AURORA | In the race for Adams County Commissioner in District 5, incumbent Democrat Lynn Baca competes with local business owner Jim Wood, a Republican, bringing different backgrounds and visions for the county’s future.
District 5 makes up the easternmost part of Adams County. It surrounds Denver International Airport and starts slightly west of Brighton Boulevard. Denver County runs the area around the airport, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal space is in District 2 of Adams County.
All county residents vote for District 2 County Commissioners.
As a Democrat, Baca emphasizes inclusivity and progressive growth for Adams County. Her priorities include improving quality of life, raising wages, creating affordable housing and environmental protection. Baca wants to balance the preservation of the county’s heritage with the need for modernization.
Representing the Republican perspective, Wood promotes a self-reliant approach, emphasizing sustainable agriculture and community service. His business background suggests a focus on economic development, leveraging his experience in entrepreneurship to enhance the local economy.
Lynn Baca’s deep roots in the community and focus on inclusivity contrast with Jim Wood’s entrepreneurial spirit and emphasis on self-reliance. Voters must consider their priorities—whether they lean towards Baca’s progressive, community-oriented approach or Wood’s business-minded, sustainable practices—as they decide.
Meet Lynn Baca
Incumbent Lynn Baca, County Commissioner for District 5 in Adams County, is a second-generation resident with deep roots in the area’s agricultural community, according to her campaign website.
Growing up in Brighton, the Democrat cherishes the county’s history while striving to help it grow into a modern, thriving economy where everyone feels welcomed. Her family has worked in agriculture for over 100 years, instilling a commitment to service.
Baca’s road to public service began 20 years ago during her battle with ovarian cancer, causing her to volunteer and eventually serve in local government, including roles like Brighton City Council and regional committees.
As commissioner, she prioritizes improving the community’s quality of life, raising wages, creating affordable housing and protecting the environment. She emphasizes preserving Adams County’s heritage while fostering growth and inclusiveness.
Meet Jim Wood
Jim Wood grew up with humble beginnings and a self-made mentality, he said.
The Republican grew up in agricultural California, and his young parents, Jim and Debbie, inspired him with their hard work and determination.
Due to his mother’s hotel career, his family moved often. Wood traveled from Morro Bay to San Diego, Kauai and South Lake Tahoe. At age 12, his parents divorced, and he moved in with his grandparents in Tipton, CA, where, according to his campaign website, he learned the values of hard work, honesty and family.
Wood’s grandfather, a farm products salesman, became his role model, instilling his lifelong principles, his website states. Inspired by his grandfather, he joined the Navy at 18 and served in aircraft maintenance during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After his service, he worked in fabrication before finding success in street-rod building and hemp processing, generating significant revenue. Now settled in Colorado with his wife, Mallery, he manages a business and aims to promote sustainable agriculture while serving the community in Adams County.
Header Lynn Baca Q&A
- Aurora elected officials regularly complain that its three counties are the statutory recipients of funds for public health, elderly care and many other social programs, yet Aurora city taxpayers must also pay for those services. Is Aurora getting its fair share?
As a sitting County Commissioner we work to ensure resources are distributed as equitably as possible. We can always improve and are seeking to expand our footprint for public health and human services. Additionally, we are actively working with the City of Aurora to expand our collaborative efforts to tackle homelessness while we also work closely with many non-profits including Aurora Mental Health to tackle our region’s mental health crisis. I am always open to public feedback and conversations to ensure our Adams County residents in Aurora are receiving the best quality of services possible.
- Aurora is aging along with the rest of the state and the nation, with the median age of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas county residents climbing from 35.7 years to 37.1 years between 2012 and 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What more could the county do or what could it do better to serve older residents?
As Aurora continues to grow these are the issues the county and city needs to work together to address these issues. I believe the demographic changes and geographical growth in Aurora demonstrate why it’s critical we continue to elevate and support our newly formed Adams County Health Department and work together to identify other social services that allow residents to age with dignity while maintaining autonomy over their day to day lives.
- What is the most important difference between you and your opponent?
My journey in public service started as a community volunteer for our schools. As my role in Adams County has evolved, the one constant in that journey has been showing up in the community, learning and listening to others, and doing my best to ensure the voices, needs and concerns of Adams County residents are reflected in my service to them. The major difference I see between myself and my opponent is the continued consistency in showing up for community and residents throughout my lifetime of service to our community.
- Since the demise of Tri-County Health Department, all three counties have created their own health departments, and all three counties have seen marked increase in health-department costs. Should the counties look at new ways to combine resources, saving taxpayer dollars?
The rise of the Adams County Health Department has given us a tool to be able to more effectively and efficiently serve the unique needs of Adams County residents. Due to the unique demographic and socioeconomic differences between the three counties, I see our own health department as an advantage to making sure the dollars spent in public health are tailored to meet the unique needs of the residents we serve. Frankly, I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to operate our own Health Department to better serve our residents.
5. Homelessness affects Aurora greatly, and to a lesser extent other parts of the county. What one thing above all do you think would have the greatest impact on reducing homelessness, and how can the county take part?
Adams County took on the challenge to reduce veteran homelessness and hired a navigator to help veterans experiencing homelessness to get connected to resources and organizations who could best help them navigate their journey out of homelessness. This program has largely been a success and is a program we can work to expand across Adams County to continue to tackle the issue of homelessness in our region.
The lighter side of Lynn Baca
• What food do you hate most? Sauerkraut
• What was the last book you read? Be honest. Latina Leadership Lessons by Delia Garcia
• What’s your favorite TV show of all time? The Voice
• Dog person? Cat person? Both? Neither? Both, but I own a cat.
Jim Wood Q&A
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The lighter side of Jim Wood
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