What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Reduce government interference in all aspects of our lives; work to fix our broken property tax system; ensure that we can all live, work and play in affordable and safe communities; and that our children can be healthy and succeed academically.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
We need to arrive at meaningful and productive bi-partisan solutions on water, crime, transportation funding, affordability and education standards. We simply must stop kicking the can down the road and face our problems head on.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
When Colorado voters repealed portions of the Gallagher amendment two years ago, they may not have understood that this placed responsibility of assessment rates for property taxes in the hands of the state legislature. We are now at a crossroads and simply must overhaul Colorado’s property tax policy. After almost 25 years in the industry, I am uniquely qualified to assist with this issue that affects every citizen in the state –residential property owners, business and commercial property owners, and renters alike.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
I worry that those who are working hard to become homeowners are being priced out of the market by onerous regulations and fees. There are some measures that must occur on a local basis with counties, municipalities, and other local government entities, however widespread reform needs to occur to reduce regulations and fees that are borne by the construction industry and ultimately increase costs to the consumer.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I support resources for treatment and a more restrictive law on fentanyl than what currently exists.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Codify women’s reproductive rights.
Common sense gun safety laws that keep citizens safer and supports the 2nd Amendment
Incentives for clean energy businesses. Must make a strategic plan to transition from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Cutting waste out of spending tax dollars.
Increasing access to affordable mental health services.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I am a psychiatric clinician/RN with significant experience in the mental health field. After the past couple of years, there is significant need for treatment among those who were traumatized with the uncertainty and the losses associated with the pandemic. At the same time, we need to consider that prevention is the most cost-effective strategy for keeping people healthy and resilient. Healthy coping skills, strong relationships with caring others, and feeling a sense of belonging within the community are essential to mental well-being.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Housing costs are tied to the market so it is difficult to control costs of homes per se. I would like the state to consider purchasing homes (apartment buildings for example) that could be rented to people who need low-cost housing. Would also like to explore whether tiny homes could be a feasible option for people who are newly homeless. In theory, these individuals just left the job market and could get back on their feet fairly quickly if they had housing/food support. For those who have been homeless for a period of time, I would like to see more shelters that focus on re educating people in areas where we have worker shortages. Housing could be provided up to a point that the person can support self once again.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Fentanyl is a deadly substance on the streets. The problem is that drug abuse is a complex social /health problem and we most likely cannot control it by legislation alone. I trust that the legislators who approved the current law thought it was the best solution at the time, but it should be looked at again once we evaluate how the law changes the sale and use of fentanyl on the streets.
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.
