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.
Ben Hemphill
benforerieco.com
Relevant experience
Town of Erie Planning Commissioner
Town of Erie Home Rule Charter Commissioner
Town of Erie Sustainability Advisory Board Chair
PE Mechanical Engineer
Priorities
- Promoting Responsible Growth: Ensuring that growth is balanced with sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
- Encouraging Multi-Modal Transportation: Advocating for policies that enhance transportation options like public transit and bicycle infrastructure, giving residents more choices.
- Ensuring Long-Term Financial Success: Focusing on a sustainable tax base by balancing residential and commercial development to secure Erie’s financial future.
Lightning round
Do you support local efforts to increase the minimum wage? Yes, but I want to work with Erie business owners to understand their views.
Do you support an end to the state prohibition on rent control? Yes, but I do not think rent control is the right option to use in Erie.
Do you support government interventions for human-caused climate change? Yes
Do you support Erie joining RTD? Yes
Do you support allowing recreational marijuana sales in Erie? Yes
Do you support more diversity of housing in Erie (townhomes, apartments, efficiency units, etc.)? Yes
Do you support the development of the Draco Pad? No. Although I don’t believe Erie has the ability to stop drilling. I will encourage robust monitoring.
Do you support SB24-157, which narrowed the definition of what constitutes a public meeting? Yes. From my understanding this better defines how we all communicate. I plan to be transparent with my decisions.
When was the last time you paid rent? How much was it? And where?
August 2018 for $880 per month in Boulder near CU Boulder
Longer questions (limit answers to 300 words)
What would you say are the top three issues facing Erie, and what are your plans to address them?
Growth management is one of Erie’s most pressing issues. While current approaches address growth, I would emphasize a more balanced mix of residential and commercial development by utilizing our planned mixed zones. This would diversify our tax base, helping sustain essential services while maintaining Erie’s character.
Transportation infrastructure is another concern. I would advocate for a robust, multi-modal transportation network with expanded public transit and connected bike lanes, which goes beyond the current car-centric infrastructure.
Affordability is critical. While efforts are underway, I would prioritize affordable housing projects and policies like inclusionary zoning to ensure developers contribute to our community’s housing goals.
What are your perspectives on the planned growth? What mechanisms would you use to handle growth responsibly?
Planned growth is inevitable but must be managed responsibly. My approach would involve strict adherence to the new Comprehensive Plan, which focuses on sustainability, environmental stewardship and smart zoning. I support creating incentives for green infrastructure, mixed-use development and preserving open spaces. Mechanisms like impact fees, which ensure developers contribute to infrastructure costs, will also be critical in handling growth without overburdening current residents.
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 Erie?
In response to climate change, I would prioritize both mitigation and adaptation strategies. Mitigation includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient building codes and renewable energy incentives. Adaptation involves preparing Erie for climate impacts, such as water management systems to handle extreme weather events. Partnering with regional and state agencies will be crucial to leveraging limited resources effectively.
As a town council member, what tools at your disposal would you use to protect residents from the impact of oil and gas operations, both existing and future?
Several tools are available to mitigate the impacts of oil and gas operations on Erie residents. One of the most effective tools is local land-use authority, which allows the Town to establish setbacks, noise limits and other regulations that protect residents from the negative effects of oil and gas development. Enforcing our current setback requirements and working with environmental staff to determine if additional requirements are needed will be a priority.
Collaboration with state agencies is also vital. The state has regulatory power over oil and gas, but local governments can advocate for stricter environmental protections and air quality standards. I would push for regular air and water quality monitoring around active sites to ensure compliance and address potential health concerns early.
Community engagement is another important tool. By keeping residents informed through town hall meetings and open communication channels, we can ensure that their voices are heard and incorporated into local decisions regarding oil and gas activity.
Finally, negotiating operator agreements provides a direct way to set expectations and enforce best practices with oil and gas companies. These agreements can require operators to employ advanced technology that reduces emissions, noise, and other disruptions to nearby communities. In this way, we can balance energy development with the health and safety of our residents.
Do you believe there is a need for more affordable housing in Erie? If so, what is your plan to make it happen?
Yes, there is a need for more affordable housing in Erie. As our town grows, it’s critical to ensure that the people who work here — including teachers, service workers and first responders — can also afford to live here. My plan includes inclusionary zoning, which requires a percentage of new housing developments to be designated as affordable. I would also advocate for partnerships with nonprofits and housing authorities to create affordable housing units.
Additionally, leveraging state and federal grants for affordable housing projects could bring in necessary resources without overburdening our local budget. These measures would help ensure that Erie remains accessible for all income levels.
How do justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) factor into your policy making?
Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion are important in my approach to governance. I strive to create policies that promote equal access to resources and opportunities for all residents. In housing, for example, I aim to ensure that diverse groups can find a place in Erie. When reviewing infrastructure projects, I consider how decisions impact communities and prioritize accessibility, ensuring that transportation options serve everyone equitably. By actively engaging with all groups, I will ensure their voices are part of the decision-making process, making Erie a welcoming and inclusive town for all.
What efforts do you make in your daily life to consider and understand people with different lived experiences from your own?
I make a conscious effort to listen and learn from people with different experiences, recognizing that everyone is an expert in their own life and field. Whether it’s through conversations with residents, attending community events, or engaging with colleagues, I prioritize active listening to understand the unique perspectives each person brings. I believe that hearing from a broad range of viewpoints is essential for making informed decisions that serve the entire community.
By seeking input from those who have expertise in areas different from mine, I ensure that my decision-making is grounded in the real-world experiences of others, rather than relying solely on my own perspective. This approach helps me stay connected to the diverse needs and challenges of Erie’s residents, fostering more inclusive and thoughtful policy development.
When’s the last time you changed your mind about something, and what was it?
When we were drafting the Home Rule Charter, I initially supported holding local elections in odd years to minimize the influence of national politics on our local, non-partisan elections. I believed that by keeping our elections separate from the noise of state and federal races, we could focus more on local issues and ensure that candidates were chosen based on their contributions to the community, not on national political trends.
However, after hearing from fellow commissioners and residents, I reconsidered my position. While limiting national partisanship is important, I realized that voter participation was a more significant concern. Historically, even-year elections have far higher turnout, meaning more residents engage in the decision-making process when local elections coincide with major state and national elections. After weighing the pros and cons, I ultimately agreed with the Commission to hold local elections in even years, understanding that increasing voter participation would make our elections more representative of the community.
This decision reflects my belief that governance should be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that the maximum number of voices is heard in shaping Erie’s future.
What question would you ask a fellow candidate on the ballot?
How do you plan to ensure that Erie’s growth remains both economically viable and environmentally sustainable over the next decade?