Pitkin County commissioner candidates

For this primary election, voters can only choose one candidate. The two with the most votes advance to the November election, according to the Home Rule Charter. Greg Poschman, Scott Writer and Hawk Greenway, all longtime valley residents, are vying for the seat. It is currently held by Michael Owsley, who has to step down because of term limits.A polling place will be set up at the Aspen Jewish Community Center for early voting from June 20 to June 27. Ballots returned in the mail should be sent eight days prior to the election deadline — 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28.

9th Judicial District works to retain quality prosecutors

Aspen Public Radio

Published June 13, 2017 at 8:17 PM MDT

District Attorney Jeff Cheney is trying new tactics for recruiting and retaining top talent.

Cheney blames a tight budget and high cost of living in the 9th Judicial District. He said he can’t pay top lawyers competitively to act as prosecuting attorneys when they can earn more in private practice.

Cheney is now appealing to the board of county commissioners of each county he oversees: Pitkin, Garfield and Rio Blanco. He is asking for the authority to grant the title of “Chief Deputy District Attorney” to more than one employee.

Cheney said the title acts as a promotion because the title comes with supervisory roles and more serious cases.

Due to state statute, only one employee can hold this title unless all overseeing bodies approve differently. Pitkin County officials were receptive to the request at their work session yesterday, the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners has already approved the request.