Boulder Weekly sent candidate questionnaires to all candidates on Boulder County ballots. These are their written responses, edited for length and clarity. Read more Election 2024 content.
Heather Cracraft
heatherforsuperior.com
Relevant experience
I’ve always enjoyed serving our town and have done so in a plethora of roles over the years. I was active with our schools while raising my “now-grown” children. I was honored to lead the Superior Chamber of Commerce for almost 13 years as the executive director and loved building our business community during my tenure. As a Home Rule Commissioner, I enjoyed developing our charter with fellow residents to shape the future of Superior. Now, I feel it’s the right time for me to join the town’s board of trustees to further serve my community. I believe I will complement those currently on the board to help build on the foundation set by previous trustees.
Priorities
My top priorities are to build on the efforts of my predecessors by prioritizing economic development. I believe that businesses support each other, so we should focus on strategic initiatives that capitalize on this concept. Additionally, we need to continuously evaluate and optimize our transportation infrastructure to best serve our community’s needs. Another key focus will be on Home Rule (if passed), as it represents a significant opportunity for Superior to gain greater autonomy in shaping our future. I want to be a part of solutions and continuing the efforts of fire recovery and resiliency.
Lightning round
Should Superior join local efforts to explore an increase to the minimum wage? No answer
Do you support an end to the state prohibition on rent control? No answer
Do you support interventions for human-caused climate change? No answer
Do you agree with the Superior resolution opposing HB24-1313 (Housing in Transit Oriented Communities) unanimously passed in April? Yes
Do you support the adoption of a home rule charter for Superior? Yes
Do you support for SB24-157 which narrowed the definition of what constitutes a public meeting? No answer
When was the last time you paid rent? How much was it? And where?
As a victim of the Marshall Fire, I paid rent for the last two years. I was blessed to live in the town of Superior.
Long-form questions
Tell us about your decision to run for Superior’s Board of Trustees. Why are you running, and why now?
The time is right for me to get involved again in my community. With the most recent experience of being on the Home Rule Commission, I want to be a part of the leadership that continues to make our town the best that it can be.
What would you say are the top three issues facing Superior, and what are your plans to address them?
I believe that my priorities reflect some of the top issues for our town. Prioritizing economic development is crucial, especially in the wake of challenges like wildfire recovery. Home Rule is important to help us become more autonomous as a community. Most importantly is to collaborate as a leadership team to support staff and be a conduit for the residents. By ensuring transparency and actively listening, you can build trust and create a more engaged community.
The Superior Board of Trustees often votes unanimously. Is that a good sign, representing the ability to reach consensus, or a bad sign, representing a lack of diversity in opinion? What is a recent decision you agree with, and why? What is a recent decision you disagree with, and why?
The Board of Trustees are elected to lead our town by making decisions that are best for the residents. With thoughtful discussion and a presentation of the facts, many times the conclusion might lead to a unanimous vote but it doesn’t always begin that way. I believe that taking the time to evaluate all of the options is important to making the best decision.
Given the realities of a changing climate and limited government resources, how do you plan on balancing mitigation and adaptation for already-impacted populations in Superior?
I am currently addressing the wildfire issue. As a victim of the Marshall Fire, I’ve been asked to lead my neighborhood in preparing for future fire challenges. The Boulder County Wildfire Partners Community Mitigation Plan provides valuable resources and best practices that we can share. I’m working alongside my neighbors to educate ourselves and implement measures to prevent further devastation.
How do you think Marshall Fire rebuilding and recovery efforts are going? What do you think is going well and what is something you think the town should be doing differently?
Progress is being made but that shouldn’t let the important support of my neighbors fade into the background. We have many more homes to see rise so making sure those residents have the resources they need to keep moving forward.
Do you believe there is a need for more affordable housing in Superior? If so, what is your plan to make it happen?
Housing is a challenge across Boulder County so each municipality needs to come together to make an impact. How can we help each other to support those that work in our communities? I believe that we need to focus on the full picture so adding transportation options also plays a role.
How do justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) factor into your policy making?
Policy making is about identifying problems and then forming solutions by taking the facts into consideration. Those facts should consider JEDI in the decision and I believe that having a collaborative board will evaluate all of the factors.
What efforts do you make in your daily life to consider and understand people with different lived experiences from your own?
I work in an environment with a diverse group of people that continue to help me grow and better understand those around me. For that, I am truly grateful!
When’s the last time you changed your mind about something, and what was it?
Well, for the years as Superior Chamber of Commerce executive director, I sat in the boardroom many a long night of ideas and discussions. For example, what would Downtown Superior look like? I applauded our trustees at that time and never thought I would throw my name on the ballot. Fast forward through years of transition in my life. I want to be a part of the Board of Trustees to create a more resilient and thriving environment for everyone.
What question would you ask a fellow candidate on the ballot?
What is your favorite part of our town and why?