Commissioners approve Pikes Peak Library District trustee appointment after public objections

On May 27, 2025, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the consent calendar, which included the appointment of Kenny Kenayuki to the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Board of Trustees.

The appointment drew multiple public speakers who said the nomination process lacked transparency and questioned the nominee’s qualifications. Lisa Bigelow told commissioners she objected to “the process, the lack of transparency and accountability,” saying the joint interview process excluded the public and did not allow all finalists to be interviewed by all liaisons. Carla Powers said the nominee had been advised not to discuss a past lawsuit publicly and added the application did not demonstrate financial expertise relevant to the library district’s needs. Catherine Chukas urged commissioners not to confirm the nominee, saying the district manages a levy and needs trustees with “financial responsibility about Colorado public finance laws.” An online commenter (name not specified) likewise urged commissioners to reject the confirmation, arguing the library board had shut the public out of decisions and that the appointment process was rushed.

Commissioner Bill Wysong said he had received many emails and agreed the nomination process would benefit from more public involvement; he said he lives in the area affected by the Rockrimmon Library closure. Chair Carrie Geithner (speaking during later remarks defending procedure) said the appointment process follows state statute and open meetings law and that representatives making these appointments may use different methods, including phone interviews or conversations, to evaluate candidates. Geithner also disputed claims that a formal vote was improperly taken, saying minutes and attorneys were present during the meeting where the joint committee acted.

The consent calendar was moved and seconded during the meeting and was approved by roll call: Commissioners Bill Wysong, Corey Applegate, Vice Chair Holly Williams and Chair Carrie Geithner all voted “aye.” The meeting record lists the consent calendar as items 5a through 5k1; the appointment to the PPLD was included on that calendar.

The speakers who opposed confirmation sought greater transparency in the oversight and appointment process for the PPLD Board of Trustees and said they were concerned about library branch closures and fiscal stewardship. Commissioners acknowledged the public concern but stated the legal process for appointments is governed by state statute and that the joint committee followed the procedures available to it.

No formal motion specific to the trustee appointment was recorded separately from the consent calendar vote, and no additional information about the nominee’s application materials or the joint-committee deliberations was included in the public record presented at the meeting.

The board did not set any follow-up task on the record at the meeting regarding the PPLD appointment; several commissioners said they would consider how to increase public engagement in similar processes going forward.