The 2024 election results are in. Most results were expected, but one was eye-opening.

Kamala Harris and the Democrats swept Summit County, 67% to 30%. That’s a shellacking. Same with U.S. House Representative Joe Neguse, 67% to 30%. Eric Mamula, Board of County Commissioners, won 65% to 35%. Not even close. Mamula is a well-respected restaurant owner and Breckenridge Town Council member who was appointed to the board. Tamara Pogue versus Bob Cottrell for commissioner was 60% to 40%. Less impressive seeing that Mr. Cottrell hardly mounted a campaign. Yale-educated, married, father of two, Summit trail runner, small business owner — with a little more effort from the Summit GOP, Mr. Cottrell could have been a better candidate.

Summit School District’s $195 million bond issue was defeated 57% to 43%. Wow. After all of the above in a blue landslide, the bond goes down in flames. With all of the district employees and their spouses — with all of the government employees in Summit County, too — it went down in flames. And then we have the follow-up from the school district that: “We hear you loud and clear.” Perhaps hearing aides are in order. Superintendent Tony Byrd said that he “anticipated the vote would be close.” Not even close. 

With a declining birth rate in Summit County, why do we need to spend $46 million for a new Breckenridge Elementary School? With Colorado Mountain College and the local Summit Builders Association, why do we need to spend $35 million to teach kids how to weld and frame a house? With only 80 kids in Peak School, why do we need to spend another $35 million so that they may be closer to after school sports?

Please attend the next school board meeting and make it “loud and clear” that you don’t agree.