Westcliffe is a statutory Town. This means that we as a community have not adopted our own charter, and thus defer to statutory state laws, which is Colorado Revised Statutes.
The form of government is a Board of Trustees made up of the Mayor and the Trustees. The Town Board is the legislative body that determines laws and policies for Westcliffe. The Town Manager, Town Clerk/Administrator, along with staff, is charged with carrying out the decisions of the Town Board and for the day-to-day administration required in the operations of the Town.
Westcliffe has opted out of term limits by voter approval at the April 1998 election. Trustees and Mayor may serve an unlimited number of terms but must run for election at the end of each four-year term.
The Mayor and Town Trustees serve on various committees, boards, and advisory groups.
Neither the Mayor nor the Trustee has regular business hours at Town Hall. Each Trustee is available by contacting Town Hall and leaving a message with the Office.
Town Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at Town Hall. The meetings begin at 5:30 pm. The agendas are posted at Town Hall and website. Workshops are scheduled by the Town Board on an as-needed basis. Direct any questions regarding Town Board meetings and/or work sessions to the Town Clerks office at 719-783-2282.
| Your Elected Officials |
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Board members are elected on an at-large basis; meaning elected by all registered electors of the Town rather than by a specific district or ward within the Town. Terms of office are staggered so three Trustees are elected at one election and the Mayor and three Trustees are elected at the next succeeding election.
The elected governing body is responsible for adopting policies and procedures with the intent to foster a community where people want to live, work, and visit. The Board of Trustees follows the Code of Conduct. |
The Mayor and Town Board members do not have offices at Town Hall.
Any correspondence may be mailed to:
The Town of Westcliffe
c/o the Town Clerk
P.O. Box 406
Westcliffe, CO. 81252
Town Clerk: Kathy Reis, CMC
Paul Wenke
Mayor
Term Expires: 2026
paul@townofwestcliffe.com
What brought you here?
Small town life. The beauty of this valley.
What motivated you to run for the Town Board?
I wanted to help make Westcliffe the best small town in Colorado.
Describe one of your goals and objectives for Westcliffe.
To make Westcliffe the best small town in Colorado and to make this a great place to live, work and raise a family.
What challenges you most about being an elected official?
It is the mayor’s job to build consensus and at times that can be challenging, but we always come to an agreement.
Name a random fact about yourself.
I love whales, so much that I painted a humpback on my business.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Spending time traveling with my wife playing golf, fishing, and hunting.
What is the best way for your constituents to communicate with you?
Call me at 719-783-9054, ext. 210.
Cathy Snow
Mayor Pro Tem
Term Expires: 2024
cathy@townofwestcliffe.com
What brought you here?
I came here, 10 years ago, on a sight-seeing day trip with a friend, and was immediately overwhelmed with a sense that I needed to move here. That feeling is still as strong today as it was then.
What motivated you to run for the Town Board?
Two things – First, it was a way to give back to the community that has given me so much. Second, unlike larger communities, this community is small enough that every person who serves can have a direct and visible impact on the community. That is exciting – and a real responsibility.
Describe one of your goals and objectives for Westcliffe.
One would be to enhance and protect what we already have. Westcliffe has so many unique offerings – it very rare for a town our size to have a theater, 6 parks, a local radio station, historical offerings, a public telescope, multiple art galleries, and murals on every street! And then of course, there is the day and nighttime view!!.
What challenges you most about being an elected official?
I would say the main challenge is dealing with all the incorrect information that is often spread on social media.
Name a random fact about yourself.
I used to be quite the ballroom dancer!
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to joke that my favorite free time activity seems to be volunteering. 😊.
What is the best way for your constituents to communicate with you?
Email is best, but I enjoy face-to-face connections too!
Art Nordyke
Town Trustee
Term Expires: April 2026
art@townofwestcliffe.com
What brought you here?
My job brought me to Westcliffe.
What motivated you to run for the Town Board?
I care about the Town and community.
Describe one of your goals and objectives for Westcliffe.
One of my goals is to help the Town grow responsibly.
What challenges you most about being an elected official?
The biggest challenge is in making the right decisions.
Name a random fact about yourself.
I enjoy working with people.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend my free time fishing and hunting.
What is the best way for your constituents to communicate with you?
The best way to communicate with me is in person.
Randy Wilhelm
Town Trustee
Term Expires: April 2026
randy@townofwestcliffe.com
What brought you here?
I moved here to get away from the traffic and noise, the general hustle and bustle of Denver.
What motivated you to run for the Town Board?
I had prior experience with other organizations and boards. I wanted to have input on how the Town and community develop. I would like to try and help people that move here from a larger city understand our small town and the amenities we provide.
Describe one of your goals and objectives for Westcliffe.
Ensure the infrastructure (roads, parks, municipal buildings) is upgraded and continuously improved.
Listening and understanding what the concerns are of the citizens and other board members.
Name a random fact about yourself.
I don’t use computers or social media. I prefer to talk to people face to face.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to walk and do things around the house.
What is the best way for your constituents to communicate with you?
Catch me on the street and let’s have a conversation.
Gary Frickell
Town Trustee
Term Expires April 2024
gary@townofwestcliffe.com
George Mowry
Town Trustee
Term Expires: April 2026
george@townofwestcliffe.com
What brought you here?
I first came to Westcliffe in 1971 when I was teaching in a GED program in Pueblo. On our first trip over the pass, we knew we wanted to live in the Valley. I got a job at Custer County High School teaching social studies and Spanish, and soon after that, my former wife and I started The Village Shop in Westcliffe. At the time, we were living in Silver Cliff. I was on the Board of Trustees there and was active in many civic activities. Our two children were born here and went to Custer County Elementary School, and I was on the School Board of Custer County Schools. In the mid ’80s, I left the valley and moved first to New Mexico and later to Arizona, where I taught school, wrote social studies curriculum, and later had a folk-art gallery in Arizona. Four years ago, my wife of 34 years, Suzanne, and I decided it was time to return to the Valley as retired but very active community members. We live on Second Street in Westcliffe.
What motivated you to run for the Town Board?
I have always believed in the importance of being involved in Civic Affairs, and when a vacancy came up for a Trustee position, I decided to volunteer.
Describe one of your goals and objectives for Westcliffe.
My goal of being a Trustee is to try in a small way to keep what makes Westcliffe so special intact. As the town grows and changes, we need to ensure that our amenities are maintained and improved as funds are available, especially our roads and parks.
What challenges you most about being an elected official?
I would like to have more people take part in planning for the future of Westcliffe and deciding on solutions to problems we face.
Name a random fact about yourself.
Volunteer for two years in the Peace Core in South America.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend my free time playing pickleball, working on home and yard projects, socializing with many friends, hiking, and keeping up with our three children and two grandchildren.
What is the best way for your constituents to communicate with you?
I am always available to talk to anyone about town issues and ideas on ensuring Westcliffe remains such a great Colorado mountain town. I can be reached by email or phone ( or by stopping me on my daily walks around town with our dog Sophie).
Loree Lund
Town Trustee
Term Expires: April 2024
What brought you here?
We came to Custer County to build an earthship. We needed open space and a clear view of sunny skies as well as building codes that would allow earthships. However, a few years ago we purchased a business from my parents and found we needed to be in town to operate the business, so we ended up moving into a building on Main Street and selling the earthship.
What motivated you to run for the Town Board?
As business owners, residents, and landlords in town, we have a lot of interest in what happens here. Also, being on the Town Board is new to me, and I am looking forward to learning a lot about how governance works and how things get done.
Describe one of your goals and objectives for Westcliffe.
I would really like to see better walking paths or sidewalks along some of the roads.
What challenges you most about being an elected official?
I don’t know yet. I just know that I have a lot to learn.
Name a random fact about yourself.
My husband claims his hobby is collecting hobbies. I’ve tried to get him to focus on two or three so that he could go deeper into them. Instead,I fear that he has turned me into a hobby collector as well. I dabble in pottery, blacksmithing, some simple jewelry, and I have collected way too many boxes and jars that I hope to turn into something interesting someday.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Other than the hobbies mentioned above, I enjoy working out and I am one of those weird people who is addicted to my Peloton.
What is the best way for your constituents to communicate with you?
Email or in person.