About Alice An Adams County native, Alice was born into an Italian-American working family. Life on the family farm taught her the value of hard work and community at an early age.She is proud to have lived in the same Adams County precinct her entire life. She also prides herself on being a part of the Adams County of yesterday, as well as being an integral player in shaping this great county now and in the future.
Alice graduated from Westminster High School, and later retired from an 18-year career with Mapleton School District 1. She has been an active member of the Democratic party for many years, serving in a variety of leadership positions, including committee person and party vice-chairman.Elected positions include State Representative HD 34, 1992-1997; State Senator District 24, 1998-2004; and Adams County Commissioner District 2, 2005 to present. Alice and her husband, Ron, have four daughters who all attended Mapleton public schools, and are the proud grandparents of four granddaughters and one grandson. Alice and Ron are also lifetime members of Assumption Catholic Church in Welby.
Alice Nichol Adams County Commissioner As reprinted in July 2005 Prospect News - Adams County Economic Development "I don't want to just sit behind my desk," says an always active Adams County Commissioner Alice Nichol who was born, raised, and married in the same precinct of Adams County and is proud to represent its people. "I am a truck farmer's daughter and I am that farmer's commissioner now," beams Nichol who recalls fondly the 10-acre family farm, the work ethic she and her siblings learned by working the land with their father, and the many nationalities that comprised the strong agricultural industry of which her family was a part. We all "worked and helped each other," says Nichol. Those who "come from the dirt have strong work ethics instilled from the very beginning and we learned how important agriculture was and still is to the county. It is what ties me to the people of the county." Over her lifetime in Adams County, Nichol has witnessed significant change and has had numerous opportunities to use her appreciation for the people of the county to help make decisions on their behalf. After retiring from an I8-year career with the Mapleton school district, Nichol ran for and won a seat as State Representative for House District 34 where she served for six years. She then ran for and won a seat in the State Senate and served for six years before recently being elected as Adams County Commissioner. Nichol is known by and proud of the "common sense," candid way that she approaches her decisions. "I've had to make hard choices," admits Nichol. "I try to learn everything I can about an issue, both sides, and make the best decision I can." As an advocate for the people of the county and a resident who knows how important it is to imagine what a decision means in "the real world," she has made it a point to do her homework on issues and make sure that the interests of the county residents are considered. "I always look out for the reality of the decisions that are being made and whether they could be realistically enforced. When voting, I think, 'what am I doing to my county'." This attention to the practicality of her decision-making keeps her fiscally conservative with taxpayers' money and supportive of business. In addition to ensuring a healthy business environment for those, like Nichol, who have been here from the beginning, she works to encourage new businesses to locate in Adams County. "We have to be sure that we encourage the business community to locate here in order to provide jobs. We want the citizens of Adams County to live and work in the same county. That is the ultimate; we want to keep people here." Having seen her elementary school replaced by the Boyer's Coffee Company at 73rd and Washington, she knows "growth is on its way." However, in spite of all the changes and new technologies introduced over the years, Nichol acknowledges, "you will never replace talking out an issue like we did in the old days. I want to listen." Given her history of seeking partnerships, researching issues, and doing what she believes is best for the people of Adams County, when Commissioner Nichol says, "let's talk," take advantage of that invitation. She means it.
"I don't want to just sit behind my desk."
"When voting, I think, what am I doing to my county?"
"I try to learn everything I can about an issue, both sides, and make the best decision I can."
"You will never replace talking out an issue like we did in the old days. I want to listen."
