Office and district sought: State Representative, House District 56
Name: Dan Gibbs
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Website: www.dangibbs.org
Email:DanGibbs@mail.com
Age: 30
Last degree earned: Bachelor of Arts, Western State College of Colorado
Occupation: Director of U.S. Congressman Mark Udall’s West Slope Office in Minturn
Hobbies: mountain bike racing, trail running, basketball, hunting, fishing, target shooting, cross-country and telemark skiing.
Family: mother Susan, father Ron, brother Jeff, sister Melissa, two nephews and one niece, grandmother Marie and my Chocolate Lab Kodi.
How long have you lived in Colorado? Where did you live before? I have lived in Colorado since 1986.
Growing up, I spent time with my mother who lived in Gunnison and my father who lived in East Lansing Michigan.
Last Book Read: “Character is Destiny” by Sen. John McCain
Civic Involvement: Club 20 Board of Directors; Vail Eagle-Valley Rotary Club Board of Directors; Vail Valley Hospital Home Health and Mountain Hospice Board of Directors; Summit Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; High Country Conservation Center Board of Directors
Major Endorsements: Colorado Education Association;
Why are you running? To preserve the high quality of life we strive for in the High Country: strong education, affordable health care and responsible management of natural resources.
What are the top three challenges facing Colorado or the institution you seek to represent?
1. Affordable and accessible health care: we must find ways to provide health care for the 180,000 children that are currently uninsured.
2. Quality education: I believe that is essential to give educators the tools, training and resources they need to turn out students who are inspired to learn and will be successful in this changing economic environment.
3. Safe and efficient transportation: Colorado has the potential to be a leader on transportation if we can balance the financial shortfalls we are currently facing and take a multi-modal approach; improving highways, roads and bridges as well as providing effective modes of transit to and from urban population centers.
What is your top priority in the next session if you should win? Fiscal responsibility. I will do more for my constituents with less, specifically on affordable and accessible health care, education, the environment and the economic growth.
What proposal in the last session did you oppose the most? HB 06-1083 to revamp PERA would have jeopardized many Coloradans’ retirements, and eliminated a benefit that helps our schools and state attract quality employees.
What proposal in the last session did you agree with the most? HB 1201 adds $19 million annually to the state’s tourism-marketing budget. It has a positive impact in the High County, given our local tourism-based economy.
