Citizens for Elected Mayor, a group that’s launching an initiative petition in Castle Rock to change the town’s charter so that citizens can elect their mayor directly, has chosen Libertarian Party of Colorado Vice Chair Wayne Harlos to be the committee’s Chair.

Castle Rock became a home-rule municipality in 1987 with the mayor being appointed by fellow town council members without any public input, rather than the traditional process of popular election. Draft language for the necessary charter change is in the works by the four-member citizen committee.

“It’s time for the citizens of Castle Rock to have a say in who they want to become their mayor,” said Harlos. “Currently, the mayor only needs the support of three people plus him/herself – a majority of the seven council members – in order to be appointed. Most cities and towns in Colorado have adopted an at-large mayoral system where the citizens elect their own mayor. We believe the citizens of Castle Rock should have that same opportunity.”

Petitioners must collect signatures from ten percent of Castle Rock registered voters to place the measure on the ballot. Circulation of the petition is due to start in April.

Voters will then be asked to decide if they want to have an elected mayor, thereby changing the town charter. If successful, candidates vying for mayor will be on the November 2018 ballot.

The Citizens for Elected Mayor committee members are Wayne Harlos, Stacey Rogers, Mary Wilson, and George Teal.

The Libertarian Party of Colorado encourage its members throughout Colorado to become involved in their local governments to help provide more personal liberty and empowerment to citizens.

To volunteer for the effort, including signature collection, residents are asked to contact CRcitizensforelectdmayor@gmail.com.

For more information about the initiative, contact Caryn Ann Harlos at 561.523.2250 or email at CommunicationsDirector@LPColorado.org.