‘Bare’ mayor bears foes’ censure

Associated Press

DENVER – Some residents of a historic mining town want to oust their stripper-turned-mayor, alleging she exposed herself at a local tavern and has tried to abuse her powers.

Koleen Brooks, 37, denied the charges, though the Georgetown mayor said she has flashed her breasts at bars in nearby Evergreen and has vacationed at nude beaches.

“I’m vivacious. I’m a nut. I’m just a social butterfly who wants to bring this town together,” said Brooks, a single mother with a 19-year-old son.

Brooks, who worked as a stripper in Denver about 15 years ago, said she is being attacked by political enemies for trying to change the mountain town of 1,100 people about 40 miles west of Denver.

She was elected in April by a vote of 210 to 179. “No matter what they think of me, at least I’m the voice of the people,” said Brooks, a Georgetown native who rides a motorcycle and owns a hair salon in town.

Police investigated allegations that Brooks exposed herself at Dexter’s Tavern one night in October but filed no charges.

“I want her removed, not for personal reasons but for the sake of the town,” said Brooke Buckley, a town board member and mayor pro tem.

Board members said the mayor tried to abolish the police department because an officer treated her unfavorably. Brooks said she wants to replace the police department with patrols by the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office to save money, not because of any treatment she received.

A probe completed Tuesday by the Colorado Bureau of Investigations into allegations the mayor plotted to murder a police officer turned up nothing.

Charges will not be filed because the investigation did not corroborate with an informant’s complaint to town authorities, Georgetown officer Mark Dillard said.

Lisa Olsen, a customer at Brooks’ hair salon, told police she heard the mayor tell someone on the telephone in the shop, “Do you know what we talked about? I want to make it happen.”

Olsen asked Brooks if she wanted to scare Dillard and Brooks responded, “We are going to hurt him badly or kill him,” according to a police report. Brooks denied the allegation.

She also denied claims that she tried to remove several town staffers because they disagreed with her.

Brooks said she favors a balance between development and preservation and is fighting board members who want taxpayers to bear the expense of maintaining Georgetown’s historic flavor.

Local newspaper columnist Gaille Robertson said Brooks faces an uphill battle.

“The old guard wants to control everything about the town, down to the most minute detail,” said Robertson, who works for the weekly Clear Creek Courant.

Several people have inquired about the recall process, but no one has filed the paperwork, town clerk Phyllis Mehrer said. The board could oust the mayor by a two-thirds vote or a recall election could be held.

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

A trash hauler from Republic Services. (Provided photo)
Growing Teamsters strike disrupts garbage pickup in Snohomish County

Republic Services said a temporary work stoppage is causing some customers in the county to experience “temporary service delays.”

Lily Lamoureux stacks Weebly Funko toys in preparation for Funko Friday at Funko Field in Everett on July 12, 2019.  Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Everett-based Funko ousts its CEO after 14 months

The company, known for its toy figures based on pop culture, named Michael Lunsford as its interim CEO.

‘Courageous’ teen dives into Silver Lake to rescue 11-year-old

Gauge Bryant, 13, brought the child to the surface. The 11-year-old is in stable but critical condition, authorities said.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.