Peggy "Peg" Littleton is the county commissioner for Colorado Springs, Colo., the second-largest city in Colorado and the 41st-largest city in the United States. Her Commissioner District 5 is a jurisdiction of El Paso County, Colo., the state's most populous county. Littleton became a candidate for the United States Senate Jan. 20, 2016, hoping to unseat Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. National media had identified Bennet among the more vulnerable Democrats in 2016. Voters elected Littleton to the State Board of Education in November 2004 to serve Colorado's Fifth Congressional District. She won a six-year term with 178,561 votes, 62 percent of ballots cast in an election that garnered 90 percent participation from registered voters. As her State Board of Education term expired in 2010, Littleton ran successfully for a county commissioner seat and was re-elected in 2014. She won both county elections by more than 60 percent of the vote in a purple district composed equally of registered Republicans, Democrats and independents. The State Board of Education honored Littleton with a resolution in Dec. 2010 for her contributions to Colorado children and children of military personnel.
Early life and personal
Littleton grew up in Longmont, Colo., a BoulderCounty municipality neighboring the college town of Boulder — known for progressive politics and culture. Her father was a union member and equipment maintenance worker for 30 years with AT&T; her mother a teacher. She has lived in Colorado Springs since the summer of 1993. Littleton was born in Sidney, Neb., and moved to Fort Morgan, Colo., when she was 4. After graduation from High School, Littleton spent a year abroad as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Austria. Littleton's three grown children were home schooled, then attended private, public charter and traditional public schools.
Political experience
Littleton was elected to the Colorado State Board of Education in 2004, nine months after being elected to fill a vacancy. She won with 178,561 votes, which was 62 percent of votes cast in an election with participation of 90 percent of registered voters. After completing a six-year term, she ran for the El PasoCounty Board of Commissioners. Littleton was elected as commissioner for El Paso County's District 5 in 2010 and was sworn into office Jan. 11, 2011. Littleton was reelected in 2014 by 64 percent of the vote in a contest with Democratic challenger Jariah Walker.
Sheriff controversy
Littleton was the first county commissioner to call for the resignation of embattled El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, who subsequently left office amid allegations and lawsuits that claimed he created a hostile work environment and had affairs with subordinates. One employment complaint claimed the sheriff used female employees as "sexual playthings" who were rewarded with promotions for sexual favors. Littleton's demand for resignation was not supported by fellow commissioners, until later.
Term limit reinstatement
Prior to Littleton's first election as county commissioner, public controversy erupted after El Paso County Commissioners placed what was criticized as deliberately misleading language on the 2010 ballot. The measure asked whether county officials should be limited to three terms. After the measure passed, some voters claimed they were duped. Commissioners were already limited to two terms and critics claimed an extension of terms was written to appear as a reduction. Upon assuming office in 2011, Littleton fought to put the question to voters again with less confusing language. Voters in 2011 restored the limitation of two terms.
Career
Littleton taught at Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and Colorado Springs Christian Schools. Littleton was appointed director of Colorado GEAR UP grant, which was administered by the office of Republican Gov. Bill Owens. Colorado GEAR UP is the state's program to prepare low-income and first generation students for college. As an educational consultant, Littleton has conducted professional staff development seminars for teachers nationwide. She has worked as a consultant with Gibson Hasbrouck & Associates. Her focus is training teachers to combine data-driven and differentiated instruction in the classroom. Littleton is a licensed Realtor.
