County Republicans primed for primary races

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Republicans across Larimer County will face at least one local primary race Aug. 8 and perhaps a pair.

Battling assessors--current and former--will compete for the nomination to retain or return to the assessor's seat. A fired former sheriff's department sergeant also plans to petition onto the Aug. 8 primary election ballot in an effort to unseat the incumbent sheriff.

Incumbent assessor Larry Johnson and his previous boss Steve Miller both earned enough delegate votes at the April 8 county assembly to win a place on the primary ballot. At least 30 percent of the vote was required. Miller won nearly 62 percent while Johnson received almost 38 percent. The winner will face Democrat Barbara Liebler in the Nov. 7 election.

Miller, 55, of Fort Collins served as assessor from 1989 to 2002 until being forced from office by limits on the number of consecutive terms elected officials can serve. He was unsuccessful in his subsequent effort to become treasurer and currently works as a certified public accountant representing property owners in tax matters. Miller has blasted Johnson for failing to modernize the office and unnecessarily spending $156,000 on a consultant to assist with reappraisals.

Johnson, 58, of Loveland worked 13 years in the assessor's office before winning the top job in 2002 following Miller's departure. Despite harsh criticisms about inconsistent and excessive property valuations that resulted in thousands of protests, Johnson insists that the protest rate is declining along with backlog of valuations. He obliquely blames that backup on Miller - in addition to a lack of adequate staffing.

Democrat Liebler, 62, of Fort Collins owned a manufacturing business for 11 years, selling it in 2004. She now owns and operates Liebler Enterprises, a sewing services and textile consulting business. A former city council member in both Fort Collins and Loveland, Liebler contends that her private-sector management experience well suits her for the assessor's job. She calls for more openness in the office.

Fellow Republican Al Ohms did not compete in the assembly, instead preferring an attempt to petition directly onto the Republican primary ballot. If successful, Ohms would face two-term incumbent sheriff Jim Alderden. There currently are no other announced candidates for the office.

Ohms, 55, of Fort Collins worked for the sheriff's department 17 years. He was dismissed in 2002 for several serious policy violations detailed in what he contends was a politically motivated disclosure of his personnel files released at the request of newspapers. Ohms now owns an outdoor recreation business and private investigation firm. A Medal of Valor recipient, Ohms said he would bring greater innovation and economy to the office.

Alderden, 55, of Fort Collins has worked in law enforcement 24 years in the Colorado State University, Estes Park and Steamboat Springs police departments, as well as the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the sheriff's department. He was elected sheriff in 1999 after defeating former sheriff Richard Shockley, who earlier forced Alderden's resignation as undersheriff. Alderden said he wants to oversee expansion of the jail and alternative sentencing unit in his final term.

Ohms must collect at least 3,146 signatures of registered Republicans by May 25 to earn a spot on the Aug. 8 primary ballot. July 10 is the last day to register to vote in the primary election.