Colorado state Rep. Don Wilson is eyeing a return to local politics, where he said Friday his experience in both state and town government will be the most effective.

The Monument Republican and the town’s former mayor, who is serving his first term representing House District 20, is among five candidates seeking election this November to the Board of El Paso County Commissioners in District 3.

The seat is held by Stan VanderWerf, who cannot run again because of term limits. VanderWerf, also a Republican, is running for election to Senate District 12.

Wilson, 48, will not seek reelection to HD 20.

“Having worked with the county commissioners in the past from the local level, I think it’s an incredible fit to continue and increase some of the good things that the county has done.” 

After recent redistricting efforts redrew lines to define the areas the five county commissioners represent, District 3 is the most competitive of the three county commission races this year.

The district includes the towns of Monument, Palmer Lake and Green Mountain Falls, as well as the city of Manitou Springs, Colorado Springs’ west side and downtown, and unincorporated areas on El Paso County’s west side.

Wilson said if elected, he would be well positioned to represent several smaller municipalities with whom he has previous collaborative relationships as town trustee and mayor.

“That is one thing I’m super-excited about in this district — my background in small community (leadership) and how we can work together,” he said.

One of his top priorities as commissioner is to lessen tax burdens on El Paso County residents.

“Costs are going up, taxes are going up. … When we can have continued low, stable taxes and focus on our actual responsibilities — infrastructure and public safety — then we can keep that quality of life, keep that money in our citizens’ pockets,” he said.

Wilson said he wants to keep El Paso County business-friendly by cutting red tape and ensuring economic development continues in ways that best suit residents and businesses.

When considering the “difficult subject” of development and growth, property rights are an important part of the equation.

“If we start crowding property rights, that’ll trickle down into other areas and cause other issues. We need to make sure that we consistently follow the law and, where laws need to be changed, change them in an effective fashion,” he said.

Commissioners must also keep water availability in mind when considering new growth and El Paso County’s future in general, he said, as the county relies on finite groundwater. Leaders must find solutions that provide water redundancy and security, he said.

One example is a proposed new system Wilson helped develop called The Loop. It would allow the west side of Monument, the Cherokee Metro District, Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District and Donala Water and Sanitation District to bring in water from outside the area and reuse well water after it’s treated that would otherwise flow downstream out of the county.

El Paso County should ensure it doesn’t advance development in ways that could be detrimental to critical services the government must provide, like infrastructure and public safety, Wilson added.

Wilson said his experience in state government also will be useful when it comes to the county’s relationship with state lawmakers.

“The county has been very open with pushing back against mandates that end up costing the county. … So I think I can be a great asset to helping that relationship between the county and the state, understanding where we need to go and what tools we have to work in the direction of protecting our community,” he said.

Wilson is among four Republicans running for the District 3 seat, a list that includes Colorado Springs Councilman David Leinweber, former Colorado Springs Councilwoman Brandy Williams and James Dunkley, who does not have an online presence. Naomi Lopez, an educator and community advocate, is the sole Democrat in the race to date.

“I have been blessed with having the opportunity to serve my community on the local level and serve my community on the state level. I’ve loved every minute of it,” Wilson said. “I look forward to another opportunity to do that, hopefully being more effective and continue the good things we have going on.”

State Rep. Don Wilson

Courtesy of Don Wilson