Grand Junction Voters weigh candidates, ballot measures. Preliminary results are in.
By Dylan Raskay, City Pulse Editor
April 4, 2023 was Grand Junction’s biggest political happening of the year, with the city contending four city council district races and two ballot measures. Though results are not yet finalized, most of the races have been decidedly called, with an unknown number of ballots still remain to be counted or cured by election officials, according to KKCO. The city is to release comprehensive final results of the election after an 8 day curing period.
Arguably the biggest news of the night, after multiple failed ballot measures in past elections, and efforts by activists and volunteers, Grand Junction voters have finally green-lit plans for a new community recreation center at Matchett Park, near Patterson Road, voting yes on measure 1A. The measure will take effect on July 31, raising sales tax in the city by 0.14% to help pay for the project. Other funds for the project will be garnered from taxing the legal sale of cannabis products within the city.
“Grand Junction citizens have been working to pass a community recreation center (CRC) for a while now,” said Colorado Mesa University political science professor, Justin Gollob. When asked about the benefits the rec center is expected to bring residents Gollob said “Economic development, especially around the proposed building site was a topic of discussion during the lead up of the vote. Supporters believe that the CRC can benefit the local economy, especially through tourism and tax revenues.”
Candidate Cody Kennedy, a former Grand Junction police officer and detective turned property investor who ran in District A against property investor and business owner, Sandra Weckerly and Jamie Porta, a local utility worker and supporter of union labor. Kennedy has led his race by a strong margin and is expected to win the seat representing the riverside and orchard mesa neighborhoods.
Jason Nguyen, who serves on the city’s Urban Trails Committee, also leads his race in the unofficial results for District B against Greg Haitz and Michael Deuel. District B comprises the cities northern boundaries up to the airport. Haitz is the spouse of District 51 School Board President Andrea Haitz.
Current City Council President and Mayor, Anna Stout, ran unopposed in District A which comprises most of Grand Junction’s downtown, she will serve on council for another term. In an exclusive interview with KKCO, Stout shared her excitement about getting to work on the new rec center, a measure she heavily supported along with many community organizers and volunteers. “Now we have to drill down,” Stout said.
Closest is the race for at-large representative, between retired CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, Diane Schwenke and small business owner Scott Beilfuss. Beilfuss has a slim lead over Schwenke in the unofficial results.
Ballot measure 1B, which establishes a 99 year lease for Colorado Discover Ability, a non-profit organization, passed almost unanimously. Focused on helping people with disabilities through providing outdoor recreation programs, many voters were supportive of the organization, opting to extend their lease at 601 Struthers Ave.
With more finalized results expected in the coming days, Grand Junction voter’s finalized picks for office will be set to take office in May.
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