic appearance needs work, and we need to address this while continuing to improve and maintain our amenities. The MD maintains a 10-year capital improvement plan, which lays out a strategy, cost and prioritization of what needs to be done, however the Board must constantly listen to residents and re-evaluate as things inevitably change.

NADG Development and new resident integration – The residents of the new neighborhoods will of course be members of both the Master Association and Metropolitan District. The MA and MD have been working together to ensure that we are prepared to serve them as they join our community, so this will be a proactive and ongoing effort.

Firewise – The MD, but more the MA, and specifically the Firewise Committee have done a great job educating our homeowners on the threat of wildfire and fire mitigation. The wildfire threat remains…perhaps easy to forget over a winter of snow, but the threat remains. Each spring we must continue to educate both our existing and new homeowners.

Email: outdoorenth@gmail.com
Phone: Candidate Chose Not to Publish
Area: Valley
Resident Since: 1992
Occupation: Retired

Community and/or Civic Organizations:
I have attended almost all MD, MA, OSC and CPC meetings since 2016. I have been a member of the Community Planning Committee since 2017. I have been tutoring different elementary school students one-on-one in reading and light math with Whiz Kids Tutoring network for six years. I also volunteer one evening a week during the year with a Christian based non-profit company Love, Inc./Impact doing childcare for six years.

Hobbies:
Reading, genealogy, U.S. History, gardening, walking/hiking

Why have you declared your candidacy for the Board of Directors?
I feel honored to have been a resident of this vibrant community for 30 years with all its wildlife, natural beauty and civic-minded residents. Having attended MD, MA, OSC and CPC meetings for over six years, I have an extensive background in the issues facing our community. Most of the issues today do not have easy solutions, but there is a great deal of “tribal knowledge” which can be tapped to provide more comprehensive and better solutions at less cost than the prevalent view of lavish spending on brand new facilities. In addition, it must not be forgotten that the MD is a taxing authority. Facilities built with KCR tax dollars are open to anyone, regardless of where they live. But, most importantly, the maintenance costs of these facilities will be borne exclusively by KCR taxpayers. As a representative of the KCR community, I will always consider YOUR interests first.

What skills or qualifications do you bring as assets to the KCRMD Board of Directors?
I am very detailed oriented and have a reference library of most KCR documents, going back to the original development plans. I try and solve problems by always seeking as much knowledge as is available. Having attended almost every meeting for the last six years, I understand the intertwined responsibilities within the District. I also enjoy researching as much as possible, bringing to light as much additional information as possible to aid in the best decisions.

The Master Association and Metropolitan District work hand in hand to manage Ken-Caryl Ranch. What relationship do you hope to maintain and/or build between the two entities and their respective Boards?
I think that the two boards have a good working relationship that I will work to maintain. There is always room for improvement, while much effort has, in the last year, gone into clarifying to the residents which board is responsible for all the different areas and which are a joint responsibility, perhaps a “Residents’ Guide” could be produced as a reference document. In addition, where objectives and responsibilities overlap, for example, the greenbelts in the entrances to our communities are MA property, but maintained by the MD, I would strive to create through the Joint Study Session meetings, or even a separate planning day, a statement of agreed upon objectives. This is one area that is being overlooked as an important part of the aesthetics of KCR as the MD and MA have different priorities.

The Metropolitan District Board is currently discussing the 2024 expiration of the voter-approved 2014 bond mill levy. What is your philosophy on this issue, and how would you like to see the conversation proceed?
There is much discussion in the Colorado State Legislature at present concerning the potential for a 20% to 30% tax increase on homes next year, if nothing is done to reduce assessment percentages. Governor Polis has also taken an interest in this. Even if the Residential Assessment Rate (RAR) is cut, it is likely that taxes will go up significantly, and so I cannot in good faith justify either extending the mill levy that is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2024, or a new mill levy. We do not need to continue to build new facilities and completely replace infrastructure, when quality repairs and maintenance can in many items accomplish the same objectives at a fraction of the cost. It should also be noted that the expiring mill levy is used only to retire bonds, so no services will be cut as a result of its sunset. I will use my position on the Board to ensure that the MD budget is prepared in accordance with the funds available, which, if valuations are allowed to increase to anywhere near the new assessments, will by themselves provide quite a significant increase in operational funding to the MD. I will always seek to use the taxpayer’s funds in a fiscally responsible way.

What do you see as the major issues facing the Metropolitan District over the next three years, and how would you approach those issues as a Board member?
Implementing what can be implemented from the 2021 Community Survey. Top of the list that is currently being worked on are the improvements to Community Park. The plans have to consider and understand that the acreage was donated to KCR by the developer as it was unsuitable for building due to all the bentonite soils there. Before any redevelopment plans are approved, extensive soil surveys should be commissioned to ensure that plans would not require massive amounts of soil in and out to stabilize it. Not only would these costs be excessive over the long haul, such solutions may only prove to be temporary. Secondly, while some of the NADG developments have been put on hold because of the shifting economy, as they were conceived about 50 years ago, they will at some point in time come to fruition. This pause may give time to reevaluate numbers and see if it will benefit the Metropolitan District enough to justify being in the MD, when comparing it against possible expenses.