Berthoud Residents Raise Concerns Over Developer Campaign Spending

Longtime local voices warn of outsized influence from big money in ballot measure battles.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:21pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a lone ballot box or voting booth set against a backdrop of warm, golden sunlight and deep, moody shadows, capturing the quiet tension and uncertainty of the local political landscape.The influence of big money in local politics casts a long shadow over the democratic process, as residents struggle to make their voices heard.Berthoud Today

A longtime Berthoud resident has written a letter to the editor expressing concerns about the significant campaign spending by a developer on ballot measures 1A and 3A, which relate to residential density and revenue capture for the town. The resident urges voters to be aware of the source of campaign materials and messaging, noting the citizen-led opposition campaign is running on a much smaller budget.

Why it matters

This letter highlights the growing tension in many local communities between the interests of large developers and the voices of long-term residents. It raises questions about the role of money in shaping the narrative around important local issues and the ability of grassroots campaigns to compete with well-funded opposition.

The details

According to campaign finance filings, the developer behind the ballot measures has spent over $26,000 on a professional PR campaign, including glossy mailers and full-page ads. The citizen-led opposition is running a much lower-budget effort. The resident who wrote the letter has lived in Berthoud for 40 years and is urging voters to look closely at the source of campaign materials and messaging, which can sometimes be difficult to distinguish.

  • The letter was published on March 30, 2026, ahead of the upcoming vote on ballot measures 1A and 3A.

The players

Mina Cox

A longtime Berthoud resident who has lived in the town for 40 years and is concerned about the influence of big money in local ballot measure campaigns.

Developer

The developer behind ballot measures 1A and 3A, who has spent over $26,000 on a professional PR campaign according to campaign finance filings.

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What they’re saying

“I have lived in Berthoud for 40 years and care deeply about the future of our community. I urge residents to support the citizen-led effort by voting NO on 1A and YES on 3A.”

— Mina Cox, Longtime Berthoud Resident

What’s next

Voters in Berthoud will have the opportunity to vote on ballot measures 1A and 3A in the upcoming election.

The takeaway

This letter highlights the growing influence of money in local politics and the challenges faced by grassroots campaigns trying to compete with well-funded opposition. It underscores the importance for voters to be aware of the sources behind campaign messaging and to make informed decisions that reflect the interests of the local community.