Commerce City Council at a glance — as the election approaches

The Nov. 7 election seems like a long way into the future, but time flies, and it’s not too soon to get up to speed on politics at City Hall. After all, change could come to Commerce City’s council in the upcoming election, depending on which current council members decide to run again as well as who else steps forward to seek office. 

It’s important for all of us to be able to make informed ballot choices this Nov. 7, and that starts with a recap on our city’s elected leadership.

Although five City Council seats as well as the mayor’s office will be on the ballot in November, only one incumbent on the City Council so far has filed for re-election. That’s Mayor Pro Tem and Ward II council member Jennifer Allen-Thomas, whose four-year term ends this year.

Other council incumbents whose terms also are up this year but who haven’t yet formally declared they are candidates:

• Ward III council member Renée Chacon, who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the council and now faces her first election. She has served as a youth program development coordinator at a nonprofit.

• Ward IV council member Susan Noble, who has been outspoken on climate and social justice issues.

• At-large council member Craig Hurst, who is a program manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation.

• At-large council member Craig Kim, who was appointed to the council last fall to fill a vacancy on the council and now faces his first election. He works in the information technology sector.

• Mayor Benjamin Huseman, a military retiree who is finishing his first term in the office this year. Huseman was censured in 2020 by fellow council members for “unprofessional” behavior in council meetings.

Whether or not they throw their hats in the ring, their posts on council will be up for grabs on the fall ballot. Learn more about them and their council seats here.