Housing and annexation
Complete approved neighborhoods responsibly. New annexations must pass a public capacity and fiscal test, with growth costs assigned to the developers who create them.
Ryan Hathorn
A Neighbor,
Not a Politician.
The place we love is worth protecting
Practical leadership means responsible growth, transparent decisions, disciplined spending, and support for local businesses.
I chose Mead to raise my daughters and will protect the small-town character that makes it home.
Leadership that listens
Rooted in Mead. Ready to Serve.
Leadership starts with listening. I will keep Mead residents at the center of every decision and work to ensure Board priorities reflect our community's needs.
Why I am running
Practical, accountable leadership
Neighbors asked me to bring my municipal-contracting experience to Town Hall. I want growth to fit our infrastructure, every dollar to deliver value, and residents to be heard before major decisions.
Ask me a questionMy commitment. Our future.
Clear priorities for Mead
- 1
Responsible growth
Data-driven growth that matches infrastructure capacity and reflects community priorities.
Publish capacity, lifecycle costs, community benefits, and who pays before major approvals.
- 2
Value for every dollar
Disciplined budgets, enforce contracts, and protect reserves.
Compare full costs, measure contractor performance, and keep ongoing expenses within reliable revenue.
- 3
Transparent decisions
Communicate early, welcome input, and explain every decision.
Give major fees, financing, contracts, and land-use decisions individual discussion and a clear vote.
- 4
A better path for small business
Clear processes, simple requirements, and strong local businesses.
Create one clear entry point, publish fees and timelines, and help entrepreneurs open and grow.
Prepared for the decisions ahead
A clear standard for current issues
Data centers
Before applications are submitted, the Board should set strict, measurable standards for water, power, infrastructure, fiscal return, and neighborhood impacts. Consider a proposal only when the developer meets every standard and proves a substantial, lasting benefit for Mead.
Fees and long-term financing
Before a major fee or financing decision, publish the legal basis, household impact, total cost, alternatives, and a clear vote.
Value for every dollar
Make current dollars work harder
Ongoing expenses should stay within dependable ongoing revenue.
I will protect reserves, demand accountable contracts, and prefer a responsible surplus to deficit spending.
Growth should never become a substitute for spending discipline.
Set clear prioritiesFund needs before wants.
Compare lifetime costsEstimate lifetime costs before approval.
Measure contractor resultsTrack cost, schedule, and quality.
Protect strong reservesPrepare for emergencies and avoid deficits.
Municipal experience. Proven performance.
Experience built around accountability
Public project experience
As the owner of a Mead construction company, I have completed public projects for Lakewood, Arvada, Adams County, and CDOT. I bring hands-on experience with public contracts, budgeting, scheduling, quality control, and contractor accountability.
Business discipline. Dependable results.
Running a successful small business requires honest communication, strong problem-solving, adaptability, resilience, and reliable results. I will bring that same approach to Town Hall.
Mead is home
I have lived in Mead since 2010 and am raising two daughters here. Our family values Mead's safety, parks, agriculture, wildlife, and strong sense of community.
Documented decisions. A higher standard.
Why process matters
Consent agendas are useful for routine business. Major fees, financing, contracts, and land-use changes deserve clear public discussion.
Water fee
6% of monthly water usage
Resolution 31-R-2026 passed 4-0 on the May 26, 2026 consent agenda. The public packet cited a 2002 agreement but did not include the agreement, detailed cost calculation, annual revenue estimate, or annual reconciliation.
Recorded vote: Yes: Whitlow, Harris, Adams, Schranz. Absent: Cartwright, Crane, Hagen.
My standard: I would first require the Town to prove the need for added revenue. I would restrict the funds to those documented needs and require an annual audit. If the need decreases, the fee should decrease too.
Open the official Town packetPolice facility
Long-term financing on consent
Ordinance 1111 authorized ceilings of $16.5 million in principal, $1.6 million in annual base rent, and $24 million total through no later than 2041. The July 13, 2026 consent agenda passed 7-0.
Recorded vote: Yes: Whitlow, Harris, Adams, Cartwright, Crane, Hagen, Schranz.
My standard: I would first confirm the project reflects residents’ priorities. Before any financing vote, I would publish the alternatives, full financing and maintenance costs, and a clear cost-benefit analysis—then provide dedicated public discussion and an individual vote.
Open the official Town packetContract accountability
3rd and Welker project controls
The original Jalisco contract authorized up to $5,894,739.30 on October 14, 2024. A packet reference identified management concerns, and later Town records documented a missed schedule and added oversight authority.
Recorded vote: Original award: 6-0 on consent; Brodhead absent.
My standard: I would use Town staff and qualified inspectors to monitor critical milestones, identify problems early, and verify cost, schedule, and construction quality before payment—reducing future corrections.
Open the official Town packetGrowth and land use
North Mead Place map amendment
The Board ratified a future-land-use change for 58.73 acres from Large Lot Residential to Single Family Residential on November 24, 2025. The later concept contemplated 144 lots; the map amendment was not a final plat.
Recorded vote: Yes: Whitlow, Harris, Adams, Cartwright, Crane, Schranz. Hagen absent.
My standard: I would require the developer to demonstrate measurable community benefits, adequate infrastructure, and long-term fiscal value before rezoning—not simply greater development yield.
Open the official Town packetThese summaries distinguish authorization ceilings from actual spending and consent-bundle votes from individual item votes. They do not assign motive.
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Vote Ryan Hathorn for Mead Trustee
Ask a question, request a yard sign, or volunteer. I would be honored to earn your vote.