Dear Editor,

Coming up this year in May, Special District Elections. Why should you care and why am I telling you this?

Special districts form a major part of the local government infrastructure. They collect taxes to perform a service on the taxpayer’s behalf. That can be a water district, transportation district, fire protection district, the list is extensive. In Colorado there are more than 2800 special districts that control billions of dollars of taxpayer funds. Some are better run than others. That covers why you should care.

Why am I telling you this? Because I promised that I would as a board director of the Nederland Fire Protection District when I ran for election. Sometimes special districts hide behind the law and post only the statutory notice that hides at the back of the paper in the legal notices section that few people read. When I ran for election approximately 1 in 10 electors that I spoke to knew that there was either an election or an elected board for the fire district or that they might be eligible to be on a board.

Special districts are governed by an elected board of directors, either 5 or 7, who are taxpayers within the district. Special district elections occur every 2 years and stagger the board terms so there should always be board members with context about what is going on. Each director usually serves a 4-year term. This year the election is on May 3rd.

In a fire district the chief runs the department day-to-day and acts as the CEO. The board delegates authority to them to do that. The board, in turn, provides oversight to ensure that the district is being run correctly and has a plan to ensure the longevity of the district. The board should bring with them a variety of skills and backgrounds and a desire for the success of the department. Previous experience in emergency services is not required.

If you would like to run for election on the board you need to complete a self-nomination form, this can be found on our website under ‘Governance’ and return to Jim Harrison, DEO Nederland Fire Protection District, PO Box 155, Nederland, CO 80466. You can also drop it off at the fire station. You must return the form by February 25th at 5 p.m. or fill out an affidavit of intent to run as a write-in candidate by February 28th at 5 p.m. to be included on the ballot.

There are 3 seats up for election this year and at this time all of the current incumbents intend to run as candidates. If there are no further candidates, then the election will be canceled by the board at the beginning of March.

The board resolved to make this election a mail-in ballot because of COVID uncertainties and also to ensure access and transparency. All eligible electors of the district will receive a mail ballot should the election proceed.

Whether you decide to be a candidate or vote, please participate in our democracy.

Sincerely,

Iain Irwin-Powell

President, Board of Directors Nederland

Fire Protection District.