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Leadership for Today
I currently serve as the Mayor of Thornton in my ninth year on Thornton City Council. I’ve made jobs my top priority, and I’ve always advocated for strong fiscal responsibility. In my tenure we’ve balanced nine straight budgets, and while a councilman I suggested a rainy day fund for tough economic times. We’ve needed it, and because of this action Thornton has one of the most stable budgets in the metro area today.
I’ve made it a priority to develop regional partnerships to solve big problems. As Mayor I led the charge for two historic agreements with Adams 12 Five Star Schools that will create our first joint facilities and save the taxpayers millions of dollars in duplicated services. I helped form and currently chair the North Area Transportation Alliance of eleven area cities to advocate for road and rail projects in our region. Along the way I’ve served on the Metro Mayors Caucus select task force on Fastracks, the E470 Board of Directors, and Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Board of Directors. We need to work together to get the resources that Adams County deserves, and I’ve proven that as your next County Commissioner I have the experience and vision to do just that.
Erik Hansen’s Story
I grew up on an Iowa corn and hog farm where we learned the values of community and hard work from my parents, Richard and Judith Hansen. I was blessed with an idyllic childhood, and I played sports, joined 4H and FFA, and was baptized and confirmed at the local Lutheran church. Everyone on our family farm learned to chip in. I remember those hot summer days and scratched arms from putting up hay and the long nights of harvest when I drove the tractor while my father ran the combine.
My parents valued education and after graduation I attended Truman State University where I earned a B.A. in political science. As captain of the debate team at Truman we earned a state debate team championship, and it was then that I met the love of my life, Holly, my college debate team partner, and now my wife of 13 years.
Colorado was the state I loved to visit as a child, whether it was Breckenridge in the winter or Rocky Mountain National Park in the summer. After graduation I moved to our wonderful state and worked my way through graduate school at the University of Denver where I earned an M.B.A. I know how to work hard, and I’m proud to say that I've done it all to make ends meet: flipping burgers, delivering pizzas, cleaning houses, installing landscaping, and even selling programs at Rockies games. You name it, and I’ve done it.
In the last 15 years I’m proud of a successful career in the private sector where I started out in entry level jobs and moved my way up to Vice President of a successful technology startup. I’ve run a small business in Thornton, and I know what it takes to create jobs and make a budget.
Now my wife, Holly, and I call Thornton home with our two children, Quincy and Grace, who attend Adams 12 public schools. I’m proud of my kids who are karate brown belts and great students. We attend St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Northglenn, and we’re happy to call Adams county our home.