Heidi Henkel

“Having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences and a general science teaching certification in 3 states, I’ve dedicated a good portion of my life to not only teaching science, but also helping students learn how to evaluate evidence, distinguish facts from opinions, and make informed decisions based on data. Over the course of 15 years as a science teacher and tutor, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of asking good questions, examining multiple sources, and following the evidence wherever it leads. As a policymaker, I’ve had a strong leadership role in developing our own Board of Health. Having experienced a pandemic as an elected official, I felt it was vital to have experts at the helm. I would bring that same approach to public service at the state level. I believe elected officials should actively seek input from subject-matter experts, researchers, educators, industry professionals, and community stakeholders when considering legislation. I would support the use of expert advisory panels, public hearings with scientific experts, and partnerships with Colorado’s universities, research institutions, and scientific organizations to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence. At the same time, science alone does not make policy, people do. My goal would be to ensure that scientific evidence has a seat at the table in every major policy discussion, particularly on issues involving education, public health, natural resources, energy, and environmental stewardship. Throughout my career, I’ve taught students and the public to think critically and evaluate claims based on evidence rather than ideology. I would bring that same commitment to the legislature, working to advance policies that are transparent, data-informed, and focused on achieving measurable results for the people of Colorado.”

“Colorado agriculture is essential not only to our economy and food systems, but also to the stewardship of our land and natural resources. As a trained Climate Reality Ambassador, I also know that supporting Colorado’s farmers and seasonal workers means respecting their expertise while ensuring they have the tools, training, and resources needed to adapt to a changing climate. It also means recognizing that climate-related challenges often fall hardest on low-income communities and communities of color, making resilient agricultural systems essential for both economic opportunity and environmental justice. I support science-based investments in water conservation, healthy soils, drought preparedness, precision agriculture, and producer support programs. In Broomfield, we’ve had a strong working relationship with trusted partners such as CSU Extension and I would work on building stronger partnerships with conservation districts, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. We can help farmers and ranchers adapt to changing conditions while remaining productive and competitive. Because agriculture, water management, and climate resilience are closely linked, I support continued implementation of strategies that advance both agricultural sustainability and the objectives of the Colorado Water Plan. As Colorado faces these challenges, it is essential that we continue to rely on practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen our communities, support working families, and help local businesses succeed. I believe we must ensure that family farmers and ranchers can remain viable in the face of rising production costs, increasing water demands, and changing environmental conditions. That means investing in efficient irrigation technologies, supporting innovative soil health practices, strengthening local and regional food systems, and expanding access to fresh, healthy food in underserved communities. It also means protecting rural economies from harmful practices that permanently transfer agricultural water rights away from farming communities. Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are already doing their part. They should not have to shoulder the burdens of water scarcity and climate resilience on their own. The state must be a committed partner, working alongside producers to advance practical, science-informed solutions that sustain both our agricultural heritage and our future prosperity.”

“Broomfield and Thornton are home to a highly skilled technology workforce, and our region already hosts multiple data centers that serve as critical infrastructure for the digital economy that supports scientific data collection, interpretation, and implementation. We understand both the benefits and the challenges these facilities bring. The reality is that yesterday’s data centers are not tomorrow’s data centers, as they are centered on an AI-driven economy.

When I helped pass Senate Bill 181, strengthening local control over oil and gas development, Broomfield helped lead the way for Colorado. I believe data center policy should follow a similar principle: local communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their water resources, energy systems, infrastructure, and quality of life. Local governments should retain the authority to set standards, approve or deny permits, and ensure that development aligns with community priorities.

As a Broomfield City Councilmember, I am already working with fellow Councilmember Laurie Anderson to evaluate best practices for next-generation data centers. We are touring facilities that utilize closed-loop cooling systems and other technologies designed to dramatically reduce water consumption. These innovations demonstrate that economic growth and resource conservation can go hand in hand when expectations are clear and accountability is built into the process.

My approach is to evaluate responsible investment while ensuring that the public is not left carrying the costs. Data center operators should pay their fair share for the infrastructure and energy demands they create, rather than shifting those costs onto residential ratepayers. Strong labor standards should also be part of the equation so that these projects create high-quality, family-supporting jobs for Colorado workers.

Artificial intelligence and cloud computing are already part of our daily lives, but the rapid growth of large-load AI data centers requires thoughtful oversight. Colorado must continue making progress toward its greenhouse gas reduction goals while ensuring that new facilities use energy and water responsibly. At the same time, we must protect consumer privacy and data security by supporting transparency, strong cybersecurity standards, and safeguards that prevent the misuse of personal information.

I recognize that neighboring states such as Wyoming and Utah may pursue less restrictive approaches and right now a lot of our workers are driving their gas powered cars across state lines to work, which hurt our GHG emission reduction goals. However, Colorado has long demonstrated that economic development and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. By setting clear standards, encouraging innovation, and maintaining local control, we can attract investment, create good jobs, protect our natural resources, and ensure that the benefits of AI are shared broadly across our communities responsibly.”

“I believe public health policy should be guided by evidence, transparency, and prevention. The recent measles outbreaks in Colorado remind us that infectious diseases do not recognize political boundaries, and that strong public health systems remain essential to protecting our communities. I am proud that Broomfield has consistently maintained high childhood vaccination rates compared to many communities across the country. Those high vaccination rates help protect not only individuals, but also infants, seniors, cancer patients, and others who may be especially vulnerable to infectious diseases. When measles cases were identified in our community, the Broomfield Department of Public Health and Environment acted quickly alongside state and regional partners to notify the public, identify potential exposure locations, conduct contact tracing, and provide clear guidance to families, schools, and healthcare providers. These rapid response measures help contain outbreaks before they become larger public health emergencies. During COVID, I advocated for access to vaccines at the workplace and worked with businesses to provide access. Going forward, I support evidence-based investments in public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, vaccination access, health education, and emergency preparedness. Public health agencies need the resources to detect outbreaks early, communicate accurate information quickly, and coordinate effectively with schools, healthcare providers, and local governments. I also support expanding access to preventive healthcare services so that cost, transportation, or language barriers do not prevent families from receiving recommended care. Beyond infectious diseases, preventive health includes addressing environmental health risks, air and water quality, mental health, chronic disease prevention, and preparedness for climate-related health impacts such as extreme heat and wildfire smoke. The most effective public health policies are often the ones that prevent problems before they occur. As a legislator, I would continue to support science-based public health policies that respect private health concerns, while recognizing our shared responsibility to protect community health. My goal is to ensure that Colorado families have access to accurate information, preventive care, and a strong public health system that is prepared to respond to both current and emerging health threats.”

“As a science teacher and tutor for more than 15 years, I have spent my career helping students learn not just scientific facts, but engage with our world in outdoor classrooms and Project Based Learning, like Northglenn High School’s programming. I’ve taught students how fossil fuel extraction exacerbates climate change and how policy meets the scientific road in regard to health and safety, as well as vaccine access. I’ve also engaged in community outreach as part of the Adams 12 ELEVATE program, with insight from thousands of community members, for our strategic plan, which serves as the roadmap for success in the Five Star District. This work expanded the impact our schools can have and why investing in schools is important. So, in today’s world, science literacy is more important than ever. Whether people are evaluating health information, understanding emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, making decisions about energy and natural resources, or navigating misinformation online, the ability to assess evidence and think critically is an essential civic skill. I support strengthening K-12 science education by continuing to emphasize inquiry-based learning, hands-on investigations, problem-solving, and real-world applications. Students should have opportunities to engage with authentic scientific questions, analyze data, and learn how evidence is gathered and evaluated. We should also better integrate media literacy, data literacy, and critical thinking skills into science instruction so students can navigate the vast amount of information they encounter every day. Colorado has world-class scientific resources, from our universities and research institutions to our aerospace, biotechnology, clean energy, and agricultural sectors. However, we need to be sure we have the funding for our public schools to build a strong teaching workforce and the support they need. Additionally, building stronger partnerships between schools, scientists, industry professionals, and community organizations can help students see science as relevant, accessible, and connected to careers and everyday life. As an educator, I have seen that students become most engaged when they can connect science to their own experiences and communities. Effective science education should help students understand not only the scientific concepts behind important issues, but also how scientific knowledge is developed, communicated, and applied to solve real-world problems. Ultimately, science literacy is not about training every student to become a scientist. It is about preparing all students to be informed citizens who can evaluate evidence, make sound decisions, and participate thoughtfully in our democracy. That goal has guided my work in the classroom, and it would continue to guide my work as a legislator.”