Palmer Lake early special election results show voters want a say; what’s next?

PALMER LAKE, Colo. (KRDO) - Early results from Palmer Lake's special election show voters favoring a recall of two members of the town's Board of Trustees and approving a measure that would give residents the final say on future annexations.

See the full list of preliminary election results here.

These results are subject to certification by the Town Clerk's office by next Friday, Sept.19.

According to the early results, voters decided to replace Trustees Kevin Dreher and Shana Ball with candidates Roger Moseley and Beth Harris.

“I’m gonna be a real pain on the board,” Roger Moseley said in an interview with KRDO13. “Why did they keep the Buc-ee’s proposal secret for 5 months? Why won’t you tell us what you intend to spend the money on? How do you justify your previous treatment of the residents?”

“A year ago, I had no intention of running for political office,” Beth Harris explained. “And then this issue with the proposed Buc-ee’s, as well as people not being heard and feeling disenfranchised, and a number of other things, open meeting violations, and so on, I felt compelled by civic duty to do it.

In Lieu of an on-camera interview, acting Palmer Lake Mayor Dennis Stern sent KRDO13 the following statement:

“Thank you to everyone who voted in this election. While it’s clear our community has different perspectives on how best to address issues like water and drainage, infrastructure, and public safety, I know we share the same goal: a stronger future for Palmer Lake. Together, we can find solutions and move forward as one community.”

Dennis Stern was also named in attorney general complaints and petitions that garnered major support, ultimately putting Dreher and Ball on the ballot for recall.

However, Stern was granted immunity when the Board of Trustees voted him in as Mayor Pro Tem.

That's after the town's former mayor, Glant Havenar, stepped down amidst questions over her ability to act in the interest of residents when it came to the Buc-ee’s proposal.

A Buc-ee's spokesperson responded "no comment" when asked about the company's reaction to the Palmer Park special election results.

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