What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
1. Reduce state government regulation of Colorado businesses and families.
2. Prioritize public safety to ensure laws and policies support law enforcement.
3. Fully support parental involvement and school choice for their public-school students, while ensuring taxpayer dollars reach the classroom so teachers are properly paid and have the resources they need to do their job.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I believe there is potential for common ground on each of my three priorities, but the most likely subject is public safety. I know that the vast majority of my constituents are very worried about increasing criminal activity. I think that it is beyond debate that Colorado leads the nation in auto thefts. I believe that all members of the State Legislature can be persuaded to address the current state of lawlessness for the well-being of all citizens of our State.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I believe that my private sector experience in business turnarounds is currently missing from the State Senate. I have gained a great deal of experience across many industries. I have worked with clients who have confronted many different types of serious financial and operational challenges. By drawing on my experiences, I will be able to help my colleagues in the Legislature understand the complexities we face when considering any business-related legislation. I think I can positively contribute to finding the best solutions in order to enable more economic opportunity for struggling businesses and families.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
The cause of high housing costs in Colorado is complex. The factors include local and state regulations, permitting, utility requirements for infrastructure and the legal liability environment. I would try to continue the reform effort, actively addressed most recently in 2017. We all have an interest in making Colorado more attractive for developers to provide more housing units that can compete for buyers. The State Legislature can contribute to easing the cost of housing across Colorado by creating a more favorable investment and development climate and increasing supply of housing units.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
The 2022 law goes part of the way toward addressing the fentanyl crisis. But I think more must be done. The State Legislature should send a message to our community that more effectively addresses fentanyl. Fentanyl is unlike other illegal drugs. It is more similar to poisonous substances given its extremely deadly nature and it should be treated accordingly. One approach is to create a data dashboard to understand the correlation between penalties and the growth in crime rates, then react. We need to remember that addicts are human beings, but we have to be pragmatic about solutions.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Gun violence prevention, victims’ rights and workers’ rights
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Very few
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
Parent of a murdered child from the Aurora theater massacre keeps the impact on people’s minds. Member of organized labor for 50 + years brings a worker’s background.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
We have to do more make entry level homes a priority.
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.
