Greeley council appoints Craig Huddleston to fill Ward 1 vacancy after panel interviews

The Greeley City Council on May 5 selected Craig Huddleston to fill the Ward 1 vacancy following a panel interview and a group ballot vote. The appointment was announced by Mayor Dale Hall after councilors completed multiple rounds of questioning of six finalists.

Huddleston, who spoke during the interview about wages and preserving neighborhood history, said he decided to run because he lives in Ward 1. "I live here, and this is where we chose to live," he said during the panel, adding that he brings experience in construction and problem‑solving.

Council used a panel format in which City Clerk Heidi Leatherwood read prepared questions, each candidate had 90 seconds per answer, and the city attorney kept time. After the interview, council cast ballots to select one appointee. Mayor Hall said the council will present a resolution to ratify the appointment at its May 19 meeting and will hold a swearing‑in ceremony then.

Candidates who interviewed included Casey, Craig Huddleston, Luis Yanez, Rush, Soper and Yielding. Their answers covered housing, growth management, public‑safety services, communications and local economic development. For example, one candidate stressed downtown reinvestment and community events as strengths, while others emphasized wage growth or the need to manage the city’s budget shortfall.

The appointment fills the Ward 1 seat through the end of the current term; councilors did not provide a detailed roll‑call tally of the ballot at the meeting. The clerk will distribute the formal resolution for ratification at the May 19 meeting.