By High Country Advocate Staff
Cañon City Council chambers were packed Tuesday night as residents delivered a wave of criticism aimed at Councilmember Emily Tracy, ultimately leading to a formal vote of censure.
Public Comments
The majority of speakers called for Tracy’s resignation over her social media activity and questions about her residency.
- One resident cited a recent post Tracy shared about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, calling it “deeply offensive to many in our community.” Another said, “She doesn’t represent Cañon City values when she mocks people of faith and conservatives online.”
- Others pointed to her admission at the beginning of the meeting that she was speaking from her home in Breckenridge. “If she lives in Breckenridge, then she’s not representing us here in Cañon City,” one citizen said, drawing applause.
- Several described her behavior as unbecoming of a public official. “We don’t care if you’re Democrat or Republican,” another speaker told council. “We care that our representatives are honest about where they live and respectful in how they talk about our community.”
Not everyone agreed. A handful of speakers urged the council not to cave to political pressure, saying Tracy’s posts were her personal right to free speech. “This is a slippery slope if we start punishing councilmembers for their opinions,” one resident argued.
Council Responds
Councilmembers acknowledged the intensity of the comments before taking action. The motion to censure Tracy was introduced, debated briefly, and carried by majority vote.
Several members emphasized that censure is not removal. “We are sending a message that behavior matters,” one councilmember said, “but only the voters have the authority to remove an elected official.”
Legal Clarification
City Attorney Hoffman explained the limits of council’s authority, noting that censure is a formal rebuke but not removal. “Under the Colorado Constitution,” Hoffman said, “recall by the voters is the only legal process for removing an elected official.”
Actions Taken
- Council voted to censure Emily Tracy for conduct deemed inappropriate for an elected official.
- No removal action was taken; recall remains a matter for voters should residents pursue it.
Other Business
Beyond the censure debate, the council addressed other agenda items, including:
- Discussion of the proposed excise tax and its impacts.
- Recognition of local volunteers and civic contributions.
- Routine approvals of minutes and consent agenda items.
Disclaimer
This article was drafted from the official meeting transcript and summary. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, minor errors may be present.
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