Joe Reagan

“Good decisions start with good information. My approach to evidence-based policymaking was shaped directly by my experience leading a science and technology roundtable for the Department of Defense — working with experts across disciplines to evaluate emerging technologies, research priorities, and long-term strategic investments. That experience taught me that strong policymaking depends not just on access to scientific expertise, but on building structured, ongoing channels so evidence informs decisions early. It also deepened my commitment to basic research. Many of the technologies most critical to national security and economic competitiveness originated from fundamental research conducted decades earlier. Policy that focuses only on immediate outcomes risks starving the innovation pipeline that sustains us long-term.

In Congress, I will implement: -Recurring interdisciplinary roundtables connecting policymakers with researchers, engineers, and community stakeholders — modeled on the DoD structure I helped lead -A standing scientific advisory council drawing on Colorado’s universities, national labs, and institutions like the Air Force Academy and Colorado School of Mines -Dedicated science staff — a policy analyst with a science or engineering background who can translate technical findings into actionable briefings -Transparent review processes incorporating peer-reviewed research and data-driven evaluation, with pathways for early-career researchers to contribute directly -Long-term assessment frameworks that account for downstream societal, economic, and technological impacts — not just near-term outcomes Science has never been a partisan issue to me. It’s how we solve problems — and I’ll hold myself to that standard in Congress.”

“Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are facing real, compounding pressures — prolonged drought, water scarcity, and rising input costs driven by global supply disruptions. Supporting agriculture means combining sound science with practical solutions that work for the people actually working the land. My background gives me a direct connection to these challenges. In my most recent role, I partnered with organizations across the West to bring training and resources directly to veterans entering farming and ranching in Colorado. I’ve also worked with technologies that monitor crop health, soil saturation, and water usage — giving producers better tools to make informed decisions while conserving resources.

In Congress, I will: -Expand access to USDA research partnerships, conservation programs, and agricultural extension services to help farmers adopt drought-resilient crops, precision irrigation, and soil health practices tailored to Colorado’s climate -Strengthen the pipeline from research to practice — ensuring work coming out of Colorado State University and our extension programs translates into tools farmers can actually use, not just academic papers -Advocate for science-driven water management and fight for Colorado’s interests in any federal negotiations involving the Colorado River Compact and interstate water agreements -Invest in domestic supply chains for fertilizer and critical agricultural inputs so Colorado producers are less exposed to global price shocks beyond their control

Colorado farmers and ranchers are already exceptional stewards of our land. My job in Congress is to make sure federal policy respects that expertise, supports innovation, and gives rural communities the tools to thrive for generations to come.”

“Colorado is already at the center of the AI economy — and that’s because we have the talent, research institutions, infrastructure, and innovative culture to lead. But growth without accountability is not a strategy, and the communities bearing the costs of rapid data center expansion deserve a real voice in the process. The right balance starts with honest recognition of both the opportunities and the tradeoffs. In some parts of Colorado, new data centers mean high-quality jobs, expanded tax revenue, and economic diversification. In other communities — especially water-stressed areas along the Front Range — they place additional pressure on already limited water and energy resources that families, agriculture, and ecosystems depend on. We need to be honest about those realities.

In Congress, I will: -Require rigorous environmental and community impact assessments before major federal incentives or approvals are granted — evaluating water consumption, energy sourcing, grid resilience, and local economic benefit -Invest in next-generation solutions — cooling systems, renewable energy integration, grid modernization, and water-efficient technologies that reduce data centers’ resource footprint while creating good-paying jobs in engineering, construction, and energy -Support a clear federal privacy framework that protects Americans’ data rights while allowing responsible innovation to thrive — regulatory uncertainty helps nobody, not businesses, consumers, or communities trying to plan for the future

Organizations like the BlueGreen Alliance have shown that economic growth, environmental stewardship, and strong jobs don’t have to be competing priorities. Colorado has the opportunity to become a national model for responsible AI development — one that embraces innovation while protecting workers, communities, and natural resources for generations to come.”

“The measles outbreak Colorado has experienced since 2025 is a stark reminder that public health infrastructure and trust in science cannot be taken for granted. The consequences of preventable disease outbreaks fall on real families, real children, and entire communities — and we should treat that with the seriousness it deserves. I support vaccines. The scientific evidence on safety and effectiveness is overwhelming, and I will not equivocate on that in Congress or anywhere else. My commitment to this is personal and practical. As president-elect of my local Rotary club, we partnered with El Paso County Public Health to support vaccination and education efforts for children and families in our community — and Rotary has been a global leader in vaccination campaigns and the fight to eradicate polio. In my professional work, I supported a client involved in the Zika vaccine response effort, which reinforced how critical coordinated public health planning, scientific research, and community education are during infectious disease outbreaks.

In Congress, I will: -Strengthen funding for disease surveillance, outbreak response, and community health education — especially in rural and underserved parts of CD-5 that often lack robust healthcare infrastructure -Expand access to preventive care through community health centers and school-based programs so vaccinations, screenings, and routine care are accessible regardless of income, geography, or insurance status -Combat health misinformation seriously — through investment in public health literacy, support for trusted local messengers, and accountability for platforms whose algorithms amplify demonstrably false information that puts lives at risk

Rebuilding public trust also requires transparency, consistent communication, and leaders willing to stand behind the science even when it’s politically inconvenient. That’s the standard I’ll hold myself to in Congress.”

“I’m genuinely concerned about the state of science literacy in America — not because students are incapable, but because the world they’re entering is becoming dramatically more complex. From AI and cybersecurity to climate, public health, and advanced manufacturing, today’s students need the ability to evaluate evidence, understand uncertainty, and think critically about rapidly changing systems. Too often, science education has been treated as a collection of facts to memorize instead of a way of thinking to develop. When students learn science as a process of curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving, they gain skills that extend far beyond the classroom. This issue is personal for me. My own children attend public schools here in Colorado, so I have a direct stake in the quality of education our students receive. My sister was also a teacher who ultimately had to leave the profession because the cost of childcare exceeded her salary — and that story is not unique. Colorado has struggled to recruit and retain teachers for years, and in some cases has lowered standards because the shortage has become so severe. If we want stronger science literacy, we need skilled, engaging educators in K-12 classrooms, and that means treating teaching like the essential profession it is.

In Congress, I will: -Strengthen K-12 standards around scientific reasoning, inquiry-based learning, and media literacy beginning at an early age — students should learn to evaluate sources, interpret data, and distinguish credible evidence from misinformation long before they’re making major civic, healthcare, or financial decisions as adults -Connect science education to the real world students live in — in Colorado, that means agriculture, water systems, aerospace, energy, public lands, and environmental stewardship; when students see how science impacts their communities and future careers, it becomes relevant rather than abstract -Support the teacher pipeline with competitive pay, professional development, and freedom from political interference in curriculum — states that have undermined science standards have done a disservice to their students, and I will oppose any federal effort to follow that path -Invest in lifelong science literacy through museums, libraries, community partnerships, and public science programming that reaches adults and families, not just students in classrooms

Colorado already has incredible assets to build on — world-class research institutions, national laboratories, aerospace innovation, and a strong culture of outdoor stewardship. My goal is to ensure federal education and research policy strengthens those connections and prepares the next generation not just to understand science, but to help shape the future responsibly.”