Office and district sought: Colorado House District 52
Name: John Michael Kefalas
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Website: www.johnkefalas.org
E-mail: john@johnkefalas.org
Age: 51
Last degree earned: Master of Arts in Teaching – Secondary Science Education
Occupation: Nonprofit program director
Hobbies: Gardening, hiking, backpacking, photography
Family: Elizabeth Helmers (wife, married 25 years), Timothy and Harlan Kefalas (sons), Tracey Kefalas (daughter-in-law), Lillie and Barbara (granddaughters)
How long have you lived in Colorado? Where did you live before? 31 years. Brooklyn, NY
Last book read: All Together Now: Common Sense for a Fair Economy, Jared Bernstein
Civic Involvement: School building in Mexico; citizen diplomacy in the Middle East; Fort Collins Board of Realtors 2001 “Citizen of the Year Award;” City of Fort Collins 2001 “Human Relations Award;” past board member of Fort Collins Housing Authority.
Major Endorsements: Colorado AFL-CIO; Colorado Conservation Voters Action Fund; CEA Fund for Children and Public Education
Why are you running? To make Fort Collins and Colorado better places to live by passing laws that improve people’s lives and promote fairness, equal opportunity and healthier communities.
What are the top three challenges facing Colorado or the institution you seek to represent?
Colorado working families are challenged because of growing income inequality, job insecurity, wages not keeping up with living costs, more people living in poverty despite having a job and mounting personal debt.
The high cost of health insurance and the lack of access to quality and affordable health care for persons who cannot afford it undermines our quality of life and negatively impacts businesses that are trying to prosper.
Global climate change is the most significant challenge because this reality affects every aspect of our lives and the lives of future generations – economy, transportation, public health, environment, water, agriculture, education.
What is your top priority in the next session if you should win? My top priority will be to find the necessary common ground and bring key stakeholders to the table in order to transition Colorado to a fair and sustainable energy economy that creates family-supporting jobs, promotes smart economic development, protects the environment and makes our state energy independent.
What proposal in the last session did you oppose the most? HB06-1029 Alternative Medicaid Program for Elderly
What proposal in the last session did you agree with the most? HB06-1200 Low-Income Energy Assistance Funding
