Steve Olson, a former member of the Loveland City Council, found himself unexpectedly drawn back into the world of elective office. Having concluded his tenure on the council in November, Olson had anticipated a period of leisure, even making plans for extensive travel with his wife, Teri.
"So did my wife," he said with a laugh. "In fact, we were making plans to travel and that kind of stuff."
However, a recent attendance at the Larimer County Republican Party assembly presented an unforeseen opportunity. Discovering a lack of a conservative candidate for the treasurer position, Olson felt compelled to act.
"I found out that they didn’t have a conservative candidate for treasurer," Olson explained. "I thought, ‘we’re just going to hand another Larimer County position to the Democrats? That doesn’t seem right.’ So I threw my hat into the ring."
His decision resonated with attendees, and crucially, with his wife. Securing the Republican nomination for Larimer County treasurer, Olson will now appear on the November general election ballot.
"This is a job that I think fits my skill set and it fits my interests," he stated.
Olson's qualifications for the role are rooted in a distinguished 29-year career in the U.S. Navy. During his service, he held significant positions, including controller for two hospitals and various budget-related roles at the national level. His contributions were recognized with a high-level Department of Defense award.
Following his military retirement, Olson transitioned to the private sector, working as a chief financial officer on a contract basis for small businesses. In this capacity, he provided crucial financial management and operational advice to business owners.
His path to public service began shortly after he and his wife relocated to Loveland in the 1990s. Within months of their move, Olson joined the Loveland Planning Commission, dedicating six years to its work. Subsequently, he was elected to represent Ward 3 on the City Council. During his two terms, Olson championed initiatives focused on budget transparency, enhanced public engagement, and educating residents on the intricacies of city finances.
Beyond his elected and appointed roles, Olson dedicated approximately a decade to volunteering with the Northern Colorado chapter of the American Red Cross. This involved responding to a variety of crises, including hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
These diverse experiences, Olson believes, have equipped him with a solid foundation for the responsibilities of the county treasurer. These duties encompass the collection of property taxes, the investment of county funds, and the oversight of financial accounts.
"The treasurer has a fiduciary responsibility to make sure we keep good accounting of the funds and that everything’s transparent," Olson emphasized. "It’s the taxpayers’ money."
While the treasurer's office does not set property tax rates – a function managed by the county assessor and other governmental bodies – Olson noted that the treasurer often acts as the public face of the system. This involves addressing inquiries and managing the frustrations of residents regarding tax-related matters.
"The treasurer’s office oftentimes receives the brunt of the anger," he observed. "Part of the job is helping people understand where to go and what’s driving those changes."
If elected, Olson intends to uphold the service-oriented approach exemplified by the current Larimer County Treasurer, Irene Josey. He plans to prioritize accessibility and responsiveness to residents, citing practices such as answering phone calls during business hours rather than immediately directing them to voicemail as small but impactful steps toward building taxpayer trust.
"I think building that relationship with the public is just key," he remarked.
This philosophy also extends to a flexible and solution-oriented approach when interacting with residents and other agencies.
"It’s about being creative in how you approach things," Olson said. "Instead of saying no, it’s, ‘let’s see how we can do that.’ … I think it’s about working together to accomplish what needs to be done and continuing the transparency that’s already there."
As his campaign gets underway, Olson plans to concentrate on direct outreach. This will include informal meetings with residents across the county and small gatherings hosted by supporters. He describes this approach as engaging in "common sense conversations with the bean counter Steve." He also aims to participate in local events whenever feasible.
Olson is anticipated to face the winner of the Democratic primary, where candidates Conor Duffy and JoAnn Ginal are vying for the nomination.
For additional details regarding Olson's campaign, interested individuals can visit steveolsonfortreasurer.com.
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