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Elected official in Granby apologizes for ‘Mexico’ comment

Recently elected Granby Trustees Becky Johnson (left) and Greg Mordini (center) are sworn in by Granby Town Clerk Deb Hess (right) during the Tuesday April 26, 2016 Board of Trustees regular meeting. Both Johnson and Mordini were absent during the previous Board meeting, April 12, when the three other recently elected Board members were sworn in. Granby’s municipal election was held on Tuesday April 5.
Granby Trustees Becky Johnson (left) and Greg Mordini (center) are sworn in by Granby Town Clerk Deb Hess (right) in this file photo from 2016.
Lance Maggart / Sky-Hi News

After a Granby resident condemned comments made by an elected official last month, the official apologized during Tuesday’s town board meeting.

Town Board Trustee Becky Johnson spoke during the unscheduled public comment section of the agenda and responded to a citizen who raised concerns about code enforcement.

“I do admit that it was a very insensitive statement I made in a heated moment,” Johnson said. “It isn’t a true reflection of who I am or what I have been trying to do in town, and I want to sincerely apologize for that statement.”



Johnson was criticized at the Oct. 22 board meeting by a Granby resident for comparing a section of town to Mexico. Though the resident did not name Johnson, he referred to a specific instance of a board member raising concerns about code enforcement with Grand County Commissioners.

While Johnson declined to comment for last week’s Sky-Hi News article, she did outline her devotion to the town at this week’s town board meeting.



“I would like to say that I’m very passionate about Granby, and that’s why I have chosen to be elected to the board,” Johnson said. “I want everybody that lives in Granby and everybody that travels through Granby to have a smile on their face and walk away (knowing what) a wonderful mountain town this is.”

In other business:

  • Unscheduled public comments included one citizen asking for more consideration for the Rodeo Apartment project and another citizen defending his property from code enforcement, which he found unnecessary.
  • The town board approved the budget for 2020.
  • The board approved a conditional use permit for mining and gravel extraction, subject to conditions, for Sun River Run Ranch.
  • An R-2 zoning issue was pushed back to Dec. 10 as the two citizens who asked for board consideration requested a different date.
  • A citizen brought up code enforcement and the fact that some of the town code is difficult to enforce. After discussion about balancing the need for enforcement and the rights of private property owners, the town board agreed to revisit the code.
  • A citizen requested the town board develop a course of action in case the Granby Ranch roads SIA is breached on Dec. 10, when Granby Ranch is supposed to bring funds after previously being granted an extension. The board agreed to look at legal options at the Nov. 26 meeting in case there is a breach in December.
  • The board approved an ordinance to clarify excavation on roads not maintained by the town. The board elected to not approve a resolution for initial acceptance of public infrastructure improvements by Vaquero Granby Partners until the area in question was cleaned up.
  • The board went into executive session to discuss enforcing the short-term rental ordinance at Granby Ranch.

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