Andrés Carrera
DemocraticQ1 What advisory mechanisms will you implement to ensure that evidence and scientific findings play a crucial role in your policymaking process?
“As a policymaker, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an issue of public concern, I would eagerly consult organizations like Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP) and other leading groups of scientists, researchers, and industry experts to gain insights and recommendations based on current evidence.
Policymakers must know what they don’t know – and in those moments, it is paramount to seek support and guidance from experts to ensure important decisions are always guided by an objective set of facts rather than the passions of the day.”
Q2 Colorado farmers are facing multiple threats, amidst water scarcity and rising prices for fertilizer and other imported materials. As agriculture is our #1 export sector, in what ways do you imagine using your role to support evidence-based advancements to protect and support our farmers and natural resources in the years ahead?
“As a grandson of a farmworker, this issue is deeply personal to me.
First, I would advocate for increased funding for agricultural research focused on drought-resistant crops, sustainable farming practices, and innovative irrigation solutions. As a proud graduate of Colorado State University - Fort Collins, I believe supporting land-grant universities and research institutions can yield tremendous practical advancement in these areas in particular.
I would also enhance agricultural extension services to disseminate the latest scientific findings and best practices to farmers in order to help them optimize resource use, improve crop yields, and implement sustainable practices. But I would pair this dissemination of information with financial assistance or loans to farmers to purchase sustainable inputs or upgrade technology to reduce dependency on expensive imported materials.”
Q3 America has a growing AI industry, supporting cutting-edge innovation but raising issues of resource use, privacy, and economics. What is the right balance of costs and benefits for new data center construction in Colorado, and how would your policies accomplish that balance?
“It’s difficult to imagine allowing data centers to move forward in the current environment.
Denver residents are currently barred from watering their lawns due to historically low levels of snowpack in the high country, and I’m not convinced we should make matters worse by constructing data centers that sometimes use about as much water as a small town.
Due to the sheer amount of energy required to power the facilities as well, they will also likely lead to spikes in the electric bills of nearby residents at a time when they’re already barely making ends meet.
While I understand the need to add to the technological capacity of our state, I don’t think it should come at the expense of Coloradans’ livelihoods.”
Q4 Colorado has experienced a lingering measles outbreak since March of 2025. What evidence-based policies do you support to improve community and preventive health for your constituents, for infectious diseases and other threats?
“I would strongly support an enhanced vaccination program to directly combat this issue. Vaccines do not cause autism – in fact, they cause children to grow into adults through their lifesaving capabilities.
Specifically, I would implement outreach initiatives to increase vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable populations, that would include mobile vaccination clinics, educational campaigns, and partnerships with local healthcare providers to make vaccines more accessible.
I would pair this with a robust public awareness campaign and leverage my background as a son of Mexican immigrants and fluency in Spanish to ensure all Coloradans learn about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, targeting misinformation and promoting the importance of herd immunity. It would be vital to work with Spanish-language media and influencers on social media to reach diverse audiences.”
Q5 What are your opinions on the current state of science literacy, and how could K-12 education standards be adapted to form a better public understanding of and relationship building in science?
“The current state of science literacy is simply unacceptable, and it is having a direct and immediate impact on our public discourse around important issues like getting vaccinated against measles.
We can combat this by reforming K-12 education standards to integrate science with other subjects – like history and social studies, for example – to provide context and relevance, showing students how science relates to everyday life and various societal issues.
We must also foster partnerships between schools and local scientists, researchers, and organizations to bring real-world science into the classroom through exciting and engaging guest lectures, workshops, and community outreach programs. This would add meaningful depth to students’ relationship with science as not just another subject in school, but instead as a highly fascinating tool to understand their day-to-day lives.”