It's Election Day, What to Watch in Southeast Colorado

By Anne Boswell

One thing is for sure, the turnout for elections that aren't a Presidential year election is usually quite lower. However, there's a lot of important races happening in Southeast Colorado. Voters are deciding these issues and choosing candidates today, Tuesday, November 4th.

Bent County ballots might seem shorter because there are only two state questions, LL and MM. Both are asking whether or not we think school lunches for all should continue to be funded.

Basically, Prop LL is asking if Colorado should be allowed to keep and spend extra tax revenue that's been collected above the original amount to fund the free school meals program? In 2022, the money was meant to come from limiting some higher income tax deductions. They figured it would be about 100.7 million dollars but it actually ended up being closer to 112 million. Because Colorado has TABOR or the Tax Payer Bill of Rights, they have to ask us if we're OK to spend that extra wad of money. It is to be returned to us, the taxpayer under TABOR. While it might seem hard to argue for free lunches for all school kids, some people believe that the free lunch program needs to function within its original budget without the need for more funds.

Prop MM is asking if Colorado should change the tax code to raise more money, expected up to 95 million dollars a year by limiting tax deductions for households earning $300,000 and above. It would fund the HSMA Healthy School Meals for All, and when that's funded any leftover money would go to SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The ask is because the program is costing more than they planned.

Those against the proposition say if it's rejected free meals could still be available for identified needy children just not for all students.

All 64 counties in Colorado are voting on these two questions.

Otero County has a contested Mayoral race in Rocky Ford between Duane Gurule and Johnny McMurray.

La Junta's race for mayor is not contested and only Joseph Ayala's name is on the ballot.

For Ward One in La Junta, Damian Ramiriz is unopposed. Ward Two, Carly Johnson has no opponent, for Ward Three Jeremiah Stoker is challenging Lisa Pantoya. They both have served on council and a recent address change for Stoker placed him in Pantoya's ward, this will be one to watch.

Three people want to be on the school board for Manzanola district 3

Linda Fief, Penni Blanchard, and Harold Krieger. The voting instructions state you must choose only two names in this race.

Swink School Board will be adding two out of candidates, Eric Hanagan, Hannah Muth, and Brad Davidson.

Andrew Grover is unopposed in the Swink school board election.

For the East Otero School Board voters will be choosing from the following list of candidates:

Cameron J. Salzbrenner

Gregory Kolomitz

Rodney Bickel

Tiffany M. Rizo-Morales

Amanda Gingrich

Voters will need to choose three from this list.

Crowley county will be deciding on whether or not to borrow money using bonds so improvements can be made on Career and Technical Education spaces, they also want to spend the money to enhance ag and vocations programs among other uses for the community.

There are four running opposed in the selection of the school board in Crowley County.

Jordan King, James C. Watkins, Martin M. Martinez, Jr., and Kaci L. Mason.

Kiowa county is asking voters to approve a county wide sales and use tax of 1.5% to fund road and bridge projects along with maintenance.

In Prowers County, for the position of Mayor of Lamar, Kirk Crespin is running unopposed along with Brad Johnson for council member. There is a contested race for Ward two in Lamar however, with David Zavala, Mike Duffy, and Don Williamson. Also, ward three has three candidates, Mike Headlee, Shalah Lyn Mata, and Shawnrae Falconburg.

Granada School District is seeking directors. Elizabeth Hainer for District A, and Pete Hernandez and Andrea Riddle face off for District C. Janet Alvarado Cano is the only candidate for District D.

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