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Resident raises complaint about candidates’ signs on district property; board discusses bylaws and county right-of-way rules
Summary
A Pueblo West resident alleged candidates placed campaign signs on district-owned property and in county right-of-way areas; board members discussed creating explicit signage rules in bylaws and asked staff to confirm county authority on right-of-way enforcement.
A public comment read at the April 28 meeting accused a sitting board member of placing campaign signs on district property and in public right-of-way areas without board authorization.
Why it matters: the complaint raises questions about the district’s rules governing candidate signage, the limits of district authority over right-of-way areas and whether board members should be held to distinct standards for campaign conduct.
The written public comment, delivered by staff reading an emailed statement from resident Nick Madero, said district candidates had placed signs “on right aways and on district owned property,” called the practice a safety concern where signs block visibility of fire hydrants, and asserted no board resolution authorized such signage. The commenter named Vice President Joe Mahaney and criticized his placement of signs on district property.
Board members discussed the issue. Director Axworthy and Director Bickers said signage rules belong in the board’s bylaws so candidates and prospective candidates have clear guidance; Axworthy noted the election cycle came up “too late” this year to impose a candidate rule change. Vice President Mahaney said there has been a long-standing precedent of board members putting campaign signs on district property (he cited past practice by a former director) and argued allowing signs on district property can help candidates learn where district-owned parcels are located. Several board members asked staff to check with the county about whether political signs in the right-of-way are regulated by county ordinance and what penalties, if any, apply.
General Counsel later reported that Pueblo County’s sign ordinance prohibits signs in the public right-of-way without a revocable permit and that the permit is issued by Pueblo County; counsel said the ordinance appears to require removal of unpermitted signs but does not itself spell out a monetary penalty. Staff committed to follow up with the county attorney for clarity on whether county removal is enforced and the extent to which district-owned property that is not dedicated public property falls under county permit rules.
Ending: Board members agreed signage rules should be clarified in the bylaws for future elections and asked staff to provide a legal interpretation from the county and recommended by the district’s counsel.
