New board members sworn in, with sharp divide on first vote (2024)

Sparks flew at the first town board meeting of the newly elected board, with a vote on new board assignments made by Mayor Gary Hall dividing new board members against incumbent board members.

The elected and re-elected Trustees were sworn in by Municipal Judge David Thrower, with the board beginning discussion and voting on three main action items to fill necessary appointments and positions immediately afterward.

The first vote focused on updating the appointments to all board, commissions and liaison positions for the board members.

Assignments included Estes Park Planning Commission, Larimer County Solid Waste Policy County and Local Markert District Visit Estes Park alternate for Trustee Frank Lancaster; Estes Park Board of Appeals, Sister Cities and Larimer County Regional Opioid Abatement Council for Trustee Cindy Younglund; Rooftop Rodeo Committee and Colorado Association of Ski Towns for Mayor Pro Tem Marie Cenac; Police Auxilary, Transportation Advisory Board and Regional Transportation Infrastructure Taskforce for Trustee Mark Igel; Estes Valley Restorative Justice and Economic Development and Workforce Council for Trustee Kirby Hazelton; Estes Park and Board of Adjustment, Estes Park Housing Authority Board of Adjustment, Audit Committee, and Estes Chamber of Commerce, Local Marketing District, Visit Estes Park for Truste Bill Brown.

The board assignments were originally approved and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cenac and Trustee Igel to be brought to a vote, but Trustee Brown asked that the assignments be read in full for transparency for the public.

The main area of heated discussion was on the Visit Estes Park position, with Trustee Lancaster asking why Trustee Brown was given the position on the Visit Estes Park Board, given that Trustee Hazelton has a background in marketing and has shown interest in the role. Hazelton also served as the Director of Partnership Development on Visit Estes Park for three years.

“Trustee Brown seemed to me to be a reasonable fit,” said Mayor Hall. “He’s got finance and legal background…overall I felt it was kind of a fresh option – it’s a new viewpoint if you will.”

Younglund then commented on the appointment, saying that she thought Trustee Hazelton was a more “logical” person to be part of the Visit Estes Park board.

“For a new trustee, it’s a pretty big-sized commitment,” she said, recommending changing that position with a lesser position for Brown as he begins his term on the board.

Cenac also commented that the number of assignments seemed overloaded on Brown.

Brown pushed back on the suggestions, saying that he has his own background with Visit Estes Park, mainly with helping to develop the 6E ballot initiative, and that if the assignments become overwhelming, he’d be open to reassignment if needed.

“I’m happy to do whatever the mayor wants on this,” he said. “I am retired, so I do have time to do it, I don’t feel like it’s too much at once, but I will defer to [the mayor]…I’m used to working hard and look forward to whatever assignments you give me.”

Hazelton commented that she respects Hall’s recommendations, and that ultimately it is up to the board to accept the assignments, but that she would serve on Visit Estes Park’s board or wherever she is needed.

“If the board collectively decided that that would be an appropriate fit for me, I would be happy to accept it, and if they decide that Bill is a better fit at this time that’s great, too,” she said. “I’d be happy to share my comments along.”

Trustee Igel commented that he would appreciate the fresh perspective for Visit Estes Park, with Lancaster agreeing on a fresh perspective from Brown, just in a different position. Lancaster then proposed a substitute motion that Brown would be a better fit on the Economic Development and Workforce Council and Hazelton should serve on the Visit Estes Park Board, switching the assignments Hall created.

Brown made one final push for the Visit Estes Park position, saying that as one of the newest people in town, having moved here four years ago, he doesn’t have knowledge of the history beyond the current board, which could be used to his advantage and provide a fresh perspective.

Hazelton pushed back on Brown’s comments, and Hall’s early comments on having someone with different experience serving on Visit Estes Park, saying that there seem to be implications that she would be unable to fill the position without bias as a former employee and an applicant for a leadership position for VEP.

“We all have experience with a lot of different organizations in this community,” she said. “I think that’s an inherent part of this, is that you’ve been involved in different organizations throughout your time here, whether it’s for four years or thirteen or twenty-five of whatever it is…I feel like that needs to be said, by no means is my willingness to accept this position or not an indicator of any nefarious intent one way or another – it’s just to do the best job for the community in whatever capacity that is.”

Cenac said that she would support the substitute motion, mainly due to Brown’s workload, and that it in no way discredits the work Hall put into creating the work assignments. Lancaster agreed, saying that it has nothing to do with questioning judgment.

“I have full faith either one of these individuals could do the job, I would just like to see Trustee Hazelton there,” Lancaster said.

Hall said that he has faith in both Trustee Hazelton and Brown to fulfill their positions, but that he would be voting against the substitute motion.

The substitute motion was then voted on, passing 4-3, with Brown, Igel and Hall all voting against it, confirming Trustee Hazelton would be placed on the Visit Estes Park Board and that Trustee Brown would be placed on the Economic Development and Workforce Council.

The new board then completed the two other action items on the agenda, unanimously approving the appointments of the town clerk, treasurer, attorney, municipal judge and town administrator. The board also unanimously approved renewing the contract with David Thrower for municipal judge services until April 28, 2026.

The town board will have its next meeting on May 14, 2024.