Last month we celebrated Black History Month and as the first African American commissioner in Arapahoe County, it is important to me to take stock of not only the achievements and progress we’ve made in becoming a more inclusive and diverse community, but also the myriad of work that lies ahead. The same goes for the work of my fellow county commissioners and me.

Like families across Colorado and the U.S., your county government is faced with rising inflation and an uncertain economy, and we are forced to make the most of every dollar. And despite a long record of responsible budget management and good fiscal stewardship, current revenues coupled with anticipated growth will make it challenging for the County to continue meeting the needs of our residents. Essential services that the County provides – public safety, human services, mental health programs and road maintenance – are at risk.

In partnership with County staff and residents, we all must make a concerted effort to stabilize our funding sources and modernize our finances. As your elected leaders, we look forward to connecting with you as we take a thoughtful approach to this journey ahead. Look for future telephone town hall events at www.arapahoegov.com/townhall, follow us on social media or in future newsletters to stay informed and get involved. #Get2KnowArapahoe

— Commissioner Leslie Summey, Representing District 4, Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners