Preliminary results were posted in a special election with far-reaching consequences for Palmer Lake.

The preliminary results of the Sept. 9 election are a success for opponents of a Palmer Lake location for a Buc-ee’s travel center, with apparent wins going to trustee recall candidates who have opposed the 74,000 square-foot project. The results also saw overwhelming support for an ordinance that would place the fate of the project on a town vote rather than the authority of Palmer Lake’s governing board.

Both Shana Ball and Kevin Dreher were successfully recalled from their positions on the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, preliminary results show. The voting stood at 657 to 467 in favor of recalling Ball, while the margin to recall Dreher was 631 to 489.

The recall ballot accused both of “unlawfully and recklessly” approving the eligibility of the Buc-ee’s request, which forwarded the proposal for further review before a final vote set in October. The ballot language also accused the trustees of procedural wrongdoing, which both have denied.

Ball said it had been an “honor to serve the community and town staff” as a trustee, and that she would continue to serve in other ways.

“I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to all the citizens who have supported me,” she said in a statement.

Dreher has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Recall candidates weigh in

Of the three candidates to replace Ball and Dreher on the board, Roger Moseley collected the most votes at 626. Beth Harris follows with 586, and John Marble had 235 votes.

Moseley is an Air Force veteran who has previously sued the town over its financials. He said righting his claims about financial impropriety was a major factor for his campaign.

“The place we’re in now is kind of a bad place,” he said.

Moseley said he would continue to pursue his lawsuit, in which he and co-plaintiff Martha Brodzik claim the town misappropriated grants and combined money from separate funds. The town’s former mayor Glant Havenar called the lawsuit “frivolous” in May.

As a trustee, Moseley said he would recuse himself from any executive sessions about the lawsuit.

Harris, a finance and technology professional, said she was pleased with the results of the election.

“It shows democracy can work if people are persistent and are also paying attention,” she said.

As a trustee she said she would be keeping an eye on future developments with the Buc-ee’s proposal, which Harris has publicly opposed at town meetings and on social media. She also has an active complaint filed with the Colorado Attorney General on the actions of the town’s board of trustees in which she also still wishes to see action.

Marble, a current college student, said Moseley and Harris were “amazing people.”

Annexation ballot measure gains success

A proposed ordinance that would require any annexation by the town to go to the voters looks to be passed overwhelmingly, with 765 voting in favor of the ordinance and 375 voting against.

Now that the annexation initiative has passed, it could mean a question about the Buc-ee’s deal would need to be on the next town ballot if the trustees approve the plan next month. The ordinance requires a majority vote at a regular or special municipal election.

“No annexation shall be deemed effective unless and until it has been approved by the voters in accordance with this ordinance.” the ballot initiative read.

The ballot initiative preliminary results saw 1,140 votes total for and against, close to the turnout seen in the town’s 2024 election which coincided with a U.S. presidential race. In November, the municipal election saw a total vote count of 1,792.

“Of course I’m very gratified at the turnout,” said Moseley.

The board of trustees is scheduled to discuss the Buc-ee’s proposal for a final decision at a special meeting on Oct. 2. The Palmer Lake Planning Commission previously voted not to recommend the plan.

The special election results are still awaiting certification, which the town says will happen on Sept. 18. The deadline for collecting uniformed and overseas ballots has not yet expired.