Welcome to Let's Talk Parker

Mayor Joshua Rivero

Elected November 2024; Term Ends December 2028

Email: jrivero@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Rivero

What is your occupation?

Owner of Fika Coffee House

Which subdivision do you live in and how long have you lived there?

Idyllwilde since 2006

What other governmental service have you been involved in?

Previous Parker Town Council Member 2012-2020

What is your educational background?

Ponderosa High School 1990, Studied Western History Metropolitan State College of Denver

What community activities are you/have you been involved in?

Prior to my service as a Parker Town Councilmember, I was president of the Downtown Development Council, a merchant organization and precursor to today's Downtown Business Alliance. From 2012-2020 I had the honor of representing my fellow citizens as a Parker Town Councilmember. In that role I had the honor of serving in capacities too numerous to list. Through it all, I have been a Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Parker - Cherry Creek Valley or "Noon Club" as we're known by.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy living in Colorado for its outdoor opportunities including cycling, hiking, kayaking, golf, and disc golf. I'm also a "Barn Dad" and you can find me watching my daughter ride at Colorado Horse Park whenever possible.

What made you decide to run for Town Council?

I ran for Town Council for Parker, all 58,000 of us. Experience matters. Currently, the mayor and Town Council have a combined 12 years of serving this community, compared to 36 combined years of service only two years ago. I bring additional experience in leading this Town through my previous 8 years on Town Council. I have the experience needed to both listen, understand and then negotiate the importance of ensuring we retain funding for our nationally recognized Parks & Recreation, Arts & Culture, and Police Departments as well as all our other award winning departments that now may be in jeopardy. Parker is my hometown and I work for her.

What will your top priorities be on Town Council?

To keep Parker, Parker. I have been part of founding many great traditions in Parker, such as Wine Walks, Carriage Rides, and bringing the Farmers Market back to Mainstreet. My passion is for the betterment of Parker, and for all of us to enjoy and be proud of our hometown. I have always said what makes us Parker is how we treat each other, no matter what. When I ran for Mayor in November one of my goals was to unify Parker. I feel that we are more divided now than ever. This is a nonpartisan election, for a nonpartisan position. One of my strengths is that I have earned the trust, respect and support of the community as a whole. This race is about Parker, it is about all of Parker, it is about all of us.

Councilmember Anne Barrington

Elected November 2022; Term Ends December 2026

Email: abarrington@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Barrington

What is your occupation?

Owner/Managing Broker of Barrington Group Real Estate | CO-Owner/ Card My Yard Parker

Which subdivision do you live in and how long have you lived there?

I have lived in The Estates at Quail Creek for 18 Years

What other governmental service have you been involved in?

Vice Chair of Downtown Business Alliance| Parker Civic Academy Graduate

What is your educational background?

Graduated Colorado State University in 1991

What community activities are you/have you been involved in?

I have over 18 years of community service in Parker including Vice-Chair of the DBA, Co-Founder of The Jim Gill Foundation, Mentor for The Challenge Foundation, Mentor for Hide in Plain Sight, Parker Task Force Volunteer, Parker Rec Soccer Coach, Girl Scout Parent Volunteer, Part of the leadership team that approved the trial of the Downtown Trolley, Started The Barrington Group Charity Happy Hour event series to raise money for local non-profits, Co-Social Chair of the Quail Creek HOA Committee, Quail Creek HOA Community Newsletter and Directory, An advocate and speaker for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for Douglas County Sheriff’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), Implemented DBA Adopt a Street.

What are your hobbies?

Skiing, Exercise, Baking, Reading and Socializing!

What made you decide to run for Town Council?

I believe anyone seeking public office should be a long-standing member of the community, understand desires of local business, and have a track record of community involvement. I am at a place in my life where I am able to give back to the community that helped me raise a family and supported my business endeavors. It would be an honor and a privilege to serve the Parker community as one of the newest Town Council Members.

What will your top priorities be on Town Council?

My main priority is to protect the quality of life we all moved here for. This includes our Parks & Rec as well as Culture, Public Safety and Maintaining Public Works… all while keeping our growth in balance. I also know we are stronger together, so I plan to keep Parker United.

Councilmember John Diak

Elected November 2024; Term Ends December 2028

Email: jdiak@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Diak

What is your occupation?

Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner for Oatley & Diak, LLC, a locally-owned Registered Investment Advisory firm that focuses on providing financial advisory services to families, trusts and businesses.

Which subdivision do you live in and how long have you lived there?

I have lived in Bradbury Hills since 2005.

What other governmental service have you been involved in?

I am the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) – Chair, Douglas County Subregion Transportation Forum – Chair, Regional Transportation Committee (RTC) – Chair, E-470 Public Highway Authority Board Member – Secretary, E-470 Finance Committee – Chair, Public Works Liaison, Parker Cultural and Scientific Commission Liaison, Finance Liaison and is an ex officio member of Parker’s Investment Advisory Committee.

What is your educational background?

I hold a BS in Business Administration/Finance, a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University, a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Colorado Denver and a Financial Planning Certificate from Metropolitan State College.

What community activities are you/have you been involved in?

I have been involved in a variety of community activities and organizations including the Rotary Club of Cherry Creek Valley, Financial Coaching Ministry at Southeast Christian Church and the Stay Alive on Highway 83 program. In addition, I have donated professional services to local organizations including Praying Hands Ranch, Parker Senior Center, Double Angel Ballpark and the Miller Safety Center.

What are your hobbies?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three children, as well as enjoying the local amenities our community provides such as the Pace Center and our local parks and trail system.

What made you decide to run for Town Council?

I decided to run for Town Council because after living and working in the community since 1983, my goal is to give back to the community and contribute my strong financial background and diverse land use knowledge to ensure Parker remains a vibrant and evolving community.

What are your top priorities on Town Council?

If re-elected to Town Council, my priorities will include sustaining and increasing transportation infrastructure; enhancing economic development; providing resources to the aging population and ensuring that citizens have the ability to fully utilize and benefit from our parks, recreational opportunities and arts center.

Councilmember Erik Frandsen

Appointed January 2025; Term Ends December 2026

Email: efrandsen@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Frandsen

The Parker Town Council appointed Erik Frandsen to fill an existing Councilmember vacancy during a Special Council Meeting on Jan. 13, 2025 at Parker Town Hall.

Frandsen will complete the term of former Councilmember Joshua Rivero, who was elected Mayor in the 2024 General Election and sworn into office on Dec. 16, 2024. Frandsen's term will run until December 2026.

Frandsen has been an active member of the Parker community for a number of years. He has served on the Parker Planning Commission since 2016, providing recommendations to Town Council on land use and development issues. Additionally, he has volunteered with non-profit organizations such as the Impact Development Fund, which focuses on affordable housing, and Prodigy Ventures, which promotes workforce education for underserved youth.

A Colorado native, Frandsen works in the commercial real estate banking sector. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and economics from Carroll University. He and his wife, Kristin, along with their two children, Cole and Chase, have lived in the Canterberry Crossing neighborhood since 2014.

Councilmember Laura Hefta

Elected November 2024; Term Ends December 2028

Email: lhefta@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Hefta

What is your occupation?

Colorado Licensed Attorney for Laura Hefta, LLC which focuses on providing legal services in Wills, Estates and Trusts for clients seeking legal services.

Which subdivision do you live in and how long have you lived there?

I have lived in Horseshoe Ridge since 2011.

What other governmental service have you been involved in?

I have served 7 years on active duty in the United States Army in the Judge Advocate General's Corp, and a one-year mobilization during Operation Enduring Freedom. In the United States Army Reserves, I served 20 years rising to the rank of Colonel and served as the Commander of the 87th Legal Operations Detachment. In my civilian legal career, I was employed by Defense Finance and Accounting Service and The Comptroller of the Currency as legal counsel for 20 years.

What is your educational background?

I have a Bachelors of Art in Communication, (B.A.) from Michigan State University, a Juris Doctorate, (J.D.) from University of Detroit School of Law, a Master's of Legal Letters in American Banking Law, (L.L.M) from Boston University School of Law and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies, (M.A.), from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

What community activities are you/have you been involved in?

I provide volunteer legal expertise to SECOR Cares, the Parker Senior Center, other non-profit organizations and small businesses. I am a member of the Parker Chamber of Commerce and the Parker Rotary Club. I donate legal expertise to Southeast Christian Church. I have served as a Board Member of the Colorado Victims Assistance and Law Enforcement Advisory Board.

What are your hobbies?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband Mark, and sons Jon and Martin. We enjoy swimming at the Parker Recreation Center, attending PACE concerts and hiking in Parker’s local parks and trails.

What made you decide to run for Town Council?

I am dedicated to community and country. I have extensive experience in working with local, state and federal entities in a variety of team and leadership roles. My goal is to bring a balanced vision to Town Council, be responsive to resident concerns and contribute my strong legal/business/government expertise to Parker. It is important that our town’s mission, vision, goals, strategic plan and core values remain consistent, so our residents are served by local government and our town remains a beautiful place to live.

What are your top priorities on Town Council?

When elected to Town Council, my priorities will include: smart and sensible growth, lower taxes, eliminating blight, preserving open space, creating effective policies for town governance, promoting economic development, and increasing higher paying employment opportunities for our residents. I will work with all stakeholders to find effective solutions to the challenges we face as a municipal town government.

Councilmember Todd Hendreks

Elected November 2024; Term Ends December 2028

Email: thendreks@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Hendreks

What is your occupation?

Information Technology: Data Analytics & Business Intelligence

Which subdivision do you live in and how long have you lived there?

Hidden River III (2012 to Present), Clarke Farms (2004 to 2012)

What other governmental service have you been involved in?

Town of Parker Planning Commissioner, Town of Parker Cultural & Scientific Commissioner

What is your educational background?

Bachelor Degree at Texas A&M University, MBA at University of Colorado - Denver

What community activities are you/have you been involved in?

Parker Civic Academy Graduate, Parker Police Citizen's Academy Graduate, COPPS (Citizens Offering Parker Police Support), Cherry Creek Valley Rotary Club of Parker Treasurer & Fundraiser (Parker Brewfest), St. Baldrick's Fundraiser, Parker Hawks Youth Lacrosse Coach, Downtown Business Alliance Board Member (Community Representative), Parker Task Force Volunteer, Hidden River IIIHOA Social Chair, Parker Data Hub (Community Facebook Group) Creator

What are your hobbies?

Spending time with Family & Friends, Coaching Youth Sports, Volunteering, Concerts, Festivals, Skiing, Hiking, SUPing, Craft Beer'ing

What made you decide to run for Town Council?

As a Parker resident since 2004, I have a track record of community service and civic duty. Running for Town Council is a natural progression for me. I am the citizen who stays involved between election cycles. I wish to serve the community at a greater capacity and do what I can to maintain and improve the quality of life here for my family, your family and those of your neighbors.

What are your top priorities on Town Council?

My vision for Parker is to diversify the local economy, engage community on growth, recharge efforts for more open space, be an advocate for small business, focus on improving fiscal responsibility, prioritize the Town's infrastructure needs and improve options for parks and recreation. However, my main priority will be to listen to my fellow citizens and represent all 56,000+ of them to the best of my ability that I can under the Law.

Councilmember Brandi Wilks

Elected November 2022; Term Ends December 2026

Email: bwilks@parkerco.gov

Phone: 303.841.0353

Fax: 303.840.9792

About Councilmember Wilks

What is your occupation?

I am Co-Owner of Wilks Real Estate here in Parker. My business partner is my husband. Together we run a referral based residential real estate brokerage and take a consultive approach to helping people buy and sell their homes.

Which subdivision do you live in and how long have you lived there?

I have lived in Idyllwilde since 2021.

What other governmental service have you been involved in?

For the past few years, I have served our town in many ways.

Currently I am serving on the Parker Special Licensing Authority which approves, denies, and maintains the liquor licenses in our town.

I am also serving as the Vice-Chair for the Downtown Business Alliance of Parker.

What community activities are you/have you been involved in?

• Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) – Vice Chair 2021-Present
• Implemented the DBA’s Friends of the DBA program for businesses outside downtown Parker.
  • Events
    • Parker Christmas Parade 2022
    • Trunk or Treat off Mainstreet 2022
    • Fall Festival 2023
  • Membership Committee
  • Communications Committee Chair
• Special Licensing Authority of Parker
• Wilks Real Estate Charity Events
  • Raised money & donations throughout the community for:
    • The Parker Task Force
    • SECOR Cares
    • Royal Family Kids
    • ASPCA
    • Malas for Tatas
    • Parker Secret Closet
• Member of the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce
• Downtown Parker Volunteer
• Legend JV Cheer Mom – 2021
• Board Member of the Ponderosa Theatre Parents – 2020-2021
• Flag Football Coach through Parker Rec Center – 2010

What are your hobbies?

Aside from Volunteering in our community and at my children’s schools & activities which are my main hobbies, I really love photography and reading.

What made you decide to run for Town Council?

That’s simple, to give back to the town that has given so much to me in my 39 years here. AND to continue to protect that hometown community spirit we have all come to love here in Parker.

My grandparents started our family legacy 3 generations ago in Parker. This town is full of wonderful, powerful people who deserve an equally powerful voice to represent them on town council.

It doesn’t matter if you just moved to Parker or if you have been here your entire life, each resident and business owner deserves a representative who truly knows & understands what Parker is and why it is worth protecting.

What will your top priorities on Town Council?

LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES

The local business community which I am proud to be a part of, whether they are a big box, a franchise, or a mom & pop shop and everything in between are owned by Parker Residents and all play a vital role in our community.

These businesses provide support for our local schools, they provide jobs to our residents, sales tax revenue and most importantly they help with our hometown feel. This delicate ecosystem is a large part of what makes Parker thrive and they need to be protected.

One of my priorities as a Town Council Member will be to help revitalize Downtown Parker through the sale and development of the 5 parcels of land owned by the Town of Parker located off Mainstreet in Downtown Parker. Currently our Downtown is suffering from large gaps and a lack of retail space. Residents of Parker are heading out of town to Southlands, Castle Rock & Lone Tree which is taking revenue away from the Town of Parker and our Local Business Owners.

I believe that if we all work together we can approve a development of these pieces of land that fits the hometown feel of Parker while benefiting local businesses & attracting more businesses which contributes to our residents in many ways.

SAFETY & HEALTH

Parker continuously ranks amongst the top 10 safest places to live and as someone who has a family member who serves on the Parker Police force, I take pride in knowing my children and our families are safe here. Our law enforcement officers are highly dedicated in protecting our town including a strong presence at our schools and throughout our town. As a Town Council Member, it will be a priority of mine to help ensure our officers have the resources they need to continue to keep our town safe as well as additional resources to ensure our officers are well taken care of.

RESPONSIBLE GROWTH IN THE RIGHT PLACES

The reasons for living in Parker are for the most part consistent, people move here for the hometown feel, the award-winning parks, the remarkable community, the safety, and the schools. Parker has been rated one of the top places to live in the US and it shows.

Many of our parcels of land have been designated and zoned for decades. Yes, Parker has grown exponentially since the 1990s. However, in the last decade, our town of 57,000 residents, was the slowest growing town in Douglas County, with a growth rate of 25 percent. With the current plans our community will be built out at 72,000 citizens, much less than some of our neighbors.

As a Town Council it is not our place to say what can go on someone’s land, but we can make sure it fits in our town and follows our rules. We need to plan for our growing population as a younger generation as well as our retired generation and everything in between.

Maintaining that hometown feel takes work. It takes a responsible Town Council to ensure that the Master Plan is being followed, that the criteria set forth in our town to protect the residents, the businesses, and the open space is protected while still planning on growth. That will be one of my top priorities on Town Council.