Thomas Brown announced his candidacy for Mayor of Buena Vista yesterday.
The fifth-generation Coloradan pledged transparent government, community-driven decision-making, and fresh ideas if elected.
According to his press release, Brown brings years of work directing complex intelligence operations for the U.S. Department of Defense and as a senior geomorphologist advising the Pentagon on water-resource issues across the Middle East. During his years in Buena Vista he has engaged in community service, including the Planning & Zoning Commission, Comprehensive Plan Steering Group, Short-Term Rental Working Group, and Chaffee County Transportation Advisory Board. He also serves as the Governor-appointed Chair of Colorado’s Veterans Community Living Center Commission.
The press release stated his priorities as mayor would be to support local business and workforce by reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens and enhancing employee workforce housing opportunities and address smelter and landfill contamination while also protecting town infrastructure, groundwater, forests, soils, recreation areas, and athletic fields. He has proposed a four-part water strategy focused on source protection, strategic opportunities and incentives, regional cooperation, and long-term capital improvements.
Other priorities include reducing property taxes for town seniors and residents with disabilities, providing residents a direct voice on the recreation center, expanding affordable housing options by reducing risks that discouraging landlords from providing long-term rental housing, and preparing Buena Vista for wildfire.
Brown encourages residents to reach out to him with questions about his candidacy: .
