Two seats on the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District Board of Directors are contested in this year’s election, with issues ranging from promoting good fiscal health, updating parks, maximizing fire and emergency services and staying on track to pay off metro district bonds by 2018.
Incumbent Nicholas Robinson and Philip Cullen are running for the northwest district; and incumbent Carolyn Schierholz, Parrish Salyers and Tony Yarosh are running for the south central district. Those positions serve a four-year term.
Three candidates are unopposed: Allen Dreher in the southeast district; Renee Anderson in the southwest district; and incumbent Rick Owens in the west-central district.
Robinson, 71, said he is running for re-election to help the metro district pay off its remaining bonds, update deteriorating amenities and develop Wildcat Regional Park.
Cullen, 60, served as a district director from 2010-2012 and is running again to maintain the financial stability of the district, bring more businesses to Highlands Ranch and ensure better oversight of the development of the town center.
Schierholz said she wants to continue assessment and improvement of the district’s fire and emergency services, finish parks on the district’s long-range plans and transition from building to maintenance mode.
Salyers, 46, said financial stability, safety, a strategic plan for the community and continued collaboration with other organizations are important issues for him in this election.
Yarosh, 46, said he wants to make sure the district’s increased revenue is spent wisely and Highlands Ranch has input on projects like the new light rail line coming to the community.
Residents may vote for candidates in any region regardless of the region in which they live or own property.
The following polling places are open May 6 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
Highlands Ranch Metro District Office Building, 62 W. Plaza Drive
Recreation Center at Eastridge, 9568 S. University Blvd.
Recreation Center at Westridge, 9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd.
Absentee ballots are also available.
Clayton Woullard: 303-954-2953, cwoullard@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yhclayton
Updated April 22 at 11:15 a.m.. This article has been revised to reflect the following correction. Originally, due to a reporter’s error, the story inaccurately portrayed how Highlands Ranch residents can vote. There are three polling places in addition to absentee ballots.
Meet the candidates
YourHub staff sent a Q&A to each candidate for the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District Board of Directors. Read their responses online at yourhub.denverpost.com.
