Commissioner Sue Hansen, Grasping to regain the Strings of Power!

Montrose County, Colorado, has been embroiled in political turmoil, with Commissioner Sue Hansen at the center of controversy. Her actions, particularly her hypocrisy, brazen attitude, and apparent disregard for the voters and fellow Republican officials, have sparked significant criticism. Hansen’s conduct, her inconsistent stance on First Amendment rights, her abandonment of the Republican Party that propelled her into office, and her active participation in the recall campaign against fellow Commissioner Scott Mijares, raises serious questions about her commitment to the electorate and the principles of fair governance.

Hypocrisy in Restricting First Amendment Rights

One of the most glaring issues with Commissioner Hansen’s conduct is her apparent double standard regarding First Amendment rights. While watching the Commissioner’s meeting on July 21^st, It was discovered by this author, that Hansen tried to impose restrictions on David White, the Interim County Manager, by limiting his ability to participate in civic and political activities within the party of his choosing as well as attempted to keep him from making any public statements without first having the blessing of the County’s Communications Director (which Commissioners Pond and Mijares removed from his contract). Such restrictions infringe upon White’s constitutional protections, specifically his right to free speech and association as well as the ability to transparently inform the public of important matters. Yet, Hansen herself has actively engaged in political activities, notably as a participant in the Recall Scott Mijares campaign. This stark contrast suggests that Hansen believes the rules she imposes on others do not apply to her.

As a county commissioner, Hansen’s role demands impartiality and respect for the constitutional rights of all, including her colleagues and county employees. By restricting White’s civic participation while freely engaging in her own political endeavors, Hansen displays a troubling hypocrisy. This selective application of principles undermines her credibility and erodes public trust in her leadership. It raises the question: why does Hansen believe it is acceptable for her, as an elected official, to curtail the rights of others while exercising those same rights herself? Such actions reflect a brazen attitude that prioritizes personal agendas over equitable governance.

Abandonment of the Republican Party

Hansen’s decision to abandon the Republican Party, which supported her appointment and subsequent elections to the Montrose County Board of Commissioners, further fuels criticism. In 2018, the Montrose County Republican Party selected Hansen as the interim commissioner for District 2, praising her qualifications and alignment with party values. She went on to win two full terms with Republican support, leveraging the party’s endorsement and voter base to secure her position. However, in April 2025, it emerged that Hansen had left the Republican Party without informing party leadership, a move that Montrose County Republican Party Chair Monty George described as a betrayal of the electorate that supported her.

This abrupt departure from the party that facilitated her political career is seen by many as a disregard for the voters who elected her under the Republican banner. Hansen’s exit suggests a willingness to abandon the principles and platform she campaigned on, leaving constituents feeling misled. Her actions imply that the loyalty of the Republican electorate, which backed her for eight years, is secondary to her personal or political motivations. This move not only alienates her voter base but also undermines the integrity of the electoral process, as it calls into question her commitment to the values she once championed.

Participation in the Recall Scott Mijares Campaign

Hansen’s active involvement in the Recall Commissioner Scott Mijares campaign further exemplifies her disregard for collegiality and the voters’ will. The recall effort, launched July 1^st with their filing of paperwork for the recall with the Colorado Secretary of State, is completely baseless and driven by activists dissatisfied with his election in November 2024. Hansen’s public support for this campaign, while serving as a commissioner alongside Mijares, is particularly contentious. Her participation suggests a willingness to undermine a fellow elected official, elected by the same voters she serves, rather than working collaboratively to address county challenges.

This involvement is especially problematic given Hansen’s criticism of Mijares that started prior to his swearing in back in January of 2025 due to Mijares opposition of both the premature hiring of a county manager and the approval of the ill-advised North Campus building project as the previous Board did just before they left office. 

Additionally, during a July 7 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Hansen praised Interim County Manager Leslie Quon who had put forth allegations of harassment and the creation of a hostile work environment by Mijares that prompted her resignation as interim county manager, yet she remained as county HR Director.  A claim that Mijares disputes. 

By aligning herself with the recall effort, Hansen appears to prioritize political vendettas over the stability of county governance. Her actions contribute to the “unusual instability” described in local reports, including the failed county manager hire and Quon’s resignation. This pattern of behavior suggests Hansen is more focused on personal or factional interests than on fostering unity and effective leadership within the county.

Disdain for Voters and Republican Officials

Hansen’s actions collectively reflect a disdain for the voters and other Republican officials who have supported her tenure. Her abandonment of the Republican Party, coupled with her active role in the recall campaign, signal a lack of respect for the electoral process that placed both her and Mijares in office. By turning her back on the party and engaging in efforts to oust a fellow commissioner, Hansen disregards the will of the 18,129 voters who supported Mijares in the 2024 election. Her behavior suggests that she views her position as a platform for personal agendas rather than a mandate to serve all constituents, regardless of political affiliation.

Moreover, Hansen’s interactions with other Republican officials highlight her dismissive attitude. Her failure to communicate her departure from the party to Monty George, Party Chair, the Republican Executive Committee and other GOP leaders indicates a lack of transparency and respect for the party structure that bolstered her career.

This lack of courtesy extends to her colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, where her opposition to attorney Bradley Mitchell (who applied to be the Montrose County Manager) and whom Mijares supported, was drummed out of contention for the job. It was obvious that Commissioner Hansen allowed a personal agenda to get in the way of hiring a highly qualified candidate simply because that is who Commissioner Mijares wanted, so she refused to negotiate, which contributed to further administrative chaos. Hansen’s actions suggest a pattern of prioritizing her own views over collaborative governance, alienating both voters and fellow officials.

Conclusion

Commissioner Sue Hansen’s conduct in Montrose County reflects a troubling combination of hypocrisy, disloyalty, and disregard for the voters. Republican officials, who have supported her and Montrose County overall, are similarly dismissed. Her inconsistent stance on First Amendment rights, abandonment of the Republican Party, and active participation in the Recall Scott Mijares campaign demonstrate a brazen attitude that undermines her role as a public servant.

By prioritizing personal agendas over the interests of her constituents and colleagues, Hansen has contributed to the county’s political instability and eroded public trust. Montrose County deserves leadership that respects the electoral process, upholds constitutional principles, and fosters unity rather than division. Hansen’s actions fall short of this standard, calling into question her suitability for continued public office.