Another cool opportunity this past week. The City of Greeley partnered with UNC for a City night at the men’s basketball game. At halftime, Council was introduced at half court and paired off with a UNC student. We then had a free-throw shooting contest. While I didn’t win, I still showed my hoop skills from back in Plainsmen gym. We then threw some shirts to the crowd, which my friend Ben caught a photo of on ESPN+. Honored to represent our City!
ALLO was born in Nebraska. We continue to be a very Nebraska-centric organization. I was asked this week to partner to Coloradans for Nebraska to co-host a meet and greet for one of the Nebraska Volleyball’s All-Americans. The event was for Andi Jackson, who hales from Brighton. I’m not sure what I expected, but it sure wasn’t what the evening turned out to be. I thought there would be 30 or 40 people at most that would show up to meet her. I was a little off. There were over 250 people, most of who stood in line for almost 2 hours, to meet her, get an autograph and snap a picture. The CEO and founder of ALLO even made the 4 hour drive to attend. She’s really tall (6’4”). Go Big Red.
Here's the 2026 Greeley City Council. Another successful meeting this week. Only called out once by name in public comment. It will be nice to get into a routine now that the holidays are behind us. I was also able to attend the press conference for the “No on 1A” ballot question. And what are the odds that BeReal would go off right before the meeting?
Here we are in 2026. Looks pretty similar to 2025…warm, dry, and no snow. We celebrated NYE 2026 with a group of good friends solving a murder mystery. We REALLY got into our characters, it appears. Jen did a great job shepherding the gang through the mystery. Thankfully I was innocent. Good times were had by all, we celebrated on East Coast time, and were home in bed by 11PM. Cheers to the year ahead!
What a year 2025 was. There were struggles both personal and professional, victories big and small, and endless memories made with friends and family. We gained a daughter-in-law and an engagement. We overcame numerous obstacles and challenges, and came out stronger. I am grateful that we didn’t attend any funerals.
As has been the case for the past several years, choosing one picture to capture the year that was is a tough task, so this year once again there will be two. One was expected, planned for, and celebrated after a 2 year wait. The other wasn’t on the radar a year ago, or even 8 months ago. It required an immense amount of planning, sacrifices and dedication. Both events were life changing for those involved. Both pictures perfectly capture and represent the moment in time and the people in them.
March 21, 2025 and November 4, 2025. “The Reception” was taken in the midst of our family’s party of the year. It would be the only time all year that our entire family would be together. “The Hug” was taken moments after the initial results from the Greeley City Council election were posted showing I would win in a landslide and turn out to be the first race that was officially called.
The photos of the year for the Roth family and the Campingdad blog.
And just like that, it was the final three months of 2025. October was dominated by the campaign, all day everyday. I was clearly the strongest candidate going into Election Day. I had done my homework, received key endorsements, raised money, and performed well in the debate and forums. While not campaigning, we worked in time for some events, attended a wedding that D was the best man at, traveled to Boulder and Las Vegas, celebrated Jen’s 50th birthday with her folks at a party at the Tavern, and enjoyed time with friends and family.
Oh, and I won the election in a LANDSLIDE! It was quite the emotional night as the results were released. We did it. Transitioning into the life of a City Councilman has been delightful. I have my first several meetings under my belt, have began meeting with city staff and our acting City Manager, and been able to attend a few events in an official capacity. It’s still hard to believe sometimes that we did it. And it will change our lives.
It’s hard to describe the weight that was lifted on November 4th. I really feel that it took several weeks for my nervous system to regulate itself after campaigning for the better part of 6 months. The swearing in ceremony was incredible, especially when Wes Roth appeared out of no where. I’m grateful for the quick weekend we were able to have together in Vegas. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that I love so much. Here are the pictures that captured the final three months of 2025!
Where is 2025 going??? July arrived with a BANG as the campaign was able to walk in the annual Greeley Independence Day parade. Kinda surreal to walk down 10th Ave waving and announcing to the world that I was running for elected office. Travel continued to be a theme for late summer and early fall, with Andrew and Ari off to Buffalo, Jen and I had a weekend away in Glenwood, and sis, Jen and her folks escaped to Alaska for a cruise to celebrate sister’s 21st, Jen’s 50th, and Jim and Janet’s 50th wedding anniversary. The rafting trip that Sara(Beth) arranged on her trip home in August was a core memory.
The campaign really dialed it up a notch or 6 after Labor Day. Placing signs, “shaking babies and kissing hands” all day, everyday. Preparing for various campaign fundraisers, debates and forums. Raising money. Checking that signs were still in the right place and haven’t been moved, stolen or blown over (note to self: buy more sandbags.) I will forever be thankful for my campaign manager Sara and the work she put in to everything associated with helping me try and get elected. Here are July, August and September. Hard to pick just one or three pictures per month, so I went a little over.
