Sterling City Council Seat Vacant After Haynie Resignation

Council to appoint new Ward 2 representative after longtime member steps down due to health reasons.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Sterling City Council has an open seat to fill following the resignation of John Haynie, who represented Ward 2. Mayor Mark Fuller announced Haynie's resignation due to health reasons at the January 27th council meeting. The council agreed to take applications for 30 days and then interview and vote on an appointment to fill the vacancy, with the goal of having the seat filled by early March.

Why it matters

Filling this vacant city council seat is an important process to ensure Ward 2 residents continue to have representation on the governing body. The council's decision on the new appointee could impact policy decisions affecting the northeast third of Sterling.

The details

The council agreed to take applications for 30 days, after which they will plan to interview the applicants during a public meeting, then vote on an appointment. To be eligible, applicants must be US citizens, at least 18 years old, have lived in Sterling for 12 consecutive months and in Ward 2 for at least 90 days, be registered voters, and continue to reside in Ward 2 throughout the term.

  • John Haynie resigned from the Sterling City Council on January 27, 2026.
  • The council will accept applications for the vacant Ward 2 seat for 30 days.
  • The council plans to interview applicants and vote on an appointment in early March 2026.

The players

Mark Fuller

The mayor of Sterling, Colorado.

John Haynie

A former member of the Sterling City Council who represented Ward 2 and recently resigned due to health reasons.

John Sheldon

The city manager of Sterling, Colorado.

Dana Davidson

The new Public Works director for the City of Sterling, who is a professional engineer with experience in water and wastewater.

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What they’re saying

“We must fill this vacancy to ensure Ward 2 residents continue to have representation on the council.”

— Mark Fuller, Mayor (journal-advocate.com)

What’s next

The Sterling City Council will interview applicants for the Ward 2 seat and vote on an appointment in early March 2026.

The takeaway

This vacancy highlights the importance of civic engagement and the democratic process at the local level, as the Sterling City Council works to fill the open seat and ensure all residents have a voice in their government.