Morrison Trustee Paul Sutton is moving with his wife to Tasmania next month, and he’s not shy about sharing his reasons.
“My wife and I are both shocked and disappointed we live in a country where the president denies the possibility of climate change and a huge portion of the population denies COVID was real,” he said. “The judiciary isn’t stepping up. Republicans are just being cowed. He’s (the president) intimidating the media.
“We don’t feel comfortable here. It’s a little too weird. So we’re out of here for at least four years. We might be gone forever.”
Sutton is serving his second term on the board, which is set to expire in Nov. 2026.
Sutton, who recently worked as a geography and environment professor at the University of Denver, has lived in Morrison since 2010. His wife, Sharolyn Anderson, until recently a scientist with the National Park Service, has also served with the town as a member of its now-defunct planning commission.
As a professor, he specializes in sustainability science, ecological economics, and population geography. He’s served on several international expert panels and working groups including the United Nations Global Environmental Outlook.
“I’m somebody who’s really concerned about sustainability, the loss of biodiversity and income inequality,” he said. “I’d rather live in Australia where they have a livable minimum wage.”
When President Trump was re-elected, Anderson retired from her park service job and began searching for employment in Australia. Sutton said she secured one as a climate change coordinator, working with both the public and government agencies.
“She’s happy to work for a country that believes we have a climate change threat,” said Sutton, who has previously worked in Australia. “My university offered a buyout to everyone over 55 with 20 years of service. I took it and I fly to Tasmania July 6.”
Sutton’s last town board meeting will be on July 1.
In light of his departure, Town Manager Mallory said the town has three options. A town charter amendment passed in fall 2024 states that if a vacancy arises, the board can operate with fewer trustees until residents can choose the next trustee in a regular election. Nassau said the board could decide to follow that recommendation and leave the seat open until the November 2026 election, appoint someone to fill Sutton’s seat, or hold a special election. The board has not yet determined how it will proceed, she said.