Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in support of Ms. April Nielsen's re-election as the Gilpin County Assessor.

I have been a contractor for Gilpin County since 2000, and my responsibilities include valuing all of the gaming properties (casinos and land) in Central City and Black Hawk for assessment / revaluation purposes. April is the third assessor whom I have worked with in Gilpin County, and the purpose of this letter is to communicate my full support for April. 

By the way, this is the first time I have ever written a letter of support for an assessor, and I am very happy to write this one.

Most people do not know an assessor's responsibilities, and the short story is that it is a position which requires strong management and communication skills, but it also requires a very analytical mindset and ongoing continuing education in order to keep track of the many technical duties required to value an entire county.

In short, it is a complicated position, and it has a steep learning curve. I can unequivocally state that April has met the challenge required of her position, and she is the best assessor I have worked with.

I strongly encourage that she be re-elected. In my mind, she has earned the public's trust.

Rich Jortberg

Boulder