A scramble is underway with Larimer County Commissioner Kathay Rennels’ Dec. 14 resignation announcement.

She will leave her post a year early to become director of economic development at Colorado State University. Term limits would have prevented her from seeking re-election upon completion of her third, four-year term in 2010.

Rennels’ resignation sets off a fast and furious effort to fill the vacancy created by her departure. That effort is complicated by the challenge of assembling enough Republican delegates quickly enough during the holiday season. In the unlikely event that Republicans fail to attract a quorum, the position instead could be filled by a Democratic governor.

The news also rouses speculation about possible replacements. Among them is Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, who also would be forced to leave that office after his third term comes to a close in 2010.

The sheriff said seeking the commissioner job was his preferred option although, he added, “I’m not ready to say right now that I’m ready to pursue it.”

Larimer County Republican Party Chairman Larry Carillo said any eligible candidate can make a pitch for the post to the party central committee, which is charged with filling the vacant position.

Rural Wellington resident Gail Meisner will be among those applying for the position, she told The Wellington. Meisner opposes the current boundary of Wellington’s growth management area.

Eligible candidates must be registered Republicans residing in the commissioner district that essentially encompasses the northern third of the county. Carillo said Rennels’ replacement will be selected by popular vote of the nearly 320-member party central committee composed of two captains from each election precinct.

Carillo said the party has 10 days — or until Jan. 10 — to fill the position that becomes officially vacant with Rennels’ resignation on Dec. 31. As of press time, he was still attempting to secure a location and a date for the meeting. By state law, written notice must be provided to central committee members at least six days prior to the meeting. More than half of those members must be present to validate the results.

Rennels first was elected commissioner in 1998 and currently chairs the board. Commissioner Steve Johnson now will assume those duties.

A life-long rancher and small businesswoman, Rennels has been active in Colorado Counties Inc., a lobbying and educational organization. She served on its board of directors and numerous committees. Rennels also served on the county planning commission and open lands board in addition to chairing the Larimer County United Way.

Rennels in a telephone interview said she was recruited to the CSU position in a new effort to build partnerships among the university, the business community and local and state governments.

Rural regions once based almost entirely on agriculture, she noted, increasingly are moving into new realms such as clean energy. Consequently, she said, there is a need for new kinds of connections to encourage economic development.

“I really see this as an extension of what I do bringing people together,” Rennels said. “It’s really very exciting.”

“I will continue to help bring together local government, the university and the state in order to maximize the knowledge and passion they all have for the citizens of Larimer County, northern Colorado and the state of Colorado,” she stated in a news release. “Local government is the key to delivering services, growing economies and serving citizens. The university is one of the best assets we have and I look forward to improving and maximizing our partnerships.”

Don Marostica, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, stated that he looked forward to working with Rennels in her new position at CSU “to make sure all Coloradans that want to work can get work.”

In addition to the preferred commissioner position, Alderden said he’s also been asked to run as a Republican for the state House District 53 seat currently held by Democrat Randy Fischer.

“It’s going to be a real tough decision for me to give up law enforcement as a career,” Alderden acknowledged, noting that he also is exploring related work with other agencies he would not name.

In any event, Alderden said, he would remain in the public sector. He said he considered going into business but, “in the end I’ve decided I’m a public servant.”

If he were selected to fill the vacancy, Alderden said, the county commissioners would appoint a replacement to serve until the November election.

Alderden scoffed at the suggestion he has been positioning himself for another public office, insisting he is decidedly not politically correct and certainly has “alienated a few people.”

Carillo declined to speculate whether the central committee would prefer to appoint a “placeholder” to serve only until the next commissioner election, or prefer a replacement committed to seeking election as an incumbent.

“The central committee will have their own opinions,” he said.