Alessandra Navetta is the best person and only choice to represent voters in Colorado’s mostly rural House District 56. That is because, as a former attorney and a retired nurse, she possesses the qualifications so desperately needed in this district. Namely, respect for the law and humanity for the people. HD56 is a large mostly rural district occupying one third of the territory comprising Colorado’s eastern plains. In her visits with residents in all seven counties within the District Ms. Navetta has heard similar concerns regarding the lack of healthcare options, lack of senior citizens’ services, lack of broadband services that could assist with enhancing healthcare options and senior citizens’ care, lack of water planning and conservation, and lack of managed growth.

Her opponent in this race is Elbert County Commissioner Chris Richardson, elected in 2016 and serving as Board Chairperson since January 2019. Mr. Richardson is term limited, leaving his 8-year stint as a county commissioner with broken promises to county citizens, namely planned growth, water conservation, lower taxes, respect for the law and increased county services.

Recently two lawsuits were filed against the county commissioners:

The first suit was brought by a group of concerned citizens, based on the Commissioners’ alleged violation of the Colorado Sunshine Laws, when approving without public input, salary increases and benefits in the amount of approximately $80,000 for both the County Manager and County Attorney. These increases far exceed the salaries of county managers and county attorneys in comparable counties. Without any public notice or discussion, the Board secretly increased salaries and benefits of both the County Manager and the County Attorney by over 40% to over $300,000 each. Simultaneously, Mr. Richardson boasted that all other employees received a 2% pay increase.

( Read  about this lawsuit  -  CLICK HERE )

The second lawsuit was brought by the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office and Timothy Norton, in his capacity as the Sheriff of Elbert County. This suit alleges violation of statutes by the Commissioners and the County Manager, seeking to interfere with the statutory authority of the sheriff to hire and terminate employees and manage the property associated with his department. Chris Richardson has led the charge to attempt a takeover of the management of the sheriff’s office, clearly in violation of state laws governing the elected sheriff’s duties and responsibilities. Outside of this lawsuit, Chris Richardson voted to defund the Sheriff’s expenses for surveillance cameras that have proven successful in capturing car theft criminals.

( Read about this lawsuit - CLICK HERE )

Is Chris Richardson the person who should be elected to address the unique needs of the rural population of HD56? During his eight years as an Elbert County Commissioner, six years serving as the Chairperson of the Board, Mr. Richardson has ignored his constituents’ needs, choosing to spend taxpayer dollars on lawsuits that do not serve the needs of the people. Mr. Richardson has failed to produce an on-time audit for the last four years. The 2021 audit was finally delivered to the county taxpayers seven months late, in February 2023, following a three-month property tax withholding order issued by the State Auditor. Mr. Richardson approved a 2023 spending budget that was $2.3 million over the county’s general fund. Mr. Richardson has failed to secure a cohesive county water plan and continues to ignore warnings from the Colorado Division of Water Resources regarding the unbridled expansion of residential developments throughout the county. His track record in Elbert County speaks for itself.

It is time for a change.

Alessandra Navetta is the candidate to bring about the needed changes on behalf of the residents of HD56. She is a mother and grandmother and knows what it takes to raise a family. As a retiree, she knows what challenges are brought on by aging, in an increasingly technological era. Having had diverse life experiences, she is able to evaluate all sides of an issue and look for a balanced outcome. As one ages, personal ambition is no longer relevant, having been replaced by a desire to serve. She has the ability and willingness to serve the citizens of HD56, as she did in her chosen professions serving the people as an attorney and as a registered nurse.

This is an important election on both the national and local level. Choose wisely. But most importantly, VOTE.