Rocky Ford councilman/Mayor Pro Tem arrested, fellow councilman says he should step down

ROCKY FORD, Colo. (KRDO) - On Sept. 1, Rocky Ford City Councilman Duane Gurule was arrested and charged with harassment and criminal mischief.

Gurule is currently serving as Mayor Pro Tem and campaigning to be Rocky Ford's next mayor. In a video posted to Gurule's professional Facebook account, he shared his perspective on the arrest and subsequent charges and told the community he would continue to work on the city council and campaign as the charges are litigated.

"I want you all to know that at this point, I intend to continue my work with the city of Rocky Ford," said Gurule in the video. "As a city councilman, I intend to continue with my campaign to be your next mayor of the city of Rocky Ford. The work here in Rocky Ford does not stop, it will not stop for me."

Still, that sentiment is not shared or endorsed by everyone serving alongside him.

"I believe in due process. I think that's important. I believe everybody is innocent until proven guilty," said Rocky Ford City Councilman Scott Kerr. However, he went on to say, "I believe that these are serious allegations, and until they're adjudicated properly, then he should at least as a representative of our small community, my opinion is he should at least step down or step away until this is all said and done."

Gurule was arrested on a misdemeanor harassment charge and criminal mischief under $300.

In his Facebook video statement, Gurule said the charges came after what he claims was a verbal argument with his wife on Aug. 30.

He said the argument escalated into a shouting match, and the two decided that their marriage was ending. Gurule said his wife packed her things and left for a different property the couple owned. Two days later, he was served an arrest warrant.

"I want to be clear that, you know, I take this matter very seriously," said Gurule. "And, you know, I'm sorry, you know, to everyone involved for all the pain and distress and just everything that, you know, it's caused and you know that it is going to cause."

Kerr told KRDO he believes the allegations and litigation are a distraction for the city.

"I know we're focusing a lot on city government. We're focusing a lot on Duane I just don't want it to get swept under the rug that there was somebody else that this affected greatly."

Gurule is currently the only candidate for mayor, and the deadline to become an official candidate has passed.

Kerr said he was initially not planning on running, but on Tuesday he completed paperwork that will allow for people to write him in as a candidate on their ballots.

"The citizens have every right to vote for him, and should they want to do so, they can do that," said Kerr. "But if they wanted another person of interest to look at or another avenue, I want it to be known that I have included myself as a candidate for a write-in for mayor."

The city clerk in Rocky Ford said that even if Gurule is convicted, a misdemeanor charge will not prohibit him from taking office if he is elected.