Janice Hoppe presents goals for Wheat Ridge city clerk role; council to vote next meeting

Janice Hoppe, the sole applicant to fill Wheat Ridge’s vacant elected city clerk position, addressed the City Council study session Feb. 2 and answered council questions about how she would run the office if appointed.

Hoppe said the city clerk role is uniquely required by state statute and emphasized professional training and operational continuity. "The city clerk position is really important in our city," she said, noting certifications such as the CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) and MMC (Master Municipal Clerk). She described plans to clarify duties among the city clerk‑elect, senior deputy clerk and deputy clerk and to set "professional firewalls" so that grievances against staff members can proceed through the city manager’s office rather than requiring litigation or recall when an elected holds the office.

Hoppe also described outreach goals including voter engagement at Wheat Ridge High School: she recommended working with school administration to allow preregistration and civic education activities for seniors. Council members asked about the firewall concept, operational responsibilities, and prior work Hoppe had done with the clerk's office; several councilors expressed support. Mayor Pro Tem Oltin said Hoppe’s experience as an elected official made the council comfortable moving toward an appointment.

Council signaled it will vote on Hoppe’s appointment at the next meeting. Staff and councilors noted the position has been vacant since the death of former city clerk Steve Kirkpatrick and that a recent ballot measure to eliminate the elected clerk did not pass.

Next steps: a formal appointment vote is scheduled for the council’s next meeting.