Three challengers took their best shot but missed the target as the Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition endorsed a trio of incumbents for county commissioner. The PPFC announced its support for Dennis Hisey, Sallie Clark and Amy Lathen on its Facebook page this morning.
Bernie Herpin, treasurer for PPFC, and also a Colorado Springs city councilman, posted the info on Facebook. Here’s a sampling of the post: “The endorsement was based on their previous support for our right to keep and bear arms, their performance at the PPFC candidate forum, results from a candidate survey on firearms issues, and a straw poll of the PPFC members.
“The candidates’ survey answers are available on the PPFC website: www.ppfc.org. The PPFC PAC will be making further endorsements prior to the November general election.
“A candidate survey has been sent to all local candidates for the Colorado legislature. The candidates responses will be posted on the PPFC later this month.”
Clark is opposed in District 3 by Karen Magistrelli. Hisey is opposed in District 4 by Auddie Cox. And Lathen is opposed in District 2 by Phil McDonald.
It’s notable that the county commissioners approved a new firing range in a joint agreement with Fort Carson.
The Republican Assembly is March 24.

A small procedural change at county commission meetings may turn out to be one of those “small step,” “giant leap” kind of things. Or not.

County employees have always presented an applicant’s request for a land use change or a liquor license issue or any case in which staff has worked with an applicant who is seeking some approval from the county commission. The applicant gets to speak after county staff and answer any questions from the commissioners. Then the public is invited to weigh in.

At Thursday’s biweekly meeting, the applicant for a zoning request to expand the capacity of a retreat center in Black Forest made his case first, and then a county employee followed up with his presentation.

The switcheroo came at the request of county Administrator Jeff Greene, who said some staff believe that having the applicant give a presentation about the request first is more “objective” and “transparent.”

With staff presenting first, he said, some think that gives the impression that staff are supportive of the applicant and nonobjective.

Max Rothschild, director of the county’s development services department, said the change is intended to “make the applicant and a project the focus of the meetings.”

When there’s opposition to a request, such as one neighbor not wanting another neighbor to operate a home business, the impression is that county staff members are giving advice to the applicant.

“We’re not necessarily; we’re supporting that the applicant meets all the requirements,” Rothschild said.

The new procedure could result in excess duplication, he admits.

Commission Chair Amy Lathen said she thought the new order “went well,” the first time around, and wants to give Commissioner Dennis Hisey a chance to see how the process works before making a permanent change.

Hisey is on a church mission trip in Mexico for Spring Break.

Greene said it’s the board chair’s discretion, with a consensus of the board, to decide in what order information should be presented.

Will the order of presentation matter to applicants? Will it change their chances of getting approval for their request? Will it make staff seem more objective?

Seven elected county officials, five 4th Judicial District Court judges and six El Paso County Court judges, were sworn in Tuesday. Jan. 11, during an oath-of-office ceremony at the Pioneers Museum.

Commissioner Darryl Glenn

Among those taking office are two new commissioners: Darryl Glenn and Peggy Littleton.

Peggy Littleton

At the county commission meeting immediately following the ceremony, Commissioner Dennis Hisey stepped down as chairman of the board. Commissioner Amy Lathen took the gavel and became Commission Chair.

Commissioner Sallie Clark is the new Commission Vice Chair. And Hisey will be the third chair and will run the meetings if Lathen and Clark cannot.

Commissioners also established liaison responsiblities for county departments, offices and agencies, and other commitments.

The list is available at this link.