CANYON CITY — Grant County’s elected officials were sworn into office in a brief ceremony at the county courthouse on Monday, Jan. 6.

One by one, each of the officeholders raised their right hand and swore to uphold the U.S. and state constitutions and to faithfully execute the duties of the position to which they had been elected. Those who chose to do so placed their left hand on a Bible.

The ceremony took place in the county court chambers and the oaths were administered by departing Grant County Judge Scott Myers, who did not seek reelection after serving his second six-year term in the position. Before being elected county judge in 2012, he served three four-year terms on the court as a county commissioner.

“It’s been an honor for me to do this,” Myers told the elected officials, county employees and others assembled for the 8 a.m. ceremony. 

“It’s been a long and interesting trip.”

County Assessor David Thunell was the first to take the oath, followed by County Clerk Laurie Cates, County Commissioner Mitchel Wilson, Justice of the Peace Richard Tirico, Sheriff Todd McKinley and County Treasurer Julie Ellison. Tirico and Wilson are new to their posts; the others are incumbents who were returned to office by the voters.

Myers’ final official act as county judge was to swear in his successor, former County Commissioner Jim Hamsher, who was elected to his first six-year term as judge in November. 

After the oath was administered, the two men shared a handshake to mark the transfer of leadership.

Myers then turned to address the people gathered in the court chambers. His final remarks were short and to the point.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “I’m out.”