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Lisa Feret (i) Democrat
Residence: Arvada
Profession: Social Worker
Education: Colorado State University (Bachelors in Social Work) and Boston College (Masters in Social Work and Policy)
Experience: Military Veteran (Police), Social Worker (Case Manager), Veterans Transition Counselor, Arvada City Councilor, Disaster and Humanitarian work for a decade.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
1) Healthcare: simplifying applications and access, cutting provider red tape, expanding access in appropriate settings.
2) Community Safety: supporting emergency personnel and programs.
3) Government program efficiency: we have great intentions on our programs and policies but we could spend some time improving how we do our work to make it easier for both community members, businesses and workers alike.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
1) Allowing for people to receive treatment in place rather than requiring them to go to ER.
2) Expanding Telehealth options to save time and money
3) Cutting redundant policies and excessive paperwork for companies
4) Streamlining applications for programs
5) Hold our nations largest companies accountable for over-using medicaid and food assistance for their employees
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
I feel very lucky that I have had a good relationship with both parties because of my willingness to have conversations and get to know them all.
I currently am a leader of a bipartisan veterans group(caucus) at the capitol, which is a great bridge between parties.
Additionally, I strive to make all my bills supported by both parties and have had decent success in that goal. Many of my bills have either been co-sponsored by a member of the other party or supported by a member of the opposing party.
Lastly, I have a goal next session of providing Friday dinners for the entire chamber (instead of each party having separate meals) in an effort to break bread, literally.
A new governor will take office next year. What opportunities are there for legislation or other changes that did not gain traction under Gov. Jared Polis?
I hope that a new Governor will really take a hard look at the power and policies around insurance companies and healthcare policy. Costs, denials, processes and access have all become such a challenge for us all.
Kristopher Johnson did not return the questionnaire.
