Michael Dougherty

“Many of the issues for Colorado can be viewed through a scientific lens to support how we build solutions for our communities and build a better future for Colorado. As a prosecutor who has specialized in the prosecution of sex crimes and homicides for over 25 years, I have always been guided by evidence and scientific findings in determining the right course. Whether it is as a leader, in the courtroom, or in the legislative process, I always look to science and data to guide my position on policies. For example, as District Attorney of Boulder County, I was the first District Attorney in Colorado to open five years of case files for an independent review. I shared, and continue to share, all of that data with the community. I made changes to our office as a result of the data. Then, I helped bring that approach statewide.

The Attorney General holds a pivotal position in the scientific landscape by upholding regulations, advocating for public health and environmental policies in judicial settings, and safeguarding scientific accuracy within state agencies. Given the frequent need for legal guidance on biotechnology, data privacy, and technological advancements, my experience as former Deputy AG where I, also, led the Environmental Crimes Unit provides me with a practical understanding of essential enforcement mechanisms. I am committed to advancing the progress made by AG Weiser in holding corporate polluters accountable, managing emissions, and upholding health directives. By leveraging scientific consensus and utilizing the office’s comprehensive civil and criminal powers, I will fight for the protection of Colorado’s natural resources, including our air, water, and lands.

Furthermore, as Attorneys General serve as key advisors to the executive branch on legal complexities in fields like medical research and artificial intelligence, I intend to participate in multi-state climate litigation and oppose federal rollbacks that threaten our state. My administration will strictly enforce the legal responsibilities of oil and gas firms regarding water safety, emissions, and land reclamation, while also tackling the environmental justice implications of water and energy consumption in data centers.”

“This issue is a top priority for me. Colorado’s agricultural sector, our state’s leading export industry, is currently under siege from multiple directions. A severe water crisis, driven by climate change and an exceptionally dry winter with record-low snowfall, has left our farmers vulnerable. Simultaneously, the Trump Administration’s illegal conflict with Iran has triggered a looming fertilizer shortage that threatens their productivity.

As Attorney General, I will be a fierce advocate for the 60 percent of Colorado that is rural. I am committed to protecting our farmers and agricultural workers from corporate takeovers and a massive land grab intended to monopolize food production. Following damaging cuts by Trump and DOGE, I will fight to ensure farmers have the support necessary to remain viable. My office will stand against any government overreach or quid pro quo schemes that attempt to trade essential federal funding for political favors.

Also, I am the one candidate who has served as a prosecutor and leader at the Attorney General’s Office. From that experience, I know that water has to be the top priority for my administration. I will help Colorado to embrace evidence-based advancements to do more with less. That’s why I visited the Colorado River Headwaters Project with experts and advocates on water. I will fight to preserve Colorado’s water in the Colorado River Project, hold corporate polluters fully responsible, and block buy-and-dry schemes.

During my career and as part of this campaign, I have spent a lot of time in the San Luis Valley an agricultural hub for Colorado. I have a lot of support and endorsements from leaders in the Valley because they know that I am passionate about protecting and supporting our farmers and natural resources. I am the one candidate with the experience as prosecutor and leader who can do so.”

“As the People’s Lawyer, I will protect our public lands and water while seeking justice against corporate misconduct, including data center developers. My commitment is personal; Antonia and I moved our family here for my role as Deputy Attorney General and to enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty. With the EPA being rolled back, my experience prosecuting environmental crimes is essential. I will aggressively target polluters, like Suncor, who disproportionately harms low-income and minority communities. My campaign is built on bipartisan support gathered through extensive statewide outreach and my commitment to doing justice – with integrity. That requires balance on complex issues, such as this one. Ensuring digital safety for children is a priority.

As Attorney General, I will hold social media and AI platforms accountable for risks like drug targeting, exploitation, and harmful algorithms. Building on my work as District Attorney, I will push for stricter safety standards to ensure companies don’t profit from harming youth. I have been leading that effort with social media companies for the past several years. I will support Colorado workers displaced by AI in the hospitality and service sectors. My office will act against companies that replace employees with AI without providing a safety net, especially as federal funding for health and human services decreases.

However, I recognize the cutting-edge innovation that AI has brought about and it is here to stay for many positive reasons. I will advocate for better technology to limit water usage; there are interesting projects underway on this front. As District Attorney, I have embraced new science and technology while always being mindful of collateral consequences. That approach is required here, as we move to strike the right balance. I will help to lead that effort.”

“My commitment to science and the proven effectiveness of vaccinations is unwavering. The ongoing resurgence of measles is a direct consequence of anti-science narratives propagated by MAHA and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Historically, preventive healthcare and equitable vaccine access were instrumental in nearly eliminating this threat, which claimed the lives of children and vulnerable populations for centuries prior to their development.

Colorado is struggling to provide affordable healthcare, particularly in rural Colorado, and mental health treatment. I will fight to protect the funding for our hospital systems, since the Trump administration is seeking to cut the funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care. I have been meeting with leadership for major hospital systems in order to develop those relationships and alliances.

Colorado ranks 48th in the nation in mental health treatment being available in the community. That’s why I worked hard to develop a Mental Health Diversion Program, Competency Court, co-responder programs for law enforcement, and the Alternative Sentencing Facility. The path to safer and better communities, as well as a reduction in homelessness in Colorado requires drastic improvements in the treatment of those with significant mental health disorders. We must continue working to reduce the number of mentally people being incarcerated. I am strongly committed to continuing to work on this problem.

I will always fight for evidence-based policies to improve community and preventive health and defend Colorado’s funding for those policies. By way of example, I launched the first Mental Health Diversion Program in the state, helped lead Boulder County through the peak of opioid and fentanyl crises by fighting for evidence-based solutions, including making Naloxone readily available. I went to the Legislature and fought successfully for enhanced sentencing for fentanyl dealers and $37 million dollars for drug treatment.

I led my office through the pandemic, which included evidence-based decisions on how to keep the justice system functioning (particularly for those in custody), while limiting the likelihood of infection for all. Boulder County was widely regarded as a leader in taking on these challenges and striking the right balance.

Protecting the integrity of Colorado’s healthcare system requires a rigorous focus on eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. Having led the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit within the Attorney General’s office, I possess the specific experience necessary to safeguard our state’s resources against federal interference.

As Attorney General, I will employ every tool at my disposal to: -Initiate multi-state litigation to contest federal funding freezes and Medicaid reductions. -Combat insurance fraud while shielding consumers from unfair claim denials and predatory billing practices. -Uphold and develop rural healthcare infrastructure by defending the clinics and hospitals that rely on federal support. -Protect reproductive healthcare funding streams from federal political interference.”

“Significant gaps in health and science literacy across Colorado and the nation persist, exacerbated by recent funding cuts to public education that disproportionately affect our most vulnerable populations. These impacts are felt most acutely in rural and historically underserved communities, where limited healthcare access and systemic distrust threaten public health outcomes. As Attorney General, I will be a steadfast advocate for a robust, well-funded public education system, recognizing that science is fundamental to the future of our state.

My administration will prioritize the protection of students, families, and educators by ensuring every dollar of federal funding owed to Colorado schools is secured. We have seen the consequences of federal interference, such as when the Trump Administration froze more than $70 million in essential education grants. In such instances, the Attorney General’s Office must provide decisive leadership, utilizing its authority to demand the release of funds and pursuing legal action when necessary. Ultimately, a strong education system depends on a respected and fairly compensated workforce; I am committed to standing up for Colorado’s educators to ensure they have the resources required to help our students succeed.

I have a long record of taking on the most powerful and standing up for what’s right. As AG, I will fight and win the most important battles against Donald Trump, and anyone else who tries to trample on our rights, undermine democracy, or exploit hardworking Coloradans. I’m dedicated to being the People’s Lawyer.

As the People’s Lawyer, I will lead the fight to dismantle the two-tiered system that exists in our country. Colorado needs a prosecutor for justice – criminal justice, social justice, environmental justice, economic justice and racial justice – in order to build a more equitable and just future for Colorado. As AG, I will be an ally, supporter, and champion of efforts to advance social and economic justice. It is who I am and what I have done as District Attorney.

Strong public education institutions are essential to Colorado’s future, and the Attorney General plays a critical role in supporting and protecting students, families, and educators. I’ll focus on key areas to support and strengthen Colorado’s public education system. First, I’ll fight to maintain and secure federal funding for our schools. As noted above, when the Trump Administration froze over $70 million in education grants that Colorado schools were counting on, our state pushed back. The Attorney General’s Office had the authority to demand that the federal government release those funds—and to threaten legal action if they didn’t. That’s the kind of decisive leadership I will continue as Attorney General. I will fight to make sure Colorado receives every dollar we are owed so students have the resources they need.

I will push for policies and legal frameworks that reinforce Colorado’s commitment to public education. That includes ensuring taxpayer funds are not siphoned into unaccountable private institutions, and challenging efforts—at the state or federal level—to expand vouchers. I will push back against efforts to siphon resources away from public schools. We’ve already seen how dark money and outside groups attempt to influence school board elections with little accountability. That threatens both the integrity of our elections and the stability of school budgets. I’ll always stand up for public schools. As AG, I’ll work tirelessly to promote a better education, particularly for science, in Colorado’s schools. For funding our schools, I will strongly support ballot measures, revenue adjustments, and policy changes to reduce TABOR’s constraints on K-12 schools.

I recognize that TABOR had a significant impact on Jefferson County from serving as the Assistant District Attorney for Jefferson/Gilpin Counties for five (5) years. In working on the budget there and with the County, I saw firsthand the impact of TABOR in Jefferson County. (My work in Jefferson County is, to some extent, why I am endorsed by DA Alexis King, Sheriff Marinelli, County Commissioners and legislators for Jefferson County.) K-12 education standards should be adapted to allow for more science-based classes to form a better public understanding of key issues and build more trust in science. Our country desperately needs it.”