CANDIDATE PROFILES: Adams County Commissioner District 4
Election season is upon Commerce City again, and among the most important local races this year will be replacing term-limited Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio in the Adams County Commissioner District 4 seat. Two candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination in the primary election, which will be held on June 30: Karen DeAguero and Tyler Quick. There is one Republican running for the seat, Joseph Domenico, who is not facing a primary challenge.
Per Colorado law, registered Democratic and Republic voters will receive a primary ballot for their respective parties. Voters registered as Unaffiliated will receive both primary ballots, but may only fill out and return one or the other.
Here is a look at the two Democratic contenders for the Adams County Commissioner District 4 seat:
Karen DeAguero
Karen DeAguero is an environmental engineer who has spent the last several years managing environmental reclamation and remediation projects across the state. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering and a Masters in Natural Resources and Energy Policy, both from the Colorado School of Mines. She serves as Community Engagement Board Member for WRISE (Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy) and is founder and president of the nonprofit Arvada Voices. She lives with her partner Josh in east Arvada.
According to her campaign website, DeAguero’s priorities as County Commissioner are: 1) uplifting communities through attainable housing and supporting agriculture and rural parts of the county; 2) environmental stewardship, to include public health and safety; and 3) inclusive governance, economic opportunity and support of local small businesses.
Concerning attainable housing, DeAguero says she will require that extensive analysis of existing infrastructure be completed prior to approving development projects. Among her economic development policies she states on her website that she will “ensure county policies support small business growth rather than creating barriers” and “support workforce training programs that connect Adams County residents to good-paying jobs,” while prioritizing local businesses and local hiring. In terms of environmental stewardship, DeAguero says she will prioritize clean energy jobs and foster collaboration among all stakeholders: “When we listen to all stakeholders—developers, farmers, environmental advocates, and residents—and use good data to guide decisions, we find solutions where environment and economy thrive together.”
DeAguero qualified for the Democratic Primary ballot via petition. She is endorsed by current District 4 Commissioner O’Dorisio, as well as Commissioners Mullica, Henson and Baca. She also lists endorsements from Congresswoman Brittany Petterson, former state representative Shannon Bird; several state elected officials, including Senator’s Kyle Mullica and William Linstedt, and Representative Michael Carter; and Commerce City Council Members JoAnna Sandoval, Charles Dukes, Lori Young and Stephanie Trujillo.
Tyler Quick
Born and raised in Adams County, Tyler Quick is a teacher and activist who currently works as an assistant professor of liberal arts at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and worked previously as an educator at both secondary and post-secondary institutions, including a four-year stint on the faculty of the University of Southern California while working on his doctorate. From 2016-2018 he worked as a Project Coordinator for Project New America, a nonprofit providing research and strategy consulting for clients working in progressive politics at all levels. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from CU Boulder, a Masters in Humanities from the University of Chicago, and a PhD from the University of Southern California. He lives in Westminster with his boyfriend and their puppy.
Quick lists several policy issues on his campaign website, including housing solutions, an affordable economy, protecting the environment, restoring democracy, childcare solutions, public health and safety, and supporting agriculture. Concerning affordability,
Quick says on his website that “Everyone, regardless of where they’re from or what they look like, deserves the opportunity to work hard and share in our community's success. Supporting small and local businesses is an essential aspect of this goal. But so is supporting our working poor and economically exploited.” He supports organized labor and says he will “support any unionization effort in Adams County however I can”. He also states on the website that he will promote “wage growth via whatever means are available, including an increase in the minimum wage”, fight automation, AI and outsourcing, support small business development and expand services for additional languages to support immigrant-owned businesses.
On environmental protection, Quick says he would work to limit oil and gas production, reinstate a 2,000 foot setback, regulate data centers, and Continue to invest in renewable energy, vehicle electrification, and other technologies that will fight climate change, grow our economy, and provide thousands of good-paying, union jobs.” On his website he says he is the only candidate in the race to have signed a “No Fossil Fuel Money pledge”.
Quick qualified for the Democratic ballot via the party assembly. He lists among his endorsements former Congressman Ed Perlmutter, and Adams Count Commissioner Emma Pinter, along with a number of progressive Democratic elected officials including State Senators Mike Weissman, and Adrienne Benavidez, State Representatives Manny Rutinel, Jenny Willford, and Lorena Garcia, former Representative Joe Salazar, and Aurora Mayor pro tem Alison Coombs. He is also endorsed by former Commerce City Council Member Kristi Douglas and Adams 14 School Board Member and former Commerce City Council candidate Lucy Molina.