Dogged by a criminal investigation, longtime Adams County political fixture Alice Nichol failed Saturday to win a spot on the Democratic primary ballot — a loss that makes a third term as county commissioner less likely.
Nichol garnered just 24 percent of the vote at the county Democratic assembly, losing by a wide margin to Charles “Chaz” Tedesco, who took three-quarters of the vote. She needed 30 percent of the vote.
The tally leaves open the possibility that Nichol could petition onto the Democratic primary ballot.
It’s been clear since precinct straw polls that she was in danger of slipping from the ballot, said Sen. Mary Hodge, but that doesn’t make the loss any less significant.
“She was a party officer for years, precinct captain for years, elected to the House, the Senate, the Commission,” Hodge, D-Brighton, said.
Hodge attributes the loss to Nichol’s alleged involvement in a scandal involving a local paving contractor that’s currently under investigation by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.
“I think it’s the uncertainty of what’s really going on,” Hodge said.
Several Quality Paving officials have been charged with or convicted of crimes related to an alleged fraudulent billing scheme suspected of costing Adams County citizens $8.6 million.
A 2011 investigation by The Denver Post showed Nichol’s ties to the company, including work that Quality Paving performed at her home.
She announced in February she would run for re-election, saying she wanted to avoid the appearance she was bowing out under pressure and pointing out she’s not been criminally charged.
“I am disappointed that some seem willing to vote on a perception, not on facts or reality,” she said at the time.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com
