By Dan Karpiel

The Surveyor

The Surveyor reached out to all 10 of the major-party candidates for Weld County Commissioner and all nine candidates for the open County Commissioner seats in Larimer County and prefaced four questions, outlined below. Due to space limitations in print and a desire to provide as much detailed information as possible to readers, the candidates’ responses to the questions will be posted verbatim here.

1. Can you please provide a brief history of your background, i.e. career/occupation, family, history in Colorado/Weld County, etc., just some basic get-to-know-you information for our readers.

Kevin grew up in the town of Eaton.  Starting in middle school Kevin would live with his Grandparents during the summer months and help work and manage the family’s dry land wheat farm in Wyoming.  He continued to work on the farm and manage its operations through his years in college.

He attended college at the University of Wyoming where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and with minors in Decision Science’s and Marketing.

After college he moved to Greeley with his wife Amy and began working in the securities industry as a Retirement Specialist helping individuals, primarily educators, learn how to invest and save for retirement.  In 2004 Kevin had the opportunity to start his own business and opened an insurance agency which he has continued to successfully operate to this day.  Kevin also became deeply involved in his industry and joined the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 2004.  He was the Colorado President in 2013-2014 and served as the State Government Relations Chair working with state legislators and Colorado’s Congressional representation in Washington D.C.

Immediately upon graduating college Kevin started coaching high school football in Eaton as an assistant coach.  He became the Defensive coordinator for the Reds and remained in that position until he stepped down to serve on the Eaton Town Board. 

The Board appointed him to be the representative to the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Kevin was elected to be its Chairman in 2017.  He has testified on their behalf at the state on issues surrounding Low Emission and Zero Emission Vehicle mandates. 

Kevin was elected Mayor of Eaton in 2016.  As Mayor, he developed a coordinated road map for the community to navigate through the growth that they are experiencing.  Kevin spearheaded the search for a new town administrator after Gary Carsten retired having served 42 years as the town administrator.  Kevin also brought forth the comprehensive plan for Eaton and lead the board in its updating.  Kevin led negotiations and the opposing of XCEL Energy and their proposed transmission lines that went adversely through the town.  He was successful in getting the project stopped and bringing it back for new design that works better with the town and the surrounding farm ground.

In February this year Kevin was appointed to the position of Weld County Commissioner At Large to serve out the remaining term of former Commissioner Conway.  Since that time he has become a valued member of that team and an integral part of the County’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic. He is also currently working on the County budget, the replacement for the County Health Director, and the County’s transportation plan.

Kevin has served in his church on the building committee and currently leads a weekly small group bible discussion.

Kevin’s wife Amy is an English Teacher at Eaton High School and has coached basketball for the Men’s and Women’s programs there.  They have two daughters Ainslie and Taylor.  The family enjoys spending time at the lake with friends or going camping and riding ATV’s in the mountains.

2. What prompted you to run for Weld County Commissioner at-large?

It’s clear that Weld County and its values are squarely in the crosshairs of the Governor and his friends in the state legislature. However, you and I both know that we don’t need legislators telling us how to live or how to raise our family. We know what works in Weld, and we know that our neighbors do as well.  I believe we must fight to protect our values, and I relish the opportunity, as a strong leader, to stand up with the other Weld County Commissioners to continue our efforts to prevent unwanted encroachment on our way of life. 

3. Can you please provide a brief outline of your political/ideological philosophy?

I believe it is important to lead with the other County Commissioners in this battle against the Governor and state legislature with all cylinders firing and driving the push back against this progressive agenda.  I believe Weld County stands as the last bastion of conservative hope in the state.  We can’t afford to give up inches or lose any battles. We need someone who can keep the current momentum going without any disruptions in leadership.  We have to have a proven leader such as myself who will dig in and continue the fight for all our Weld County residents. 

4. What are the major issue(s) on which you want to focus your campaign and potential service as Weld County Commissioner at-large?

I have been extremely busy helping navigate the county thru the fight against COVID-19 while still also focusing on transportation, budget and other issues vital to the Weld economy. I am putting the knowledge I gained running my own small businesses to use helping the county build back up economically.  I and my fellow commissioners are making sure businesses large and small alike have the best tools the county has available to rebuild as well as operate safely.