The Colorado Education Association (CEA) has announced its recommendations for school board candidates in the 2025 general election, scheduled for November 4. The organization’s list covers districts throughout the state and reflects its focus on supporting leaders who understand the needs of students and educators.
“School boards hold immense power in shaping the direction of public education, and decisions made there touch everything from classroom conditions to resource allocation to student opportunity,” said Kevin Vick, an educator of 20-plus years and president of CEA. “We need leaders who will put students and educators first, getting politics and political agendas out of our classrooms so schools can focus on what matters most: teaching and learning. Coloradans must elect board members who are committed to strengthening public schools for students and educators in every corner of Colorado.”
The CEA recommended candidates in several key school districts:
– Brighton 27J: Tracie Alvarado, Ash Conn, Ramon Alvarado, Starr Trujillo
– Thompson: Dmitri Atrash, Alexandra Lessem, Mike Shuell
– Academy 20: Jenna Hernandez Stites, Brandon Clark, Renee Ludlam
– Canon City: Carla Braddy, Todd Albrecht
– Colorado Springs D11: Charles Johnson, Michael Carsten, LeAnn Bartlett
– Denver: DJ Torres, Amy Klein, Monica Hunter, Xochitl Gaytan
– Falcon: Holly Withers, Chris Harrell
– Jefferson County: Peter Gibbins, Tina Moeinian, Michael Yocum
– Mesa County Valley 51: Kaci Cole, Vicky Woods, Mike Rathbone
– Pueblo 60: Tommy Farrell, Rae Carnivale
– Pueblo 70: Mark Emery, Michelle Erickson
– Widefield 3: Michelle Hubbard, William “Wen” Dolphin
– Cortez: Laura DeWitt, Tegan Lewis, Justine Bayles, Lara Blair, Barb Mate
Additional endorsements include Adams 12 (Amira Assad Lucas and Ike Anyanwu-Ebo), Lewis Palmer (Jackie Burhans), Cheyenne Mountain (Laura Wilson), Poudre R-1 (Andrew Spain, Dr. Coronda Ziegler, Karla Baise), Adams 14 (Maria Zubia and Janet Estrada), Boulder Valley (Deann Bucher and Ana Temu-Otting), Cherry Creek (Mike Hamrick and Terry Bates), Aurora (Tramaine Duncan, Kristin Mallory, Gayla Cherrier and Dr. Anne Keke), Huerfano (Alyssa Sandoval), St. Vrain Valley (Hadley Solomon), Summit County (Whitney Horner and Kimberly Dyer), West Garfield (Darlane Evans and Steven Beaulieu) as well as Steamboat Springs (Jane Toothaker and Kim Lemmer).
For local offices in Longmont city government races this year the association recommends Susie Hidalgo-Fahring for mayor along with Jake Marsing for City Council At Large.
The CEA also expressed support for a school bond measure in Thompson R2-J School District.
