Where Utah candidates stand on the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola — General Election, Tues., Nov. 3, 2026: FoLCC's Utah Voting Guide – 2026 General Election
NOTE: This voting guide is not comprehensive - some candidates and districts are not included. We invite FoLCC followers to reach out to candidates not covered on this guide regarding their opinions on spending tax dollars on projects such as a $1.4B gondola that only stops at two private ski resorts.
Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon (FoLCC) opposes the proposed $1.4 billion Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) gondola. This canyon deserves better. Join us in opposing this terrible idea that will only serve two private ski resorts, and a few private land owners. We are committed to making this a defining issue in the 2026 General Election.
We asked candidates two questions:
1. What is your position on a gondola in LCC?
2. If elected, or reelected, what actions would you take consistent with the position stated above?
Below is what they told us in their own words, and who refused to answer. Join us in being vocal about your opposition to the proposed gondola. Pressure candidates to publicly state a position — and VOTE. This issue is political, but it is not partisan.
Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon (FoLCC) opposes the proposed $1.4 billion Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC) gondola. This canyon deserves better. Join us in opposing this terrible idea that will only serve two private ski resorts, and a few private land owners. We are committed to making this a defining issue in the 2026 General Election.
We asked candidates two questions:
1. What is your position on a gondola in LCC?
2. If elected, or reelected, what actions would you take consistent with the position stated above?
Below is what they told us in their own words, and who refused to answer. Join us in being vocal about your opposition to the proposed gondola. Pressure candidates to publicly state a position — and VOTE. This issue is political, but it is not partisan.
📣 Not sure who represents you? Find your candidates and districts using Utah's official lookup tool below, then come back to see where they stand. Election Day is November 3, 2026. Register & check your status →
All
✅ Opposed
🚫 No Response
❔ Unknown
🤔 Responded, No Firm Position
U.S. Congress
District 1
US Congress · District 1
Riley Owen — Republican
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola.
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 1
Jesse West — Constitution
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Has not responded to FoLCC's request for a position.
Contact and ask where he stands → Send an email: libertywhale@pm.me
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 1
Ben McAdams — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola. Send an email: press@benmcadams.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 2
US Congress · District 2
Blake Moore — Republican
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Contacted twice; no response yet. Ask him directly → Send an email: blake@electmoore.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 2
Daniel Cottam — Libertarian
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola. Send an email: dan@cottamforutah.org
🔗 Learn More & ContactCB
US Congress · District 2
Carlton Bowen — Independent
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola. Send an email: team@bowenforcongress.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 2
Peter Crosby — Democratic
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Contacted twice; no response yet. Ask him directly → Send an email: information@petercrosbyforcongress.org
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 3
US Congress · District 3
Kent Udell — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola. Send an email: kent.udell@gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 3
Michael Stoddard — Libertarian
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
When asked, indicated it was "not an issue for him to be concerned with" — no substantive position on record.
Reported reaction, not a formal policy statement.
FolCC Response: The possibility of Federal Tax dollars being directed to a “local” unpopular project is something that his district is concerned with. Send an email: info@2amike4congress.org
🔗 Learn More & ContactFolCC Response: The possibility of Federal Tax dollars being directed to a “local” unpopular project is something that his district is concerned with. Send an email: info@2amike4congress.org
US Congress · District 3
Cassie Easley — Constitution
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola. Send an email: contact@cassieforcongress.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 3
Celeste Maloy — Republican
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Contacted twice; no response yet. Ask her directly →
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 4
US Congress · District 4
Mike Kennedy — Republican
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Contacted twice; no response yet. Send an email: info@mikekennedyforutah.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 4
Jonny Larsen — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
Opposes the gondola. Send an email: press@jonnyutah4congress.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
US Congress · District 4
Steven Burt — Unaffiliated
🤔 RESPONDED — NO FIRM POSITION
"I generally support traffic congestion measures for Little Cottonwood Canyon. Is better busing the answer? More organized entry and exit, and parking solutions? A gondola? Perhaps all of the above… I'm skeptical of a permanent and highly impactful change to what I understand is a problem that has only seemed really intense during the winter, and at that only some days."
"I don't have a concrete position on the topic because I don't know what the folks in District 4 think about it. My philosophy of representation involves staying as close to my constituents as possible, and then doing what I think is best based on their views and the District's needs."Responded directly to FoLCC with a detailed statement, but has not taken a firm public position either for or against the gondola — says he wants to hear from District 4 constituents before deciding. Send an email: stevenb@stevenburt.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact"I don't have a concrete position on the topic because I don't know what the folks in District 4 think about it. My philosophy of representation involves staying as close to my constituents as possible, and then doing what I think is best based on their views and the District's needs."Responded directly to FoLCC with a detailed statement, but has not taken a firm public position either for or against the gondola — says he wants to hear from District 4 constituents before deciding. Send an email: stevenb@stevenburt.com
US Congress · District 4
Taylor Wright — Libertarian
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Contacted twice; no response yet. Ask him directly →
🔗 Learn More & ContactUtah State Senate
District 13
Utah Senate · District 13
Ryan Mahoney — Republican
✅ OPPOSED (verified)
"I oppose the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola project... committing approximately $1.4 billion in taxpayer funds to a single fixed-guideway system is not fiscally responsible."
Confirmed via his campaign site — not a direct statement to FoLCC. Send an email: Ryan.Mahoney4Utah@Gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
Utah Senate · District 13
Colin Smith — Utah Forward
✅ OPPOSED
"In its current iteration, I am against the gondola. We need better public transit to get us to the mouth of the cottonwood canyons... there are more effective solutions currently like increased busing."
🔗 Learn More & ContactUtah House of Representatives
District 21
Utah House · District 21
Stephen Otterstrom — Democratic
🤔 RESPONDED — NO FIRM POSITION
"I feel like I have not fully researched this, so there is a possibility I could be swayed, but from where I stand, this seems like a tremendous waste of money for very little payout... I am all for investing $640 million in public transportation, but right now that looks like investing in the Rio Grande Plan, adding more routes and stops, and lowering pass costs."
"I believe something must be done to manage traffic in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Expanding bus routes and potentially closing the canyon to personal vehicles, like what we do in Zion National Park, would make more sense... I do not support making it a toll road." Responded directly to FoLCC, but has not taken a firm public position either for or against the gondola.
🔗 Learn More & Contact"I believe something must be done to manage traffic in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Expanding bus routes and potentially closing the canyon to personal vehicles, like what we do in Zion National Park, would make more sense... I do not support making it a toll road." Responded directly to FoLCC, but has not taken a firm public position either for or against the gondola.
District 22
CV
Utah House · District 22
Char Varga — Republican
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia
🔗 Learn More & Contact
Utah House · District 22
Jen Dailey-Provost — Democratic
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: jdprovost@le.utah.gov
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 32
Utah House · District 32
Sahara Hayes — Democratic
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: Contact@VoteSahara.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
Utah House · District 32
Aileen Hampton — Republican
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Civoren Send an email: aileen@voteforaileen.org
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 33
Utah House · District 33
Doug Owens — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED (verified)
"We need to find commonsense solutions for the issues we face in Little Cottonwood Canyon. A gondola is NOT that solution."
Confirmed via his campaign's public materials and social posts — not a direct statement to FoLCC. Send an email: doug@dougowensutah.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
Utah House · District 33
Anna Reeves — Republican
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 34
Utah House · District 34
Julie Jackson — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
"I do not support the gondola and plan to vote against it if the opportunity arises. Still looking for the right solution to the canyon transportation issue." Send an email: julejack@gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 35
Utah House · District 35
Monique Ketchum — Republican
✅ OPPOSED
"I don't support moving forward with the LCC gondola as currently proposed. This is a taxpayer-funded project estimated at $750 million to $1.4 billion, plus millions more annually in operating costs, to serve two private resorts, and it remains tied up in litigation. As a data analyst, my standard for any major infrastructure spend is simple: measure before you spend. The Legislature has already funded $150 million for a bus and tolling system (Phase 1) that hasn't been given a real chance to prove itself yet."
If elected, she says she would: push for full implementation and honest evaluation of Phase 1 transit before further gondola planning; request an independent cost-benefit review comparing lifecycle costs of the gondola vs. the bus alternative; support legislative oversight of UDOT's corridor preservation spending; and let the EIS litigation run its course before further appropriations. Send an email: Monique4Office@gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactIf elected, she says she would: push for full implementation and honest evaluation of Phase 1 transit before further gondola planning; request an independent cost-benefit review comparing lifecycle costs of the gondola vs. the bus alternative; support legislative oversight of UDOT's corridor preservation spending; and let the EIS litigation run its course before further appropriations. Send an email: Monique4Office@gmail.com
Utah House · District 35
Rosalba Dominguez — Democratic
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: me@voterosalba.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 39
Utah House · District 39
Drew Howells — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
"My position is straightforward: I oppose construction of the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola. Full Stop! ... I fully recognize the serious traffic problems in the canyon, particularly during peak ski days... but the solution should be low-impact, fiscally responsible, publicly accessible, and designed to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the canyon rather than permanently altering it."
If elected, he says he would: oppose appropriations, bonding authority, property acquisition, planning, engineering, or public expenditures intended to advance the gondola; and support a Canyon Mobility Assessment funded by the resorts themselves — not taxpayers — dedicated exclusively to low-impact transportation solutions like expanded bus service and mobility hubs.
🔗 Learn More & ContactIf elected, he says he would: oppose appropriations, bonding authority, property acquisition, planning, engineering, or public expenditures intended to advance the gondola; and support a Canyon Mobility Assessment funded by the resorts themselves — not taxpayers — dedicated exclusively to low-impact transportation solutions like expanded bus service and mobility hubs.
Utah House · District 39
Ken Ivory — Republican
🚫 NO RESPONSE
Has not responded and has no public statement on record.
Verified via search — no public gondola position found as of Aug. 2026. Send an email: kivory@le.utah.gov
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 40
Utah House · District 40
Andrew Stoddard — Democratic
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: astoddard@le.utah.gov
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 41
Utah House · District 41
Darren Croft — Republican
✅ OPPOSED
"I am opposed to the gondola in UDOT's plans for Little Cottonwood Canyon."
If elected, he says he would: require Phases 1 and 2 (buses, tolling, carpooling restrictions) to be iteratively implemented and evaluated before any move to Phase 3 (the gondola); push UDOT to remove the "95% uptime" reliability requirement that helped justify choosing the gondola; and build legislative support to block funding for gondola implementation. Send an email: dvcroft@gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactIf elected, he says he would: require Phases 1 and 2 (buses, tolling, carpooling restrictions) to be iteratively implemented and evaluated before any move to Phase 3 (the gondola); push UDOT to remove the "95% uptime" reliability requirement that helped justify choosing the gondola; and build legislative support to block funding for gondola implementation. Send an email: dvcroft@gmail.com
Utah House · District 41
John Arthur — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
"I remain firmly opposed to the proposed gondola. I do not believe it is the right transportation solution for the canyon, nor do I believe it represents the best use of public resources."
If elected, he says he would: support enhanced bus service combined with tolling, and is sponsoring legislation to dedicate new UDOT revenue through the Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Investment Fund (CCTIF) to cover ongoing operations and maintenance costs for expanded bus service. Send an email: info@johnarthur.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactIf elected, he says he would: support enhanced bus service combined with tolling, and is sponsoring legislation to dedicate new UDOT revenue through the Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Investment Fund (CCTIF) to cover ongoing operations and maintenance costs for expanded bus service. Send an email: info@johnarthur.com
District 42
Utah House · District 42
Iva Williams — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
"Just behind HD 42, state officials are moving forward on a plan to build a gondola through Little Cottonwood Canyon. Not a shuttle. Not a train. A gondola... The idea of scarring it with tower footings and construction equipment for a project that will not even meaningfully reduce canyon traffic is exactly the kind of decision-making I am running to fight."
If elected, she says she would: fight to stop the gondola and push for smarter, more sustainable transit that actually reduces canyon traffic.
🔗 Learn More & ContactIf elected, she says she would: fight to stop the gondola and push for smarter, more sustainable transit that actually reduces canyon traffic.
Utah House · District 42
Clint Okerlund — Republican
✅ OPPOSED
"I will fight the gondola at every step... As a member of the House Transportation Committee I am in a unique position to be able to influence this decision." Send an email: cokerlund@le.utah.gov
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 43
Utah House · District 43
Steven Eliason — Republican
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: seliason@le.utah.gov
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 44
Utah House · District 44
Jordan Teuscher — Republican
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: jordan@jordanteuscher.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
Utah House · District 44
Jess Birtcher — Democratic
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: yes2jesshd44@gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 45
Utah House · District 45
Tracy Miller — Republican
✅ OPPOSED
"I am opposed to the current proposal for the LCC gondola. I believe there are more cost effective and environmentally friendly alternatives that should be considered. I would like to see Phase 1 of the plan fully implemented before further decisions are made." Send an email: tracymiller.ut@gmail.com
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 46
Utah House · District 46
Cal Roberts — Republican
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia Send an email: croberts@le.utah.gov
🔗 Learn More & Contact
Utah House · District 46
Braxton Rutherford — Democratic
❔ NO RESPONSE / UNKNOWN
No verifiable public statement found.
Not a direct campaign statement — no position located via research. Source: Ballotpedia
🔗 Learn More & ContactDistrict 49
Utah House · District 49
Lillian Bowles — Democratic
✅ OPPOSED
"I oppose the gondola. Little Cottonwood is a critical watershed and fragile alpine environment... an estimated $1,200 per household statewide is too much to ask taxpayers to pay for something with such limited public benefit." Send an email: info@lillianbowles.com
🔗 Learn More & Contact
🗺️ Not sure which district you're in?
Use Utah's official legislative district lookup to find your U.S. House, State Senate, and State House districts by address — then match them to the guide above.
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Use Utah's official legislative district lookup to find your U.S. House, State Senate, and State House districts by address — then match them to the guide above.
Find My District →
🗣️ See a "No Response" or "Unknown" candidate above? Reach out and ask them directly where they stand on the LCC gondola — then let us know what they say. Silence on a billion-dollar decision for our canyon isn't acceptable.
