DENVER—Officials who handle foreclosure auctions in 10 Colorado counties could get a $24,000 raise over three years because of increase in their workload.
A bill given initial backing by the full Senate on Monday would raise the salaries for public trustees from $48,500 to $72,500 in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Mesa, Pueblo, and Weld counties.
Republicans objected to the raises for what Sen. Josh Penry, R-Fruita, said were “heavily sought-after patronage positions” appointed by the governor.
Sen. Tom Wiens, a Republican from Douglas County, also opposed the measure (Senate Bill 42), prompting Majority Leader Ken Gordon to tease him by asking that all but the Douglas County trustee get the raise. But Wiens agreed along with the county’s other senator, Ted Harvey, who pointed out the job had gone to the county’s former Democratic chairwoman. Gordon then withdrew the amendment.
The trustee salaries are paid using foreclosure fees, not tax dollars, but counties are allowed to keep any fees left over after the trustees are paid.
