A steady snowfall blanketed the mountains as day-of voters hit the polling places, or dropped their mail-in ballots in designated boxes to be rushed off to county clerks for counting. The snow continued to accumulate into the night while watch parties streamed live news or refreshed webpages to watch the results.
By Wednesday morning, it looked like winter and much could be discerned from the preliminary results. Undoubtedly top of mind for all Americans, who would be our next president? In the early hours, 3:36am MST, the Associated Press called the race, reporting Donald Trump had won Wisconsin and secured the 270 electoral votes needed to become the 47th president of the United States. As of Wednesday morning, Trump also had a strong lead in the popular vote.
Looking locally, Republican victories also dominated preliminary results. While Kamala Harris proved more popular for president in Garfield County, Republican Perry Will had 14,595 votes to Democrat Caitlin Carey’s 12,842 for county commissioner; Republican incumbent Mike Samson likewise pulled ahead of Democrat Steven Arauza with 13,912 votes to 13,260. At a Republican watch party at the Hotel Colorado, Samson announced this would be his fifth and final term on the Board of County Commissioners.
In Pitkin County, Democrat incumbent Francie Jacober won her commissioner seat for another term over Republican Toni Kronberg. Ballot Issue 1A, increasing taxes to benefit affordable and workforce housing, passed, as well as an extension of the real estate transfer tax, solid waste center bonds and affirmation of the county commissioners’ authority over the airport expansion.
In state races, Republican Marc Catlin overtook Glenwood Springs’ Cole Buerger to represent Senate District 5. Democrat incumbent Elizabeth Velasco, however, had a solid victory over her Republican challenger, Caleb Waller, retaining her House District 57 seat for a second term.
Republican Jeff Hurd defeated Democrat Adam Frisch to represent Colorado District 3 in the 119th Congress. Lauren Boebert will again join Congress, now representing District 4. Republican Sherri Wright secured her recently appointed seat on the state Board of Education representing District 3.
Regarding the many ballot initiatives, an overwhelming number of voters supported expanding the eligibility for property tax exemptions for veterans with a disability. Similarly, establishment of an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board was approved, as well as an exception to the right to bail for cases of murder “when proof is evident or presumption is great.”
Voters strongly supported removing language in the constitution banning same-sex marriage and also established a constitutional right to abortion. The right to school choice constitutional amendment failed, as well as the ban on hunting mountain lions, lynx and bobcats.
The retention of all sports betting tax revenue was approved, as well as a firearms tax to support mental health and more money for peace officer training. Modification of election deadlines was turned down, as well as ranked choice voting. Parole eligibility for offenders of certain crimes was made more narrow and a new veterinary professional associate profession shall be established.
Glenwood Springs’ Ballot 2A — a 1-cent increase to the existing half-cent sales tax — appears to have narrowly passed by some 70 votes, while the Town of Parachute’s Ballot Issue 2B — to increase the Town’s sales tax by 0.5%, excluding essential items, to fund street and capital improvements — was effectively shut down.
Garfield County Judge Angela Roff narrowly retained her office by about 200 votes after being determined to not meet performance standards by a 4-3 vote in an evaluation by the Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation. Roff was appointed by Gov. Jared Polis in 2022 and previously worked as a contract prosecutor for municipalities including Carbondale.
According to the Secretary of State website, turnout for Garfield County was 63.22% and Pitkin County was 61.74%. All results are preliminary and subject to change as a few more ballots trickle in from overseas and recounts are conducted where deemed necessary.