NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Ridgway School District R-2, Ouray County, Colorado, that at the close of business on September 2, 2025, the number of candidates for director positions on the Board of Education was not more than the number of offices to be filled, including candidates filing affidavits of intent to be write-in candidates.

In accordance with C.R.S. § 1-5-208(1.5), the Designated Election Official has determined that the regular biennial school election scheduled for November 4, 2025, is hereby CANCELLED.

The following candidates are hereby declared elected by acclamation:

• Jill Hepp, Director At-Large, 4 years

• Brian Patton, Director At-Large, 4 years

• Douglas Unfug, Director At-Large, 4 years

DATED this 2nd of September, 2025.

Dona Hawken
Designated Election Official
Ridgway School District R-2

A candidate for the Ridgway School District R-2 Board of Education must be:

• A resident and a registered voter of the school district for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election

• 18 years or older by the date of the election

• A citizen of the United States

• Not be convicted of a sexual offense against a child

• Because school director elections are nonpartisan, candidates may not run as a member of a political party

*This timeline is not all encompassing. Candidates are responsible for identifying and meeting all legal and financial deadlines.

2025 School Director Election Timeline

• August 6, 2025: First day to pick up and circulate nomination petitions.  Petitions will be available to pick up between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the District Administration Building, 1115 West Clinton Street, Ridgway, CO 81432. Beginning August 11, Petitions will be available to pick up between 8 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• August 29, 2025, 3:45 p.m.: Deadline for school director candidates to file a nomination petition with circulators' notarized affidavits, notarized acceptance of nomination, and written notice of intent to be a candidate.

• August 29, 2025, 3:45 p.m.: Deadline for school director write-in candidates to file an affidavit of intent to be a candidate.

• November 4, 2025: Election Day

Resource: Colorado Secretary of State Election Calendar

Colorado election law requires all candidates to file a nomination petition with the school district's Designated Election Official (DEO). Petitions will be available for pickup between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, at the District Administration Building, located at 1115 West Clinton Street, Ridgway, CO 81432.

Beginning August 11, petitions will be available for pickup Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., through August 29, 2025.

Nomination petitions must be signed by at least 25 registered voters who reside within the school district. It is strongly recommended that candidates obtain more than the minimum number of required signatures, in case some are deemed invalid.

The deadline to submit nomination petitions to the Designated Election Official is Friday, August 29, at 3:45 p.m.

From the CASB School Board Candidate Guide:

School board candidates must comply with the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA).  All candidates must file a candidate affidavit with the Colorado Secretary of State's office within 10 days of becoming a candidate.  Candidates are also required to report contributions and expenditures through the Secretary of State's online TRACER ;program.  These reports are required even if you spend $0.00 campaigning.

For more information about FCPA reporting requirements and timelines for filing these reports, visit the Colorado Secretary of State's website: www.sos.state.co.us.

• Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) School Board Candidate Guide

• CASB Key Fair Campaign Practices Act Requirements for Candidates

• State of Colorado 2025 Campaign and Political Finance - Biennial School Election Filing Calendar

Questions?  Contact Dona Hawken, Designated Election Official, at 970-626-4320 or dhawken@ridgway.k12.co.us