What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Reduce fees and taxes on Colorado families. Work with others to make law enforcement agencies stronger and well funded. Parental rights are a priority.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Community safety by bolstering our law enforcement and other agencies. Education is key to our children by getting choice in schools and by getting our state to teach more of the basics and less activism.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
Common sense from a grounded person that has been blue collar all of my life. I truly believe that this state was built by people like myself and my family and there is a big disconnect with our current government and the actual working class of this state. I talk to the people that are literally building our state daily.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Reduce property taxes. Seniors and veterans especially should receive a break the majority of them have deserved relief from this burden. Extend the homestead exemption. Taking some regulations off of our oil and gas industry would ease the cost of infrastructure.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I do not support the current law. There is no excuse to decriminalize fentanyl for any reason. This drug is the most destructive substance currently being peddled by drug dealers. I believe that we could be doing better on educating people on where to find help.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
My priorities are to continue to address the areas of affordable housing; accessibility to mental health; safer communities; and the protection of our fundamental rights.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Most areas but particularly on housing, safe communities and mental health.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I come from and I represent a district that is predominately made up of hard-working people trying to make a better life for their families. Those values and that perspective are an important consideration that must not be overlooked in legislative deliberations.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
In the last session, housing was one of our priorities and we appropriated significant funds for grants to local governments and nonprofits to address housing issues. We also have recently passed legislation to create a fairer playing field for renters, including those in mobile home communities. Housing is such an all-encompassing issue facing our entire state that I believe we will be working with all interested parties to develop more creative ways to address this problem.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Yes.
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.
