Larry Connolly, La Plata County’s surveyor, filed Tuesday to run for re-election; he has served as surveyor since 2000.
The county surveyor performs various clerical duties, including filing and recording land survey plats. The surveyor is also tasked with defending the county’s boundaries in case of a dispute.
Connolly has no employees at the county. The position pays $4,400 a year, an amount set in state law.
“I’m probably the simplest department the county has,” he said.
Connolly is also co-owner of Animas Surveying and Mapping in Durango.
“I love surveying, and that’s my passion,” he said.
Connolly, 57, took office in 2000 when John Stock stepped down during the middle of his term. Connolly was subsequently elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 in uncontested races.
In 2010, he had his first election opponent. In that race, Connolly, a Democrat, defeated Republican Thomas Au, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Connolly said he views the surveyor’s job as apolitical.
“In my opinion, it’s really not a partisan position,” he said.
He must be nominated by the county Democratic assembly to proceed to the general election in November.
Rich Coolidge, spokesman for the Colorado Secretary of State’s office, said Connolly was the only candidate for the position as of Tuesday.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
