News Summary
El Paso County School District 8 has canceled its upcoming school board election scheduled for November due to an insufficient number of candidates. With only two individuals filing for two available positions, the election is deemed unnecessary under Colorado law. Candidates are set to be declared elected by acclamation, and the district will proceed with formal certification of their election. The cancellation aligns with legal provisions to ensure efficient governance and reduce election-related expenses.
El Paso, Colorado — School District 8 Cancels Upcoming Board Election
El Paso County School District 8, located within Fountain-Fort Carson School District, has officially canceled its upcoming school board election scheduled for November 4, 2025. The decision comes after it was determined that the number of candidates running for office did not exceed the number of positions available, making the election unnecessary under state law.
Background and Legal Authority
The cancellation of the election aligns with the provisions set forth in Colorado law, specifically Colo. Rev. Stat. sect. 1-5-208(1.5). This law authorizes school districts to forgo an election if the number of candidates does not surpass the number of open board positions. In such cases, candidates are declared elected by acclamation without the need for a formal vote.
Details of the Board Election and Candidate Submission
El Paso County School District 8 was scheduled to hold an election to fill two school director positions on November 4, 2025. However, only two individuals submitted valid nomination petitions that met the signature requirements necessary to qualify for candidacy. These individuals are Loretta Kimball and Shirley Martinez.
Because only these two candidates filed for the two available offices, there are no contested races. Consequently, the Board of Education adopted a resolution for cancellation of the election during their meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
Procedural Steps and Certification
Following the board’s decision, the district’s designated election official is responsible for verifying the election results and issuing certificates of election to Kimball and Martinez. These certificates serve as official documentation of their election to the school board.
Once the candidates receive their certificates, state law mandates they take the oath of office within 10 days. By doing so, they become fully qualified to participate in board meetings and contribute their governance responsibilities for the district.
Public Notice and Announcement
The official notice regarding the cancellation and the election results was issued by Shiona Nash, Board Secretary, on September 3, 2025. The announcement was subsequently published in The Gazette on September 5, 2025. This ensures transparency and informs the community about the current board member appointment process.
Additional Context
El Paso County School District 8 operates as part of the Fountain-Fort Carson School District, serving the local community with a focus on providing quality education. The process of canceling an election when candidates are unopposed helps streamline governance and reduces unnecessary election expenses, aligning with Colorado’s legal framework for school elections.
This approach also emphasizes the importance of candidate participation and the election process, ensuring that community members are informed of changes in the governance structure and the procedures involved when no contest exists for a given office.
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Additional Resources
- The Gazette: Cancellation of School Board Election
- El Paso Times: Candidates Running in May 3 Elections
- El Paso Times: What to Know for Upcoming Elections
- Wikipedia: El Paso County School District 8
- Google Search: El Paso County School Board Elections
