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Jennifer Qualteri Republican
Residence: Denver
Profession: Accountant
Education: MBA University of Denver and BS Business University of Colorado
Experience: Cost accounting professional, State of Colorado. 15-year neighborhood volunteer with RNOs and Denver GOP.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
I will focus on three priorities: home ownership, low taxation, and Education Savings Accounts. Owning a home is the foundation of family security and community stability, yet too many Coloradans are locked out by rising costs and red tape. I will defend property rights and push policies that make homeownership realistic again. High taxes squeeze families and drive jobs away. I will resist tax hikes and work to keep more money in the pockets of workers and small-business owners. Education Savings Accounts give parents real choice so funding follows the child, not the system. Families deserve the power to pick the education that works for their kids. These priorities put Colorado families first.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
Affordability comes from lower costs, not bigger government. I will cut permitting delays, impact fees, and regulations that drive up starter-home prices, while defending neighborhood self-government. Homeownership should grow through more supply and property rights, not tax-funded housing bureaucracies.I will defend TABOR, oppose tax hikes, and fight fee workarounds that raise living costs while pretending taxes did not go up. As a state cost accountant, I will follow the money and stop shifting government overhead onto families.I support Education Savings Accounts so parents, not ZIP codes, control education. Families should not pay twice: once in taxes and again for a school that fits their child. Every bill must make it easier to own a home, and keep more of what you earn.
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
Common ground is possible where results matter more than talking points. Coloradans in both parties are being priced out of homes and squeezed by fees, delays, and waste.I will work with anyone to speed permitting, cut needless construction costs, and make starter homes easier to build without stripping neighborhoods of a voice. Fiscal honesty is another shared interest: follow the money, expose fee workarounds, and stop growing government overhead that families pay for either way. Education Savings Accounts can also be common ground. Parents across party lines want a school that fits their child. If a bill gives families more control without raising taxes, I will support it. I will not trade away TABOR, low taxes, or property rights for a deal.
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?
A new governor is a chance to reset after years of Denver-driven policy that raised costs and overrode local communities. I will push bills that stalled or were watered down under Gov. Polis: Education Savings Accounts so funding follows the child; real fee and permitting reform so starter homes cost less to build; and housing policy that increases supply without stripping neighborhoods of self-government. I will also press for tax and TABOR discipline cutting the fee-enterprise workarounds that grow government while pretending taxes did not go up. A new administration should be open to cost accounting, not just new programs. If the governor will lower the cost of living, protect property rights, and give parents more control, I will work with that office, but not with a more spending agenda.
Jacob Luria Libertarian Party
Residence: West Denver
Profession: Theater
Education: BA Theater
Experience: Previous vice chair 2024-2025 and campaigns director 2021-2024 for the LPCO. Worked for and with the RFK Campaign in 2024 and have run for office previously. Experienced in building coalitions.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
Affordable Housing & Faster Approvals, Support CO-Owned Businesses & Workers and Improving Infrastructure.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
Reduce permitting time and cost at a state level and reform Jared Polis’ ADU bill to make it less restrictive.
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
I see myself being able to work with other individuals like Representatives Gonzales, Dan Woog, Matthew Martinez, or Jennifer Bacon.
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?
Honestly I’m not sure anything I would agree with. We need to rein in government spending and make the spending more transparent to the public. But i doubt a Democrat majority or super majority will do that.
Chela Garcia Irlando did not return the questionnaire.
