David ‘Muka’ Traenkle

Democratic Party

How does your experience make you qualified to represent the people?

The office has a few main functions, and I have extensive experience with these key responsibilities.First, I have been a Certified Residential Appraiser for 6 years, valuing approximately 1000 properties, including single family residential, 4-plexes, homes with ADU's, vacant land, new builds, homes on large acreage, and condominiums.  The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) informs and guides the valuation procedures that the Assessor's Office uses. I am the only one running with this essential experience.

Second, this office has about 50 employees.   Leadership and managing teams is maybe the most important function of the Assessor.  I have extensive management and leadership experience.  I have been owner/operator of a few businesses in the last 30 years leading/managing similar size teams.   As a business owner, high school teacher, professional guide, and coach, I have proven leadership experience.
Additionally, as a business owner, I have paid personal property taxes.  The Assessors Office is responsible for valuing the equipment of local businesses.  These are the taxes that businesses with over $56,000 worth of income producing equipment must declare and pay.  This is another function of this office that only local business owners understand.   I am the candidate with experience as a business owner interfacing with this office.

And finally, another role of the office is to educate the public about their rights and responsibilities.  I was a teacher at Sand Creek and Vista Ridge High Schools, in D49, for eight years, teaching Civics, Economics, and History.   These experiences will be put to use helping our community to understand the function of the office and make sure that no one pays more than their fair share.  Did you know that 100% disabled veterans are exempt from property taxes, and most citizens over 65 who have lived in the same house for 10 years get a discount?  Did you know that certain individuals with sensitive employment or personal backgrounds can have their names redacted from being associated with their address?
I strongly believe in public service and will serve this County with competence, integrity, fairness and transparency.  My goal will be to leave the Assessor's Office and our community stronger than when I started.

What are your top policy priorities?

My top three priorities as Assessor are to lead the office with competence and professionalism, to ensure the office serves the public with transparency, and to ensure that citizens are the focus of the office, not developers and special interests. *The office is statutorily required to file accurate reports with the state and communicate clearly with all property owners.  The new assessments will start coming out soon after I am sworn into office, and I will ensure the whole team at the office is supported to provide the best services possible.  I have the experience and the knowledge to lead this office professionally.
*Under my leadership this office will have office hours in remote parts of the County.  We will have education and feedback sessions all around the County.  We will be transparent with the property valuations and any major decisions or changes.
*This office will not favor developers or donors.  For too long our local government has been very responsive to special interests, while working class folks and community members are left wondering who these offices serve.

What is one issue you think is being overlooked in this race, and how would you address it? 

In a time when developers are asking the City and the County to take on additional burdens, I will run this office for the citizens of this County and not donors, developers or any special interests.  All working folks know that prices are increasing and budgets are getting tighter.  Demands for water and power continue to increase.  I will follow all state laws and the norms/standards of my profession.  I will not play favorites for the wealthy and powerful to take advantage of the system to get out of paying their fair share.  While local services are being cut and developers steamroll public comments, this office will work for the people.   At the foot of America's mountain, we need to be resilient and hold on to our communities and our resources.

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