Decision 2014: Beauprez concedes to Hickenlooper
Governor John Hickenlooper will serve another term in office.
Hickenlooper was declared the winner in a tight race against Republican challenger Bob Beauprez early Wednesday.
The race was too close to call when most people went to bed Tuesday night.
Both candidates took the stage late Tuesday night to thank their supporters and suggest they get some sleep.
The results began to turn in Hickenlooper’s favor early Tuesday morning. The Associated Press released a bulletin declaring Hickenlooper the winner at 9:13 a.m.
Beauprez conceded to Hickenlooper late Wednesday afternoon. In a letter to supporters posted on his website he said, “There are so many people who worked so hard, and words can’t express our gratitude. Especially those of you around the state who knocked on doors, made phone calls, chipped in to contribute, and gave us your time and talent believing with us that together we could build a Stronger Colorado.”
During an acceptance speech Wednesday morning, Hickenlooper thanked his family, his campaign team, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and the voters who elected him. “The voters of Colorado have spoken, and what I want to express first and foremost is gratitude,” Hickenlooper said.
Hickenlooper said he spoke with senator elect Cory Gardner on the phone Wednesday morning, and that both men agreed they would be able to work well together. “No one person and no one party has all the answers,” he said. Hickenlooper said he looks forward to collaborating with the legislatures.
The governor concluded his acceptance speech by thanking outgoing senator Mark Udall. “Colorado has and will continue to grow, so let’s get on with it,” he said.
GARDNER UNSEATS UDALL
Republican Rep. Cory Gardner has defeated first-term Democratic Sen. Mark Udall in one of the priciest U.S. Senate races in the nation.
The contest helped tip the Senate to Republican control and showed that the GOP can win in diverse, fast-growing states like Colorado that have rejected the party for much of the Obama administration.
A visibly shaken Udall cited his family repeatedly in his concession speech. He thanked the people of Colorado for allowing him to serve as Senator for the past six years.
Gardner said the returns were “a warning to all who fail to act on our nation’s greatest challenges.”
During the campaign, Gardner repeatedly tied Udall to President Barack Obama. Gardner’s campaign also called him a “new kind of Republican.”
EPC CLERK & RECORDER HEADED TO DENVER
Colorado voters selected El Paso County’s Republican Clerk and Recorder, Wayne Williams, to serve as the next Secretary of State.
Williams beat out Democrat Joe Neguse for the seat, which is currently held by Republican Scott Gessler.
Republicans also claimed victories in other state-wide races, with Walker Stapleton winning the State Treasurer’s race and Cynthia Coffman winning decisively in the race for Attorney General.
COLORADO REJECTS “PERSONHOOD”, GMO LABELS
All but one of the four amendments and propositions on the Colorado ballot were voted down Tuesday night.
Rejected were Amendment 67 (personhood), Amendment 68 (gambling at horse tracks), and Proposition 105 (GMO labeling).
The only measure that passed was proposition 104, which requires collective bargaining negotiation meetings in Colorado school districts to be open to the public.
STORMWATER FAILS, MANITOU POT SALES TO CONTINUE
El Paso County voters rejected a plan Tuesday night to deal with the region’s stormwater concerns, setting the stage for a potential legal fight between Colorado Springs and Pueblo County.
Issue 1A would have created a regional stormwater task force. Colorado Springs leaders agreed to address the stormwater issue when Pueblo County approved construction of the Southern Delivery System. The city imposed a stormwater fee to pay for the improvements, which voters later repealed.
El Paso County voted yes on Issues 1A and 1C.
1A allows the county to retain excess tax revenue and spend the money on improving area parks.
1C shortens the amount of time a sheriff can serve from three terms to two.
Meanwhile, recreational marijuana sales will continue in Manitou Springs after voters rejected a proposal to make such sales illegal.
OTHER HOT RACES
Other hot races in southern Colorado included the race for sheriff in Teller County, where Mike Ensminger beat out Mark Manriquez with 59% of the vote.
In Pueblo County, Sheriff Kirk Taylor was reelected. He beat out challenger Victor Boley with 60% of the vote.
