City Councilman-elect Paul Lopez responded Friday to court filing that challenged his eligibility for office.
One of Lopez’s opponents in his bid for Council District 3 has asked the Denver District Court for a ruling on whether Lopez met residency requirements to run for the seat.
In a filing Friday, Lopez’ attorney wrote the “Lopez was born in, has long lived in and has continuously possessed substantial familial, social and other contacts with Council District 3.”
Denver election rules require a candidate to be a resident of the district for one year.
Lopez’ attorney Isaacson Rosenbaum wrote that “Lopez either physically resided at or had the … intention of returning to (his grandmother’s home in District 3) as his principal or primary home.”
As part of their complaint, former District 3 candidate Jo Ann Phillips and her campaign manager Alfonzo Suazo submitted a change of address form Lopez filed with the Denver Election Commission last year. Lopez stated on the form that he moved from District 2 to District 3 in eight months before the Denver’s municipal election.
Lopez won more than 60 percent of the vote in a runoff election again Phillips.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-954-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
