GOLDEN — One of the candidates seeking to oversee Jefferson County’s property tax system as its next assessor owes thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes at both the federal and state level, according to county records.
Documents on file with the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office show Ronald Sandstrom, the Republican candidate for assessor, facing Internal Revenue Service liens of more than $67,000 and unsatisfied judgments from the Colorado Department of Revenue of nearly $22,000.
It’s not clear whether Sandstrom has made any progress in settling his tax bill with the IRS, which accrued from 2007 to 2011, but a records technician with the Jefferson County Combined Courts said on Tuesday that Sandstrom’s debts with the state — dating to 2010, 2011 and 2013 — are still listed as “unsatisfied.”
Sandstrom, who in 1989 opened a consultancy that specializes in property tax disputes, did not return a call or an e-mail request for comment Tuesday.
The delinquency issue was enough to prompt Jefferson County Republican Party Chair E.V. Leyendecker to ask Sandstrom to step aside from the race. Sandstrom has so far refused to do so, Leyendecker said.
“It’s disappointing to me,” Leyendecker said. “The Republican Party stands for personal responsibility and fiscal responsibility, and this is causing me some problems.”
Sandstrom’s departure from the race would be “best for him and best for the party,” Leyendecker said.
Democratic opponent Andrew Hassinger said he is befuddled by Sandstrom’s decision to run for the office given his tax woes.
“My underlying feeling is if he can’t respect the federal or state tax codes, how is he going to oversee the county tax system?” Hassinger said. “It would make you concerned as a voter whether the person is capable or really wants to do the job.”
Jefferson County records don’t show Hassinger, who has served as a real estate appraiser for Boulder County’s and Denver’s assessor’s offices, facing any tax judgments or liens.
Both candidates are vying to replace Jefferson County Assessor Jim Everson, who has occupied the office since 2005. Everson, a Republican, is term limited.
The election is Nov. 4.
John Aguilar: 303-954-1695, jaguilar@denverpost.com or
