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Justin Kurth Democrat
Residence: Penrose
Profession: Regional Government Affairs Manager
Education: BS in Political Science, CSU Pueblo
Experience: Gov Affairs Manager at Amrize, Alum: USMC ‘02-‘07, WYANG ‘07-‘13’, ‘21-‘22 CSPC Presidential Fellow, BS-Political Science CSU Pueblo ’23, U.S. House Senior Staff, Space Force Congressional Fellow
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
Security and jobs, first. Wildfire risk drives insurance costs that price working families out of homes they already own, and rural fire departments need staffing to match that risk. Correctional officers at Fremont County’s CDOC facilities need overtime reallocated into baseline staffing, avoiding a cost increase. Second, water and jobs: we are the headwaters of the South Platte and Arkansas, and burn-scar water treatment costs give Front Range communities real reason to come to the table as partners on projects that also mean local jobs. Third, veterans and jobs: Build out state administered veteran services and connect veterans with jobs.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
Affordability starts with construction costs and valuations rural families did not create. Colorado’s green building mandates added real costs to new homes with no offset for working-class buyers or small builders; I would pair that mandate with direct relief. On property tax, I support valuation protection for agricultural land and long-term residents in the mountain rural areas reassessed today at prices set by Front Range buyers leaving the urban scene. And infrastructure is affordability: water storage projects like John Griffin, which I helped authorize $50 million for, mean local construction jobs, not just water security.
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
Rural infrastructure and public safety funding are not partisan issues in SD4. I would work with Republicans on advocating alongside our county commissioners to our federal delegation for permanent reauthorization of federal PILT payments, with a state backstop when Washington falls short, since both parties represent counties that cannot tax federal land but still maintain the roads and emergency services on it. On corrections, the legislature’s own Joint Budget Committee already recommended $29 million and over 300 new positions to cut CDOC’s chronic overtime. I would add my voice to this chorus, to see it pushed across the finish line.
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 close a gap Polis left open. The 2022 green building code raised construction costs with no offset reaching buyers or rural builders outside income caps and utility programs. I would push that offset now, a statutory staffing floor and state backstop for veterans services like the VCLCs and VSO offices, and property tax valuation protection for agricultural and long-term rural residents, distinct from the statewide rate relief already passed. Rural workforce development also needs investment to keep pace with rising wildfire mitigation and firefighting needs.
Teddy Collins Republican
Residence: Larkspur
Profession: Entrepreneur
Education: education I attended Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, with a focus on business development and entrepreneurship.
Experience: I’ve been in small business all my life, most recently starting & running my own businesses which have become industry leaders in Co. Before that I worked as a Certified Landman, Realtor & investor.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
1.Improve Colorado’s affordability and economic competitiveness. The single-party rule at the legislature has made Colorado one of the most expensive states in America. I will work to reduce unnecessary regulations, lower the tax burden where possible, and create an environment where businesses can invest, grow, and create good-paying jobs.
2.Protect public safety. Coloradans have already seen what happens when the legislature creates criminal friendly policies – rampant retail theft, property crimes and citizens not knowing if their car will be parked out front in the morning. Strong communities require both safe neighborhoods and respect for individual liberties. I will continue advocating for effective public safety policies.
3. Increase housing supply through responsible reform.
What specific actions would you support to improve affordability for Coloradans, whether aimed at housing costs, tax burdens or other impacts?
First, we already know the legislative majority’s first priority is raising taxes and fees on Colorado families and small businesses. That doesn’t make Colorado more affordable. We have to respect our taxpayers, across the state, by recognizing their Bill of Rights and stop finding gimmicks that circumvent them. Second, we need more thorough fiscal notes and accountability when anticipated costs exceed the price tag of legislation. Too often costs are underestimated and taxpayers are left holding the bag. Finally, we need transparency and better accountability when the state misspends taxpayer dollars. In Colorado, government waste unfortunately has become the norm. We need to take steps to win back the faith of our taxpayers and citizens.
Whether your party is in the majority or minority next year, where do you see actionable common ground with the opposing party?
I’m heartened to hear that leaders in the Democratic Party believe that Woke 1.0 was, in fact, crazy. I wholeheartedly agree! I’ll be at the table to roll back those ill adopted policies that made Colorado less safe over the years, those policies that have made Colorado more expensive over the years, those policies that have chased businesses and opportunities out of our state and those policies that have attacked parental rights over the years.
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?
With a new administration, I’m optimistic about a reshuffle in leadership at state agencies. We’ve seen outrageous financial mismanagement that has wasted taxpayer dollars, overregulated businesses and done nothing to save taxpayer dollars. We’ve seen boards and commissions run amok where political appointees with a partisan agenda have demeaned rural Colorado families, disrespected sportsmen and women and increased our utility bills consistently over the past eight years. I’m hopeful new blood will see how Colorado families are struggling financially and look for relief for them, not the government.
