Charles “Chaz” Tedesco is one of several new faces on the Adams County Board of County Commissioners in the past few years. This fall, as the Democrat seeks a second term on the commission, he’s getting a challenge from a man who many Adams County voters already know pretty well. Republican Sean Ford, a former city councilman and Mayor of Commerce City, is aiming to unseat Tedesco in November. County Commissioner District No. 2 is focused on Commerce City, but voters from across the county now get to cast a ballot in each race. After years of scandal plagued the commission, county voters restructured the board four years ago. Now, instead of three commissioners, there are five. And every county voters get to cast a ballot in each race, regardless of where they live. While only about 50,000 people live on the Aurora side of Adams County — which includes everything north of East Colfax Avenue — the county is home to several key Aurora developments. Those projects include the Gaylord Rockies Hotel and Conference Center, the Anschutz Medical Campus and the oft-delayed Veterans Affairs Hospital adjacent to Anschutz.
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By BRANDON JOHANSSON, Staff writer
Former mayor makes modest move for District 2 AdCo commish seat
Whether it was feuds over housing Aurora inmates at the Adams County Jail or the county considering shuttering a license plate office in Aurora, there was a time when the city and county regularly butted heads.
Those persistent battles a few years ago were one of the many reasons Aurora officials considered breaking from the three counties where Aurora residents live and creating a city and county of Aurora.
Those plans have largely been scrapped and after some haggling, tensions about jail space and the Department of Motor Vehicles office on Chambers Road have cooled considerably.
Still, going forward, the relationship between Adams County and all the municipalities there — not just Aurora — will likely be an issue for the next board of county commissioners.
In Adams County Commissioner District 2, incumbent Democrat Chaz Tedesco is squaring off against Republican challenger Sean Ford.
Tedesco said he recognizes the relationship between Aurora and the county leadership hasn’t always been rosy.
“It has been an uncertain future for both Adams County and Aurora,” he said. “The relationship between Aurora and Adams County can only grow and improve in the future.”
The Adams County side of Aurora — particular the land near Denver International Airport — is teeming with large-scale construction projects right now. The Gaylord Rockies Hotel and Conference Center is among the biggest projects in the city’s history, and the area along the Interstate 70 corridor has become a hub for businesses in need of warehouse space for distribution facilities.
Tedesco said that growth around DIA is crucial not just for Aurora, but for the county as a whole.
“The future may seem uncertain but I see it as positive. Adams County is second in job growth in the country and Aurora is an integral part of that growth. I believe Aurora and Adams County will grow and prosper in collaboration,” he said.
Ford, a former mayor and city councilman in Commerce City, didn’t respond to a request for comment but, according to his website, hopes to make county government “more transparent and open.”
He said he opposes the county’s stormwater fee and sees road and bridge repair as especially important.
“I will work every day to ensure our citizens get the road and bridge repairs they deserve for the taxes they pay,” he said.
A native of Adams County and graduate of Adams City High School in Commerce City, Ford said he worked in that city’s road department before launching his own business.
Tedesco, a Navy veteran and Denver native, worked as a steelworker and was active in the steelworker’s union before jumping into politics with his successful bid for commissioner four years ago.
Commissioner District 2 is centered around Commerce City and, while it doesn’t touch Aurora, county voters vote for all five commissioner districts at large.
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Chaz Tedesco grew up in metro Denver, spending some of his youth in foster homes around the region. He joined the United States Navy in 1984 and on his return to Colorado got married in 1996 and worked as a steel worker. He was active in his union before running for commissioner four years ago.
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Sean Ford’s connections to Adams County run deep. A native of the county, he grew up in Commerce City, graduated from Adams City High School and worked for the city’s road maintenance department before running for city council. After serving on council, he ran for and was elected Commerce City mayor before running for commissioner.
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What makes you the most-qualified candidate? Being a native of Adams County and having raised my family here, I have lifelong ties to this community. I know firsthand the needs of this community and can incorporate my life experiences in making any decisions that affect Adams County constituents. My other qualifications that, I believe, give me more insight, include six years in the Navy, and 26 years as a member of the steelworkers union, eight of which I served as president. My tenure as president with the local steelworkers union resulted in successfully managing nine statewide contracts. Negation and arbitration strategy as well as implementation have been my strongest attributes. I have spent the last four years strengthening my knowledge of county operations and implementing new policies that better govern the statutorily required services we provide to all our constituents in Adams County. I have built relationships with all the municipalities and many of the nonprofit service groups. These relationships have been vital in strengthening partnerships and community trust across the county.
Recently, we have seen great strides with the Gaylord Project as well as the DIA agreement.
As commissioner, what steps would you take to improve the relationship between county administration and the various municipal governments in Adams County? I will continue to build on the relationships I have with both current mayors and council members in all Adams County municipalities. The key to the success of Adams County is that we work together. Favoritism to any of the municipalities is not part of our process. Equitability between our municipalities will continue to foster trust and stability. I understand that each municipality is unique and that their needs differ. With that in mind, I will continue to work with each municipality to address the specific needs of those communities. Earlier this year I began conversations with Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan to address the needs that are specific to Aurora. I hope to continue our discussions in the future.
Now that Aurora has largely scrapped its efforts to become a city and county, how do you see the relationship between Aurora and Adams County changing in the coming years? It has been an uncertain future for both Adams County and Aurora. The relationship between Aurora and Adams County can only grow and improve in the future. As mentioned in one of the questions earlier, Aurora has grown substantially. With that growth comes opportunity and advancement. The future may seem uncertain but I see it as positive. Adams County is second in job growth in the country and Aurora is an integral part of that growth. I believe Aurora and Adams County will grow and prosper in collaboration.
Considering the rapid growth in Aurora near Denver International Airport — including the Gaylord Rockies hotel project and proposed Aerotropolis — does the board of commissioners need more representation from Aurora? Aurora will certainly have an opportunity to have representation on the board this election. In my tenure as county commissioner, I have always been there to help with the needs of Aurora such as supporting the Gaylord Rockies Hotel project, which will bring 10,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs to the area, as well as inject millions of dollars to our local economy. Porteos will create new business opportunities, jobs and access to DIA. The negotiation with Denver for an equitable agreement in DIA 1A brought millions in initial monies to Aurora and the county. Both Adams County and Aurora will benefit from our working together.
What should the county do to increase available water for development and reduce wells in the aquifer? The county does not run a water utility nor does it buy water rights. We currently own water rights for specific uses such as our regional park and fairgrounds. The county has and will support our municipalities where possible.
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Did not respond.
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What food do you hate most? Kale, it’s an edible weed.
Do you indulge in recreational marijuana? No.
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Dwayne Johnson, not because of his physical attributes but because of his caring nature — especially his work with at-risk kids.
What Olympic Sport so you wish you could win gold at? Bobsled.
What was your favorite childhood candy? Root Beer Barrels.
If you could be an eyewitness to one event in history, what would it be? The signing of the Constitution. I would love to know the intent of all those crafting the document.
If the Secret Service gave you a code name, what would it be? Flat Top.
If you had to sing karaoke, what song would you sing? Car karaoke counts. The Proclaimers, “500 miles.” (I would sing it to my wife.)
What epitaph would you like written on your tombstone? “Do not Disturb”
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Yes, but a hot dog is a hot dog.
What is the last concert you attended? Jonny Lang
What movie do you never tire of watching? Battleship, because it shows them lighting off a boiler, which was my job in the Navy.
Dogs or cats? Dogs, I am highly allergic to cats.
What’s the most overrated thing about living in Colorado? Snow. I talk with a lot of people around the country and they seem to think we have snow on the ground all winter long.
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Did not respond.
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Click here for Chaz Tedesco’s Campaign Finance Reports
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Click here for Sean Ford’s Campaign Finance Reports
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Not available.
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Not available.
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