2010 Election
Bowen seeks fresh solutions

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

The Democratic candidate for Larimer County Commissioner said his skills in keeping customers happy while keeping costs down and companies profitable will serve well if elected to the District 1 post.

Adam Bowen, 46, of Fort Collins is making his first run for elective office. He served as chair of the Larimer County Democratic party "watching where policy and politics come together" before deciding to run for county commissioner.

"I think this is a really pivotal time," Bowen said, citing the national financial crisis and collapse of the real estate market.

Bowen worked for a Japan-based chemical company for 15 years, traveling extensively as a national sales manager. He moved to Larimer County in 1998 and worked for Bella Energy for a few years. Bowen is currently self-employed through Poudre Power Systems, which designs and installs solar photovoltaic systems. He has not declared either personal or business bankruptcy.

If elected, Bowen said, he would strive for "a more robust conversation" about how the county is growing and developing. "This is a really attractive area," he said, "so how we grow and develop will influence our economy and quality of life."

The current conversation about growth is one-dimensional, Bowen said – either for it or against it. "We need to preserve what's rural," he said, "but growth could come in and help revitalize some areas that aren't doing so well."

Bowen also suggested that Colorado's "linear pattern of growth" could lend itself to transit development. The county should put more effort into transportation planning with a stronger voice in regional organizations, he said.

"That doesn't necessarily mean spending more money," he added.

Bowen agreed with his opponent that the county budget is the biggest challenge, with property taxes falling and the sunset of two sales tax components. "We have to make sure we're getting the most for our money in everything we do as government," he said. "How much money you throw at something does not always correlate with the outcome."

Bowen identified county spending on pretrial services as one area he wants to study and compare against what other counties are doing. "We're spending a lot per capita," he said of the program.

He said he wants to stop the Boxelder Regional Stormwater Improvement Project because sufficient flood-control structures already exist and haven't spilled over in 35 years. In addition, he said, the Boxelder project is charging some people for flood control that's not going to benefit them.

While noting that Wellington, Fort Collins and Larimer County governments have to agree on the project's future, Bowen said he favors disbanding the stormwater authority and discontinuing fees.

"The government can't protect everybody from everything," he said.

Referring to a stack of three-ring binders about local government issues, Bowen said Larimer County would also be "using public safety as an excuse" if it builds a communications tower at the top of Middle Bald Mountain near Red Feather Lakes. Citing an estimated $5 million cost, he said the tower would provide a "dubious increase in public safety" while "spoiling a pristine area."

Bowen said he would give more consideration to communications options through Poudre Canyon. "When in a backcountry area, you can't expect urban-level services," he said.

Bowen said the county's sunsetting sales taxes likely need to be extended, but perhaps at a lower level than the current 0.4 percent. He said commissioners should first give the new sheriff a chance to evaluate jail operations, which is funded by one of the expiring taxes.

"I think we need to tackle this pretty soon; otherwise, we will not be able to plan for the 2013 budget," he said.