Four candidates on this year’s ballot coasted through the election with guaranteed wins. Running unopposed, all they had to do was wait for the official word Tuesday night.
Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, La Plata County Clerk & Recorder Tiffany Lee Parker, La Plata County Surveyor Larry Connolly and La Plata County Assessor Craig Larson all faced no opposition this year.
Parker, a Republican, will be serving her second term as clerk and recorder. Parker believes there’s still plenty of work to be done to refine Colorado House Bill 13-1303 – a Democratic-sponsored bill that requires the state to send mail-in ballots to all residents, not just absentee voters – and will work so that overseas residents and deployed military personnel are able to vote 100 percent electronically, she said.
“I’m just so thankful and honored to be able to serve our La Plata County residents for another four years,” she said. “I love this job so much, and I love serving our community.”
Connolly, a Democrat, has served as the county surveyor for 14 years. As county surveyor, he plans to work with the La Plata County Planning Department on revising land-use codes for county projects.
“I’m proud to serve as La Plata County surveyor again for the next four years,” he said.
Larson, a Democrat, has been county assessor since 1990. He is an advocate of technology and innovation. The office is working on an aerial photography project that would allow assessors to readily check and access property information.
“I’m happy to get a vote of confidence from the taxpayers,” he said.
Roberts, a Republican, will be serving her second term as state senator from District 6. She said she will continue her focus on water conservation, health care for rural Colorado and education funding.
“I’m excited to have a second term,” she said. “I have done election season both ways in terms of having an opponent, sitting on the edge of my seat until the late hours of the night. Now, this is my second time not having an opponent.”
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
