FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jeff Wasden , 720-628-4787

August 30, 2007

HRCA Director Jeff Wasden announces campaign for Douglas County Commissioner

Highlands Ranch, Colo. -- Jeff Wasden has launched his campaign for Douglas County Commissioner.

A long track record of success and community service has prepared Wasden for the challenges the next county commissioner will face.

"Douglas County deserves the best leadership, best representation, somebody who's going to be effective and be in a position to make a difference" Wasden said.

The lifelong Republican has helped lead the Highlands Ranch Community Association through a period of unprecedented growth. Now he hopes to replace Douglas County Commission Melanie Worley, who is prohibited from seeking re-election in 2008 because of term limits.

Wasden believes that continuing to secure water sources, finding solutions to ease traffic congestion, keeping taxes low and protecting rural areas of the county from unwanted development are the top priorities facing Douglas County.

Wasden, who is 43, has enjoyed success in all areas of his life.

A school teacher for 16 years, he was named the Distinguished Educator in 2003 for Littleton High School and spoke at their graduation. Wasden has also been named to "Who's Who in Education" and a 9News Teacher Who Cares nominee.

As a member of the Highlands Ranch Community Association Board of Directors for nine years, Wasden has helped lead the largest homeowners association in the country through the opening of two of its four recreation centers.

In 2005, along with his wife and sister-in-law, he bought a business that was on the verge of bankruptcy and in just two years transformed into the "Best of the Best" as recognized by Colorado Community Newspapers.

Recently, Wasden spearheaded the formation of Team Highlands Ranch. Through its new website, www.teamhighlandsranch.org, the group provides one-stop shopping for information about the HRCA, the Highlands Ranch Metro Districts, Douglas County, the Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce as well as the county's schools, sheriff's office and libraries.

As an HRCA director, he also helped form the Highlands Ranch Community Scholarship Fund as well as the Highlands Ranch Cultural Affairs Association. This year, the scholarship fund awarded 26 scholarships to future college students.

Now Wasden's ready to bring his leadership, experience and ideas to the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners.

On water, Wasden believes it's important for the county to promote renewable water and conservation while also continuing to partner with the area's water providers.

"We need to look for ways to leverage money and bring the county's smaller water districts together to get the most bang for the buck," Wasden said.

On development, Wasden promises to enforce the county's plans for growth. New development should be limited to areas that are clearly defined and have the infrastructure in place to support it, he said. In places like Sedalia, Roxborough Park, Louviers Franktown, Cherry Valley and Perry Park residents need to have confidence that their leaders will fight to limit or stop development that would change the character of those communities, Wasden said.

"Residents need to know that the leader they elect will adhere to the master plans-that they will have enough backbone to protect the lifestyle of those rural communities," Wasden said.

On transportation, Wasden wants to work to find ways to alleviate congestion on C-470 without adding tolls, as well as improving conditions on Sante Fe Drive, Parker Road, Lincoln, and others.

Fighting to keep tolls off of C-470 in recent years highlighted Wasden's commitment to listening to the wishes of the residents in Douglas County and being effective.

"Working with Commission Worley and others, we were able to prevent the state from retro fitting C-470 with expensive tolls," Wasden said.

He also opposed two other tax measures - Referendum C and 5A in Highlands Ranch. It's an approach to government that he'll bring to the board of county commissioners.

"We must always seek a government that is run efficiently and effectively," Wasden said. "Government must live within its budget-even if means some government programs are suspended until the dollars return."

To learn more about Wasden and ways to help his campaign, go to www.Vote4Wasden.com or e-mail Jeff Wasden at Jeff.Wasden@vote4wasden.com.

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