Elected officials tout lofty goals and serious work as they take Oath of Office 

Just days after the launch of a new public health department and with a growing list of high-profile projects, Arapahoe County held a swearing-in ceremony for seven newly elected and reelected officials on Jan. 9. Taking the Oath of Office were: 

• Jessica Campbell-Swanson, County Commissioner, District 2
• Leslie Summey, County Commissioner, District 4
• PK Kaiser, Assessor
• Joan Lopez, Clerk and Recorder
• Kelly Lear, M.D., Coroner
• Tyler Brown, Sheriff
• Michael Westerberg, Treasurer

[See photos from the ceremony below article.]

Officials used the event to highlight important projects that the County will tackle in 2023, including the impending split of the 18^th Judicial District, regional homelessness coordination, and planning for growth despite funding challenges.

"We have needs and challenges; we have a lot of work to do across the County to keep Arapahoe County thriving and sustainable for decades to come,” said Commissioner Jessica Campbell-Swanson, newly elected as District 2 commissioner. “I have confidence in our team of commissioners, elected officials, employees and our community that we will accomplish our goals.” 

The County is investing resources into diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to ensure staff and residents alike have equal access to services and programs.

“Arapahoe County is a diverse and vibrant community where everyone deserves equitable opportunities and the best quality of life possible. That is what we will strive to provide,” said Commissioner Leslie Summey. “I will be the voice for those who do not feel like they have a voice.” Summey is the first African-American to be elected to a public office in the County.

Newly elected Treasurer Michael Westerberg highlighted the need for new funding streams as the County continues to grow, now the third largest in the state. 

“Arapahoe County needs to find new revenue as we navigate the current economy,” said Westerberg. The Treasurer alluded to several projects, including the creation of the public health department, that pose significant funding challenges. “We need to be purposeful and strategic in how we use our public funds.” 

Assessor PK Kaiser, Clerk and Recorder Joan Lopez and Sheriff Tyler Brown were all sworn-in for second terms and used the stage to highlight accomplishments from their first terms. 

“I am honored to be voted in for a second term to continue the work we started four years ago,” said Joan Lopez. “We were able to expand voter access as well as digitize records back to 1861, providing public access to more records than ever online.” 

“We will be outreaching to all our residents; senior residents, remote residents and our community of color to make sure everyone in this County has equal access to services and to our office,” said PK Kaiser. “We will work for the betterment of this County and make the citizens of Arapahoe County proud.” 

"The men and women of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's office have set the standard of what it means to be a law enforcement officer. We are the first Sheriff's office in the nation's history to achieve Triple Crown Accreditation under four different Sheriffs,” said Tyler Brown. “That is a testament to not who sits in the office of Sheriff but to the men and women of the Sheriff's office who go out and do the work every day.” 

For more information on projects and initiatives across Arapahoe County planned for 2023, visit Arapahoegov.com.

Watch the virtual 2023 Arapahoe County swearing in ceremony

Jessica Campbell-Swanson, County Commissioner, District 2	Leslie Summey, County Commissioner, District 4 with former Commissioner Nancy Jackson and Chief Judge Michelle Amico
PK Kaiser, Assessor	Joan Lopez, Clerk and Recorder with Chief Judge Michelle Amico
Kelly Lear, M.D., Coroner with Chief Judge Michelle Amico	Tyler Brown, Sheriff
Michael Westerberg, Treasurer with Chief Judge Michelle Amico