In unofficial ballot results, Rye’s John Christenson appears to have one the District V spot on the D70 Board of Education over long-time educator Terrie Tafoya. As of 11:00 p.m. last night, Christenson had 5,650 votes to Tafoya’s 4,412.
Colorado Metropolitan Districts effort to retain earned tax money (De-Brucing) also appeared to have passed by over a 2-1 margin. There were 379 “yes” votes and 148 “no votes” as of the 11:00 p.m. count. The measure will allow the district to keep over $100,000 earned primarily at the campground and the golf course to fund district projects including infrastructure.
In other D70 school board races, in District IV, Christopher DeLuca defeated Robert Boyd, 5,270 votes to 4,469. In a three-person race in District III Cathleen Culhane Howland has a narrow 73 vote margin over Staphanie Cordova-Catalano. Kayla Marler was 727 votes behind Cordova-Catalano.
Anne Ochs was the winner in District II with 4,321. She handily defeated incumbent Frederick Quintana (3,188) and long-time educator Daniel Toussaint (2,454). Dr. A. J. Wilson garnered 4,673 votes in District I, coming out on top over Paulette Frye (3,197) and Marla Spinuzzi Reichert (2,367).
Pueblo and Colorado voters have rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have given the state legislature direct authority over more aspects of state spending. Amendment 78 was down in Pueblo County 15,130 to 14,494. State-wide 56.5% of the voters were against the amendment that required a 55% approval to become law.
Proposition 119 which would have created a new bureaucracy to administer out of school learning opportunities funded by a marijuana sales tax increase was losing 54.5% to 45.5% statewide. In Pueblo County the number opposed was lower (51.1%) but solidly against the measure.
Proposition 120 would have lowered property tax rates in the state but the ballot was confusing and the explanation differed from the blue book analysis. In the blue book it appeared to only apply to hotels, bed and breakfasts and apartment building. Statewide 57% voted against the confusion but in Pueblo County the measure passed 53.3% to 46.7%.
In a very tight Pueblo City Council Member at Large race, Dennis Flores(incumbent) had a 41-vote lead over Heather Graham. In Pueblo City Council Member race for District 1, Incumbent Bob Schilling and Regina Maestri were deadlocked at 1,681 votes each. In District 3 Sarah Martinez had a comfortable lead with 2,659 votes.
Kathy L. DeNiro appears to be the winner in the D60 Board Member Race- At Large, with over 500 more votes than her next competitor. The second seat belongs to Matthew Cranswick with 7,794 votes.
Pueblo County passed ballot issue 2A by a wide margin. The measure allowed the city to keep excess sales tax and use it to repair several roads throughout Pueblo. Over 70% of the voters, voted for the measure.