Submitted Biography
For more than 35 years, I have worked in real estate and property valuation to help ensure people can trust their assessments. I began my career at Cushman & Wakefield and later earned my Certified General Appraisal License. Since 1993, I have served Douglas and Jefferson Counties with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and respect for the families who rely on local government. As a longtime Jefferson County homeowner, I am running for Assessor to bring experience, integrity, and responsive service to this community.
Campaign Phone
3035624766
My top priority is fair, accurate, and consistent property valuation. In my first 100 days, I would be fully focused on conducting the 2027 reappraisal using the newly upgraded cloud-based appraisal system. My responsibility would be to ensure that values meet statutory and performance standards, that our processes support strong quality control, and that property owners have the tools and information they need to review and understand their valuations.
I also believe the office should be transparent, accessible, and responsive to the public. Early on, I would prioritize improvements to the website and other public-facing tools so property owners can better understand how their property was valued, know where to find reliable information, and feel informed throughout the assessment process.
Another priority for me is building and supporting a staff that listens carefully, communicates clearly, and responds professionally. In the first 100 days, I would make sure the team is well prepared to explain the appraisal and assessment process, answer questions directly, and help property owners feel heard when a correction, clarification, or adjustment may be needed.
I want to serve now because this office is at an important moment, and I care deeply about helping it succeed. With the recent implementation of cloud-based software, we have a real opportunity to improve how the office works and how we serve property owners. I have spent my career learning this work, valuing property fairly and accurately, and working within Colorado law while helping manage more than 235,000 properties each reappraisal cycle. At this point in my career, it is important to me to use that experience to help lead the office through this transition, strengthen its operations, and mentor the next generation of Assessor staff so that valuable knowledge is not lost.
I believe the current valuation system has produced results under difficult conditions, but there is always room to improve when better data and better tools become available. We have also seen data issues tied to the software used over the past 10 years, and some of those inaccuracies are still being identified and corrected. My view is that we should be honest about those challenges and committed to improving them.
The transition to new software gives us an important opportunity to strengthen workflows, improve data collection in the field and in the office, enhance analysis and valuation processes, and make reporting and appeals more efficient. Just as important, it should help us provide better online tools and clearer information so property owners can better understand their valuations and the assessment process.
Most importantly, I believe we should always listen carefully to property owners and work to understand the concern behind the question. That means looking closely at whether our process can be improved, whether appraisal and assessment standards are being applied correctly, and whether our systems are supporting the level of accuracy, service, and responsiveness the public deserves.
Submitted Biography
Andy Kerr is a father, husband, teacher, longtime policy leader, dog lover, and much, much more. He's running for assessor to make sure Jefferson County remains one of Colorado's best places to live, work, play, and raise a family. Andy’s family moved to Lakewood when he was 8 years old. He attended Foothills Elementary School, Dunstan Middle School, and Green Mountain High School. He continued on to earn a bachelor’s degree in geography, a master’s degree in Information and Learning Technologies, and his principal’s license ― all from the University of Colorado.Like so many in Colorado, Andy did a little bit of everything as he began his career. He worked as a snowboard instructor, waiter, bartender, and substitute teacher before getting a permanent job as a social studies teacher at Dunstan Middle School, where he taught for seven years. He then designed curriculum and trained teachers for Jeffco Public Schools, and then taught kids across the county through the district’s 21st Cen
Campaign Phone
7209794515
The Assessors office must be fair, equitable, sustainable, and progressive. I will make sure that every employee is being treated fairly, and the office is run with the taxpayer in mind.
Our entire political system is under intense scrutiny. Every elected position must be ready and able to withstand the pressure that is emanating from DC. I have the experience and backing to stand up to the political pressure that would try to erase our JeffCo way of doing things, fairly and equitably.
While our current system of property valuations are done within the laws of Colorado, we need to look at different methods that are more fair and equitable. Land Value taxation, tiered marginal rates, mansion taxation, among other progressive ideas, should be looked at as ways to make property tax more fair to the average JeffCo resident. While an individual Assessor might not be able to implement these ideas, a progressive, idealistic, and forward thinking Assessor, working with other innovators, can be the spark to bring these ideas into the legislative arena. I plan to be the outside the box, forward & progressive thinker who will be willing to consider all new ideas.
