Dallas Hakes has been a figure in Mapleton municipal elections and leadership for several years. According to the 2017-10.pdf newsletter, Hakes was one of the candidates running for mayor during the 2017 municipal general election. That same document noted that the names of candidates on the ballot were not listed in alphabetical order because the Lt. Governor’s Office generated a random alphabet list for that purpose.
By March 2022, Hakes was listed as the mayor in the Mapleton City Newsletter. In a message included in that March 2022 newsletter, Hakes stated that he was entering his fifth year serving as mayor. In that communication, Hakes expressed a commitment to making decisions that are best for the city’s long-term sustainability. He noted that Mapleton was facing high levels of residential growth and stated his belief that the city was prepared to handle this through specific investments. These investments included hiring essential staff for the administration and public safety departments, making upgrades to the pressurized irrigation system, conducting an active water rates study, and implementing improvements to infrastructure like sidewalks through the newly completed Sidewalk Master Plan. He also mentioned progress on a Facilities Master Plan and construction regarding the Mapleton City Network’s Operation Command Center and fiber internet backbone, which he anticipated would see the first residential connections later that year.
In the December 2022 newsletter, Hakes was again listed as mayor. In a message within that December 2022 document, he discussed the city's 2020 general plan and the community's desire to prioritize open space and trails. He noted that through the Transferable Development Rights (TDR) program and other agreements, the city had obtained approximately 800 acres of open space along the Mapleton Bench. He stated that the city was in the process of developing a trails master plan for the bench area and invited residents to participate in a citizen survey to guide the project.
By the October 2025 newsletter, Hakes was again identified as a mayoral candidate for the upcoming municipal elections. In a message within that October 2025 newsletter, Hakes spoke about the community feeling the weight of anger, fear, and loss. He challenged residents to choose a different path by talking to people they disagree with and listening even when it is hard. He also commented on the nature of social media, stating in a separate message in the same newsletter that "social media—the endless scroll of outrage, the echo chambers of division—is not real life."
What this means for Mapleton
For Mapleton residents, these documents show that Dallas Hakes has been a consistent presence in city leadership and elections. From managing residential growth and infrastructure in 2022 to discussing community values and the impact of social media in 2025, his recorded messages reflect the ongoing priorities and challenges facing the city's administration.
