A Colorado Town Heals Its Political Divisions

In Silverton, Colorado, a small mountain town, a shift began with April 2020’s town election in which Shane Fuhrman, a youthful progressive lawyer, outvoted the longstanding fire chief to become mayor. The town’s community was divided between Fuhrman supporters, who viewed him as a symbol of progress, and opponents who likened his influence to the skyrocketing property prices and luxurious aura of Telluride and Aspen.

14 months into Fuhrman’s tenure, he controversially suspended the Pledge of Allegiance during council meetings, fueling anger and leading to a Fox News broadcast where critics questioned his motives. The division deepened with threats against the mayor and a recall effort, causing political lines within the town to become more pronounced.

However, hope emerged as Silverton started to reunite through a miraculous turn of events. This mountain town, rich in mining history and famed for its Victorian architecture, began to express shared dreams for its future through a series of community meetings organized by the nonprofit Community Builders.

Utilizing open-ended questions aimed at eliciting emotional responses, Community Builders encouraged dialogue between Silverton residents, revealing that common ground existed amid the town’s political divide. The generational and professional clashes were set aside, leading to the creation of a master plan that most residents could support, promoting slow growth and maintaining Silverton’s charm.

Regardless of the skepticism and political tensions, Silverton’s story offers hope for other communities coping with similar divisiveness. At its core, Silverton’s healing process underscored the power of conversation and community engagement in overcoming political divides.