After the April 1 election in Nucla, town staff reported that Paula Brown had appeared to have won the election over Aimee Tooker, 103-57. The election was to be certified and official by April 9. Town Clerk Melissa Lampshire told the Forum Monday 486 ballots were mailed out, and 34 came back undeliverable. She said people need to check their addresses on file with the Secretary of State online. Additionally, 124 people voted to recall former Mayor Kirk Yerke, though he did resign a month ago.
Brown has already been serving on the Nucla Town Board and was also most recently the mayor pro tem.
“I was appointed to fill a trustee seat in 2017, then elected twice for four-year terms,” she told the Forum. “My second term ends in April of 2026.”
Many know Brown has helped water and sewer projects take off in Nucla. Now, she’ll oversee funding for completion.
“The town has completed a wastewater system assessment, which includes a prioritized replacement and repair plan, based on the urgency of need,” she said. “Water and sewer lines will be updated at the same time to save costs based on the priority assessment. We are currently waiting for an update from Element, our engineer on the project. As we proceed with efforts to secure USDA funding, there will be public meetings for both the water and sewer during the application and funding process.”
She added the town board is also working now with the Town of Naturita and Montrose County to resolve some San Miguel River water right issues from 2010.
The Forum asked about the Main Street improvements that have been occurring in Nucla.
“We are in the first phase of the Main Street Renovation Project, which includes one and a half blocks of new curb and gutter and sidewalk extensions,” she said. “These efforts are targeted to assist our local businesses with improved customer access, all while giving our Main Street a little spruce-up.”
She said the next phases are contingent on future funding.
“The Main Street Renovation Project started several years ago with our partners from the University Technical Assistance Program (UTAP) and local community members. The UTAP program is made up of college students studying architecture and design, working with rural communities. The town has utilized this program previously for the Nucla Arena and Nucla Community Center projects and is currently working with them on a plan for our outdoor public spaces (the Town Park, Rainbow Reservoir, etc). The plans have been extremely useful when seeking grants for implementation, as with the Main Street project.”
As she is no stranger to public service, the Forum asked about her position being unpaid, volunteer, often thankless and that it includes criticism. The Forum asked what inspires her to keep going.
“This is my home, and I love living here,” she said. “Joining a local board is a great place to serve our community. It can be challenging, but I enjoy working with a team to find solutions to issues and creating opportunities for our community and its future.”
The Forum asked what’s important to her to keep working on as she continues as mayor.
"While I believe every project and issue is important, the town's aging infrastructure is on the top of the list — in addition to the water and sewer replacement challenges,” she said. “Street improvements would follow as funds were available. Unfortunately, grants are hard to find for street improvements. We are also working with Mustang Water Authority and the Town of Naturita to secure funding for an assessment of the main water supply line from the treatment plant to 29 Road.”
The Forum asked about other tasks and issues she’d be weighing in on in the future. She said those questions were for the whole board and that she didn’t want one person, including the mayor, to drive the vision for the town.
