Natasha Lovato / NewsBreak Denver
(Parker, Colo.) Parker voters will choose between five candidates for three town council seats in November. Three of the five candidates seeking the four-year terms are incumbents.
Josh Rivero, Anne Barrington, Cheryl Poage, Brandi Wilks and Brian Carruthers seek voter approval.
Joshua Rivero
Councilmember Joshua Rivero owns Fika Coffee House and served as a Parker Town Council Member from 2012 to 2020.
Prior to his service as a Parker Town Councilmember, Rivero was president of the Downtown Development Council, and was a Rotary Club of Parker member.
Rivero’s top priority is maintaining Parker’s traditions such as the Wine Walks, and Carriage Rides. He also wants to bring the Farmers Market back to Mainstreet. He feels Parker is more divided now than ever and he believes these traditions will help unify the town.
“One of my strengths is that I have earned the trust, respect, and support of the community as a whole. This race is about Parker, it is about all of Parker, it is about all of us,” he said.
Anne Barrington
Barrington owns Barrington Group Real Estate and co-owns Card My Yard Parker.
In addition to serving on the town council, Barrington has over 18 years of community work in Parker. She is the Downtown Business Alliance vice chair, a Parker Civic Academy graduate, The Jim Gill Foundation co-founder, The Challenge Foundation mentor, Hide in Plain Sight mentor, Parker Task Force volunteer, Parker Rec soccer coach, Girl Scout parent volunteer, the Quail Creek HOA Committee social chair, and more.
She believes anyone seeking public office should be a long-standing community member, understand local businesses desires, and have a track record of community involvement.
Barrington’s main priority as a returning council member is to protect the quality of life with a focus on Parks and Recreation and public works. She also wants to protect the town’s culture, and public safety.
Cheryl Poage
Poage retired from South Metro Fire Rescue and teaches for the South Metro Safety Foundation and for the National Fire Academy.
Poage also serves on the Board of Directors for a large homeowners’ association and has lived in Parker since 1972.
In 1991, Poage started the Parker Parks and Open Space Commission, which helped establish the Cherry Creek Trail among other projects and resources.
Poage seeks to be re-elected because of her focus on controlled growth, reducing the tax burden on residents, maintaining open space, and revising zoning requirements to maintain the unique charm of old town Parker and surrounding areas.
Brandi Wilks
Brandi Wilks is the co-owner of Wilks Real Estate in Parker and is a third-generation Parker native.
Wilks is running for council to help protect Parker’s legacy. Wilks seeks to achieve responsible growth in the right places while also protecting the residents, the businesses, and the open space. Growth for Wilks means adding more small businesses to downtown.
“It’s vital and will increase our town's economy which helps with our parks, trails, recreation, police, and public works,” Wilks said.
As a councilmember Wilks said she would like to work closely with the local businesses and listen to their needs.
Brian Carruthers
Carruthers works as a Denver Fire Department lieutenant and owns Carruthers Construction.
Carruthers wants to serve the community where he lives. He seeks to help reasonably manage growth and focus on public safety.
“Creating an environment and community where people want to work and feel safe always helps in business,” Carruthers said.
Carruthers’ philosophy on growth is to have big ideas and small-town values. He supports business and residential growth but believes growth needs to be managed so it doesn’t overwhelm Parker’s resources.
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