State financial management aside, what do you see as the primary service the Treasurer directly provides to Coloradans?
The number one priority for the State Treasurer is the financial security of Coloradans, and this goes beyond just state financial management. While I am not a policy maker, I do weigh in on issues pertinent to the financial well being of all Coloradans. For instance, I am working hard to implement the Colorado SecureSavings program (https://coloradosecuresavings.com/), which will help one million private sector employees save for retirement, and the CLIMBER Small Business Loan Program, which provides $250 million in loans for small businesses. These programs run through the Treasury and I am tasked with ensuring their success.
If elected, how should voters judge your performance?
Voters do not need to wait to judge my performance as I have been doing this work for the past four years. Since taking office as State Treasurer in 2019, I have protected taxpayer dollars and ensured that those funds are invested safely, transparently, and in a way that benefits working Coloradans — not wealthy hedge fund managers or Wall Street. My actions have ensured Colorado maintains a strong credit rating and that we have the resources to fund critical programs like school construction through the BEST program, and road and bridge construction and repairs.
What three policy issues set you apart from your opponent?
My top priorities as Treasurer are to protect taxpayer dollars and to help Colorado’s economy thrive. This means I support programs such as the Colorado SecureSavings program, CLIMBER Small Business Loan Program, and the BEST program which helps fund our schools. I ensure the programs that fall under Treasury management are run effectively and efficiently so Coloradans have the resources they need to run their small business, save for retirement, and give their kids a high-quality education.
The difference between my opponent and me is that I believe in solving problems, not just talking about them.
How will you work to shore up Colorado’s retirement program’s unfunded obligations?
The State must make sure it consistently makes the required $225 million direct payment to PERA each year. Beyond that, I believe itap time to re-evaluate the funding parameters in the 2018 PERA reform bill (SB18-200) to ensure that the burden of resolving the funding liabilities is fairly shared by taxpayers, PERA members, PERA beneficiaries, and PERA employers. This analysis of the effects of SB 200 since 2018 could require legislation in the near term to make adjustments. As State Treasurer and a member of the PERA Board of Trustees, I will continue to take a very active role in this work.
State financial management aside, what do you see as the primary service the Treasurer directly provides to Coloradans?
The Treasurer should serve as a “friend of the taxpayers” by advocating for transparency, accountability and efficiency, and working across the aisle to reduce costs. Colorado’s cost of living is too high under single-party rule. I will help restore balance to statewide economic leadership, by:
1. Being a strong and independent board member of our public employee retirement system (PERA); protecting and preserving PERA for members while treating taxpayers fairly.
2. Advocating for cost-benefit analysis of economic regulations and accountability for the actual results of spending.
3. Protecting our right to vote on tax increases and tax refunds.
If elected, how should voters judge your performance?
1. Did I work across the aisle to lower costs for families and small businesses?
2. Did I efficiently lead the Treasury Department and oversee its programs in a manner that saved taxpayer dollars?
3. As a PERA board member, did I fight to improve PERA’s financial position, while balancing the interests of taxpayers and PERA members?
4. Did I support our right to vote on tax increases and refunds, as provided in our Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)?
5. Did I increase cost-benefit analysis of major economic legislation and accountability for the actual results of spending programs?
What three policy issues set you apart from your opponent?
1. I’ve always supported our right to vote on tax increases and refunds, per our Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). My opponent has consistently opposed TABOR. In 2019, he advocated for Proposition CC, which would have ended TABOR refunds forever. Voters resoundingly defeated that measure. Now, my opponent wants credit for handing out $750 refunds–refunds he tried to abolish.
2. I have a record of leading on PERA reform (see description below); my opponent does not.
3. I will lead the Treasury Department efficiently. My opponent has increased the size of the department by nearly 50% in three years.
How will you work to shore up Colorado’s retirement program’s unfunded obligations?
I was a leader in passing 2018 bipartisan reforms that averted disaster for PERA members, taxpayers and the state — reforms my opponent voted against. Since 2019, I have served on the bipartisan PERA oversight subcommittee. The reforms put PERA on a better trajectory, but it will take responsible leadership to achieve 100% funding. As a PERA Board member, I will:
1. Fight to ensure the legislature honors its funding obligations.
2. Closely monitor PERA’s performance and its actuarial and return assumptions.
3. If necessary, advocate for timely reforms that are fair to PERA members and taxpayers, and prevent another crisis.
Anthony J. Delgado has not returned the questionnaire.
