Eleven candidates are running for seats on the Montrose City Council in the upcoming municipal election, with races in District I, District II and one at-large seat.
The election will determine two four-year district seats and a two-year at-large seat. Candidates come from a range of professional backgrounds, including small business ownership, nonprofit leadership, filmmaking, construction and public service.
Below is a look at the candidates and their backgrounds.
District I candidates
Kevin Clay
Kevin Clay is a small business owner and Montrose resident since 2019 who describes City Council as fundamentally a “customer service” role for the community.
Clay and his wife operate two local businesses: a portrait photography studio and an environmental health and safety consulting firm. He also serves on the Montrose Development and Revitalization Team (DART).
Clay previously worked in the automotive industry, eventually becoming general manager of a Land Rover dealership in Aurora. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado.
Clay says his experience managing large teams, budgets and inventories has shaped his leadership approach and that he hopes to bring transparency, fiscal responsibility and strong customer service to city government.
Michael J. Badagliacco
Michael J. Badagliacco, who often goes by “MJB,” is a Montrose native, U.S. Air Force veteran and entrepreneur who returned to the community full time in 2023.
Badagliacco graduated from Montrose High School in 1983 and served in the Air Force from 1984 to 1991. Following his military service, he spent years in both the entertainment and wireless technology industries.
He performed for 16 years as the lead vocalist for the band Arrival and later founded Wireless Advocates, a wireless retail company that grew into a business with more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
Badagliacco currently writes commentary on local and national politics and says his campaign focuses on transparency, fiscal accountability and strengthening local government oversight.
April Heard
April Heard is the executive director of the Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans in Montrose and a U.S. Army veteran.
Heard moved to Montrose about a decade ago after joining the veterans organization in 2017 and says her work supporting veterans has shaped her interest in community leadership.
Her professional background includes leadership roles in nonprofit management, budgeting, marketing and community partnerships.
Heard says she hopes to bring collaborative leadership to the council while focusing on improving access to mental health services and identifying practical solutions for homelessness in the community.
District II candidates
Rachel Betancourt-Ege
Rachel Betancourt-Ege works with Heirlooms for Hospice in Montrose, a nonprofit retail program that raises funds for HopeWest hospice care.
Originally from Ripon, California, Betancourt-Ege holds an associate degree in agricultural science from Modesto Junior College and a bachelor’s degree in animal science from California State University, Chico.
She and her husband moved to Montrose in late 2024 to be closer to family.
Betancourt-Ege says her professional experience coordinating volunteers and working in nonprofit organizations has strengthened her belief that local government should prioritize collaboration, transparency and community engagement.
Ed Ulibarri
Ed Ulibarri is a longtime Montrose resident and business owner with decades of involvement in community organizations.
Born in Montrose in 1948, Ulibarri graduated from Montrose High School in 1966 and later studied construction technology at Ventura College in California.
He owns Sunnyside Homebuilders and maintains a contractor’s license in California. Over the years, he has served in a number of civic roles, including president of MADA and member of the 7th Judicial District Commission.
Ulibarri previously served two terms on the Montrose City Council from 1998–2002 and again from 2004–2008.
Ryan Sedgeley
Ryan Sedgeley is an attorney and community advocate who moved to Montrose in 2023.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University as well as both a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in environment and natural resources from the University of Wyoming.
Sedgeley has held a variety of jobs over the years, including work as a nuclear power plant mechanic, goldsmith and seasonal worker in Antarctica.
Since moving to Montrose, he has served on the board of Delta-Montrose Electric Association and has been active in local civic discussions and community advocacy.
At-large candidates
Judy Ann Files
Judy Ann Files is a longtime Montrose resident and former educator who previously served two terms on the Montrose City Council from 2012 to 2020.
During her earlier tenure on council, she also served twice as mayor, including in 2013 when Montrose received the All-America City designation.
Files and her husband spent 35 years teaching and coaching in Montrose County schools.
She was elected again in 2024 to a two-year council term and currently serves as mayor pro tem. Files has also held numerous volunteer and advisory roles with local and state organizations.
Kendall Cramer
Kendall Cramer is a grant writer and former city employee who has worked extensively in community development.
Originally from Illinois, Cramer holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Olivet Nazarene University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
After moving to Montrose in 2017, he worked for the city as grant coordinator and later community program manager, overseeing programs such as Main Street and DART.
During his time with the city, Cramer secured more than $8 million in grant funding for community projects. He now operates his own grant consulting business.
Greg Cairns
Greg Cairns is a documentary filmmaker and commercial videographer who moved to Montrose from Montana in 2023.
He holds a humanities degree from Fort Lewis College and has worked on film projects for organizations including Patagonia, National Geographic, the National Science Foundation and the National Wildlife Federation.
His work often focuses on environmental issues, rural economies and public land access.
Cairns currently serves on the board of Friends of the River Uncompahgre, where he works with volunteers and city officials on projects related to river health and public safety.
Sam Aster
Sam Aster moved to Montrose in 2021 after living in several western states.
Aster has worked in a variety of roles, including public land restoration, concession management at professional baseball stadiums and nonprofit outreach addressing homelessness.
After experiencing periods of housing instability, Aster became involved in local discussions about homelessness and now works at a local shelter.
Aster has also participated in community groups including the city’s Unhoused Roundtable.
Adam Woodden
Adam Woodden is a Montrose resident and construction business owner who has lived in the community since early childhood.
He graduated from Montrose High School in 2000and has spent the past two decades working in residential and commercial construction.
Woodden and his wife have four children and have been involved in youth and community service programs over the years.
He says his background in construction and project management has given him a detailed approach to problem-solving and long-term planning for city government.
Profile information comes from the City of Montrose. The Montrose Business Times coverage of the League of Women Voters forum can be found on page 8.
