Batchelder served the community continually from 1980 to 2010 in a number of appointed and elected positions including Ridgway Planning Commission, mayor of Ridgway, town manager for Ridgway, Ridgway School Board and County Commissioner.
Batchelder said his top three priorities are to institute efficiencies as a cultural norm in all areas of county government, implement the goals and objectives of the master plan through the regulatory process and address a specific gap in the land use code and the handling of complaints about land use violations.
Willits ran as an independent candidate for the county commissioner seat recently vacated by Heidi Albritton. Governor Hickenlooper appointed Willits in the interim to fill the vacant seat.
On Wednesday, Willits told the Plaindealer, "I am disappointed but also it was reaffirming to see the process work. I have respect for anyone who puts themselves out to run for office. My congratulations to Don. He ran a quieter campaign and it should be acknowledged the respect people have for him for his past service as commissioner. I feel responsible to the people who supported me. My wife and son should also be acknowledged for putting up with an absentee husband and father for the last six weeks. It was a personal learning experience to go the Independent route. I was naive how much a political party can work for you. It has been a huge eye-opener for me to sit on the BOCC. There is a multitude of areas the county is involved in."