Jacque Phillips

“Good policy starts with listening to people closest to the problem and grounding decisions in facts. That is my approach as a legislator, but my experiences and trust in science is deeply informed by my years of experience as both a classroom teacher, as well as my previous experience as a Director of Special Education services where relying on best practices derived from science is critical to ensuring quality of outcomes with our most vulnerable students.

As a legislator, I rely on expert testimony, agency data, fiscal analysis, local government input, and direct conversations with constituents who are living with the consequences of Colorado’s policy choices. I will continue using advisory mechanisms that bring together scientists, educators, public health professionals, engineers, agricultural producers, workers, local officials, and impacted residents early in the process, not after a bill is already written.

That is how I approach this work: real results, not rhetoric. Whether the issue is clean drinking water, school safety, disability rights, data centers, or public health, I want decisions shaped by evidence, transparency, and the lived experience of Colorado families.”

“Colorado agriculture is essential to our economy, our food supply, and our way of life. My work in rural Colorado, including leading San Luis Valley BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) has given me a close look at how deeply water, land, workforce, and local economies are connected.

Supporting farmers and Colorado’s many seasonal workers means respecting their expertise while making sure they have the tools, training, and resources to adapt to a changing climate and a more expensive global marketplace.

I support evidence-based investments in water conservation, soil health, drought resilience, precision agriculture, and technical assistance through trusted partners like CSU Extension, conservation districts, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The Colorado Department of Agriculture has identified agriculture, water supply, and climate challenges as linked priorities, including implementation of initiatives aligned with the Colorado Water Plan.

While these challenges persist, maintaining rational, science-backed approaches is a critical priority to making progress for Colorado families and the local businesses they rely on.

I believe we must protect family farmers from being priced out by rising input costs and water pressures. That means supporting grants and incentives for efficient irrigation, incentivizing cutting-edge soil practices, strengthening local and regional food distribution systems that help address food deserts in our poorest communities, and preventing “buy and dry” from hollowing out Colorado’s rural communities. Farmers should not be asked to carry Colorado’s water and climate challenges alone. The state should be a partner in practical, science-based solutions.”

“Colorado has a strong history of welcoming innovation, and as stewards of that progress we know not to write a blank check to any industry that puts major pressure on our electric grid, water supply, housing market, or household utility bills. As a former Thornton City Council member, I know local communities need a real voice when major projects affect infrastructure, land use, public services, and neighborhood quality of life.

The right balance is clear: data centers should be allowed to establish only when they are transparent about their water and energy use, pay their fair share of infrastructure costs, protect ratepayers, meet strong clean-energy and reliability standards, and respect local communities’ wishes (including setbacks and other location requirements). Recent Colorado legislation on large-load data centers focused on issues like renewable energy matching, long-term infrastructure cost responsibility, public reporting of electricity and water consumption, local siting review, cumulative impact analysis, community benefits, and labor standards.

My approach to this is practical and accountable. I support requiring large data centers to disclose projected energy and water needs before approval, use water-efficient or closed-loop cooling where feasible, pay upfront for grid upgrades they require, and demonstrate that their operations will not raise costs for Colorado families and small businesses.

Innovation must create opportunity, not shift hidden costs onto working people or take place without the scientific community and local residents’ expertise and experiences taken into account.”

“Preventative health is one of the clearest examples of why evidence matters in public policy.

For me, this is personal. My grandson was born with a severe immune deficiency, which means unvaccinated people can pose a death risk to him. Vaccination is not just an individual choice; it is also how we protect babies, people with disabilities, elders, and neighbors whose immune systems cannot safely fight off preventable diseases.

On infectious disease, I support strong public health systems that can track outbreaks quickly, communicate clearly with families, support universal vaccination access, and work directly with schools, health providers, and trusted community leaders. CDPHE reported 36 Colorado measles cases in 2025, including 24 among unvaccinated residents and 5 hospitalizations, which shows why prevention and accurate information matter. (1)

Trust is a critical piece of public health. We should make vaccines and preventative care easier to access, especially for working families who may face transportation, cost, language, or scheduling barriers.

As a former educator and special education leader, I also know schools often become the front door for families seeking reliable information and support. We should support school nurses, community clinics, public health departments, and local outreach efforts that meet people where they are and help families understand the overwhelming benefits of vaccination for each person and for the broader community.

(1) - https://cdphe.colorado.gov/diseases-a-to-z/measles/2025-case-information”

“Science literacy is not just about memorizing facts. It is about helping students ask good questions, evaluate evidence, understand data, and apply what they learn to the real world through critical and non-linear thinking. I started as a classroom teacher, including teaching math, so standards are not abstract to me.

I know what it looks like when students finally see that math and science help them understand their own lives, communities, and futures. It’s a feeling every student deserves and building a sustainable future for Colorado and beyond demands.

Colorado’s science standards emphasize the knowledge and skills students need to participate in an information-driven society, and the state has approved targeted revisions to strengthen climate science in K-12 standards beginning in the 2027-28 school year. But there is more we must do to address today’s issues and create a scientific workforce that can stand up for Colorado tomorrow. My background in special education, teacher preparation, professional development, and school law also shapes how I think about standards: they must be rigorous, practical, and accessible to every student.

I support standards that build curiosity and practical understanding from an early age. That means more hands-on learning, stronger connections between science and everyday life, better support for teachers, and equitable access to labs, technology, outdoor learning, and career-connected programs. Students should learn how science shows up in their drinking water, their health, their food, their weather, and their communities. When young people see science as something that belongs to them, we build a stronger, safer, and more informed Colorado.”