Dennis Stern is not the Mayor.
Take Action Now.
Send Email Demanding He Face His Recall.
Sample email provided below.
To: dstern@palmer-lake.org, tcaves@palmer-lake.org, mboyett@palmer-lake.org, ajurka@palmer-lake.org, rmoseley@palmer-lake.org, eharris@palmer-lake.org
CC: savannah.eller@gazette.com, Noah.Caplan@koaa.com, sam.page@krdo.com, achalfin@krcc.org, jim.carlton@wsj.com, newsroom@denverpost.com, newsroom@coloradosun.com, oliviaprentzel@coloradosun.com,
news@fox21news.com, kktv-news@graymedia.com, news@cpr.org, news@krdo.com, news@koaa.co>, news@krcc.org,
Tony.Keith@koaa.com, spencer.soicher@9news.com, info@palmerlakeforthepeople.org, talkshow@aol.com, Karin.Brulliard@washpost.com, rosskaminsky@iheartmedia.com,
Subject: Subject: Formal Demand to Place Trustee Dennis Stern on the Recall Ballot and Confirm No Mayoral Vacancy
Dear Members of the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees,
I write to formally demand immediate correction of the Town’s public record regarding Trustee Dennis Stern’s status, and to insist that he be placed on the upcoming recall ballot, as required by law.
On June 12, 2025, Trustee Stern attempted to avoid his own recall by resigning only from the role of Mayor Pro Tem, not from his elected Trustee seat. The record reflects that he never submitted a public resignation from the Board of Trustees itself. Under Colorado law and the Town’s own government structure, resigning from a temporary officer role does not constitute resignation from the elected office that is the subject of a valid recall.
Accordingly:
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The Mayor’s position is vacant. Trustee Stern did not legally resign his official role as Trustee.
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Trustee Stern continues to occupy his elected Trustee seat. Because he did not resign that office, he remains the official holder of the seat now facing recall.
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Trustee Stern must be placed on the recall ballot alongside Trustee Tim Caves, whose recall petition met signature sufficiency in record time and with a record number of citizen signatures.
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All of Trustee Stern's votes from 6/12/25 to date are null and void, and those votes need to be examined to identify where a revote is required.
The Town has an obligation—ethical, legal, and democratic—to follow proper procedure rather than selectively interpret events to protect an elected official from accountability. Citizens initiated these recalls due to a breakdown of trust, and it would be a grave disservice to our democratic process for the Town to interfere with or obscure that right.
As a reminder of the standard expected of those in public office:
“Power reveals character, and those who serve the public must never hide from the people who entrusted them.”
We expect the Board to uphold that principle.
We request written confirmation that:
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Trustee Dennis Stern will be listed on the recall ballot,
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He will be formally recognized as continuing to hold the Trustee seat,
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And the Town will notice that the Mayoral position is vacant and seek a replacement.
This correspondence is being copied to media outlets, who are monitoring Palmer Lake’s handling of the recall process. Transparency and accountability are essential to restoring public trust.
We look forward to your immediate correction of the record and your commitment to the lawful administration of the recall.
Sincerely,
[Name]