A year ago, Adams County sued its own elected county treasurer, alleging Lisa Culpepper mismanaged and did not reconcile county bank accounts — to the tune of $200 million. Now, two new candidates are seeking to claim the seat.
Republican Stan Martin is a familiar face in Adams County. He was the county clerk and recorder before losing reelection to Josh Zygielbaum in 2018. His challenger is Democrat Alexander Villagran. Culpepper, a Democrat, did not earn enough signatures to get on the primary ballot earlier this year.
The duo are running to essentially be the county’s banker, a position both said they don’t take lightly. The county treasurer’s office is responsible for collecting and investing county funds. The treasurer is tasked with property taxes and distributing the revenue to the county, its municipalities and to schools.
“County treasurers have an enormous responsibility overseeing the taxpayer funds. This is the ‘peoples’ money, not the Treasurers’ money,” Martin said in a candidate survey. He said he would take a conservative approach to county finances, not risking public dollars on a volatile cryptocurrency market, but rather in “safe, secure savings accounts.”
Villagran said he believed that “no more than 1% of (the) portfolio should be invested in a bitcoin retirement county fund.”
The treasurer is also responsible for submitting monthly reports on county finances to county commissioners. Culpepper reportedly did not submit such reports in 2019, 2021 and from January 2021 to July 2021.
“We are unified as a Board that legal action is required to ensure this independently elected office is transparent in the accounting of county taxpayer dollars,” commissioners said in a statement to the press last October. “To date the Treasurer has not provided required reports and has not provided adequate information requested to allow for a standard audit of the office. The limited information the Board has been able to gather indicates the Treasurer is not timely or accurate in performing statutory duties, which could negatively impact the county’s bond rating and financial outlook.”
Despite turbulence in the office, Martin said the treasurer should be an elected partisan office.
“I firmly believe Adams County citizens should have the final say in who they want to represent, not some other partisan elected officials,” Martin said.
Villagran said his management experience is what will give him an edge in the office.
“I possess over eight years managerial experience in the public sector,” he wrote in a candidate survey. “The progression: I successfully lead a staff of 10, 15 and then 42 clerical and professional individuals.”
Prior to being the Adams County clerk, Martin spent 21 years operating his own general contracting business. Before that, he worked in corporate management.
Meet Stan Martin
Stan Martin
Stan Martin, a Republican, is vying for what would make his second elected position in Adams County. Martin, a third-generation Adams County resident, also served as the clerk and recorder in Adams County. He lost a re-election bid in 2018 to Josh Zygielbaum, a Democrat. For a decade, Stan worked in corporate management, then went on two spend 21 years operating his own general contracting business.
Stan Martin Q&A
Unfortunately, Adams County has a history of nepotism (ie. Commissioners and other elected officials hiring and favoring relatives and close friends). I firmly believe Adams County citizens should have the final say in who they want to represent them, not some other partisan elected officials. As your next Treasurer, you have my word- nepotism will not exist in the Treasurer’s office.
If approved by state and federal officials, would it ever be appropriate for county treasurers to invest county funds in bitcoin?
While the county Treasurer acts as the counties ‘banker’, It would not be appropriate for the Treasurer to gamble or risk the taxpayers hard earned money. Given the volatility of today’s market and especially the recent massive decline of cryptocurrency, any Treasurer risking and losing millions in taxpayer funds should rightfully be recalled.
Many county treasurers invest in some type of mortgage funds, given the history of mortgage fund failures, is that prudent?
County Treasurers have an enormous responsibility overseeing the taxpayer funds. This is the ‘peoples’ money, not the Treasurers’ money. As your next Treasurer, I will invest your money in safe, secure savings accounts. I will not gamble or risk losing YOUR money!
The vast majority of the county’s treasury department operations are conducted by trained financial and clerical professionals, not the county treasurer. Since this is essentially a management position, what makes you uniquely qualified for this position?
I have spent my entire working career in management. My degree in Sports Medicine and Business Management has provided many great opportunities for my career, including working at StorageTek a high tech company, managing one of Colorado’s largest multi-family complexes, owning/operating my own General Contracting business for the last 21 years and having the opportunity to be your Clerk and Recorder from 2014-2018. My management style and philosophy is simple… hire the right people for the job, get out of their way and remind them everyday they’re appreciated.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden?
I do believe Joe Biden won the election. As your previous Clerk and Recorder I became deeply and intimately involved with all aspects of elections and was nominated by 63 county clerks as President Elect of the Colorado County Clerks Association. While I cannot speak for other states, I can say with utmost confidence that Colorado’s elections are safe, secure and fair. Having said that, I believe there’s opportunity for additional improvements here in Colorado, especially around the signature verification process, voter list maintenance and ballot box security. In 2017, as your Adams County Designated Elected Official, two contests/races were separated by less than 2 votes and one contest ended in a dead tie. This is absolute proof that every vote really does matter. This is proof that we should always continue looking for ways to improve the security and transparency of our elections, not only in Colorado but across the country.
Do you trust the election process in Colorado? And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
See answer above. I have the utmost confidence our elections here in Adams County will be fair and accurate. Why? Because 8 years ago I started hiring the best elections staff in Colorado, and most still work in the Clerk’s office.
Get to know Stan Martin
My wife and I are 285 miles into hiking and crossing the Colorado Trail, with hopes of landing in Durango and completing the 400+ mile journey in 2024. Truly the most beautiful state on the planet.
What is the last concert you attended?
Kenny Chesney, July 2022, Here and Now Tour.
And now I’m ready to “sit right here and have another beer in Mexico.”
What restaurant do you frequent most?
Any restaurant that serves great Mexican food.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
With so much anger, bitterness and divisiveness in the world right now, and especially around election time, I would love to have the superpower of injecting kindness and respect into people.
What was the last book you read?
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
Currently reading Callings by Gregg LevoyWhat is your least favorite household chore?
Generally don’t mind chores. I’d say my least favorite is probably picking up the back yardrom our three foster dogs.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
Probably Cheers, maybe Friends.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?
Generally I stay away from New Year’s resolutions. I try to maintain a very balanced and healthy life throughout the year, so the need for New Year’s Resolutions and improvement in my life normally comes throughout the year.
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
Unlike probably most of the population, I actually enjoyed slowing down, spending more time at home and connecting with family. Post pandemic, I loved going downtown, sitting outside sipping a margarita and people watching.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
I’m super afraid of heights, yet still went bungee jumping off a 200 foot high bridge in New Zealand.
Meet Alexander Villagran
Alexander Villagran
Democrat Alexander Villagran is seeking to serve as the Adams County treasurer. He has experience working as a treasurer for a national nonprofit and is a former financial adviser. Villigran has a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, according to his campaign website.
Alexander Villagran Q&A
The office of the treasurer is the ‘bank’ of the county. It is important to have an autonomous, ethical and highly professional treasurer.
If approved by state and federal officials, would it ever be appropriate for county treasurers to invest county funds in bitcoin?
Pension/retirement funds need to be protected for current and future retirees. The dollar will and should remain as the nation’s currency. No more than 1% of portfolio should be invested in a bitcoin retirement county fund.
Many county treasurers invest in some the of mortgage funds, given the history of mortgage funds failures, is that prudent? I would consider an investment portfolio in REIT commercial, apartments, etc. Properties that have long term fixed mortgages when financed at 3-4%. Investment margins can be expanded, rental income increased to offset inflation. Less than 5% of the proposed REIT portfolio should be invested in retirement funds.
The vast majority of the county’s treasury department operations are conducted by trained financial and clerical professionals, not the county treasurer. Since this is essentially a management position, what makes you uniquely qualified for this position?
I possess over 8 years managerial experience in the public sector. The progression: I successfully lead a staff of ten, fifteen and then forty two clerical and professional individuals.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden? Yes.
Do you trust the election process in Colorado: And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
Yes and yes.
Get to know Alexander Villagran
What is the last concert you attended?
Jacob Larson band live at the Northglenn Food Truck Festival.
What restaurant do you frequent most?
Sweets of Inspiration Bakery & Cafe in Westminster. Pastries and breakfast burritos with great tasting green chiles.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Drastically reduce income inequality in the USA.
What was the last book you read?
Good Economics for Hard Times by Abhijit V Banerjee and Esther Duflo.
What is your least favorite household chore?
Cutting the lawn, first watering the grass and then cutting it. Too much water waste.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
Nature on PBS.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they? No
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
Go to the ballpark.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
I love classic black and white movies. A few color classics too.