What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Rolling back legislation that put in place more regulation on small businesses.
Rolling back legislation that took away the tools law enforcement needs to do its job.
Working with my colleagues to introduce legislation that gets Coloradans working again.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Finding ways to fully fund education and transportation needs.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I will lead not only as the child of immigrants who has grown up in Greeley, but also as a member of a new generation and as a Hispanic man. Latinos should not be used as pawns for political gain. Instead, we can step forward and lead our communities for all the people.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Roll back legislation that has made it easier to sue construction companies and added regulations that make building homes more costly.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
No. It needs to be tougher.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
I want to continue to improve the economy for all Coloradans by continuing to save them money wherever possible and improving the economic climate for businesses in Colorado, especially small businesses. Public safety is a priority and my work in mental health and substance use disorders is essential to addressing our current needs. Better access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment positively impacts the economy as our workforce gets the treatment they need to be successful, productive workers. We also need to continue to focus on providing safe water and air quality for our children and our citizens.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Based on my experience with my bi-partisan co-sponsorship of bills, there will continue to be common ground on improving behavioral health services for the citizens of Colorado. There is joint support for some healthcare issues such as the School of Osteopathic medicine. There also will be some agreement around maintaining school and public safety. I expect to continue to find bi-partisan support for the work I do in the education space, especially when it comes to supporting students with disabilities within schools. I am proud that my bills have had bi-partisan agreement to meet the needs of older Coloradans.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
When I came to the House chamber in 2019, I brought my perspective as a school psychologist and a special education teacher. This professional experience is unique in both chambers. I have extensive experience and knowledge in the arena of mental health, disabilities and effective instruction. I also have substantial experience in crisis intervention, discipline and threat assessment. In addition, my decades of work within my community and countless ties to my neighbors are invaluable in order to effectively serve them.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
We need to continue the work we have done to ease costs by increasing the amount of housing units we have. In my area, we have, at the most, 2 months of housing supply which leads to increased housing costs. Previous legislation provided loan and grant funding and incentives for new approaches to building. It would be advantageous if a pathway could be found to restart the construction of condominiums. We need to reduce bureaucracy in order for developers to build more efficiently leading to more housing construction and job creation.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I voted for the current law on fentanyl possession because we need to address the rising number of deaths due to fentanyl in our state. The bill gives law enforcement stronger ways to get drug dealers off the street and prosecute them so they aren’t peddling poison to our kids. The significant scope of harm reduction strategies, including treatment, which are included in the bill along with accompanying funding, will begin to address the rising number of deaths in Colorado. These actions will work to get this extremely deadly drug off our streets and eliminate deaths.
