CONEJOS — Ballot mailing will begin Oct. 15 and Conejos County voters will have a lot on their plate.

Local races
State Rep. Dist. 62 — Incumbent Donald Valdez, a Democrat, versus Republican Scott Honeycutt. Valdez is a La Jara native and Honeycutt is from Alamosa.

Commissioners
County Commissioner Dist. Two — Incumbent Republican Mitchell “Mitch” Jarvies faces opposition from Democrat Steve Cordova.

Sheriff
The race for county sheriff was triggered by the resignation of Howard Galvez.
Former Sheriff Robert Gurule is serving in the interim and will be replaced by either retired Colorado State Patrol Trooper Garth Crowther, a Republican, or Jacob D. Ortiz, a Democrat.
Coroner
Running for County Coroner are Incumbent Richard A. Martin, a Republican, and Democrat Leslie Salazar.

County Clerk and Recorder
Incumbent Democrat Nathan Ruybal is unopposed for county clerk and recorder.
This will be his first election, since he was appointed to complete the expiring term of Lawrence Gallegos, who moved out of state.
Unopposed candidates
Also running unopposed are incumbent County Treasurer Mack M. Crowther, incumbent County Assessor Naomi Martinez-Keys and incumbent County Surveyor, Republican Martin Reynolds.

State measures
State ballot measures that would amend the state constitution:
Amendment V asks if the age qualification for a member of the General Assembly should be reduced from 25 to 21 years.
Amendment W asks if the election ballot should be changed for judicial retention elections.

Swift retention
Local Judge Pattie P. Swift is standing for retention as a 12th Judicial District Judge. The others are for the Colorado Supreme Court and Colorado Court of Appeals.

Conejos County sales tax
Conejos County Ballot Issue 1A seeks to impose a sales tax throughout the county.
The tax, sought vocally by residents several months ago and brought before the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will fund needed improvements in the sheriff’s department, as well as essential monies for the county ambulance.
Conejos County has a low assessed valuation and is ranked one of the poorest in the State, so more revenue is needed, the commissioners explain.
State law authorizes BOCCs to levy a countywide sales tax upon the approval of registered voters and the Conejos BOCC has arisen to this need.
The BOCC has determined that it is in the best interest of the present and future residents of the county that a specific new county wide sales tax at a rate of two and one-half percent be created and imposed to be used to fund the sheriff’s office to provide law enforcement operations and to further fund the ambulance service provided by Conejos County to provide emergency medical services.