Former state legislator and current Boulder County Commissioner Matt Jones, announced Thursday he is not seeking re-election as commissioner. Jones, a two-time cancer survivor, said he wants to dedicate his life to other top priorities.
The former Pro Mogul skier, Open Space planner and Wildland Firefighter survived his second cancer, leukemia, 20 years ago and was given a 40% chance of surviving past two years, according to his statement on Facebook. “You vividly learn your priorities - health, family, friends, then work,” Jones said. “I’m in good health so I need to honor those things now.”
Jones was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2018 for a term that runs through 2022. Before he joined the board, Jones served for six years as the Colorado State Senator for District 17 — which includes Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, and Erie. Jones also served three terms in the Colorado House from 1986 to 1992, and returned for a fourth term from 2010 to 2012, according to the Boulder County website.
Jones said in the Facebook post that he reflected deeply before making his decision not to run for re-election as county commissioner.
“I know how lucky and fortunate I am to have the opportunity to serve such wonderful people,” Jones said. “This was a tough decision because I believe public service is our highest calling and I have enjoyed my service.”
Boulder County Treasurer Paul Weismann praised Jones for his accomplishments as a legislator and commissioner, on the Facebook post. “There is no doubt that Matt’s work, particularly for our environment, has made our region and Colorado a better place,” Weismann said.
The Facebook post said Jones’s career highlights include:
- Worked with Gov. Roy Romer to establish state air pollution standards above federal minimums that provided the pathway for the stronger clean air rules being passed today.
- Sponsored one of the first energy conservation laws enabling school districts and local governments to retrofit their lighting and heating to save money and clean the air.
- Pushed through the first law requiring local governments to create water conservation plans.
- Sponsored legislation that established a statewide entity (CPACE) to make lower interest loans to businesses so they can implement building energy conservation and solar retrofits.
- Sponsored legislation that doubled the number of well inspectors and increased the maximum fines for oil and gas infractions.
As Boulder County Commissioner Jones continued his work on the environment, Jones said. “We passed the state’s strongest oil and gas protection rules, nation-leading climate action work and the successful conversion of all county buildings to 100% wind and solar power.”
Under Jones’s leadership, the county increased forest health staffing to help mitigation work to help protect forests, firefighters, homes, water supplies and recreational settings, the post said.
“In my last year of service, I intend to spend my time helping the survivors of the Marshall fire,” Jones said.
