Unaffiliated candidate makes ballot for at-large Weld County commissioner seat
Stacey Graham, an unaffiliated candidate for Weld County commissioner, has secured a ballot spot and is campaigning on a platform that criticizes the current board's decision to ease zoning for data centers despite public opposition. She highlights alleged violations by an existing data center and advocates for environmentally conscious growth and diverse representation on the board. The commissioners argue their zoning change added restrictions where none existed before.
Stacey Graham, an assistant educator from Greeley-Evans School District 6, has qualified for the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate for the at-large Weld County commissioner seat. She successfully gathered 1,620 valid signatures, surpassing the 1,000 required by July 9.
Graham's campaign focuses on promoting diversity on the Weld County board, which she believes does not accurately represent the population, as all current members and her opponent, Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams, are Republican. A central tenet of her platform is a critique of the commissioners' past decision to modify zoning regulations to permit data centers. Graham stated, "Our current board voted to change the zoning regulations to allow a data center. Even though the masses showed up and said, 'This is a bad idea. Don't change the rules and allow them to come in.'" She also claimed the data center has since received "quite a few violations." In contrast, the commissioners have indicated their zoning change actually introduced restrictions, limiting data center development to industrial-zoned land and mandating a use-by-special-review process for construction, where previously there were no specific limitations.
Graham, who previously served 23 years in law enforcement, also advocates for "conservative spending" and supports types of growth that prioritize environmental protection. Ballots for the upcoming election will be mailed on October 2 and must be submitted by November 3.