Windsor Town Board 2022 election: Get to know District 4 candidate Hunter Rivera

Windsor native Hunter Rivera is the youngest candidate running for a position on Windsor's Town Board. He faces Julie Cline, an appointed incumbent, in the District 4 race.

Rivera has never held elected office but has been involved in state party politics having served as a legislative aide to state Republican lawmakers Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Mike Lynch. He is also chair of the Northern Colorado Young Republicans and as a precinct committeeperson for the Weld County Republican Party.

The Coloradoan sent questionnaires to each Windsor candidate to learn more about their priorities and why they're running for office. Their responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Below are Rivera's answers.

Election central: What to know about the April 2022 elections in Windsor, Timnath, Wellington and Johnstown

Question: What makes you qualified to hold a town board seat in Windsor?

Answer: I know I have the experience necessary. I know I have the drive to do this. I know I have the time to do this. I am qualified because I care about my community. I care about Windsor. I am qualified because I will do the job and I will accurately represent the people of District 4. I have served on the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization Community Advisory Board, the Windsor Water and Sewer Board, and as a legislative aide at the State Capital, allowing me to understand issues such as transportation, water, local government, health care and education. I know what it means to govern, and I know what it means to stand up and fight for your constituents.

Q: What are your top three priorities if elected?

Government transparency and accountability, public safety and security, and responsible growth.

1. In 2020, the town gave emergency powers to the town manager. In 2021, the manager executed a contract without town board approval which allowed for a subsidy with a private business. This use of emergency powers did not fit the definition of an emergency defined by the town. When questioned, the mayor responded by saying, stop talking about it, and “we’re done.” How is that holding our government accountable?

2. Public safety and security: Colorado has seen an uptick in crime, including Windsor. Let's ensure we keep Windsor safe by backing the blue and ensuring they have the necessary resources.

3. Responsible growth: Ensure that Windsor accommodates new growth without affecting current residents. Secure a long-term water future for Windsor. Ensuring projects align with the community’s thoughts and wishes. And let's preserve Windsor's small-town feel as we continue to grow.

Q: What are the top three challenges facing Windsor and what would you do about them?

A: Water is easily the most significant issue facing Colorado, and Windsor is no exception. I worry that Windsor is banking too heavily on Northern Integrated Supply Project, NISP, (which I fully support despite concerns). I fear this project may continue to be held up and will be delayed for years, or maybe not happen at all. I think Windsor should seek other solutions to secure that lasting water future. If you want a viable alternative, look at Greeley’s Terry Bison Ranch acquisition.

I believe growth is also a leading issue facing the town. We have to accommodate new residents while also ensuring we have adequate infrastructure to support growth. For example, we must ensure we have roads necessary to support those residents, the commercial development to support those residents, and an adequate amount of water. I believe Windsor will also eventually shift our focus from being heavily reliant on residential tax revenue and move to a more sale tax and commercial revenue model. I believe Future Legends sports park may jumpstart that shift.

I believe downtown parking and traffic are also a major concern facing Windsor. Traffic has been a massive issue for Main Street/Colorado Highway 392 for years. Multiple potential solutions have presented themselves for nearly 40 years, and yet nothing has come to fruition. I’ve spoken to business owners who are upset about truck traffic and complain about how trucks rattle their stores. It is time the town board finds a solution to this issue. I believe a bypass north of Windsor Lake could serve as a viable solution.

Q: The proposed backlots project seems to be splitting the town, especially the business community. Where do you stand on the backlots project and why?

A: Opposed. I cannot see a way around this project from hurting Windsor residents and business owners. I have spoken to former town board members, residents around the proposed area and business owners off Main Street and I hear the same thing. No. These business owners bring valid concerns, and we must listen to them.

A resident brought a petition forth in 2019-20 that had 1,500 signatures opposing the project. Yes, Tribe, the developer, has yet to bring forth publicly available plans. However, we know Brinkman's (original backlots developer) plans.

We also know that the town was shown at a work session on Dec. 13 a presentation from a “height exemption area” which would allow for buildings to be built up to 75 feet. This area would include the exact location where the backlots project would be built. Also worth noting, the town was shown examples of what type of building this would allow for, and one of the examples was Brinkman’s plans for the backlots. According to town work session packets, this item may come up again at the March 28 work session. This project will negatively affect business on Main Street. It will hurt residents living adjacent to downtown Windsor. And it will hurt all residents when attempting to visit downtown Windsor or Windsor Lake. Let's put community over profit in this case and say "no" to this project.

Q: Parking in downtown Windsor is a major problem, according to most business owners. How would you address the downtown parking problem?

A: First off, let's not allow the backlots project. That would significantly help ease the minds of these business owners. I understand the town is looking into various options to find parking solutions. The town has to keep those options close to Main Street and away from residential areas.

Allowing cars to park in front of someone's residence is not a solution. I also understand the town is considering a parking structure behind Windsor Town Hall which would serve as downtown parking. This I also don't like considering this would be directly adjacent to multiple residences and would likely affect Main Park and the basketball courts in that area.

I believe we should look at the backlots area and seriously pursue paving that lot for parking or putting in a parking structure. I also would like to bring the business community into the room and work with them on finding a solution to this issue. There is quite a big rift with some businesses and the town government. Let’s work with them to begin rebuilding those relationships. I also believe downtown Windsor needs much better lighting to see pedestrians at night.

Q: Windsor is known as a business-friendly town and has provided incentives in the form of fee waivers and tax share backs. Going forward what should the town be doing to prepare for future residential and commercial growth?

A: The town is already doing everything it should be doing. I recently met with the town economic developer and other staff members, who are on top of it. Moving forward, Windsor may have to become more reliant on commercial tax revenue than residential tax revenue, but I believe that will come as Windsor grows. Many residents want a new grocery store, and while I won't and can’t promise to bring one during my time on the board, I believe that Windsor will have the population to attract and bring in a new grocery store eventually.

Q: If you’d like to discuss any other issues that weren’t mentioned in the questionnaire, please do so here:

A: I would like to mention that I plan on being a strong fiscal conservative on the board. I will not support fee (tax) increases, making Windsor less affordable.

I also 100% support oil and gas.

Finally, as a board member, I also vow to be as transparent as possible so I can be held accountable. I plan on meeting and engaging the citizens of District 4 every chance I get. I’m doing this because I believe in Windsor and I believe in the people of this town and district 4.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Windsor, Colorado, Town Board 2022 election: Get to know Hunter Rivera