What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Education, mental health, retirement benefits.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Education, law enforcement, and mental health services.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I have lived a lot of years, and hopefully I will remember the mistakes that have been made, and not repeat them. Also I have a strong agricultural background and appreciation of the environment.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Try to keep taxes at minimum, and make sure there is no gouging happening. Also we need to keep income and expense at a balance.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Yes, and I would favor even stronger penalties .
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Public Safety. Protect and promote Colorado’s agricultural communities. Cut taxes, curtail fees, and reduce regulations.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
There is a lot of work to be done with mental health, drug rehabilitation, and homelessness.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
Rural Colorado needs a larger voice and influence at the State Capitol and I will be that voice. The legislature needs more honest opinions and straightforward solutions that are rooted in facts and not feelings.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Cut red tape, and regulations that slow down the home building process, reduce the cost of permits, and overbearing building codes that add cost to homes. We need to work on lowering inflation which drives the cost of building materials. We need to get people back to work; there is a shortage of workers in the construction industry.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
There should be zero tolerance on fentanyl possession resulting in a felony charge. The recent bill passed is too lenient on dealers. There is adequate money for treatment but we need to make sure that it is allocated and used effectively.
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.
