GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Four Garfield County mayors are speaking out against what call outside attempts to influence commissioner races in the major energy-producing county.
The four, most of them Democrats, are taking aim at independent political groups that have spent nearly $50,000 on radio and TV ads attacking two Democratic candidates and supporting their Republican opponents.
Other outside groups have supported the Democrats.
The groups are called 527s after federal tax codes. Energy companies have contributed to groups supporting Republicans John Martin, an incumbent commissioner, and Mike Samson, who’s running for an open seat being vacated by Republican Larry McCown.
Environmental groups have contributed to ads supporting Democratic candidates Stephen Bershenyi and Steve Carter.
The candidates say they don’t know anything about the spending on their behalf.
Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert, a Democrat who lost a bid for county commissioner in 2004, said during a news conference Tuesday that he’s concerned oil and gas money may be coming from outside the county to influence the county race.
“What we are seeing right now is terrifying,” Glenwood Springs Mayor Bruce Cristensen said.
Mayors Michael Hassig of Carbondale and Frank Breslin of New Castle were also at the news conference, was held in front of a “GarCo for Sale” sign.
The 527 groups have poured millions into Colorado’s Senate race, but typically don’t get involved in county commission races.
Political activists in Garfield County say few, if any, previous races cost more than $10,000.
Western Heritage, a new Denver-based 527 political organization, has spent about $30,000 in the county, with state records showing $20,000 of that coming from Paul Rady, chairman of Antero Resources Inc., an energy company doing business in Garfield County.
Some of the money went to TV ads featuring former Republican congressman Scott McInnis stumping for Martin, who is seen as supportive of the energy industry. McInnis donated $10,000 to Western Heritage.
“I’m not pulling any dirty tricks,” said McInnis, who once worked with Martin when both were police officers.
“Who’s calling the kettle black here?” asked Martin, who stood in the background while the four mayors spoke. “I have only taken local money. I have two people in my political organization — two.” Martin said more than $14,000 has been spent in support of Democratic candidates by the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a coalition of environmental and conservation groups from Western states.
