The Denver Elections Division will be relying on some new faces to oversee the May 3 municipal election, as its director begins a “transition” Friday to a job in California (press release). By the end of the 2011 election, the division’s leadership will have seen a major turnover, with current Clerk and Recorder Stephanie O’Malley on her way out, as well (North Denver Tribune).

State officials kept an eye on the election in Colorado Springs yesterday, where voters weighed in for the first time on a “strong mayor”—such as Denver’s—and the leading candidates will now face a runoff (Gazette). Fort Collins voters, however, prefer their mayors win by plurality, a method that paid off last night for longtime conservative Councilwoman Karen Weitkunat (Coloradoan).

Back in Denver, District 5 council candidate Steve Saunders is getting a boost from Nuggets coach George Karl (The Spot), while mayoral contender Chris Romer’s deep campaign pockets keep his commercials—and the Cupcake Truck—rolling. The Denver Post, meanwhile, offers a closer look at two more would-be mayors: judge, pro chef, and one-time moderate Republican Theresa Spahn; and Denver’s most notable UFO activist, Jeff Peckman.