Broomfield councilwoman announces candidacy for mayor

Apr. 19—Broomfield City Councilwoman Kimberly Groom announced Thursday her bid for mayor.

Groom is the second person to declare candidacy for mayor. Kevin Jacobs, a former councilmember, announced his bid in February.

A Broomfield native, Groom was elected to serve Ward 4 in 2017, and her term ends in November. Groom ran for mayor in 2019, but lost by a few percentage points to Mayor Pat Quinn. Quinn is not seeking reelection, and Groom said she's excited to put her name in again.

"I really look at being mayor as being the champion for Broomfield," she said Friday. "Ensuring the best interests are in the forefront regionally as well as the state level. I believe Broomfield needs that. We're a very small community, but a very strong community."

Groom emphasized that Broomfield has been renowned as one of the best places to live in the country, which she attributed to the city and county's heritage. She said as mayor she would work to embrace Broomfield's heritage as the city and county continues to grow, and to ensure the remaining buildout of Broomfield's 34 square miles is viable.

"The core focus will be community safety, confident management of our tax dollars, viable environmental practices and business vitality," she said.

Groom envisions creating multiple urban centers across Broomfield, building five or six community hubs for local businesses.

"Instead of one area that residents feel connected, maybe five or six (areas) that would be called urban centers," she said. "There would be locally owned coffee houses, beer pubs. They would be walkable or you could ride your bike between them or drive. ... They would be unique retail centers across Broomfield."

Groom said the concept would align with Broomfield's long and skinny geographic shape, and spread out economic vitality among the city and county.

For Groom, volunteering and giving back is part of who she is. She said when she was raising her two now-adult kids and working a full-time job, she still made time to volunteer each week. She has more than 25 years in professional leadership experience in corporate America and has volunteered in various capacities for more than 20 years.

"And now that my kids are raised and I have more time, it's a great opportunity to give back," she said.

She said the 2019 election is in the past, and the future is Broomfield. She had the choice to run for mayor or for a second term on council, and she chose mayor.

"My experience on council has grown me so much as a person," she said, later adding, "It's not about did I win or lose in 2019, it's about serving Broomfield and keeping it the community that I grew up in, and making sure it grows into the community that continues to be award-winning and where people want to live."

If Groom does not win, she will no longer serve on council. But she said she won't be done with Broomfield.

"I will find a niche. I will always find a passion," she said, adding her second passion is seniors and noting her role on the board of directors for Senior Resources of Broomfield. "I will probably look at some other organizations to join that I haven't yet like the Broomfield Community Foundation. Just be engaged in Broomfield."