What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Education choice and transparency, public safety, and Inflation.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
We can all meet in the middle that skyrocketing crime is affecting our communities and our failing schools are failing our students.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I am not a politician, but a mom, wife, and active member in the community. I will bring new ideas and fight for real life solutions that will impact the families in our state.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Remove and reduce the amount of regulations on builders/developers. These costs are being pushed to the consumer. Increasing taxes and regulations are affecting landlords and builders and this is affecting affordable housing solutions to urban areas.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I do not support the current law on fentanyl.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
For me, the top three issues are workforce development, combatting climate change, and alleviating the pressures caused by crime.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
The issues I see the least partisanship on are mental/behavioral health, wildfire mitigation, and agricultural issues.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
As one of the few scientists in the legislature, I use a data-focused perspective in my work. I may agree on an issue conceptually, but always want to see the data that the policy is sound before supporting. Because of my diverse education and experience, I view issues with a ‘panoramic lens’, but also with the ability to zoom in to the details to understand complex topics. I am not a career politician, and have a long history of public service, so I put my heart in representing the people of my district and the people of Colorado. Itap always about the people, not me.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
I tried to pass HB22-1387 to help HOAs with their reserve studies and stay on track for the future. Too often, we see multi-family HOAs (in particular) fall terribly behind on their maintenance. feel that the state, with the help of the federal government, could set up a fund to help underwater HOAs. These folks are often victims of circumstance, and not the ones who failed to act who are likely long gone from the community. Preserving housing we already have is vital to keeping our housing stock available for the future.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I supported the law, but not because I liked every aspect. There were some very redeeming aspects that we had urgency in deploying to our citizens, such as addiction support and fentanyl testing strips. The biggest problem I have with the bill was the changes made to the possession criteria for users. We have tried to punish users before during the “war on drugs” and this did not have the desired outcome. We need to focus on the disease of addiction and not making criminals out of people who are already faced with hardship. Making these folks felons is not the answer.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
I would like to pass the “Defend the Guard Act,” push for a pro-nuclear Colorado and abolish property taxes for mobile homeowners.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I will be able to find common ground with Republicans on educational freedom and lowering taxes. With the Democrats, I would be able to work with them on police reform and decriminalization.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
As a member of a third party, I can push for more conversation and debate and less partisanship. Since the Colorado House only has 65 seats, having a few Libertarians would force these parties to come to the table to stand for the principles they claim they stand for. We will push the right from the right and the left from the left.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
The legislature can lower the regulation and tax requirements for new housing. It could also lower and abolish property taxes for many economic groups making the transition from renting to buying much easier. The legislature must also relook at the laws passed last year around mobile homes.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Yes I do. I know that is not popular with many people but the war on drugs has failed. We must decriminalize more and push for a safe society. Government has failed to stop this epidemic. We must turn back to our community centers, churches and neighbors to pull us from this menace.
How candidate order was determined: A lot drawing was held at the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 3 to determine the general election ballot order for major and minor party candidates. Colorado law (1-5-404, C.R.S.) requires that candidates are ordered on the ballot in three tiers: major party candidates followed by minor party candidates followed by unaffiliated candidates. Within each tier, the candidates are ordered by a lot drawing with the exception of the office of Governor and Lt. Governor, which are ordered by the last name of the gubernatorial candidate.
