Elbert County Colorado News Facts & Follies

Elbert County Colorado News Facts & Follies Our goal is to keep residents informed &connected.

Elbert County Colorado News Facts and Follies is a community-focused page dedicated to sharing reliable local news, public updates, community events, and the everyday stories that matter in Elbert County.

πŸ“£ The ECCB Elbert County Conservative Breakfast has released the full recording of the Republican candidates debate.We e...
06/18/2026

πŸ“£ The ECCB Elbert County Conservative Breakfast has released the full recording of the Republican candidates debate.

We encourage every voter to watch the entire discussion before casting a ballot. Don't rely on short clips, sound bites, or comments taken out of context. Hear each candidate's complete answers, compare their positions, and make an informed decision for yourself.

If you still have questions, reach out to the candidates directly and ask for clarification.

πŸ—³οΈ Your vote matters. Ballots are already in voters' hands, or you can cast your ballot in person.

πŸŽ₯ Debate recording: https://youtu.be/6T8q0my5C74?si=YIepv8tfiPjtqkKB

Elbert County Conservative Breakfast Inc.Is a 501 (c) (3) Non-Prof...

Elizabeth Fire is taking applications.
06/17/2026

Elizabeth Fire is taking applications.

πŸ“š Elizabeth School District Board Vacancy: The Community Deserves a VoiceHow does the Elizabeth School District Board of...
06/17/2026

πŸ“š Elizabeth School District Board Vacancy: The Community Deserves a Voice

How does the Elizabeth School District Board of Education intend to fill its current vacancy?

Applications will be submitted, but what happens next?

Many community members and families, especially those who participated in the last election, believe the board should conduct public interviews of the final qualified candidates and provide an opportunity for public input before making an appointment.

This position represents our schools, our tax dollars, and our children. Transparency and community engagement should be part of the process.

If you agree, consider emailing the board and respectfully requesting a public interview process:

πŸ“§ Nicole Hunt – [email protected]
πŸ“§ David Fletcher – [email protected]
πŸ“§ Mary Powell – [email protected]
πŸ“§ Rhonda Olsen – [email protected]

Board applications should be submitted to:

πŸ“§ [email protected]

Given what many consider a challenging period for the district, including litigation, budget concerns, staffing issues, and the normal responsibilities of governing a school district, the selection of the next board member is especially important.

This is an opportunity to build public confidence through an open and transparent process. Our schools, our students, and our community deserve nothing less.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE MEET & GREET in Simla.
06/17/2026

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE MEET & GREET in Simla.

06/17/2026

🚧 THE WHEELS ARE TURNING... BUT THERE'S NO TRACTION. 🚧

Ken Madsen wants voters to believe he's ready to lead Elbert County, yet the record raises a different question: is he simply stretched too thin?

Absent from FAC meetings.

No time to promote the charter school that needs every enrollment it can get.

Months on the Planning Commission, yet still proposing a "top-down review" of regulations and finances that he should already know.

And now the solution is to put the brakes on county government for six months while he catches up?

Leadership isn't about collecting titles. It's about showing up, understanding the job, and getting results.

The wheels are turning, but there's no traction. Elbert County deserves forward motion, not a government stuck in neutral.

~EC Citizens Task Force

πŸŽ“ ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN ADVERTISEMENTSConfidence is earned, and right now ICA has some serious questions to answer.S...
06/16/2026

πŸŽ“ ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN ADVERTISEMENTS

Confidence is earned, and right now ICA has some serious questions to answer.

Since its inception, the school has cycled through five board members, raising concerns about long term stability and leadership.

The most recent resignation, Patsy Moore-Westkamp, stated:

Β«"As the educational landscape evolves at the Federal, State and local levels, we have decided that it is in the best interest of our child's educational wellbeing to enroll at a school outside of the public-school forum."Β»

She further explained that because her own child would no longer attend ICA, "it does not seem appropriate for my continued participation as a director."

When a board member chooses to enroll their own child elsewhere after only a few months, it naturally raises questions about confidence in the school's direction.

Enrollment remains another challenge. Only approximately 25 students from Elizabeth School District chose to enroll, suggesting the overwhelming majority of local families continue to place their trust in ESD leadership, teachers, and neighborhood schools.

Former ESD board member Mike Calahan also questioned ICA's enrollment numbers before resigning, suggesting the reported figures appeared questionable and perhaps even manufactured to demonstrate sufficient demand for approval.

Any one of these issues might be explainable. Together, they paint a troubling picture of board turnover, enrollment struggles, and declining confidence.

Families deserve transparency, stability, and leadership they can trust. Right now, it is reasonable for the community to ask whether ICA is delivering on the promises it made.

πŸŽ“ ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN ADVERTISEMENTSConfidence is earned, and right now ICA has some serious questions to answer.S...
06/16/2026

πŸŽ“ ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN ADVERTISEMENTS

Confidence is earned, and right now ICA has some serious questions to answer.

Since its inception, the school has cycled through five board members, raising concerns about long term stability and leadership.

The most recent resignation, Patsy Moore-Westkamp, stated:

Β«"As the educational landscape evolves at the Federal, State and local levels, we have decided that it is in the best interest of our child's educational wellbeing to enroll at a school outside of the public-school forum."Β»

She further explained that because her own child would no longer attend ICA, "it does not seem appropriate for my continued participation as a director."

When a board member chooses to enroll their own child elsewhere after only a few months, it naturally raises questions about confidence in the school's direction.

Enrollment remains another challenge. Only approximately 25 students from Elizabeth School District chose to enroll, suggesting the overwhelming majority of local families continue to place their trust in ESD leadership, teachers, and neighborhood schools.

Former ESD board member Mike Calahan also questioned ICA's enrollment numbers before resigning, suggesting the reported figures appeared questionable and perhaps even manufactured to demonstrate sufficient demand for approval.

Any one of these issues might be explainable. Together, they paint a troubling picture of board turnover, enrollment struggles, and declining confidence.

Families deserve transparency, stability, and leadership they can trust. Right now, it is reasonable for the community to ask whether ICA is delivering on the promises it made.

🌾 Rural by Design, Not by Fear 🌾The reality is simple: one county commissioner cannot stop a master-planned community.Ev...
06/15/2026

🌾 Rural by Design, Not by Fear 🌾

The reality is simple: one county commissioner cannot stop a master-planned community.

Even if all three commissioners agreed to require future developments to be 5-acre parcels or larger, the county would almost certainly face costly legal challenges from property owners and developers. Those lawsuits would be paid for by taxpayers while sending a message that Elbert County is closed for business, discouraging the very employers and investments that strengthen our local economy.

You'll often hear claims that "over 7,000 homes have been approved." What isn't mentioned is that master-planned communities are built in phases over decades, not overnight. Each filing requires additional review and approval, infrastructure must be in place, and market demand ultimately determines the pace of construction.

There's a reason these communities are planned near existing population centers instead of scattered throughout the heart of agricultural land. Concentrating growth allows roads, schools, emergency services, utilities, and other infrastructure to serve residents more efficiently while preserving large areas of open space and working ranches.

For perspective:

β€’ Spring Valley Ranch was approved in 2001 and is expected to take 30 to 35 years to reach full build-out.

β€’ Independence began approvals around 2016 to 2018 and is projected to take 25 to 30 years to complete.

Elbert County's strength has always been balancing private property rights with responsible planning. A slow, phased build pace, high open-space requirements, thoughtful wildlife preservation, and a continued focus on water sustainability are what create a truly sustainable future, not fear-driven slogans or one-size-fits-all restrictions.

Protect agriculture. Respect property rights. Plan responsibly. That's how Elbert County stays rural for generations to come.















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