What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
My No. 1 priority is to lower the cost of living for working families in Colorado.Too many families in my district — and across the state — are struggling with paying for their basic needs: housing, childcare, and health care.
My second priority will be to continue fighting to combat the housing crisis. In 2022, I sponsored the ‘innovating housing incentive program,’ creating more affordable home options.
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Thirdly, I will continue to focus on protecting our environment. Specifically in my district, one of our major issues is air quality. I am committed to enacting policies that combat climate change.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I am proud to have a strong track record of passing bipartisan legislation throughout my career.
In the past, I have co-sponsored legislation with folks on both sides of the aisle regarding health care, housing and business.
State Senate District 24 is incredibly diverse politically, economically, and culturally. I am committed to representing all of those in my district and giving a voice to my neighbors on both sides of the aisle.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
As the only nurse running for the Colorado State Senate, I think I bring a unique perspective on health care that is imperative in law making.
For example, as a frontline worker during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen firsthand how our health care system works in real time. I am proud that I sponsored and passed legislation to support our health care workers and patients alike. I plan on bringing that expertise to the State Senate as well.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
As I stated above, I am proud to say that I co-sponsored a bill that resulted in the single-largest investment in local affordable housing development in Colorado history. Millions of dollars will be awarded to communities and nonprofits to catalyze projects and increase our housing stock; but there is still more work to be done.
I think the state legislature can build upon our progress by providing grants to organizations seeking to increase our housing stock, expanding low-income housing tax credits for Coloradans, and incentivizing local communities to rework their land use, zoning, and building codes to spur more affordable housing development.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I recognize how intersectional this issue is. This session, I voted for stiffer penalties for fentanyl possession because I know how destructive this drug has been in our state. While those amendments did not pass, I supported the overall bill because of its increased penalties on fentanyl dealers and historic funding for addiction treatment, overdose response, and public education about the dangers of fentanyl. As a healthcare worker, I have seen the impact this drug has made on our communities. Balancing incarceration and treatment is a difficult task but we took an important step in the right direction this year.
I look forward to monitoring this issue closely and would support further resources for treatment and law enforcement funding to keep our communities safe.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
As a mom, I know how difficult it is to make ends meet. From implementing delivery fees to increasing taxes, Colorado Legislators have made this harder; I will work to reduce fees and taxes and make Colorado more affordable.
Unfortunately, suicide is the leading cause of death for our children ages 10 – 24. Colorado’s Children’s Hospital declared a state of emergency because of the lack of resources to support children’s mental health. This is unacceptable and is one of the top priorities I will address.
I will also work to make our neighborhoods safer, supporting stronger penalties for repeat offenders.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I see common ground in wanting to ensure that our education system is adequately funded, and dollars are reaching our classrooms. I also see common ground wanting to ensure that the price of health insurance and health care is affordable and that our environment is protected, and the state has the resources to prevent and manage wildfires.
As Colorado’s population continues to grow, I also see common ground on wanting to invest in Colorado’s infrastructure including roads, bridges and trails to reduce transportation congestion.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I am a mom of young children, so I am living the same tough choices as most of us trying to stretch funds as prices increase and trying to ensure great schools. I am the wife of a police officer and know firsthand that crime is affecting our neighbors and putting our law enforcement at risk. I am a small business owner and know that new fees and regulations are making it harder for businesses to thrive. I grew up on a farm and have deep agricultural roots and have chosen to raise my family in our great city
neighborhoods.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Recent studies show Colorado is short about 50,000 housing units, with supply so low prices are rising. Add that to increasing interest rates and tax increases and the cost of housing is out of reach for more and more of our neighbors. To reign in the cost of housing, Colorado Legislators need to take a hard look at regulations that are restricting building and increasing costs. We should roll back regulations that add costs to new housing. We should also support Senior Property Tax exemptions and support innovative housing options like tiny home communities that provide affordable options.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I support increasing resources for prevention and treatment for folks using fentanyl and other drugs. Criminalizing people with substance abuse problems should not be the plan. However, since penalties for fentanyl possession of four grams or less was reduced to misdemeanors hundreds of our neighbors have died. I support returning to pre 2019 laws when any fentanyl possession carried the possibility of a felony charge.
Donald Osborn has not returned the questionnaire.
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.
