Two years ago, I began attending Dillon Town Council meetings and saw rushed decisions with little transparency. It became clear — an agenda was being pushed, leaving residents unheard. Neighbors urged me to run, and I’m stepping up because Dillon deserves leadership that listens and protects our future.

I’m also a recall petitioner. I’d like to share some important context behind what the recall means for the future of Dillon and how I feel I can help if elected as your council member. If you are looking for a brief overview of why we’re facing the recall of three council members, I encourage you to watch this investigation by CBS News in Denver.

This report focuses on a Castle Rock neighborhood that has amassed nearly half billion dollars in debt over 40 years due to a metro district developer, despite property owners consistently making principal/interest payments through increased property taxes. Unfortunately, this is a situation that can occur with metro districts, where debt can linger for decades and residents are left paying for it. This is the risk we are facing in Dillon. It’s something we cannot afford.

The recall focuses on three Dillon council members who signed agreements that could significantly impact our future revenues and services. These agreements will hinder our town, school district, fire & EMS and county services and place a considerable financial burden on property owners within the district, including those living in workforce housing, who may see their property taxes nearly triple compared to those outside the metro district.

This situation raises an important question: Would affordable housing be “affordable” if property taxes tripled because of being located in the metro district?

We’re moving forward with the recall now because these three council members are pushing to give away a prime, town-owned, half-acre parcel of land at the corner of Lake Dillon Drive and La Bonte Street to a developer without negotiating enough public benefits for Dillon residents! They’re also approving development that will allow a metro district to issue bonds — potentially $38 million or more, according to a council member at Thursday’s candidate forum.

Once bonds are issued, interest debt could accumulate, just as we saw in the CBS Castle Rock investigation, which mentioned a staggering $434 million in debt.

Metro districts are meant to provide essential services like roads, water, sewer, fire & EMS and parks. Dillon has these services in place, so this metro district would not benefit us in the way it’s intended. According to the metro district’s own attorney, it cannot fund roundabouts on U.S. Highway 6 or build workforce housing, but what the metro district can do — is impose significantly higher property taxes within the district’s limits.

I believe Dillon can attract positive, high-quality developments without placing the burden of a metro district on our community.

Nestled among majestic mountains and Dillon Reservoir — we live in one of the most breathtaking small mountain towns in the world. With our unique, high-value land, we must not act desperate and sacrifice our financial stability.

If elected, I will be a steadfast advocate for development opportunities that strengthen and benefit our community. This includes workforce housing, financial stability and community involvement. We can craft a win-win development deal for all.

As for the question, “Why can’t we let these three council members finish their terms?” My response is simple: Look at the potential irreversible financial damage of their decisions. These decisions pose a serious financial risk. Dillon cannot afford to continue down this path with them in office. 

Their voting record repeatedly sacrifices town revenues, land and essential school and service funds — proving they aren’t prioritizing our community’s best interests. It’s time for new leadership that protects our finances, truly listens to our community, and works to strengthen Dillon’s future.

A growing disconnect exists between our community and Town Council. On council, I’ll work tirelessly to repair and rebuild these relationships. My strongest desire is to give the stakeholders of Dillon a voice in the direction of Dillon’s future.

I believe that strong communities thrive on involvement and connection, which is why I’ve dedicated my time to volunteering here in Dillon. I’ve been president of Leslie’s Community Garden for seven years, fostering a space for connection and sustainability. I’ve been a board member of the Anchorage East HOA for four years, working to ensure our residents’ voices are heard. Before moving to Dillon, I was deeply involved with the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Please vote Yes for Recall, and I would appreciate your vote.

Linda Oliver is a candidate running to replace any Dillon Town Council members are recalled after 17 voters triggered a special election seeking to remove three members of the council. More information on the election can be found at SummitDaily.com/dillon-recall-election.