Blake: Out of 1 race, in another

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

The first showdown between Colorado House candidates Dan Gibbs and Ken Chlouber was supposed to have taken place in the Leadville Trail 100 last weekend.

But it didn't. Democrat Gibbs was a nonstarter because, he said, his last-minute application was turned down under suspicious circumstances.

As for Chlouber, he started the ultramarathon but, like half of the entrants, was a nonfinisher.

The two are competing in mountainous District 56, where Rep. Gary Lindstrom, D-Breckenridge, isn't seeking re-election.

It's one of the three Democratic seats the GOP needs to win if it is to regain control of the House in November.

Chlouber, from Leadville, founded the race 24 years ago. He's run it, and run in it, ever since. Known as "the race across the sky," the Leadville 100's average elevation is more than 10,000 feet.

Known for his red, white and blue shirts and quotes, Chlouber is trying to revive his stalled political career. He served 10 years in the state House before being elected to the Senate in 1996. Term limits forced him out in 2004. He wanted to run for the 3rd Congressional District seat that year, but the court- drawn redistricting map put his home town in the 5th District instead of the 3rd. The open legislative seat this year gives him another chance to scratch his political itch.

Gibbs, just 30, is the Western Slope director for Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Udall of the 2nd District.

He's not entered the Leadville 100 before but has run a dozen marathons. "I'm a very competitive racer," he says, putting in two to three high-speed hours almost every morning.

He sent in his application for the race by Federal Express on Aug. 14 and it arrived, he said, by last Wednesday's deadline.

But Merilee O'Neal, Chlouber's race director, told him he missed the cutoff. The race had already reached its limit of 450 entrants, she said. "I turned people away before him and after him."

On the other hand, she conceded, a few would-be runners whose applications were already in the pipeline were admitted late.

Gibbs watched the race, which began at 4 a.m. Saturday, at Twin Lakes, then headed for nearby Leadville to knock on doors in his rival's hometown. "It was a fabulous opportunity to campaign," he said.

Chlouber spent Tuesday picking up markers, ribbons and trash along Hope Pass, the high point of the race at 12,600 feet.

Reached by cell phone, he wondered why Gibbs was so late getting his entry in. Most come in during January and February, he noted. "You have to prepare for it," he said. "You can't wake up Saturday morning and say, 'I believe I'll run 100 miles.' "

He said he talked to Gibbs about the race back in March and offered to help him get in.

Chlouber has finished the race 14 times, earning the traditional silver buckle, but only made 50 miles this year. "I'm getting soft," he joked.

If age is ever an excuse, he has one - he's 67.

"This is an athletic event," insisted Chlouber. "It's not a political venue . . . I wouldn't treat anybody unfairly for political reasons."

If Gibbs is really interested in running ultramarathons, Chlouber said, he doesn't have to wait until next year's Leadville 100.

The Lean Horse 100 will be run this weekend in Hot Springs, S.D., for instance, and on Sept. 9 there's the Wasatch 100 in Kaysville, Utah.

"When I started this 24 years ago, there were only three other 100-milers," says Chlouber. "Now there are 50 to 60."

Buddies at last: Just last week Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher was threatening to fight Mayor John Hickenlooper's proposed financial reforms "in every precinct."

But then they worked out a compromise and now we have the possibility of the two working together to pass the charter amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot.

"I'll be out there campaigning with you on this one," Gallagher purportedly told the mayor.

The proposal establishes a new chief financial officer for the city. Gallagher would surrender his bookeeping and payroll functions but would retain his power to sign off on city contracts in advance.

There are still a couple of ordinances that have to be worked out, according to Gallagher aide Denis Berckefeldt.

One would let the auditor continue to review the "separation check" that goes to all departing city employees. The city tends to overpay them, Berckefeldt said.

The other would let the auditor ensure that contractors hired by the city pay their employees the prevailing wage.

blakep@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5119.