Why are you seeking public office?
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
1. Limits on the Governor’s authority to extend emergency orders beyond 30 days
2. Increase the authority of parents to choose education options for their children
3. Permit counties to grade dirt roads without having to obtain permission from 8-1-1
Do you support some type of public option health insurance or Medicare for All at the state level? If so, which and why? If not, why not?
I am opposed to both the public option and Medicare for All because engaging the State as a competitor within an industry is a wholly inappropriate act. Specifically, a public option for health insurance would unfairly offer features and pricing that private industry would find impossible to match. In the long view, the cost of health care would increase but those costs would be masked by public funding. Medicare for All is simply a socialist plan to forcibly take over the health insurance industry.
Have your views on policing and racism in Colorado changed this year? If so, how?
No change.
Do you place a greater importance on addressing climate change or preserving Colorado’s oil and gas industry? What steps would you take on these issues as a lawmaker?
That is an uninformed question offering an inappropriate binary choice of answers. Colorado natural gas is one of the cleanest sources of energy and should be promoted for the sake of the environment. The free market very naturally produces efficiencies and supports environmental conscientiousness. Utopian energy laws imposed by misinformed zealousness is typically shortsighted, unappreciative of the maturity of processes and cannot account for the many unintended consequences that will inevitably result.
Should Colorado consider any new gun laws? If so, which do you support?
Yes, 1. Constitutional Carry — where no permit is required of any citizen who can legally own a gun. 2. We should keep guns out of the hands of people with violent convictions and mental health patients who are violent. And 3. legal gun possession restrictions should apply equally to all government agency employees (for instance, magazine capacity limits should also apply to law enforcement).
Why are you seeking public office?
To make meaningful change, and better the future for my daughter, our community, and the State of Colorado.
What will your top three priorities be if elected?
1) Improving Critical Infrastructure, including internet, cell service, and roads.
2) Improving access to healthcare, especially in the rural communities within my district. This can be done by incentivizing providers to stay in these communities and expanding tele-health accessibility.
3) Economic Recovery in light of COVID and ensuring community businesses are not only able to survive, but thrive.
Do you support some type of public option health insurance or Medicare for All at the state level? If so, which and why? If not, why not?
Yes. I believe there should be a public option for health insurance at the State level. Nobody should be excluded from comprehensive medical coverage that includes mental, dental and behavioral health, and these programs should be accessible to all. However, at this time, I do not believe that healthcare reform will be successful at the State level if people cannot maintain their existing health insurance policies, so long as they are satisfied.
Have your views on policing and racism in Colorado changed this year? If so, how?
I have been aware of the challenges in policing and racial injustice and inequity for quite some time. This year has been a tragic year in our history in these areas; however, we are at an important crossroads where we can make meaningful change to ensure that history does not repeat itself. There needs to be police reform that includes non-partisan civilian oversight at every level of law enforcement within the State. In addition, we need to invest in programs that support social workers, mental health initiatives, and prevention of domestic violence.
Do you place a greater importance on addressing climate change or preserving Colorado’s oil and gas industry? What steps would you take on these issues as a lawmaker?
I support initiatives that reverse or stop climate change. As such, I favor investment in climate friendly technologies that reduce the need for oil and gas. Oil and gas is a finite resource, and whether you agree or disagree with climate change, we need to be looking at other energy sources to plan and prepare for the future.
Should Colorado consider any new gun laws? If so, which do you support?
To ensure that we are not infringing on the second amendment, but rather complying with the it, Colorado should enact universal background checks and require training for firearm ownership. In addition, all current gun laws, including Red Flag, should be enforced.
Bonnie Pyle has not returned the questionnaire.
