Please explain in detail the Colorado Statutory duties of the elected official office which you would take an oath to uphold.

The county assessors are responsible for the management and operation of the assessor’s office. Their goal is to produce the tax warrant with fair and equalized property values. § 30-10-803, C.R.S. The major duties of an assessor can be categorized as discovering, listing, classifying, and valuing all taxable real and personal property and all property granted exemption by the Division of Property Taxation that is located within the county on the assessment date. These categories are often referred to as the assessment function, § 39-5-101, C.R.S.

While it is not immediately obvious how your views on the last national election should have anything to do with the sort of local issues you will be involved with, I think it would be good to know whether you think, as some insist, that Joe Biden was fraudulently declared president. For my own part, it has surprised me to find this opinion expressed by people I never expected to hear it from. Would you all be willing to state clearly your own take on the matter?

I don’t believe there has been any evidence of widespread voter fraud. Republican and Democratic election officials certified the election as valid. Courts have rejected lawsuit after lawsuit, and a clear majority of Congress confirmed the final result.

Who was the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election?

Joe Biden

Do you believe that all American citizens (over the age of 18) have an equal right to vote and have their voices heard? If so, do you believe that did not happen in the 2020 election or are you afraid it might not be the case in the 2022 election? If elected, what would you do to try to ensure that all adult American citizens’ votes are counted and/or American voices heard?

I do believe that all American citizens have an equal right to vote.

The 2020 election had record voter turnout. Many states after this election began drafting bills to tighten voting rules. Ultimately 19 states passed 34 laws making it harder for some to cast their ballots.

If elected, I would help by supporting policymakers prioritize election accessibility.

Assessor

Explain how property taxes will change next year?

All properties in Gilpin County are revalued every odd year. Inevitably, because of higher market value, there will be an increase in property taxes based on Comparable Sales within the past 18 months. However, Senate Bill 22-238 was passed to provide commercial and residential property owners some relief with new lower assessment rates and reductions in taxable value.

Explain how protests of property valuations are handled and what you would do to facilitate a fair review of the protest?

From May 1st to close of business June 1st property owners are able to file a protest of valuation. They may file based on valuation, classification, building characteristics, and land value. The Assessor’s office will equitably review the protest and make a decision to adjust value up, down, or deny and hold the value from the posted Notice of Valuation.

What are your views of the county employees in the Assessor’s office and what you do to help them with their jobs.

I work with the team in the Assessors office daily and our working relationship has flourished over the last 18 months. I am very familiar with their personalities and workload. I will ask for input from the team and take their lead on processes that work well and work with them to improve those identified as ineffective.

Please tell us what you know about the Gallagher Amendment.

The Gallagher Amendment was passed by the voters of Colorado in 1982. Homeowners, concerned about skyrocketing residential property taxes, pressured the state legislature to address the problem. The Gallagher Amendment divided the state’s total property tax burden between residential and nonresidential (commercial) property. According to the Amendment, 45% of the total amount of state property tax collected must come from residential property, and 55% of the property tax collected must come from commercial property. The Amendment also mandated that the assessment rate for commercial property, which was responsible for 55% of the total state property tax burden, be fixed at 29%. The residential rate, on the other hand, was annually adjusted to hold the 45/55 split constant. The Gallagher Amendment was repealed in 2020

What is your management style?

I have a listening and learning style. Just because you are a leader doesn’t mean you know everything about everything. You need constant updating, varied opinions, and solution oriented coworkers. Openness delivered with consideration leads to first class outcomes for your staff and the public.

How do you promote a positive and productive climate in your office?

By creating an atmosphere of harmony, optimism, and good relationships. In this type of environment there is less friction, more understanding and more desire to help one another.

If someone is unhappy about their assessed property value, how do you respond?

If a resident is upset at the counter, we would educate on how we came up with the value. (Mass appraisal and median value based on market sales) Everyone has a right to ask how the value was done and a right to protest if they do not agree.

Housing values have increased. How will you prepare the Gilpin Property owners for an increase in the assessment of their property?

Education, Education, Education! A prepared property owner typically has less issues with taxation.