FORT COLLINS, Colo.—There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Justin Smith.
The Coloradoan reports that Smith easily won the Larimer County race Tuesday, defeating Democrat Jay Harrison and independent candidate Dell Bean in preliminary results.
Smith, a major in the department, will succeed Jim Alderden, who endorsed his fellow Republican.
Alderden couldn’t run again because of term limits. He drew national attention last year during the investigation of the balloon boy hoax in Fort Collins.
He’s known in Larimer County for his annual Christmas tree-trimming party. The tradition started after Fort Collins officials recommended an end to holiday decorations favoring a single religion. Last year, Alderden invited two atheist groups to the event after they asked him to stop the display.
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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan,
