Uncommon common sense.
Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott K. James is a staunch defender of the power of the individual, the free market, the rule of law, and maintaining a small, limited government that fulfills only its proper role. A former Council member and Mayor of Johnstown, Colorado, Scott delights in public service and continues that service as the second-term Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.
A community-involved Northern Colorado native, Scott is a 40-year veteran media personality and was awarded Best Morning Show, Best News/Talk Personality, and Best Station Entertainment Personality by the Colorado Broadcasters’ Association. James was recently awarded County Commissioner of the Year by Colorado Counties, Incorporated. Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home.
Now, a bit more personal…
I am a 4th generation Colorado native (Endangered species) and was reared just south of Greeley in the very small town of LaSalle by a single mom who worked two (and sometimes three) jobs to keep Adidas Superstars on her two sons’ feet. Mom (Patsy) instilled my work ethic, sense of humor, pragmatism, uncommon common sense, and a spirit of peacekeeping that has served me so well in every aspect of my life.
I graduated from Valley High School in Gilcrest in 1981 and – some years later – graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences with minors in Media Studies and Political Science.
I spent a lifetime as a radio broadcaster and my travels took me far and wide including stops in my home state of Colorado, Austin, and San Antonio in Texas. I did several morning shows, an issues-oriented talk show, and finished my career as half of Scott and Sadie in the Morning on Big 97.9. After 40 years and 10 months spent as a “radio guy,” I retired in July 2023.
I have loved both my jobs and don’t see a huge difference between the two – it’s all just solving problems, communicating, and loving on/helping people. My Colorado Broadcasters’ Association peers have honored me with recognition as the state’s Top Morning Personality in a Large Market, Top Entertainment Personality in a Large Market, and Top News/Talk Personality in a Large Market. Through Colorado Counties, Incorporated (CCI), my fellow Colorado County Commissioners recognized me as Commissioner of the Year. For more of my service and accomplishments as a County Commissioner, please visit that website HERE.
My life changed for the better – much better – in May of 1997 when I married my lovely wife, Julie Wood. To steal a line from a movie, “She completes me.” I love her so much it hurts.
My life got even better (praise God) on August 23, 2007, when the judge banged the gavel and made the adoption of Johnathan Scott “Jack” James official. Jack James (with any mono-syllabic names starting with the same consonant you are always required to say both first and last name every time) is 18 years old, is our first and only child, and takes me to levels of love I did not know I was capable of.
Julie, Jack James, and I live in Johnstown, are active in our community, and are big advocates for our little town. Johnstown is rapidly growing and it’s a fun time to live in our community and watch it develop. I began serving the community as chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission in the winter of 1999. I was elected to the Johnstown Town Council in April 2002, re-elected in April 2006, again in April 2010, and again in April 2014. Johnstown honored me ultimately by electing me Mayor in April 2016.
In November 2018 and again in November 2022, the good citizens of Weld County elected me the District 2 representative to the Weld Board of County Commissioners. In what little spare time I have I play golf, smoke cigars, putter around in my yard, and keep – rather loosely – this website and podcast. Please do not hesitate to comment on anything and everything you see.
It is my honor to know and serve you!
One final postscript – a “PS” for you acronym lovers. I was asked why I quite often use my middle initial – Scott “K.” James – and why it is reflected in my domain name. Two reasons:
- I realized very early on that this whole internet/website thing was probably going to be a big deal. I have never been a big “coder,” but I saw the potential back in the mid-90s and wanted to scope out my claim. I am the reason that the radio station K99 has K99.com. Try getting a three-letter domain. It’ll cost tens if not hundreds of thousands. While I was at it, I wanted to grab my name as a domain. Alas, some dentist named Scott James had a similar vision and he beat me to it.
- So I naturally added my middle initial and, sure enough, I had me a domain name. ScottKJames.com – since 1995. It works; “K” stands for Kent, the name of my beloved grandfather, who taught me so much and to whom I credit my uncommon common sense. I now use Scott K. James on business cards, official documents, and even on ballots when I run for office. It’s just a little reminder that I come from good stock. I pray my actions and my life honor my namesake, Kent Noble “Node” Carbaugh. One day we’ll meet again, Grandpa, and we’ll go fishin’ in glory.