Steamboat Springs School District No. Re 2 board members held an informational workshop on June 2, 2025, to explain how residents can run for two open school board seats on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

The session, led by Katie Lee, covered eligibility and the paperwork prospective candidates must file. “The first step to becoming a candidate is to obtain a candidate info packet from the district office,” Lee said, adding the packet will be available beginning Aug. 6 and that petitions are due Aug. 29. Lee also said, “You must then collect 50 signatures of valid registered voters that reside in the district.”

Why it matters: Two four-year terms will open in November, and the district said it seeks at least two qualified candidates to fill them. Board members warned that failing to meet petition or filing requirements can eliminate a candidate from the ballot and that the district may cancel the election if there are not more valid candidates than positions.

Board members and staff walked through the signature and filing process and election timeline. Speakers repeatedly advised collecting more than the minimum 50 petition signatures to allow for invalidated entries; board members recommended collecting 75–100. Deb Genesta, who handled roll call and ceremony duties during the meeting, confirmed there is some leeway for abbreviations but cautioned that PO boxes and mismatched name/address formatting can invalidate signatures. “People think that they're valid registered voters and they're accidentally not,” Lee said.

Candidates were told they must be registered voters who have lived in the district and been registered for at least 12 consecutive months before the election and that candidates may not have been convicted of certain disqualifying offenses against a child. The board emphasized the office is nonpartisan and candidates should not campaign as party nominees. Kevin (speaker) explained state filing rules: once a person publicly announces and receives a contribution or makes an expenditure, they have 10 days to file a candidate affidavit with the Colorado Secretary of State through the TRACER system.

The board described additional required forms: a notice of intent, an affidavit of qualifications and an acceptance of nomination, all due by Aug. 29. Lee advised late petition filers to also file a write‑in form so votes would count if petitions validate below the 50‑signature threshold.

Candidates were briefed about the time commitment and expectations of service: regular board meetings are typically held on Monday afternoons starting at 4:30 p.m., once or twice a month; meetings usually run under two hours but may be longer. Board members estimated 2–5 hours to review board books before meetings, committee work of one to two hours per week when assigned, monthly community “Coffee with the Board,” and occasional attendance at school events. “Read the CASB guide,” Lara said, referencing the Colorado Association of School Boards materials included in the agenda packet, and become familiar with policy governance and the district’s board policies.

The board stressed legal constraints on informal communications. Katie Lee explained Colorado’s open‑meeting rules—often called the “sunshine law”—and said no more than two board members may discuss a substantive board matter outside an open meeting to avoid creating a serial meeting. “We can't have any conversations outside of a board meeting or a board workshop, that that is board considered board material,” Lee said.

Board members offered practical campaign tips: do community outreach, meet with sitting or former members, pick three issues to campaign on, and consider local forums or the farmer’s market for signature gathering (but not campaigning on school property). Several members said they are willing to meet individually with prospective candidates to answer questions. The board outlined the election timeline: petitions available Aug. 6; petitions and required forms due Aug. 29; potential election cancellation notice due Sept. 2 if not required; election Nov. 4; oath of office Nov. 5–Dec. 5; organizational meeting Nov. 5–Dec. 11.

The workshop was informational only; no decisions were made. The board encouraged interested residents to contact members or district staff for further guidance.

Ending: The district will accept questions via the board’s posted contact channels and plans no formal candidate vetting at the workshop; candidates must complete the state and district filing and petition processes to qualify for the ballot.