Councilman Smits grew up on a farm and ranch in Wiggins, a small town in Northeastern Colorado. After high school graduation, he was elected to serve as a Colorado State FFA Officer. This included a year of traveling around the state and country, communicating the importance of agriculture and youth leadership.

Thomas graduated from Western State College in Gunnison with a BA degree in Political Science. He put himself through college working as a bank teller. Upon graduation, he continued his banking career as a management trainee. He lived in Gunnison for over eight years.

While living in Gunnison, Thomas was appointed to the City’s Planning Commission. He was later elected to Gunnison’s City Council. During his term on City Council, Thomas served on many boards, committees, task forces, and commissions, including serving as the City Council representative to the Gunnison Valley Economic Development Corporation, Gunnison County Housing Authority, and the Customer Service Work Team. Thomas’ banking career led him to Salida to manage a bank for two years before he was promoted to Breckenridge, where he lived for three years when the opportunity arose to relocate to Montrose as a banker. The small town rural character of Montrose coupled with all its amenities made Thomas and his wife Katie’s decision to move to Montrose easy.

Serving on City Council gives Thomas an opportunity to contribute to the community where he lives and works. Thomas’ primary goal is to not lose sight of the Montrose City Charter’s objective to “ensure the orderly and economical management of the government of Montrose, guided and controlled by the people through their elected representatives.”

Thomas officiates high school wrestling and enjoys spending time with his wife and four young children, and extended families. He is a parishioner of St. Mary’s. In his pastime, Thomas enjoys camping, hunting, fishing, and snow skiing.