Dear Editor,

Where I came from nobody knew what a “County Commissioner” was. Nobody knew who they were or what they did. But here in Colorado it’s a big deal. Three people make the laws that impact everything from taxes to building codes to road maintenance to wandering dogs. It’s a big job that directly affects all of us. Presumably a Commissioner should know A LOT about the County -- and have A LOT of experience working with the County.

I’m a moderate Republican from a long line of Republicans. But like half of Colorado voters, I had registered “unaffiliated” -- it keeps the options open. But that seemed kind of ... wishy-washy, so with the upcoming elections I went to the February 1st Gilpin Republicans (GCRC) meeting. Which turned out to be the evening candidates for County Commissioner were being introduced. And where I first noticed Jessica Kays -- where a few people (who I took to be party leaders) unleashed a withering storm of criticism at her for having the temerity to actually run for office. Most people would have shrunk from a barrage like that, but Ms. Kays calmly spoke for herself, held her ground and made a positive presentation for her candidacy. This woman had nerve and resolve.

After the usual Caucus and Assembly speeches -- where Ms. Kays was voted onto the ballot -- the next time Ms. Kays made a large impression was at the BOCC meeting of April 9, 2024. There, Ms. Kays was the first person to confront the entire Board of County Commissioners, Democrat and Republican, over a Resolution that Ms. Kays said would violate the free speech rights of every person in Gilpin County. Previously, on February 17, 2024, by Motion seconded by Ms. Kays’ Republican opponent and passed unanimously by the BOCC, Gilpin County had instituted a “dress code” prohibiting ANY form of political expression on ANY county property. Not only did Ms. Kays make the first public objection, she submitted a written argument describing how Resolution 24-54 violated the First Amendment and submitted a copy of a Washington lawsuit describing unconstitutional conduct virtually identical to what Gilpin County was doing. In less than 24 hours, County Manager Ray Rears shelved the Resolution. Credit for this reversal has been taken by others -- but it was Ms. Kays who got the job done.

Much ado has been made that on May 2, Ms. Kays refused to debate her Republican opponent. But only a fool plays against a stacked deck, and Vice-chairman Rick Wenzel’s floor questioning that night clearly established that a stacked deck is exactly what Kays’ opponent was holding. And Ms. Kays made her appearance. She didn’t duck out. She took the podium, and in the one minute allotted to her, addressed the audience, calmly and clearly voiced her objections and renewed her call for a fair and impartial debate. Most recently Ms. Kays and her opponent have accepted Barbara Hardt’s invitation to conduct a “roundtable” that will take place this Saturday, June 15, at Roy’s Last Shot.

These things all demonstrate a person of conviction, resolve and nerve. But there is another characteristic that Ms. Kays has exhibited throughout this campaign: Positivity. A willingness to express her own vision for this County; to meet with people, talk with them and listen to their concerns. All without mudslinging. All without ever trashing her opponent.

These are all good qualities, but the job Ms. Kays is running for requires more: Knowledge and experience.

And these are things Ms. Kays has in abundance. At age 44 Ms. Kays has spent 25 years, virtually her entire working life, in service of Gilpin County. Starting with four years employed by Gilpin County as Deputy Clerk and Administrative Assistant. Followed in 2002 with a successful run for Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder, an elected position which she held followed by a second successful run until 2011. Since then, and for the last 13 years, she has been Gilpin County’s IT Consultant, giving her insight into all aspects of Gilpin County operations.

One question that has cropped up from Ms. Kays’ small but dedicated collection of detractors: Is Ms. Kays a Republican? Of course. She was a Republican when she successfully ran for Clerk and Recorder in 2002 and she’s a Republican now. But party affiliation isn’t anywhere near as important as the fact that, by knowledge and by experience and by dedication Jessica Kays is the most qualified candidate from ANY party for the job of Gilpin County Commissioner. That’s why I’m voting for her.

RHaj Mand

Black Hawk