Get involved

Healthy government should welcome public participation, not avoid it. Citizens should not have to fight for basic transparency, timely responses, or equal treatment from public officials. A community functions best when residents attend meetings, ask questions, and remain engaged in local decisions that affect taxes, safety, land use, schools, and public resources.

Public officials who truly value civic engagement encourage attendance, publish information early, answer questions directly, and respect criticism without retaliation or hostility. They do not treat concerned residents as nuisances simply for asking difficult questions.

Every citizen should consider attending County Commissioner meetings, Planning Commission meetings, Fire District Board meetings, School Board meetings, and other local public meetings. Ask simple but important questions: Why was this decision made? Where is the public notice? What policy or law supports this action? Why are records unavailable? Why are citizens being excluded from discussions that affect them?

Accountability only exists when the public remains informed and involved. Democracy is not a spectator activity. Local government works best when officials remember they serve the public, and when the public consistently reminds them of that responsibility by showing up, speaking up, and staying engaged.

Toni Moore, Florissant

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Pride Above the Clouds

Three years ago, I stumbled into the inaugural Pride Above the Clouds event and was absolutely delighted by the love and kindness on display. Fast forward to today and I am privileged to serve as the Chair of the Board for the newly formed TellerPride non-profit. As the Chair and as your neighbor, I would like to warmly invite our community to join us for Pride Above the Clouds on Sunday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park.

Pride Above the Clouds is a free, family-friendly celebration built around a simple belief: love, equality, and acceptance rise above all. Our mission is to provide a safe, affirming space where everyone can feel welcome, valued, and connected.

This event will feature live performances, food trucks, local vendors, craft activities, and opportunities to celebrate the diversity and strength of our mountain community. Whether you are LGBTQ+, an ally, a neighbor, a family member, or simply someone who believes kindness and belonging matter, you are welcome here.

In a world that can often feel divided, community events like this remind us that respect, compassion, and understanding can still bring people together. We hope you will come
celebrate with us “above the clouds” in beautiful Woodland Park.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Fred Fletcher, Woodland Park

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Oversight Is Not “Anti-Charter”

Colorado charter law absolutely protects charter school autonomy. But autonomy does not mean immunity from oversight.

In his recent column, Roger Holmes argues that WPSD is improperly trying to “control” Merit Academy and cites Colorado charter law, authorizer standards, and the Ridgeview Classical Schools v. Poudre case. He is correct that authorizers are expected to respect charter independence and avoid unnecessary micromanagement.

What his column leaves out is equally important.

Colorado law also requires authorizers to oversee financial stewardship, legal compliance, accountability, and protection of taxpayer interests. Charter schools are still public schools funded with public dollars. Oversight is not “hostility.” It is part of the district’s legal responsibility.

Since the 2021 election, Woodland Park taxpayers have watched financial instability, leadership turnover, lawsuits, public distrust, and what many in the community now describe as informal “handshake deals” surrounding Merit Academy’s services and payments. If agreements were made outside approved contracts or without proper transparency, taxpayers deserve answers — not accusations that oversight itself is somehow anti-charter.

WPSD’s financial distress is real. The district cannot continue absorbing costs while struggling to fund its own programs, staff, and student services. At some point, every publicly funded school — district-run or charter — must fully meet its contractual obligations.

The issue is not whether charter schools should exist. The issue is whether accountability should apply equally to everyone handling taxpayer dollars.
Colorado charter law was designed to support both autonomy and accountability — not autonomy without accountability.

Jeralee Gonzalez, Woodland Park