Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross was officially sworn in this week as the new Western Region Chair for the Colorado County Clerks Association, giving the less-populated side of the state a stronger seat at the table on election laws, policy changes, and day-to-day clerk procedures.
The move comes at a critical time for Colorado’s 64 county clerks who are still implementing new voting equipment rules, tackling cybersecurity upgrades, and preparing for the 2026 election cycle.
Why the Western Slope Needed Its Own Voice
For years, many Western Slope clerks felt their unique challenges got drowned out by the Front Range’s bigger populations and louder legislative influence.
Rural counties deal with vast geography, spotty internet in mountain towns, extreme weather that shuts down roads on election day, and far fewer staff than Denver or Arapahoe County.
“We’re not just a quieter part of the state, we’re a completely different world when it comes to running elections,” Gross told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony in Grand Junction.
She pointed out that a snowstorm in Montrose can delay ballot delivery trucks for days, something clerks in Aurora never worry about.
What the Western Region Chair Actually Does
The Colorado County Clerks Association splits the state into four regions: Metro, Eastern, Southern, and Western.
The Western Region includes 19 counties from Mesa and Garfield all the way to Dolores and San Miguel.
The chair’s job is simple but powerful:
- Bring western concerns straight to the association’s legislative committee
- Vote on official positions the association takes at the Capitol
- Organize regional training and share best practices
- Make sure rural voices aren’t forgotten when new laws are written
Gross replaces Delta County Clerk Tressesa Guynes, who served in the role for the past two years.
Gross Brings Experience and a Clean-Election Reputation
Bobbie Gross is no stranger to tough elections.
She took over the Mesa County Clerk’s office in 2023 after Tina Peters was removed and later convicted for breaching voting equipment.
Since then, Gross has overseen two clean election cycles, restored full trust with the Secretary of State’s office, and brought Mesa County back into good standing with Dominion Voting Systems.
“She’s exactly what the Western Slope needs right now: steady, respected, and laser-focused on secure, smooth elections,” said Garfield County Clerk Laura Foster.
What Western Clerks Want in 2025 and 2026
Several clerks told me off the record they’re already counting on Gross to fight for three big things next legislative session:
- More state funding for rural cybersecurity tools
- Flexibility on ballot drop-box placement in remote areas
- Protection against last-minute election law changes that hit small counties hardest
Gross says her phone has been ringing nonstop since the swearing-in.
“I’ve heard from clerks in Rio Blanco, Hinsdale, even Montezuma,” she said. “They’re ready. And for the first time in a long time, they feel like someone in leadership actually gets it.”
The full association meets again in January in Denver. Western Slope clerks say they finally have someone in that room who truly speaks their language.
Bobbie Gross didn’t just win a regional chair position. She just became the most important voice for rural Colorado elections at a time when trust in the system matters more than ever.
What do you think, does the Western Slope finally have the advocate it deserves? Drop your thoughts below and let’s get #WesternSlopeStrong trending across Colorado tonight.
