Meredith Ryan
UnityQ1 What advisory mechanisms will you implement to ensure that evidence and scientific findings play a crucial role in your policymaking process?
“I will seek to engage scientific advisors on a periodic basis with my DC and local offices. Consult NIH, WHO, UN (including UNICEF) data to evaluate policymaking prerogatives, proposed legislation, etc.
I would seek any appropriate channel to learn from local post-secondary educators and graduate students, including in finance and statistics, and avail myself of expertise and support.
Perhaps creation of a short document would be in order to facilitate my office’s acceptance or rejection of constituent requests, a form which reports evidence-based support for their requests and the need of the requests.”
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?
“Engage with advisory organizations in order to establish/advance agricultural production. Invite knowledge and support from grocery, restaurant, group living organizations in order to plan for providing crops to trading partners both near and far. Cautious and judicious uses of predictive technologies might be employed to understand probable needs of trading partners in the foreseeable future. I might encourage a public forum on agriculture that includes also urban gardening. Hear about agricultural output and how it affects, and is affected by, water and other resource needs of all”
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?
“I would check that overall policy on all fronts can honor ethics-based limits to protect all in our society. “Cutting edge” should involve civil, peaceable development and uses of technology as well as improved educational advancement. I am a “peace candidate.” The right balance of costs and benefits for new data center construction in Colorado will have to take into serious account my above considerations. I would not like to see any increasing use of eminent domain by mega corporations in a rush to land acquisition for AI. I also do not want corporate AI facilities to operate from public lands.”
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?
“Free and accessible vaccination programs should be available. Healthcare outreach, to include blood pressure checks, A1C, cholesterol, renal health, etc., can be directed more effectively toward at-risk communities. Water and air-quality standards need to be enforced. Also, nutritional guidance is an important aspect in healthcare.”
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?
“I would not venture to characterize the current state of science literacy at this time. I do think that K-12 education standards should seek to interest and engage students to better understand science and ponder its implications for the population in general. Science literacy includes both physical and social sciences.”