Go to: Candidate Q&A home page · Denver Post Voter Guide
Paul Mueller Republican
Residence: Leadville
Profession: Economist
Education: PhD, MA George Mason University, BS Hillsdale College
Experience: Professor, academic, and economics research; public policy commentary; real estate and entrepreneurship
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
1) Freezing or reducing in-state tuition
2) Improving academic integrity and excellence
3) Increasing ideological diversity
What is the greatest challenge facing the university, and how would you try to solve it?
The greatest challenge for most universities is bureaucratic mission creep, along with insufficient fiscal discipline and intolerance of diverse ideas and research agendas
What do you see as the proper role of a regent in shaping policy at CU?
Regents should advise the leadership of CU about priorities and hold them accountable for advancing the interests of students, staff, faculty, and taxpayers.
Nolbert Chavez (i) Democrat
Residence: Lakewood, CO
Profession: Administrator
Education: PhD in December 2026
Experience: 6 years on the CU Board of Regents
8 years Colorado House of Representatives
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
Affordability
Fiscal responsibility
Access to all of Colorado
What is the greatest challenge facing the university, and how would you try to solve it?
Lack of state funding
Federal overreach
What do you see as the proper role of a regent in shaping policy at CU?
To be a representative of the university you can be proud of.
BetteRose Ryan Libertarian Party
Residence: Lakewood
Profession: publisher
Education: Degree in Mathematics
Experience: Educator, grades 1 – 12; sat on boards with multi-million dollar budget; leader in several community groups over the years.
What are your top three priorities, if elected?
Improve access to higher education
Lower the cost of higher education
Improve the budget
What is the greatest challenge facing the university, and how would you try to solve it?
Budget and educational balance – we need to figure out how to do more with less money and how to create programs that will offer future success for our graduates. This is a fast changing world and our programs should reflect that at a cost that is affordable.
What do you see as the proper role of a regent in shaping policy at CU?
One of our 4 main duties is to shape policy at CU. I believe it is our role to create an environment where all can learn; where rules and policies enhance learning instead of distracting from it; where there are choices for successful career paths balanced with life enrichment opportunities; and where people are taught responsibilities to help ensure their future success.
