Scott Bottoms

“As a candidate for Governor of Colorado, I am committed to making evidence and scientific findings central to our policymaking process. If elected, I will implement several specific advisory mechanisms to ensure decisions are grounded in rigorous, transparent, and reproducible science rather than ideology or political pressure.

First, I will establish an independent Evidence-Based Policy Review Board. This board will consist of practicing scientists, data analysts, and engineers selected from Colorado institutions such as the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and private sector experts. Members will be nominated through a transparent, non-partisan process and confirmed by the legislature to prevent ideological capture. The board will provide mandatory, publicly available assessments of all major regulatory proposals and budget initiatives, requiring peer-reviewed data, randomized controlled trials where feasible, longitudinal outcome studies, and independent cost-benefit analyses.

Second, my proposed Colorado DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) will embed scientific performance auditing across all state agencies. Every program will be required to demonstrate measurable, evidence-based results using objective metrics such as improved student outcomes in education, reduced recidivism in criminal justice, or verifiable environmental and grid reliability data in energy policy, or face automatic sunsetting. All audits will be posted online in real time for independent verification by researchers and the public.

Additionally, I will direct all state agencies to prioritize open data portals and third-party validation, ensuring that findings on critical issues like biological realities in pediatric healthcare, engineering realities for reliable energy, or empirical results from school choice programs are openly debated with full transparency. These mechanisms will protect scientific integrity by demanding humility, falsifiability, and real-world testing while safeguarding parental rights, conscience protections, and individual liberties.

Science should serve the people, not political agendas. My administration will restore trust by letting verifiable evidence guide Colorado forward.”

“As a candidate for Governor of Colorado, I recognize that our farmers and ranchers face serious challenges including persistent water scarcity, high fertilizer and input costs, and regulatory burdens that threaten our number one export sector. Agriculture is the backbone of rural Colorado and our entire economy. In my administration, I will use the power of the Governor’s office to support evidence-based advancements that protect both our farmers and our natural resources through practical, results-driven solutions rather than top-down mandates.

I will prioritize securing and defending Colorado’s water rights so that water stays in our state for our farmers, families, and communities first. This includes aggressive negotiation and enforcement of interstate water compacts like the Colorado River Compact to ensure Colorado receives its fair share of water. I will also champion the development of new water storage projects including expanded reservoirs and aquifer recharge systems that have demonstrated success in other Western states. These storage solutions will help capture runoff, build drought resilience, and provide reliable supplies during dry years.

Working with Colorado State University and other research institutions, we will expand evidence-based pilot programs in improved irrigation efficiency, drought-resistant crops, and precision agriculture tools that deliver proven results in field trials. Through my proposed Colorado DOGE initiative, we will audit and reduce wasteful regulations that drive up costs for fertilizer, fuel, and equipment while delivering no meaningful environmental benefit. I will champion targeted tax relief and permitting reforms to make critical inputs more affordable and support innovation in soil health, nutrient management, and sustainable grazing practices backed by real data on yields, soil quality, and long-term resource protection.

By focusing on transparency, local control, property rights, and verifiable outcomes, my administration will empower farmers to produce more efficiently while stewarding our land and water for future generations. Colorado agriculture can thrive again with leadership that puts evidence and common sense ahead of ideology.”

“As a candidate for Governor of Colorado, I believe we must strike the right balance with new data center construction by welcoming the economic growth and innovation of the AI industry while protecting our limited water resources, reliable energy supply, and taxpayer interests. Data centers bring high-paying jobs, increased tax revenue, and positioning Colorado as a technology leader, but they must not come at the expense of our farmers, families, or grid stability.

My administration will achieve this balance through smart, evidence-based policies. We will streamline permitting and cut excessive regulations that drive up costs, while requiring new data centers to demonstrate efficient water usage through proven technologies like air cooling, wastewater recycling, and closed-loop systems. I will prioritize abundant, reliable energy by supporting all-of-the-above sources including natural gas, nuclear, and renewables where they make engineering and economic sense, ensuring data centers do not strain our electrical grid or force higher rates on Colorado families.

Through the Colorado DOGE initiative, we will conduct transparent cost-benefit analyses for major projects, weighing job creation and revenue against infrastructure demands. Local communities will retain strong input through zoning and property rights protections, and strict privacy safeguards will be enforced to protect citizen data from misuse. We will also offer targeted tax incentives for facilities that meet high standards for resource efficiency and local hiring.

By focusing on practical results rather than ideology, we can attract AI investment that strengthens our economy while responsibly managing our natural resources for the long term.”

“As a candidate for Governor of Colorado, I am deeply concerned about the lingering measles outbreak that began in March 2025 and the broader threats to public health. While measles is a serious and highly contagious disease, effective policies must respect individual liberties, parental rights, and conscience protections rather than rely on coercive mandates that erode trust.

I support evidence-based preventive health measures that have proven track records. This includes promoting voluntary vaccination programs, especially the MMR vaccine, through transparent education campaigns that clearly communicate the benefits, risks, and real-world efficacy data. My administration will partner with Colorado’s hospitals, medical professionals, and universities to provide accurate, unbiased information so families can make informed decisions.

To strengthen community health, I will direct the Department of Public Health to focus on rapid contact tracing, targeted outreach in high-risk areas, and improved surveillance systems grounded in verifiable data. We will expand access to preventive care by removing regulatory barriers and supporting local health departments in delivering voluntary immunization clinics, especially in rural and underserved communities.

Through the Colorado DOGE initiative, we will audit public health spending to ensure resources are used efficiently on measures that deliver measurable results, such as reducing infection rates and hospitalizations, rather than on ineffective bureaucracy. I will also prioritize border security and enhanced screening at ports of entry like Denver International Airport to prevent imported cases, learning from the 2025 outbreak linked to international travel.

For infectious diseases and other threats, my approach emphasizes personal responsibility, strong natural immunity research, and protecting vulnerable populations without overriding parental authority or bodily autonomy. By restoring trust through transparency and evidence, we can build a healthier Colorado that safeguards both public health and individual freedoms.”

“As a candidate for Governor of Colorado, I believe the current state of science literacy in our country and state is concerning. Too many students are graduating without a strong grasp of basic scientific principles, the scientific method, or critical thinking skills. This decline stems from years of politicized curricula that prioritize ideological agendas over rigorous education, resulting in confusion rather than clarity on topics like biology, climate, and human health.

To improve K-12 education standards and build a healthier public understanding of and relationship with science, my administration will focus on these key adaptations: First, we will return to foundational excellence by strengthening standards in reading, mathematics, and the core scientific method. Students must master how to form hypotheses, evaluate evidence, analyze data, and understand falsifiability before diving into complex topics. This creates confident, curious minds rather than passive consumers of consensus.

Second, I will champion parental rights and school choice so families can select educational environments that align with their values and deliver real results. Evidence clearly shows that competition and parental involvement improve student outcomes across all subjects, including science.

Third, we will remove ideological content from science classrooms. Topics such as biological realities, basic chemistry, physics, and environmental stewardship should be taught with balance, transparency, and respect for differing viewpoints, not as vehicles for activism. Curriculum standards will emphasize reproducible experiments, historical scientific discoveries, and practical applications relevant to Colorado industries like agriculture, energy, and aerospace.

Finally, through transparent performance metrics and regular review, we will hold schools accountable for actual science proficiency scores rather than social goals. By partnering with parents, teachers, and institutions like Colorado State University, we can rebuild trust in science as a tool for discovery and problem-solving, not political division.

Strong science literacy begins with honest, evidence-based education that equips students with truth-seeking skills for life. This is how we prepare the next generation to innovate and steward our state responsibly.”