Glenn Vaad (born c. 1941[1]) is a former legislator in the U.S. state of Colorado. First elected to the Colorado House of Representatives as a Republican in 2006, Vaad represented House District 48, which encompasses western Greeley and southwestern Weld County, Colorado.[2]

Glenn Vaad
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 48th district
In office
January 10, 2007 – January 9, 2013
Preceded byDale Hall
Succeeded byStephen Humphrey
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMollie
Professiontransportation engineer

Early career

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Vaad earned a bachelor's degree in industrial construction management from Colorado State University.[1] He spent most of his professional career within the Colorado Department of Transportation in many roles, including highway engineer, a management consultant, auditor, and legislative liaison.[3] During his time at CDOT, Vaad spent 10 years working on the extension of Interstate 70 near Vail, Colorado. He retired in 1998,[4] after 31 years with the department.[3] He also served as Secretary of the Colorado Transportation Commission.[5]

A volunteer fire fighter and emergency medical technician, Vaad has been elected to the Mead, Colorado Board of Trustees, of the Saint Vrain Valley School District Board of Education,[5] (where he served for nine years,[6] including a stint as board chair.[5]), the Weld County Board of Commissioners,[3] and served on the Weld County Planning Commission, the Mead Sanitation Board,[5] the State Child Welfare Allocation Committee,[7] and was a charter member of the Skyline High School Education Foundation.[5]

On the Weld County Commission, Vaad represented District 2, which covered the rapidly growing southwestern portion of the county, including the communities of Dacono, Frederick, Firestone and Mead.[7] First elected in 1998,[8] Vaad, who rose to chair the board of commissioners, faced no opposition in his 2002 run for re-election.[9] As a Weld County Commissioner, Vaad was noted for pressing for a regional airport in rapidly growing northern Colorado,[10] and for a northern Colorado regional Council of Governments.[11] Vaad also served on the North Front Range Transportation and Air Quality Planning Council, a regional group that proposed a Northern Colorado regional transportation authority,[12][13] another of his regional priorities.[9] Vaad also pushed, unsuccessfully, for the creation of a business incubator in Weld County.[8][14]

Vaad is married and has lived in Mead for three decades; he and his wife, Mollie, have two children, Joel and Nicole,[1] and three grandchildren.[3] He has been an elder at LifeBridge Christian Church near Longmont, Colorado.[15]

Legislative career

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2006 election

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In June 2005, Vaad, term-limited as a county commissioner, announced his intention to run for House District 48, a seat being vacated by term-limited Rep. Dale Hall, who ran for the state senate.[7] Vaad faced Democrat Michael Dugan in the 2006 race to in a race where regional growth and transportation funding were key issues.[16] Vaad won the November 2006 general election with about 58 percent of the vote.[17]

2007 legislative session

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After his election, Vaad named transportation, public safety, and economic security his top legislative goals.[18] Because of his experience with transportation issues, Vaad was named the ranking Republican member of the House Transportation Committee and co-chair of the General Assembly's Transportation Caucus in his first term.[19] Vaad also sat on the House Appropriations Committee.[20] Vaad sponsored only two bills during the 2007 session, both of them concerning disclosure of confidential information (insurance records and employee salaries) by government entities.[21]

During the session, Vaad crossed party lines to support a controversial tax freeze proposed by Democrats to expand education funding.[22]

Following the 2007 session, Vaad was appointed by Gov. Bill Ritter to a 30-member committee studying transportation funding options,[23][24] the Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation Finance and Implementation.[6] and also served on the interim Transportation Legislation Review Committee.[25]

2008 legislative session

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In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Vaad sat on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee. [26]

In the 2008 legislative session, Vaad planned, as part of a package of transportation legislation proposed by Republicans, to introduce a bill to turn over responsibility for state highways within city limits to each municipality,[27] and to give cities a greater share of state transportation funds.[28][29] The bill died in committee, as did legislation to allow citizens to form a regional transportation authority by petition.[30] Vaad planned on continuing to advance his transportation agenda within the Transportation Legislation Review Committee, which met between legislative sessions.[31] In particular, he planned on reintroducing a version of his transportation funding bill in the 2009 session.[32]

Vaad also sponsored bills, signed into law, that required that old license plates be destroyed to prevent fake plates from being installed on vehicles,[33] and to specify the location of registration stickers on license plates.[34] Another bill to be introduced by Vaad would prohibit money from Colorado's College Opportunity Fund for being used for remedial university coursework.[35]

2008 election

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Vaad announced his intention to run for a second term in January 2008[6] and was nominated by acclamation at the Republican assembly in February,[36] although he faced a primary election challenge from Mark Charles Yingling,[37] who petitioned onto the primary ballot.[38]

Yingling ran a campaign positioning himself as more conservative than Vaad on issues including abortion, immigration, and taxes;[39][40][41] Vaad, however, accused Yingling's campaign of distorting his legislative record.[42] Yingling's campaign against Vaad also drew support from groups opposing gun control and illegal immigration.[43][44]

Vaad narrowly won the Republican primary, prevailing with 53 percent of the vote, less than 500 votes more than Yingling—an unexpectedly strong result for a challenger who entered the contest relatively late[38] and who did not even set up a web site.[44] Vaad will face Democrat Bill Williams in November's general election.[43] Vaad's re-election bid was endorsed by the Greeley Tribune,[45] the Denver Post,[46] and the Longmont Times-Call,[47] and the Windsor Beacon.[48] He won re-election, defeating Williams with about 60 percent of the popular vote.[49][50]

2009 legislative session

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For the 2009 legislative session, Vaad was named to seats on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee, where he was the ranking Republican.[51] Vaad sponsored legislation to transfer control of some transportation projects to local communities,[52] and to allow Berthoud, Colorado to be added to the taxing district area for Aims Community College, pending voter approval.[53][54]

In January 2009, while at the state capitol, Vaad injured his hamstring and subsequently fainted, requiring him to be transported out of the capitol on a stretcher; he had no serious injuries.[55]

2010 legislative session

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In October 2009, after learning that the Colorado Department of Corrections planned on leaving a newly constructed maximum security prison in Cañon City unused due to state budget cuts, Vaad proposed selling the facility to a private prison operator, and planned on offering legislation during the 2010 session to accomplish this.[56][57]

Vaad also planned on sponsoring legislation in 2010 to establish a "priority-based budgeting system" for the state of Colorado,[57][58] and also legislation to have a private firm perform a "contingency recovery" audit of state spending, in which a fraction of the savings found by the audit would be awarded to the company performing it.[57]

2010 election

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In October 2009, Vaad announced his intention to seek a third term as a state representative in the November 2010 legislative elections; he identified his "priority-based budgeting" proposal as a centerpiece of his campaign.[58]

2012 election

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Vaad ran in the 2012 Republican primary election for Colorado State Senate District 23. He was defeated by Vicki Marble in the Republican primary on June 26, 2012.[59][60] Vaad is succeeded by Republican Stephen Humphrey. Then in December 2013, Governor Hickenlooper appointed Vaad to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. He began his three-year term there in January 2014.[61]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Staff Report (2006). "Glenn Vaad-Republican". Loveland Reporter-Herald. Retrieved 2007-12-18.[dead link]
  2. ^ "State House District 48". COMaps. Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2007-12-08.
  3. ^ a b c d "Rep. Glenn Vaad, HD-48". Colorado House Republicans. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  4. ^ Bartels, Lynn (7 February 2008). "Citizen Legislator, February 7". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Representative Vaad". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2007-12-18.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ a b c Staff Reports (10 January 2008). "Vaad to seek re-election". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  7. ^ a b c Murphy, Doyle (20 July 2005). "County commissioner Vaad seeks House seat held by Hall". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  8. ^ a b Fanciulli, Jesse (10 January 2002). "Commissioner Vaad to run again". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  9. ^ a b Fanciulli, Jesse (18 October 2002). "Vaad unopposed". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  10. ^ Piotraschke, Julie (6 September 2005). "Airport near Ault?". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  11. ^ Waddingham, Rebecca (28 March 2005). "ARegional council may come to Front Range". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  12. ^ Waddingham, Rebecca (15 January 2006). "Big changes in transportation may be coming". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  13. ^ Fanciulli, Jesse (10 July 2001). "Group pushes transportation taxing district". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  14. ^ Hottenstein, Erin (13 July 2001). "Greeley incubator study says 'go slow'". Northern Colorado Business Report. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  15. ^ Huntley, Annie P. (9 July 2003). "Weld County, Colo., Officials Approve Plans for Megachurch". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2011-01-23. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  16. ^ Larez, Joanna (October 11, 2006). "Growth, transportation, immigration highlight District 48 race". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  17. ^ Larez, Joanna (8 November 2006). "Vaad takes 48th Congressional District". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  18. ^ Vaad, Glenn (7 December 2006). "Focusing on effectiveness will help bridge partisan gap". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  19. ^ Vaad, Glenn (14 February 2007). "More tools for Colorado's transportation tool chest". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
  20. ^ "House Committees of Reference". Colorado General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  21. ^ "Vaad Has a Two-Bill Day". Wide Streets Network. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-19.[permanent dead link]
  22. ^ Boyle, Rebecca (13 May 2007). "2007 Legislature: Bipartisan and green". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-12-22. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  23. ^ Boyle, Rebecca (13 May 2007). "Lawmakers still plan on working after session wraps up". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-12-22. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  24. ^ Bartels, Lynn (27 March 2007). "Gov. Ritter completes 30-member panel on transportation; summit April 5". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  25. ^ "Transportation Legislation Review Committee 2007". Colorado Legislative Council. Retrieved 2008-04-27. [dead link]
  26. ^ "House Committees of Reference". Colorado General Assembly. Archived from the original on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  27. ^ Paulson, Steven (12 November 2007). "GOP wants cities to take over highway repairs". Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  28. ^ Brown, Jennifer (13 November 2007). "Cities may get highway duties". Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  29. ^ Washington, April P. (13 November 2007). "Highway upkeep a hot potato". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  30. ^ Boyle, Rebecca (15 February 2008). "Inside Politics: Going Nowhere Fast". Fort Collins Now. Retrieved 2008-02-23.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ Munshaw, Kacia (5 March 2008). "Transportation bill postponed". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2008-03-06.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ Vaad, Glenn (18 May 2008). "A reflection on the legislative session". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  33. ^ Boyle, Rebecca (11 April 2008). "Bills Becoming Laws". Fort Collins Now. Retrieved 2008-04-12.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ Fryar, John (10 May 2007). "From sports ticket sales to solar energy, 170 bills were locally generated proposals". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2008-05-11.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ Casey, Chris (6 January 2008). "Higher education remains statehouse puzzle". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
  36. ^ Staff Reports (26 February 2008). "Weld Republicans choose candidates, will hold primaries for two commissioner seats". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  37. ^ Fryar, John (12 June 2008). "Area DA candidates without major-party foes". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2008-06-14.[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ a b Ortiz, Christopher (13 August 2008). "Vaad wins District 48 primary". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
  39. ^ Villegas, Andrew (2 August 2008). "Vaad looks to dispel rumors ahead of primary election". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  40. ^ Fryar, John (3 August 2008). "Southwest Weld Republicans to pick House 48 candidate". Longmont Times Call. Archived from the original on 17 October 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  41. ^ Staff reports (8 August 2008). "Elections 2008: A look at other House races". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
  42. ^ Vaad, Glenn (8 August 2008). "In their words: Glenn Vaad". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  43. ^ a b Fryar, John (12 August 2008). "Vaad survives GOP challenge". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2008-08-13.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ a b Sealover, Ed (13 August 2008). "Sitting state lawmakers won't return to Statehouse". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  45. ^ Editorial Board (19 October 2008). "Vaad is best to represent Dist. 48". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  46. ^ Editorial Board (17 October 2008). "Post's picks in Colorado's House of Representatives". Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  47. ^ Editorial Board (21 October 2008). "Vaad, Lundberg, Mitchell should return to Capitol". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2008-11-01.[permanent dead link]
  48. ^ Norris, Wendy; Bob Spencer (3 November 2008). "State candidate endorsement watch". Colorado Independent. Archived from the original on 2009-01-25. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  49. ^ Staff Reports (4 November 2008). "Jim Riesberg wins House District 50 race; Vaad sweeps District 4". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2008-11-15.[permanent dead link]
  50. ^ "Colorado Statewide Cumulative Report - 2008 General Election". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved 2008-12-04.[permanent dead link]
  51. ^ "House Republican Committee Assignments Announced" (Press release). Colorado House Democrats. 18 November 2008. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  52. ^ Carter, Rachel (30 January 2009). "Longmont leaders worry proposed laws could hobble local economies". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2009-04-23.[permanent dead link]
  53. ^ Villegas, Andrew (4 January 2009). "Economy looms over lawmakers". Greeley Tribune. Archived from the original on 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
  54. ^ Fryar, John (28 March 2009). "Berthoud offered way to join Aims district". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2009-12-24.[permanent dead link]
  55. ^ Staff Reports (15 January 2009). "Rollcall". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  56. ^ Harmon, Tracy (25 October 2009). "Legislators disagree about prison sale of prison of prison". Pueblo Chieftain. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  57. ^ a b c Porter, Steve (18 December 2009). "egislators outline priorities for 2010". Northern Colorado Business Report. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2009-12-24.
  58. ^ a b Staff Report (30 September 2009). "State in brief". Longmont Times-Call. Retrieved 2009-12-24.[permanent dead link]
  59. ^ Colorado Secretary of State, - 2012 Primary Candidate List
  60. ^ "Colorado Secretary of State, Official Primary Election Results". Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  61. ^ Ballotpedia. Glenn Vaad Archived 2017-05-06 at the Wayback Machine. Viewed: 2017-01-29.
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