Broomfield Election 2017 Results: Ahrens Re-elected UPDATED

BROOMFIELD, CO -- Unofficial results appear to indicate that incumbents made a good showing in Broomfield in the Nov. 7 election. The Broomfield County Clerk posted updated unofficial results Wednesday.

Mayor Randy Ahrens appeared to be ahead in the race against challenger T.J. Cole. Ahrens had 56.12 percent of the vote or 11,074 votes to Coles' 43.88 percent or 8,657 votes.

In the hotly contested council races, where 12 candidates ran for five seats, Ward 1 incumbent Elizabeth Law-Evans appeared to be ahead of challenger James Holschen with 54.37 percent of the votes, or 1,946 to Holschen's 45.63 percent (1,633).

Ward 2 incumbent Sharon Tessier ran unopposed.

In the open race in Ward 3, opera singer Deven Shaff appeared to be ahead with 52.97 percent of the vote (2,496) compared to Rick Fernandez's 2,216, or 47.03 percent of the vote.

In the open Ward 4 race, Kimberly Groom (Ruger) appeared to have a significant lead in a four-way race with 37.67 percent of the vote, or 2,136 votes. Susan Speece was second with 25.87 percent (1,467 votes), followed by Brian James Devine with 20.52 percent (1,163) and Jason Anderson with 15.94 percent (904).

Finally, in another open race in Ward 5, Guyleen Castriotta appeared to have a significant lead in a three-way race with 46.63 percent of the votes (1,530) compared to Karl Honegger with 1,134 (or 34.56 percent), and Grayson Joel Hofferber with 18.81 percent, or 617 votes.

Ballot Question 301: Residents voted "Yes" by 57.51 percent, or 11,646 votes to change the city's home rule powers to include health and environmental standards for oil and gas fracking companies in the city limits. Broomfield's "No" voters on the question were tallied at 42.49 percent, or 8,605.

Oil and Gas energy interests spent around $350,000 against the measure, saying it would lead to lawsuits.

Broomfield Candidates

Mayor (4-year term)

Randy Ahrens (incumbent)

City Council Ward 1 (4-year term)

Elizabeth Law-Evans (incumbent)

City Council Ward 2 (4-year term)

Sharon Tessier Ward 2 (unopposed)

City Council Ward 3 (4-year term)

Deven Shaff

City Council Ward 4 (4-year term)

Kimberly Groom (Ruger)

City Council Ward 5 (4-year term)

Guyleen Castriotta

QUESTION 301: VOTE YES or NO

Citizen-Initiated ballot question:

"Shall Section 2.1 (b) "Powers, Rights, and Liabilities" of the Broomfield Home Rule Charter be amended to add the following language?
Section 2.1 - Powers, Rights and Liabilities.
With regard to oil and gas development near the City’s populated areas and within the City’s boundaries, such powers shall include but not be limited to plenary authority to regulate all aspects of oil and gas development, including land use and all necessary police powers. As such, Broomfield shall condition oil and gas development permits to require oil and gas development to only occur in a manner that does not adversely impact the health, safety, and welfare of Broomfield’s residents in their workplaces, their homes, their schools, and public parks in order to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare and to safeguard the environment and wildlife resources.

Image via City of Broomfield