Colorado

“First, I am an engineer: Chemical, nuclear and pharmaceutical. Engineers solve problems based on science, economics, risk, and feasibility. I don’t like narratives; I seek to find the real root causes of problems before looking at solutions that get to those root causes. I will look to three advisory sources: those whom I assess to be neutral and a subject matter expert, plus those who hold science-based viewpoints from each side of a question. I will seek input from stakeholders, primarily constituents. I will also avoid being swayed by those who have fallen to narratives by influencers, who might be paid by outside (often foreign) interests.”

“Trump’s tariff vacillations are hurting farmers by shutting them out of export markets. Trump’s war with Iran has caused diesel fuel and fertilizer costs to skyrocket. I will fight to maintain global market access for farmers, and take steps to reduce cost of diesel, both by ending this war and finding alternative supply solutions.

We need a long-term solution to water shortages in Colorado. There are at least four ways we can do this: More reservoirs with federal help to build them; conservation, recycling, and lastly, federal projects to supply water to downstream states from alternative sources. Downstream of the Eastern Plains, those states could be supplied by floodwaters of the Mississippi, if we can build the holding capacity somewhere downstream. For the Colorado River compact states, we need to look at a federal project to build desalination plants on the Gulf of California or the California coast, powered by nuclear and solar energy, and pumped to Las Vegas, Southern California, and Arizona.”

“AI is both our best friend and potentially our worst enemy. Almost 100% of the electricity supplied to a data center is turned into heat. This is tens, and often hundreds of megawatts of power consumed and turned into heat. Data centers require huge amounts of electricity, sometimes water depending on design of cooling systems, and they generate noise and a significant heat dome over the data center. Farmers in Iowa report lower crop yields in the vicinity of data centers. Data centers can provide significant revenue to local and state governments. A county in Virginia has seen property taxes plummet, and Mississippi was able to pay meaningful bonuses to teachers because of revenue from data centers. It should be up to the local municipality to decide on each data center project.”

“As someone who has worked in pharmaceutical manufacturing, I know first-hand the design and operation of vaccine manufacturing. I understand the safety and efficacy studies for new drugs. I am 100% behind vaccines that have been proven safe. The notion that vaccines cause autism has never been proven, and numerous studies have been performed to demonstrate safety of these vaccines. Just about every pharmaceutical therapy has side effects, some trivial and some severe. Drug approval is usually a risk-benefit analysis best left to the medical experts at FDA, not internet influencers or quack science based on faulty evidence.”

“I think science literacy has declined alarmingly since I was in school in the 1970’s. There are many causes. Fundamentally, science is about questioning, discovery, experimentation. Science is never “settled” – history is littered with “settled science” that turned out to be wrong. The public does not have the attention span nor the education to assess and question narratives.

K-12 science needs to be about discovery, experimentation, and include a robust history of failed and discarded science. It should not be simply memorization, nor a reliance on internet and AI searches – which only summarize current thinking. K-12 science would benefit from more clubs to explore topics from robotics, to AI, to astronomy, to biology. In these clubs, kids become excited and engaged to stretch their minds.”

“Scientific findings are the underpinnings of my world perspective. While one might say that we all live in our own worlds, there is an objective reality that we coexist in, and the combined goal of the sciences is to understand what that really is. The Earth is an interconnected web of real systems that we affect with how we live, and our decision making processes have to be grounded in the responsibility to keep those systems alive. For myself, I will choose advisors who are subject matter experts, not financial stakeholders.”

“First off, we need to ban for-profit water speculation. Right now, there is a trend toward large financial interests buying up land with water shares with the hopes of leveraging those shares as our man-made crises unfold. We need to promote drought resilience research, training, and conservation methods, and we need to take a larger scale look at how human activity is affecting our water sources to begin with. We already passed the 1.5C threshold - the first 12 month period was from February 2023 to January 2024, and 2024 was the first calendar year that remained above. The rate at which we alter the chemistry of the atmosphere is still increasing, and that’s just one of our problems.”

“There are two prongs to this, so let’s start with the AI itself. We can be absolutely certain that humanity will go extinct at some point in the future. The last human from Earth will die. Artificial Intelligence has the capacity to carry on the legacy of humanlike consciousness long after that time, and it it worth advancing and preserving for that reason.

Data Centers were already becoming the central nervous system of our civilization before the AI boom. Like them or not, you’re using them. Honestly, we need to work toward orbital data centers to mitigate the terrestrial impacts. In the meantime, we need to require on-site power generation through wind, solar, and geothermal stations that can cover the power requirements, and we need to require closed-loop cooling systems.”

“As sad as it sounds, we need to get back to the point where people actually understand the disease theory of infection and can internalize what that means. We need to be clear in our language, and instead of creating text message friendly names for things, we need to foster a multi-syllabic vocabulary in our population so that people can better understand what is going on. The ongoing degradation of our language is also degrading people’s ability to comprehend, and that is causing people to gravitate to very silly things instead of proven methods and cures.”

“Unfortunately, we’re slipping our way backwards into a new dark age even as we’re on the cutting edge of scientific understanding. Ignorance and dogma are so powerful right now that it boggles my mind. We’re at a strange juncture, though, in that our new emphasis on STEM programs, while a step in the right direction, needs to be accompanied with a stronger dose of philosophy to help people learn to think at all. Our education system has become a corporate vocational sorting pipeline, and so those with more humble vocational aspirations tend to tune out learning in general. We don’t want a generation of people who will create for cash without being able to ask whether they should or not.”

“As a physician, I have built my career on a simple principle: decisions should be guided by the best available evidence, while recognizing uncertainty and remaining open to new information. I would bring that same approach to policymaking.

I would establish a structured network of independent scientific and medical advisors drawn from universities, research institutions, professional organizations, and relevant government agencies. Their expertise should be based on demonstrated knowledge and experience, not political loyalty or ideology. For major legislation involving health, the environment, technology, energy, or other scientific issues, I would seek independent expert review and, where appropriate, peer-reviewed evidence before making policy decisions.

I would also make transparency a core requirement. When scientific evidence is used to support a policy position, the underlying research, data, assumptions, and significant uncertainties should be clearly identified and made available whenever possible. Scientific advisors must be able to present evidence, even when it is inconvenient or politically unpopular, without fear of political interference.

Science does not tell us what our values or priorities should be; elected officials must make those judgments. But our factual understanding of the world should come from rigorous evidence, not political convenience. I will never ask scientists to change their conclusions to fit a political agenda, and I will not substitute ideology for evidence.

At a time when scientific institutions and expertise have too often become political targets, I believe Congress has a responsibility to restore public trust by ensuring that rigorous, independent science has a seat at the policymaking table.”

“Colorado farmers and ranchers are facing increasingly difficult challenges from water scarcity, drought, rising input costs, and disruptions in agricultural supply chains. As a physician, I believe we should approach these challenges the same way we approach medicine: by relying on rigorous evidence, investing in research and innovation, and continually evaluating what works.

In Congress, I would support increased investment in agricultural research through USDA, Colorado State University, and Cooperative Extension to develop drought-resilient crops, improve soil health, advance precision agriculture, and make irrigation more efficient. Colorado research provides a powerful example of why this matters. Studies by USDA and Colorado researchers have found that when water is limited, applying excess nitrogen to corn can actually reduce yields. In other words, better matching fertilizer applications to crop needs and available water can potentially save farmers money while reducing excess nitrogen in the soil.

I would also support voluntary, incentive-based programs that help farmers adopt water-saving irrigation technologies, improve soil moisture retention, reduce erosion, and protect groundwater, without imposing one-size-fits-all mandates. CSU research has shown that better irrigation management, crop selection, and conservation practices can help producers make the most of limited water supplies.

Finally, I would work to strengthen domestic agricultural supply chains and reduce farmers’ vulnerability to volatile prices for fertilizer, fuel, equipment, and other critical inputs.

Our farmers are not the problem, they are essential partners in protecting Colorado’s land and water. My goal is to put the best available science, technology, and resources in their hands while respecting their experience and allowing them to make the decisions that work best for their operations.”

“I support continued investment in AI because it can bring significant economic opportunity, technological innovation, and high-skilled jobs to Colorado. But innovation should not come at the expense of Colorado taxpayers, utility customers, or our scarce water and natural resources.

Given the rapid expansion of AI data centers and the significant uncertainty surrounding their long-term impacts on Colorado’s water supply, electricity grid, environment, and utility costs, I support a temporary moratorium on new large-scale data center construction until we have sufficient independent, evidence-based analysis demonstrating that these facilities can operate without unacceptable impacts on our resources and environment. Colorado’s own Legislative Council has identified significant questions surrounding data centers’ electricity and water demands and their potential effects on energy costs.

This should be a pause to gather evidence and establish responsible standards, not a rejection of innovation. Before construction resumes, developers should be required to demonstrate adequate water supplies, use the most efficient cooling technologies available, and pay the full incremental costs of the electricity and infrastructure they require. Data centers should not shift those costs onto ordinary ratepayers.

I would also support transparent reporting of water and electricity consumption and independent environmental and economic impact assessments for major projects.

As a physician, I believe we should not expose communities to potentially significant risks before we understand them. We should embrace AI innovation, but first make sure the science demonstrates that we can do so without compromising Colorado’s water, energy, environment, or the affordability of essential utilities.”

“As a physician, I have seen firsthand that prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect public health. My approach would be straightforward: public-health policy should follow the best available scientific evidence and the recommendations of qualified medical and public-health experts, not political ideology.

Vaccination is one of the clearest examples. The resurgence of measles demonstrates the consequences of declining vaccination rates. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles, and maintaining high vaccination coverage is essential to protecting both individuals and communities, including people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

I would support maintaining strong, evidence-based vaccination recommendations, expanding access to vaccines through programs such as Vaccines for Children, and investing in public-health infrastructure so communities can rapidly identify and contain outbreaks. I would also support accurate, transparent public-health communication that gives families the evidence they need to make informed decisions with their healthcare providers.

I am concerned when established vaccination recommendations are changed without compelling new scientific evidence. Recent federal changes to childhood immunization recommendations underscore why vaccine policy must remain grounded in rigorous, independently reviewed science rather than political considerations.

More broadly, I would invest in disease surveillance, early detection, maternal and child preventive care, access to primary care, and public-health research. Prevention saves lives and, in many cases, saves healthcare dollars as well.

As a physician, I will always follow the evidence, even when the evidence is politically inconvenient.”

“I believe science literacy is essential to a healthy democracy and an informed society, yet we have significant room for improvement. Scientific literacy should mean more than memorizing facts for a test. Students should understand how science works: how evidence is collected, how hypotheses are tested, how uncertainty is evaluated, and how scientific conclusions change when better evidence becomes available.

As a physician, I have seen how important this is to people’s everyday lives. Whether the issue is vaccines, nutrition, climate, infectious disease, or emerging technologies, people are constantly asked to make decisions based on scientific claims. They need the tools to distinguish credible evidence from misinformation.

I would support strengthening K-12 science standards around scientific reasoning and evidence-based thinking. Students should have regular opportunities to analyze real data, interpret graphs, evaluate scientific studies and news reports, identify the difference between correlation and causation, and understand concepts such as risk, uncertainty, and statistical significance. The National Academies specifically recommends that students graduate with the ability to critically evaluate scientific information and engage in evidence-based discussions of science-related issues.

We should also invest in science teachers by providing them with the resources, training, and time necessary to teach science effectively.

Most importantly, I want students to understand that questioning scientific claims is part of science, not an attack on science. We should teach young people to ask, “What is the evidence?” and “How do we know?” Those habits of curiosity, critical thinking, and intellectual honesty will serve them well throughout their lives.”

“I will require input from multiple scientists and backgrounds.”

“I have farmers in my rolodex. I will reach out to them. They know.”

“AI is pointless without people. People over AI. People first.”

“Common Sense policies.”

“Our standards need to be raised to be on par with other countries who don’t allow vaccines and most of the toxic chemicals we allow in the USA.”

“Scientific review and the process of peer review is critical and will lead my investigations of any kind on any subject.”

“Global warming, pesticides, GMO’s, the environment, and sustainable agriculture is the key to having a healthy supply of agricultural products and a profitable industry.”

“I care far more about privacy rights, job reductions and resource use than about supporting a cutting-edge industry with the potential to create so much damage to society. No more data centers until we put some serious restrictions on what AI is able to do.”

“Freedom of choice is key. Vaccines work but mandating vaccines is not the way to go.”

“Since the cultural revolution of the sixties, it seems clear that the controlling interests in America would rather have a population of idiots that can be controlled and manipulated. Stupidity is the biggest reason we are likely to fail as a nation.”

“As a member of Congress, I would like to establish a Colorado Science and Public Health Advisory Council made up of independent scientists, health professionals, climate and water experts, educators, farmers, labor representatives, and community voices. I will convene regular public briefings on the issues that directly affect Coloradans, including water, air quality, public health, energy, artificial intelligence, environmental justice, and emerging technologies.

I will also require my office to seek scientific analysis before taking positions on major legislation involving health, climate, agriculture, technology, or natural resources. When evidence is divided or evolving, I will say so openly. When data shows that a policy is failing or harming a community, I will have the courage to change course.

I know firsthand that public institutions can fail communities when they promote conclusions that are unsupported, misleading, or shaped by racial bias. Science must be rigorous, transparent, ethical, and accountable to the people it is intended to serve.”

“Colorado farmers and ranchers are essential to our economy, our food security, and our way of life. They are also on the front lines of drought, water scarcity, unpredictable weather, rising costs, and unstable supply chains.

In Congress, I will fight for stronger investment in agricultural research, drought resilience, soil health, water conservation, and climate smart farming practices that are based on evidence and designed with farmers, not imposed on them. That includes modern irrigation technology, water efficiency grants, soil moisture monitoring, drought resistant crops, regenerative practices, improved forecasting, and expanded technical assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture.

I will support federal funding that helps farmers reduce dependence on costly imported fertilizers through research into domestic alternatives, precision application, composting, nutrient recycling, and healthier soils that retain more water and require fewer inputs over time.

We must also protect agricultural water and open land from being lost through short sighted development decisions. Our natural resources are not unlimited. Every federal investment should consider water impact, long term conservation, and whether it strengthens the ability of Colorado families to continue farming and ranching for generations.

Science should help farmers become more profitable, more resilient, and better protected, while ensuring that our water, soil, and food systems remain healthy for the future.”

“Artificial intelligence and advanced computing can create real opportunity in medicine, clean energy, education, small business, scientific discovery, and our national economy. I support innovation, but I do not support an economy where technology moves forward by leaving workers, families, and communities behind.

The people most affected by these decisions must be at the forefront of them. That means labor must have a seat at the table from the beginning, not after decisions have already been made. Data centers should create good paying union jobs, support registered apprenticeship programs, uphold strong workplace protections, and provide meaningful career pathways for Colorado workers, including communities that have historically been shut out of new economic opportunity.

Communities also deserve a voice before new data centers are approved. Local residents, workers, environmental justice communities, utility customers, farmers, and water users should be part of the decision making process when a project may affect their water supply, energy costs, air quality, land, or quality of life.

New data centers in Colorado should meet clear public interest standards before receiving public subsidies or special treatment. They should be required to disclose projected water and energy use, demonstrate that residential customers will not be forced to carry the cost of new infrastructure, invest in clean energy and grid capacity, use water responsibly, meet strong environmental standards, and prove that the economic benefits will reach the people who live and work here.

We also need strong privacy protections and accountability for the use of artificial intelligence. Americans should know when their information is being collected and used, and no technology should be allowed to discriminate, exploit workers, or expand surveillance without meaningful oversight.

Colorado should welcome responsible innovation, but we should not hand over our water, our energy, our public dollars, or our future without demanding measurable public benefit. Innovation must be built with workers, accountable to communities, and worthy of the people it claims to serve.”

“Measles is preventable, and outbreaks are a warning that our public health system must be strengthened, not weakened. I support vaccination as one of the most effective public health tools ever developed. Families deserve accurate information from trusted medical professionals, convenient access to vaccines, and a public health system capable of responding quickly when outbreaks occur.

I support strong funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local public health departments, community health centers, mobile clinics, school based health services, disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and emergency preparedness. Vaccinations must be affordable and accessible in every neighborhood, with language access and outreach designed in partnership with communities that have been underserved or understandably distrustful of institutions.

I support school vaccination requirements that protect children and vulnerable people, with medical exemptions based on legitimate medical need. Public health policy must follow science, not misinformation or political pressure.

Our preparedness cannot stop at measles. Colorado families face threats from respiratory illnesses, contaminated air and water, extreme heat, wildfire smoke, emerging infectious diseases, and future pandemics. Prevention is less costly, less disruptive, and more humane than waiting until a public health emergency is out of control.”

“Science literacy is essential to democracy. People are being asked to make decisions about vaccines, climate change, artificial intelligence, water, energy, food safety, and public health while misinformation spreads faster than reliable information. When people lose confidence in science, it is often because science has not been made accessible, relevant, or connected to the challenges they face every day.

As a Regent of the University of Colorado and a first generation graduate of CU Boulder, education is at the forefront of my campaign. I know what educational opportunity can mean in a person’s life, and I know that the strength of our schools determines the strength of our communities, our workforce, and our democracy.

Students should not simply memorize facts. They should learn how to ask questions, evaluate evidence, understand data, test claims, distinguish credible research from misinformation, and revise their conclusions when evidence changes. That is the heart of science, and it is also the foundation of responsible citizenship.

I support strengthening K to 12 science education through hands on laboratory learning, climate and environmental science, public health education, digital and artificial intelligence literacy, statistics, data interpretation, and real world problem solving. Students should understand the science of Colorado itself, including our water systems, air quality, agriculture, public lands, wildfire risk, and clean energy future.

We must also make sure that students from every background see themselves in science and understand that these careers and fields of study belong to them. That means investing in qualified teachers, modern laboratories, strong public schools, community partnerships, after school programs, and pathways into higher education, health care, technology, engineering, environmental science, and the skilled trades.

A better relationship with science begins when young people see that education is not only preparation for a job. It is a source of power, opportunity, critical thinking, and the ability to shape the future of their communities. As someone whose own life was changed by access to public higher education, I will always fight to ensure that every child has that same opportunity.”

“I believe in a practical, bipartisan approach that brings in independent experts, local stakeholders, and community leaders from across the district. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in infrastructure, technology, and strategic advisory roles where data-driven decision-making was essential. Therefore, evidence and scientific findings should inform policy, but they should be balanced with the realities facing rural communities, small businesses, farmers, and families in Western and Southern Colorado. My goal would be to keep the process transparent, open to different viewpoints, and focused on getting results that actually work for our district.”

“Agriculture is foundational to Colorado’s economy, culture, and way of life, especially across the 3rd District. I would approach this by focusing on practical, evidence-based solutions that help farmers stay productive while protecting our water and natural resources. That means supporting modern irrigation technology, soil-health practices, drought-resilient crops, and water reuse where appropriate, while making sure farmers have access to the research, technical assistance, and financing they need to adopt these tools. I would also work to strengthen partnerships with Colorado State University, Extension, USDA, and local water users so policy is grounded in what works on the ground. And because agriculture depends on long-term certainty, I would support policies that reward conservation, expand domestic supply chains, invest in rural infrastructure, and improve access to research and innovation that help lower costs and improve productivity.”

“Colorado should be competitive for data center investment, but it must be responsible and shouldn’t strain our limited water, energy, and infrastructure resources. My view is that we should prioritize projects that clearly benefit local communities, fully account for their costs, and do not compete with agriculture or other essential needs. The reality is that CD3 does not have the inexpensive land, abundant water or utility infrastructure, and therefor it is not attractive for data center developers.”

“We need evidence-based public health policies that help educate families and prevent disease before it spreads. That means ensuring vaccines are easy to access, using clear and respectful outreach to build trust, and supporting local health departments and clinics with the resources they need for testing and rapid response. We also need to keep schools, childcare centers, and health providers aligned on infection prevention. I also support better data sharing, so public health officials can spot outbreaks earlier and respond quickly, along with common-sense steps like staying current on immunizations, improving communication about exposure risks, and making preventive care more affordable and accessible. For me, public health works best when it is science-based, local, transparent, and focused on protecting vulnerable people. Furthermore, my father has worked at the National Institutes of Health as a scientist for almost 60 years, so this is a topic I know something about and have appreciation for.”

“Science literacy is too often treated as memorization when it should be taught as a way of thinking, questioning, and solving problems. We do a better job for students and for the public when science education focuses on how to evaluate evidence, understand uncertainty, read data, and separate credible information from misinformation. I would support K-12 standards that put more emphasis on hands-on learning, real-world applications, and critical thinking. That means connecting science with reading, writing, and math, and making sure students learn how science relates to everyday issues like water, agriculture, health, energy, and land management. We should also help students build a more positive relationship with science by making it more local, practical, and collaborative. If young people see science as something that helps their communities and hear from local experts, teachers, and researchers, they are much more likely to trust it and use it throughout their lives.”

“Evidence based solutions and policy will always be a regular practice of my policymaking process. Ensuring that the experts I reach out to are looking up case studies, gathering data and researching all potential benefits as well as consequences should be the basis of putting together good policy from inception. Most of the policies I believe in have been studied and tried in real time situations and results have been measured.”

“Protecting our natural resources should be one of our top priorities and I will work with top environmental leaders and organizations to conserve them and look for sustainable consumption and usage. Something like the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program within the Bureau of Reclamation is something I would seek to enhance and reproduce in other areas. With skyrocketing prices that our farmers are incurring, I will look for ways for Congress to cap the costs of supplies that are essential for our farmers survival and success.”

“AI is a tool and with all tools, they can be used for both good and evil and it is incumbent on members of Congress to ensure that the people are protected from any harm with oversight and regulation. We need more information regarding how harmful data centers are to our environment, how it affects residents with respect to energy usage, how the technology is implemented and how it will affect jobs and our workers. I believe we should have a moratorium on data centers to force these corporations to the table to negotiate strong regulations that protect our resources and long term workers.”

“I support the work that doctors and epidemiologists have been doing for many years to prevent and protect the public from these infectious diseases. I believe that it is our duty in Congress to trust science and medicine to make sure our vaccines are up to date to prevent these types of epidemics. We should be empowering the CDC and working with the World Health Organizations to track and combat all these types of threats. The outbreak in Utah, which has affected more than 670 people, includes many children whose parents chose not to vaccinate them. Not having these protections can endanger a whole community and increase the spread of the outbreak.”

“I believe public education is an essential need for every human and that science literacy is part of that need. And with the current state of affairs in education, I think our society and our world can benefit so much more from a strengthened focus on science and math in K-12. Our innovation and development depends on the understanding and manipulation of science; Building more curriculum and having more science classrooms can correct some of the disconnect we have with all the disinformation we are seeing today.”

“Science allows us to ask, “What if?” and because America asks these questions, it became a leader in innovation.

In the late 1980s, the federal government funded research into autonomous land vehicles. At the time, a vehicle that could drive itself was literally a television show. But someone was willing to convince Congress to ask the question and give American scientists and engineers the resources to explore the answer. Decades later, we have self-driving vehicles.

That is one of the roles I believe government can play in science. NASA did it when we looked toward space. Government-supported research helped lay foundations for technologies that transformed our lives. Not every question has an immediate commercial application or a profit line attached to it so I appreciate the hesitancy when a for-profit enterprise doesn’t want to explore it. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t explore simply because we don’t yet know what is possible.

In America, we have an extraordinary history of making the impossible possible. And sometimes the government needs to help this along.

I would bring that same curiosity to policymaking. I want scientists, engineers, universities, national laboratories, businesses and other experts at the table. I want competing evidence. I want assumptions challenged. I want to know what we know, what we don’t know, and what questions we haven’t thought to ask yet.

Science should inform government decisions, but I also want government to continue investing in the freedom to explore.

Because somewhere, someone is asking “What if?” about something the rest of us think is impossible and I want America to be the country that says, “Let’s find out.””

“Colorado farmers understand better than anyone that you cannot argue with the land. If there is less water, higher fertilizer costs, changing weather patterns or declining soil health, farmers have to understand what is happening and find better ways to adapt.

Science and government-supported research can be extraordinarily valuable. We only need to look back at the Dust Bowl to recognize that understanding what is scientifically happening to the land can help us combat an immediate crisis, and prevent the next one.

I would support research that asks practical questions: How can we grow more with less water? Can we develop crops better suited to Colorado’s climate? Can precision agriculture reduce fertilizer, water and pesticide use while maintaining yields? What can new technologies teach us? And what haven’t we thought of yet?

I believe in limited government, but that doesn’t mean limiting government’s role in bridging the divide between scientific discovery and the farmers who can benefit from it, whether that knowledge originates here or internationally. Government can collect reliable data, support experimentation and make that knowledge accessible without burying farmers in bureaucracy.

And farmers must have a seat at the table. Scientific evidence matters, but so does the knowledge of people who actually work the land. These are the people producing America’s food. Their voice is necessary.

Agriculture isn’t simply an industry America inherited. It helped grow our nation, and it is something Americans are proud of. We should always be asking how we can make it better, and give farmers, scientists and innovators the freedom and resources to find out.”

“I am excited about the possibilities of AI and believe America should remain a leader in its development. My district already has data centers in Aurora that have operated for years without becoming a major community issue. That tells me data centers and communities can coexist. It does not tell me that every proposed data center should automatically be approved.

I become concerned when large projects are pushed through too quickly or too quietly, particularly when they require significant amounts of resources that communities themselves are being asked to conserve.

Water is the obvious example in Colorado. If residents, farmers and businesses are being told that water is scarce, they deserve to know how much a proposed data center will use, where that water will come from, what effect it will have on existing users, and what conservation or recycling technologies could reduce that demand. The same scrutiny should apply to electricity, infrastructure and other significant community impacts.

I don’t believe government should decide that AI is either inherently good or inherently bad and make policy from there. Decisions should be based on evidence, transparent resource-use projections, meaningful public input and the circumstances of the community involved.

Innovation and responsible stewardship are not opposing goals. I want Colorado to welcome the people asking, “What can AI make possible?” But the people who live in the communities making that innovation possible deserve a meaningful voice in answering, “At what cost?””

“I believe one of our greatest public-health challenges is rebuilding trust.

I spent 35 years with the U.S. EEOC and served as a Public Information Officer. I learned something very important in that role: if the public doesn’t trust your agency, you don’t get to blame the public. That’s on you. Government has to earn trust through honesty, transparency, competence and communication.

That matters enormously in public health.

Recently, I wondered whether I needed another measles vaccination. Rather than guessing, I was tested for immunity. I learned that I was still immune and didn’t need another vaccination. That’s evidence-based preventive health: give people reliable information, access to appropriate testing and medical care, and the ability to make informed decisions with their healthcare providers.

Government also has an important role in identifying threats early. I support strong disease surveillance, including innovative tools such as wastewater monitoring, timely reporting to healthcare providers, accessible testing, and rapid public communication when an infectious disease is detected.

But communication cannot simply mean telling people what to do. Public-health agencies should explain what we know, what we don’t know, what the evidence shows, and why recommendations are being made. When evidence changes, say so. When government gets something wrong, say so.

Vaccines, surveillance and medical technology are important tools. But none of them works as well as it should if people don’t trust the institutions providing the information.

Good public health requires good science. Good public health also requires public trust. We have to earn both.”

“I think we have a larger problem than K-12 science literacy. Adult Americans need to become excited about learning again.

Education is a community problem. Children grow up surrounded by adults, and if learning ends when adults leave school, we shouldn’t be surprised when children begin to see education as something they endure until graduation rather than something they pursue throughout their lives.

That is one reason I developed O.P.E.N. America, my proposal for lifelong, credentialed higher education. Americans already invest in education through their tax dollars. I want to create a system where people can continue turning that investment into knowledge, skills and credentials throughout their lives. Imagine children growing up in homes where their parents and grandparents are taking classes, exploring new subjects, learning new technologies and talking about what they discovered.

Science is particularly suited to rebuilding that excitement because science begins with curiosity: Why? How? What if? The children would grow up watching their parents explore STEM and this would lead to conversations and curiosity. This is where minds open to endless possibilities.

K-12 science should teach scientific principles and the scientific method, but students should also experiment, build, question, fail and try again. And if they know those opportunities to learn will never end, they will be more likely to continue to explore.

AI makes this even more important. AI is not a substitute for education. It is an extraordinary enhancement to education but information is not understanding. We still need the knowledge and critical-thinking skills to ask good questions, challenge answers and recognize when something doesn’t make sense.

I want children excited about learning. But I also want them growing up in communities where the adults are excited about learning too.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“My advice for all policy decisions would be to rely only on evidence gathered using rigorous scientific methods.”

“I appreciate the challenges facing Colorado farmers and would do everything possible to be sure the federal government doesn’t nothing to restrict them or inhibit them from their business practices. I believe strongly that freely pursued innovation will support our farmer’s business and government should not get in the way!”

“Any business including AI has to responsibly provide for the resources like water and power they need. I thing local governments have the responsibility to ensure that happens, not at the federal level.”

“I believe parents have the right and the responsibility to decide the kind of health care their children receive which would include not inoculating a child with the measles vaccine.

However as measles is a significant public health danger; any group such as a school or church or business has the right to exclude unvaccinated children to protect the other children in that group.”

“I think the average person’s scientific literacy is extremely limited in scope and their decision making is based more on emotions, what other people think and unfortunately is seldom based on logic.

Government-run K-12 systems enforce rigid conformity, waste taxpayer funds, suffer from a lack of performance-based accountability, and fail to adapt to individual student needs.”

“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.”

“Many Candidates have great advice and I’ve got Jeff Peckman as my Lieutenant. A brilliant mind that has ideas that literally are now in his new book. The others are from the younger Generations that are passionate about science, technology, engineering and math. What is Missing? ARTS. Now Arts are Essential since the Pandemic. Science and Arts are in tandem with creativity, problem solving, discipline in preparation and processes. Climate Science and Atmospheric development with satellite technology can see below surfaces and above; too the beyond. Great strides have been hampered and tampered with this new National Administration. Colorado’s leadership role can extend into a reversal of the value of Scientific research, discovery and discussion. Evidence must be presented to policymakers who are champions for environmental hope, health and “ EARTH DAY IS EVERYDAY “ attitude; That can assist legislation. STEAM in Education will Transform in FIORINO UNITY FOR GOVERNOR. Call County Clerk for your Unity Ballot today, for the betterment of the Planet.”

“Growing up in rural Douglas County with a 4-H Club that taught the valuable role of Water and Husbandry. How much we use on a daily basis could be on each; as one backs off on the Tap. Agricultural practices may change as the Climate changes, with Crops that need less. Fertilizer is currently stuck in Hormuz Strait, and will have great impact on our growing season. Preparations for Drought must advance in the next Administration with an emphasis on Scientific Evidence and Actions. Colorado’s hemp industries need new leadership and overall growth..Water is our Gold, needs protection from fracking waste water supply and other needed advancements in the Compact Agreements with seven States. Farmers are the best barometer for forecasting the problems, productivity of crops and the financial strains and challenges to the AG Industries. The Denver Basin among our other resources is Our collective strength and economy; However if it is a balanced environment of preservation, conservation and restorations, we can succeed.”

“Artificial Intelligence has been part of our existence for sometime. I introduced in my first Unaffiliated Gubernatorial 2006 the NANO TECHNOLOGY. Yes, I too was a DaVinci Institute Fellow following information on this progress of smaller, faster and highly disturbing New Technologies. Businesses with Customer Service has a Bot Chatting at You. Media is following, as Mechanical might figure out another career as Robotics have their way. Data is what we seek now and the Energies demands Our attention. DATA CENTERS are being built rapidly for the Next Phase, yet our Resources must be Paid for and No Subsidies should be needed. Dark Energies.

I entered UCDENVER LIFE LONG LEARNER PROGRAM last fall and audited Marketing A.i. class, where the majority of students opposed the tech. I didn’t get the A, ( graded to no account) but a B for me is a plus for you. I do continue to research the daily development, and my Campaign is costing very little. Denver City has embraced, with the first SUMMIT last year, ( available on YouTube) and just a few weeks ago, with additional legislation. FIORINOFORCOLORADO.COM has the domains: DenverColoradoTelevision.com, DCTV.TV-DCTV.WORLD ready for a Channel from the Queen City of the Plains, a Mile High and on the chip welded to Perseverance, landrover currently on Mars. Am I a Science Guy who knows Arts? YES. Can Colorado lead in both; Aerospace and Artistic development, yes. We will continue making great strides in proactive Legislative positions for the betterment of our quality of life and a strong forward motion into the New Frontier. Thanks for voting. You may need to talk with a Real Person at your Counties Clerk office in order to vote UNITY. Call today to request your Unity Party Gubernatorial primary Ballots sent. What a hassle, but legislation to reform Statute 108 may be needed for a True Open Primary. Democracy can only continue if we believe our Science.”

“Wash Your Hands. Still STANDS as the best deterrence from disease. Easily done with a small amount of “precious” water. I had measles at 6, and most recently 1993 a bout with Gullian-Barre Syndrome, which I experienced quadriplegia, until Plasmapherisis; saved my life. Thanks be to God, Physicians, Staff and just Everyone who got me back on my Feet. (Danced for televised Easter Sunrise at Red Rocks, for comeback.) Preventative heath practices will be available for free under my Administration with an emphasis on Seniors and early Childhood. Colorado is home to the finest of health facilities. Anchutz east, Lutheran west, Memorial south and C.S.U north.(AG) as the State makes medical tourism, Hospitality and Mental well-being a priority. Science and threats of new diseases, coming from Climate Change, overseas and A sneeze; PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS. Thankyou. PLEASE CALL CLERK TO VOTE.”

“Add ARTS to STEM is a Start. Both sides of the Brain, educating the Whole Child. Left for logics and techniques, right intuition and creativity; Together they excel. All the Arts can be a basis for All subjects. Math and Music, Science with Movement kinetics, Geography with Cultural knowledge and Dance for Physical and Mental Healh etc. Teachers need to teach for the 21st Century with Large Language Systems taking over as, A.I. is demonstrating on a Daily basis. Colorado’s many Colleges and Universities have an opportunity to reach down to their prospective students with their partners in Science. Broadband internet and Starlink can get information out while scientific civic educational materials must be trusted to reach each, wherever they are. ARTS ARE ESSENTIAL for Scientific purposes and education. Vota, Voto.”

“A highly competent science and technology advisory board will be a key part of my administration. They will need to know about the best science validating the most affordable and effective solutions that can be employed by state government. The board will include social and political scientists to advise on raising Colorado to be a free and sovereign country with a strong scientific orientation.

One of my objectives would be to review the scientific basis of previous state policies. That would help to determine if it was authentic science, or corporate propaganda disguised as science to advance a profit-motivated agenda. As the former Vice President of Special Projects at the DaVinci Institute in Colorado, I’m committed to supporting real science and technology in government to benefit the People in the best way possible.

On day one, I would establish a P.A.C.T. – Partnership for Applied Coherence Technologies. The PACT would advance scientific and technological breakthroughs in areas such as graphene and coherent electromagnetic fields. Both of these offer benefits to virtually every area of government responsibility and the private sector. However, they are being mostly ignored by technology incubators and the current administration in Colorado. That has, for example, put Colorado in only 19th place among all U.S. states for research and commercialization of graphene. The irony is that Colorado is home to probably the best technology in the world for producing graphene at scale with the widest spectrum of high-quality carbon nano-products.

It’s often said that persistent societal problems are due to politics, and not a lack of affordable and proven solutions. I will take politics out of the equation for policies. Many highly affordable, evidence-based scientific and technological solutions are already described in my SOLUTIONS BLUEPRINT. [see jeffpeckman.com/solutions-blueprint]

In 1999, I proposed a statewide ballot initiative to improve the state budget. It stated: “The citizens of Colorado, therefore, hereby declare that in any state budget request, including emergency spending measures, priority in appropriations shall be given to the most efficacious and cost-effective programs, according to peer-reviewed scientific studies, that may best achieve the goal of the requesting department, agency or institution.” “Peer-reviewed” studies are probably not practical in every budget item. However, as governor, I would encourage this mindset in both the public and private sectors. That’s not just for budgeting, but for economic development and elevating the quality of life for Coloradans.

“As governor, I would give priority to solutions in agriculture that solve a variety of problems in the safest, most affordable, effective, profitable and sustainable ways. Several “coherence” technologies described in my SOLUTIONS BLUEPRINT will provide major new income streams for farmers, and raise the quality of life for Coloradans while protecting vital natural resources.

For example, seeds processed with coherent electromagnetic fields have higher germination rates, produce healthier and larger plants, and have greater yields. Coherent fuel plasma technology significantly reduces fuel use and exhaust emissions in farm and ranch equipment, and all other internal combustion engines. That would greatly reduce Colorado’s air pollution and the damage it causes to humans, crops, livestock, and forests.

This same core technology converts methane from feed lots and other ag and forest waste into hydrogen and the new “wonder material” graphene. A one-ounce amount of pinecone, tumbleweed or other wildfire fuel, turned into the highest quality, ultra-pure, research-grade graphene is potentially worth thousands of dollars. Graphene has also shown great promise for purifying chemically toxic water and even radioactive water. Lower-grade graphene can be added to concrete, asphalt and steel to make Colorado’s deteriorated roads and bridges better than ever. It can improve their resistance to weather, heavy loads, and acid rain. Graphene supercapacitors have been in hybrid IndyCars since 2024. They can also reduce data center power consumption by 40%.

These emerging technologies could create new economic engines worth billions of dollars for Colorado farmers and ranchers. Rural communities can provide new products that not only benefit Colorado, but could be exported. Local production of graphene could also reduce U.S. reliance on mined graphite from China.”

“First, I would allow time for stakeholders, especially surrounding communities, to explore available and affordable solutions to meet stringent requirements for data centers. That’s essential for protecting the safety and privacy of Coloradans and the environment. It would probably require a moratorium on new data center construction for some time, but time is relative. Some of these solutions have been ignored by the Polis administration and environmental groups. I would move them forward.

Setting the bar high will also make Colorado a global leader in technologies that fix problems caused by data centers. That will decrease resistance. AI should be able to figure out how data centers can be built and operated profitably, without negatively impacting local communities. Otherwise, it’s too much of a money-making scam that mostly benefits investors and the data center industry.

One solution is to apply a validated coherence technology that reduces the operating temperature of electrical grids, computers, motors, and other electronics. It achieves such cooling by establishing a precise and accurate time-independent reference that reduces measurement uncertainty which causes waste heat. [See www.cocuun.world – Coherent Electrical Current Validation Over 35 Years.] Applications of coherence technology for data centers could be modeled with the supercomputer at the National Laboratory of the Rockies

I would also require data centers to become self-sufficient in energy production that does not involve nuclear fission or raise electricity costs for others. Graphene and hydrogen, created by Colorado-based technology from local methane sources, could play vital roles in both power creation and grid storage for renewables.

These and other available solutions would help balance economic interests and people-friendly policies. Our society cannot afford data centers that are built and operated “on the cheap” merely to maximize profit. More of my views on AI and data centers are viewable at jeffpeckman.com/solutions-blueprint.”

“Stress and various forms of pollution compromise immunity in general. First, I would employ evidenced-based, macroscopic approaches to reduce stress and pollution of the People. Some of those are described in my SOLUTIONS BLUEPRINT. I would need to become more familiar with all of the evidence-based policies to determine which ones I’d support. I’m not opposed to measles vaccines in general. I would also support research into the underlying cause of measles and other ways that immunity is compromised.

Gut health is essential for optimal immunity. This can be achieved through simple and natural procedures. Some of these could involve organic agricultural products from Colorado farmers. That would give agriculture a bigger stake in health care as a side-benefit. I would also investigate claims of how the two major political parties have suppressed or obstructed viable and affordable modalities for preventing and fighting measles and other viral diseases. The illegal, 20-year, “Sensitive Application Warning System” policy within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is just one area deserving investigation.”

“The U.S. is way behind Asia and other countries in science literacy. That’s partly because too much science in the U.S. has been hijacked by corporate interests. Another of my objectives would be to review scientific content in public education text books to determine what is authentic science, and what is corporate propaganda disguised as science to advance a profit-motivated, long-term agenda. Too many corporations have lowered their ethical standards and concern for human welfare. Consequently, there’s less trust and appreciation for science.

Another priority is to emphasize “coherence” in academic studies and student environments. Emerging coherence technologies are among the most promising solutions to a spectrum of societal problems, and opportunities for jobs and economic development. I describe some of these in my SOLUTIONS BLUEPRINT and also my book ‘RAISE the ZONE”.

Colorado-based technologies, utilizing the principle of coherence, are able to produce materials and effects that have been predicted to have economic impacts in the tens of trillions of dollars over the next 25 years. Coherence technologies are important for virtually every other area of science, technology and government responsibility. For example, quantum coherence is essential for quantum computing to work properly. Coherent fuel plasma, developed in Colorado, can solve global air quality and climate change problems. Adding coherence technology to AI data centers will reduce incoherence that results in “AI hallucinations” and potentially disastrous mistakes.

Finally, students are subjected to stress-inducing incoherent electromagnetic fields all day at school and home. Excessive stress is the biggest root cause of poor academic performance, violence, substance abuse, suicides, and dropping out of school. Creating coherence in these electromagnetic fields increases brainwave coherence. Increased EEG brainwave coherence has been scientifically correlated with increased creativity, improved task performance, faster reaction time, improved learning ability, improved grades in school, higher moral reasoning, better decision-making, and increased IQ, etc. These benefits can be expected to increase appreciation and importance of science among students

Like everyone, students want to be happy and have a good life. Science, especially in the area of understudied coherence technologies, can help achieve that for them.”

“Would Want To Have Those Who Are Trusted Scientific Engineers, Bio. Engineers, etc.! Who I Would Want To Be Part Of My Policymaking Team! Unfortunately Both Have Passed Away, I Would Want To Utilized Information From My Professor Dr. Lindimore From Metro State College On Environmental Technology! And Dr. William Gray In Utilizing Technology To Balance Gas, Oil, Coal Production With Cleaning Up Emission Pollutants!”

“Protecting Our Agricultural Rural Farmer Is A Top Priority! Saving The Family Farm While Incorporating Corporate Farmer Is An Important Balance! Water And Federal Taking Over Farmers Land Must Be Dealt With! Once GOP Governor For Colorado 2026 Candidate Ginsberg Has Purposed Bringing Water From The Gulf Of America To The Colorado River Is Worth Serious Consideration to See How It Can Work! Most Up-To-Date Engineering Technology Desalting Methods With Cooperation Of Feasibility And Multi- Communities Cooperation Would Be Key! Also Making Sure Federal Land Acquisitions During Biden Administration Must Be Amended Or Reversed To Allow The Agricultural Owners To Have Full Access And Rangership To There Lands! Global Warming Theories Of Al Gore See Cow Methane Emissions As A Threat Even though Resent University Of Nebraska Found That The Cows Environment Absorbs Any Cow Emissions! Example Of Beliefs Being Intermittent With Bad Scientific Theory! See What Resources Here In Colorado Can Be Make Manufactory Fertilizer Environmentally And Productively Attractive!”

“AI Is The Emerging Technology We Are Now Dealing With That Requires Much Energy! First Of All I Agree With President Trump That These AI Technology Centers Should Be Able To Supply Their On Energy As Much As Possible! Let These Centers Be In Areas Most Accommodating To The I-25 Corridor And To Rural Areas As They Desire! This Would Provide Jobs! But Don’t Tax Them To Be Ineffective! This Is Why We Need Oil, Gas, Coal, Self- Powering Individual New Housing, And Retrofitting Old Home To Be Self Powering! I’m Not A Fan Of Old Nuclear Power! But New Micro Reactors Might Be Promising To Utilize! Tax Incentives To Corporations That Would Sponsor Across The Public And Those Who Can Make It Work! Affordable Housing With The Right Rules And Tax Incentive Would Be Advantages To Bring Balance To Cost And Benefits To New Data Centers! Feasibility Of Incorporating This Would Be Brought By ASAP!”

“Quarantined Policies Are Essential! This Is Grose, But I’m Noticing Certain Groups Because Of Misguided Masculinity Think It’s Too Mucho To Wash Their Hands After Using The Restroom! Good Way For Germs To Spread! People Should Be Reminded To Simply Wash Their Hands! The Covid 19 Incident Made People Not Trust In Immunization! Colorado Did Better! Get The Right Trusted Immunologist To Aid With Any Outbreak That Don’t Have Investment With Particular Pharmaceuticals! I’m In Favor Of Implementing After 15 Year Nurses To Start Sponsoring Homes Specifically For CNA With 5 People Bringing Healthcare To Physically Compromised Individual! This Would Also Increase Mechanical Engineering And Technology In Home Healthcare Systems! These Nurses Could Partnership With The Hospitals They Came From! Recertification Once Or Twice A Year! Then Open Up Insurance Company To Operate By Competition! These Nurses Sponsoring CNA Activity Would Be Trained To Deal With Outbreaks Of Infectious Deceased!”

“From K-12, Make Math, Science, Technology And Trade School Attractive! Have Athletes With Certain Degrees Come To School Assembles To Introduce Math, Science, Sports, Technology, etc. Mentorship With Background Checks! These Are Some Of The Current Ideals With Evident Based Scientific Engineering!”

“The Attorney General is not a traditional policymaker, although her advice and leadership can certainly impact policy.

As a seasoned trial lawyer accustomed to having to defend the veracity of evidence and expert testimony before courts and juries, I would use the same skepticism and analytical tools I’ve deployed in court to ensure that any policy advice is similarly well-founded and grounded. That includes ensuring the reliability of expert methodology and statistical analysis, focusing on independent, peer-reviewed research, probing the funding behind and bias in purportedly scientific analysis, and grounding law enforcement decisions in facts and statistics, as opposed to ideology.”

“There’s nothing more important to Colorado farmers than water. And right now, between a changing climate, aridification, and growing uncertainty over the future of our allocations under the Colorado River Compact, our farmers and water users face impossible choices.

The next Attorney General will almost certainly have to litigate water rights at a scale this state hasn’t seen in generations. That litigation could put us across the table from states we usually partner with, requiring an AG who’s experienced in building partnerships while protecting Colorado’s interests above all. These cases could reach all the way to the Supreme Court, which just this week decided an important water rights case between Texas and New Mexico. With nearly 90 percent of Colorado’s water going to agriculture, these cases are significant for communities across the state and our next AG must be ready on Day One to lead these fights in court.

The case that proceeds to the Supreme Court must be rooted in a strong evidentiary record that relies upon statistically valid findings as well as predictions about the long-term viability of certain options for resolution of the water being tested by traditional means of scientific validation. As someone who is seasoned in both trial and appellate work, I know that fighting for Colorado’s farmers must start with amassing the right evidentiary record grounded in unimpeachable scientific evidence and I look forward to working with the right water policy research teams to build that record.”

“AI is transforming every aspect of our economy. How we deal with these impacts on resource use, privacy rights, and economic opportunity deserves the attention of the legislative leaders who reflect our communities. It also merits priority from the Attorney General who must navigate the rapidly-evolving nature of the technologies against the inertia and lack of expertise in such subjects by judges and juries.

Proposed data center construction in Colorado should meaningfully, completely, and verifiably answer at a minimum three questions: (1) water usage; (2) impact on utility rates; and (3) what communities bear those impacts re: 1 and 2. The Attorney General herself does not approve such construction, but can help guide the legislative and rule-making process to ensure that AI is deployed in a responsible, legal, and accountable manner in Colorado.”

“Public health policy is rightly the work of our legislators and executive agencies. The Attorney General’s role is to back them with sound legal advice and to make sure no Coloradan’s rights are ever put at risk by bad actors, in or out of government. That means making sure that statewide policies and standards with respect to mandated vaccinations are grounded in clear, peer-reviewed, and validated research. Without a fully functioning CDC, there are certainly challenges in the space in the short term, but other state agencies outside of the AG’s office can step in to help, and I would support such efforts.

There’s another side of health care where the Attorney General has direct influence: the companies that abuse their market power to raise prices and deny care, including vaccinations. Colorado’s antitrust statutes are among the strongest in the nation, and I intend to use them when the facts and law support such efforts.

As the nation’s top antitrust litigator under the Biden-Harris administration, I led the effort against some of the largest corporations in the world when they used anticompetitive practices to raise costs on working families and squeeze out competition. In health care, that’s the difference between affording care for a sick child or medicine for an aging parent and going without. For small communities, it can mean losing the only health care facility for miles.

As Attorney General, I’ll make sure no company can illegally dominate our health care market and put care out of reach.”

“The current state of science literacy is poor. This is the product of a number of social and economic conditions, and broader challenges in education. Most fundamentally, the relationship between logic, analytical testing, and verification is undercovered and undertreated in educational environments. The concept of “alternative facts” prevails, even when the definition of a “fact” is, of course, contrary to the idea that there are alternatives. There may be different interpretations of facts, but science is grounded in observable, provable, and verifiable facts and our education system faces a crisis in teaching students about how to distinguish facts from characterization.

Of course, the complex network of education agencies and policy-setting organizations control science curricula, but I think that focusing on the scientific method at an earlier stage in education, rooting such education in real world application, and then encouraging school programs like debate help to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to improve science literacy.

Finally, I’ll share something personal here to close. I’m the proud product of a public education. I come from an immigrant family that moved around a lot, and we weren’t always embraced by everyone in our communities. But it was in public schools, with teachers who believed in me, that I found the opportunity to succeed. I will forever credit the quality of my early public education for the opportunities I’ve had in life. As Attorney General, I’ll make sure those opportunities are protected for every student in Colorado.”

“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.”

“Throughout my time in the legislature, I have prioritized listening to experts, researchers, impacted communities, and frontline professionals when developing policy. The best policymaking happens when decisions are grounded in evidence and informed by people with direct expertise and lived experience. I will carry that same commitment to the Secretary of State’s office.”

“I grew up on a farm outside of Ault, Colorado, so I know firsthand how important Colorado’s agricultural community is to both our economy and our way of life. I’m very proud to have earned the endorsements of Voces Unidas and UFCW because of the work we have done to protect farmworkers, including the Farmworker Bill of Rights, which established critical workplace protections for the people who help power Colorado agriculture.

I also recognize that Colorado farmers are confronting enormous challenges tied to drought, water scarcity, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs. I have always supported measures as a legislator to support and promote responsible stewardship of our land and water resources. Whether it is improving water conservation, supporting climate resilience, strengthening local food systems, or ensuring working families in rural communities can thrive, I have supported it and will continue to do so as Secretary of State.”

“We have already been having important conversations at the legislature about the impacts data centers will have on our communities. Experts have raised concerns about the strain large facilities can place on the electric grid and water resources, particularly in drought-prone states like Colorado. I believe any major data center development should include strong accountability measures around water consumption, energy use, and impacts on surrounding communities. There have been proposals this session focused on exactly these kinds of guardrails, including renewable energy requirements, water efficiency standards, and protections for ratepayers.”

“As a Senator, I have supported policies that expand access to affordable healthcare, strengthen preventative care, and ensure families can make informed decisions based on accurate medical information.

I also believe elected leaders have a responsibility to serve as trusted voices for the public by communicating clearly, transparently, and honestly during moments of uncertainty. Whether addressing public health challenges or protecting confidence in our elections, people deserve leaders who rely on facts, evidence, and expertise.

That commitment to transparency and public trust is central to how I approach public service. As Secretary of State, I would bring that same approach to communicating with voters and ensuring Coloradans have confidence in our election systems and democratic processes.”

“Science literacy is critically important in today’s world. Whether we are talking about public health, climate resilience, water conservation, or election security. As a legislator, I have always believed that public education is one of the most important investments we can make, which is why I am proud to have earned the endorsements of both AFT Colorado and the Colorado Education Association. I have a 100% voting record with CEA because I have consistently supported investments in public schools, educators, and student success throughout my time in the legislature.

What distinguishes my candidacy in this race is that I have a decades long record to point to on all of the issues raised in this survey. Throughout my career, I have worked directly on policies involving education, healthcare, workers rights, environmental sustainability, and more. I believe that experience matters, and we need someone in statewide office who has a proven progressive record on these issues. You know what I will do as Secretary of State because I have held true to our democratic values for 12 years as a Senator and Representative.”

“As Secretary of State, I will continue to make evidence-based policymaking a core principle of the office. Throughout my career, I have relied on data, research, and subject matter expertise to inform decisions, whether that was helping develop election laws as Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause, administering elections for nearly half a million voters as Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder, or modernizing services across our office.

One of the first steps I would take is establishing formal advisory structures that bring together election administrators, cybersecurity experts, data scientists, accessibility advocates, language access specialists, business leaders, and academic researchers. In Jefferson County, I created the STEAM (Service, Transparency, Equity, Accessibility, and Modernization) Advisory Committee to provide ongoing community input and expert guidance, and I would build on that model at the state level.

I also believe that major policy decisions should be informed by measurable outcomes. Before implementing significant changes, I would review available research, consult relevant experts, evaluate potential impacts, and establish clear performance metrics to assess whether a policy is achieving its intended goals. This includes examining data on voter participation, election administration, business services, accessibility, and cybersecurity.

Finally, I am committed to strengthening partnerships with Colorado’s universities, research institutions, and scientific organizations. These partnerships can help ensure that the Secretary of State’s Office remains informed by the best available evidence and emerging research, particularly as we confront evolving challenges related to election security, artificial intelligence, misinformation, and public trust.

Good policy is built on facts, evidence, and rigorous analysis. I will continue to foster a culture where expertise is valued, scientific findings are taken seriously, and decisions are guided by what works rather than by politics alone.”

“While the Secretary of State does not directly set agricultural or water policy, the office plays an important role in supporting Colorado’s economy, businesses, and democratic institutions. Agriculture is one of Colorado’s most important industries, and our farmers and ranchers deserve leaders who value science, data, and long-term planning.

As Secretary of State, I would use the office’s platform to support evidence-based policymaking across state government and ensure that Colorado’s agricultural community has a voice in conversations about the future of our state. Challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, soil health, supply chain disruptions, and rising input costs require solutions grounded in research rather than ideology.

The Secretary of State’s Office also oversees business filings and supports Colorado’s business community. I would work to ensure that farmers, ranchers, cooperatives, and agricultural entrepreneurs can access state services efficiently and effectively, allowing them to spend less time navigating government bureaucracy and more time operating their businesses.

I also believe that protecting our natural resources and strengthening our agricultural economy requires strong civic participation. Rural communities must have a meaningful seat at the table when decisions are made about water, land use, infrastructure, and economic development. Throughout my career, I have worked to expand participation in our democracy, and as Secretary of State I will continue working to ensure that all Coloradans—including those in our agricultural communities—can make their voices heard.

Colorado’s future depends on our ability to make decisions informed by evidence, science, and the lived experiences of the people most affected. I will bring that commitment to every aspect of the office and continue advocating for data-driven solutions that help our communities, economy, and natural resources thrive.”

“AI and data infrastructure are already shaping Colorado’s economy, democracy, and natural resources. New data center construction can support innovation, jobs, and economic growth, but it also raises serious questions about water use, energy demand, land use, privacy, cybersecurity, and whether the benefits are shared broadly across Colorado communities.

As Secretary of State, I would not directly approve or deny data center construction, but I would use the office to promote transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. Communities deserve clear information about the projected economic benefits of these projects, as well as their long-term costs to water, energy systems, local infrastructure, and natural resources.

My approach would be to support policies that require strong public disclosure, meaningful community input, and rigorous analysis before major projects move forward. That means looking beyond short-term job numbers and asking whether a project protects local resources, strengthens local economies, respects privacy, and aligns with Colorado’s long-term climate and infrastructure goals.

The Secretary of State also has a direct role in protecting Coloradans’ data and maintaining trust in public systems. As AI becomes more powerful, I would support strong cybersecurity practices, responsible use of emerging technologies, and safeguards against misuse of personal information, misinformation, and automated systems that undermine democratic participation.”

“Public health decisions should be grounded in evidence, science, and the expertise of trained public health professionals. I support policies that improve access to vaccines, strengthen public health communication, and ensure communities have accurate, trusted information about infectious disease prevention.

As an election administrator, I have seen firsthand the importance of listening to experts. Running elections is a highly specialized profession that requires extensive training, technical knowledge, and years of experience. I know how frustrating it can be when people dismiss expertise or substitute politics for evidence. That experience has given me a deep appreciation for the scientists, researchers, physicians, and public health professionals who dedicate their careers to protecting our communities.

In my current role as Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder, I partnered with our local public health department to help ensure election workers had access to vaccines ahead of the 2024 election. Our goal was simple: protect the health of the workforce responsible for administering a major election and ensure we could continue providing critical public services to voters. That partnership reflected my belief that government works best when experts collaborate across disciplines to solve problems.

While the Secretary of State does not set public health policy, the office has an important role in protecting public trust, combating misinformation, and ensuring that Coloradans can participate in civic life safely and confidently. We have seen how quickly misinformation can undermine both public health and democratic institutions.

As Secretary of State, I would support evidence-based outreach, strong data privacy protections, and coordination with public health officials when emergencies affect elections, business services, or public access to government. That includes planning for disruptions, protecting access for voters and businesses, and ensuring that information from the office is accurate, accessible, multilingual, and grounded in the best available science.

Preventive health requires trust, transparency, and respect for expertise. I will always support policies that are informed by evidence and guided by the professionals who have dedicated their careers to understanding and addressing these challenges.”

“Science literacy is an important skills a person can develop, and it is more important today than at any point in my lifetime. Yet I worry that many Americans are growing up without the tools they need to navigate an increasingly complex information environment.

We often think of science literacy as simply knowing scientific facts. In reality, it is about understanding how knowledge is developed, tested, challenged, and improved over time. It is about learning how to evaluate evidence, ask good questions, recognize credible sources, and remain open to new information when the facts change.

As an election official, I see a parallel in my own field. Most people are not election experts, nor should they be expected to be. Elections are complex systems that require specialized training and expertise. What matters is that people understand enough about the process to ask informed questions and that public officials are transparent about how decisions are made. I view science in much the same way. We do not need everyone to be a scientist, but we do need people to understand and trust the process by which scientific knowledge is created.

As a CEA endorsed candidate, I also recognize the expertise of science educators and know that educators are critical to developing standards. I would support K-12 education standards to place greater emphasis on scientific inquiry, critical thinking, media literacy, and data literacy. Students should learn not only what scientists know, but how scientists know it. These skills are valuable far beyond science classrooms—they help people become informed voters, consumers, and community members.

While the Secretary of State does not set education standards, I believe all public officials have a responsibility to model respect for evidence, expertise, and facts. Throughout my career, I have worked to explain complex election processes in ways that are accessible and transparent. As Secretary of State, I would continue using the office as a platform for public education, civic engagement, and evidence-based decision-making.

A healthy democracy depends on an informed public. Strengthening science literacy helps people make better decisions, engage more thoughtfully in public life, and build trust in the institutions that serve them.”

“Posting relevant information on my website voteBromley.com of current over all policies and initiatives along with the usual legislative posting locations for bills assigned to my efforts. Resources and references will be based on current scientific findings from the leaders in the field of science and engineering that align with the goals of surpassing great filters and building a thriving human society far into our future and accomplishments.”

“Here in Colorado the Bromley name that also means in old English, Broomfield. Has always been an Agriculturally based family for centuries. The USA was at one time considered the bread basket of the world. We do not have to import anything to repair our infrastructure in agriculture and livestock. We can produce that locally here in Colorado as we have done since Colorado was founded 1876. The insane plans of the far left have been destructive in Colorado and negatively impacted the future viability and stability of Colorado. We must take direct action to properly secure our infrastructure of water resources and maintain a sustainable ecology while recognizing the demands of the future.”

“AI Automated Ignorance. Is just malicious programmers trying to dictate the world by Automating their Ignorance and putting society on a technology leash of chains and slavery. Look I am soft banned by facebook after Epstein like Meta/Zuckerburg got found guilty of exploiting minors. I was soft banned by a tech pay wall because I’m poor running for political office. Some people will have themselves enslaved to their cell phones and pay walls of tech or loose connection with their community they spent decades building. Just because social media data centers want to dictate politics and force an enslaved people to pay for their tech walls in monthly fees of service. If the tech is not easy for all to use then I really don’t care about Data Centers. I’m a tech person/programmer/electrical engineer.”

“I learned in Colorado schools the best medicine is well research and proven to be good health care solutions via Scientific methods. Lately here in the early 21st century. I see a lot of playing loose with medical cures that are experimental and offer high risks for low rewards. We need to stop experimenting on the population as the “Test Subjects.” There is no such thing as a miracle cure just in time for a plandemic. Using chain link fence as your facemask doesn’t work. Science teaches us to question and to only believe when the truth is fully understood leaving no doubt. Those surgical masks were intended to prevent surgeon drool from infecting open wounds.”

“Depends on the Science. However we need to correct the mistake of the early 20th century. The Political narrative of psychology, sociology and Political (fake science) are literary arts courses and have nothing to do with science. We need to remove those political tyrant narratives that created science ignorance in the USA because of far left political narratives that are all false and dishonest leading to a bunch of ignorance in Science. Our students shouldn’t be distracted with dysmorphia or body mutilation if they are going to learn about real Science and Engineering to solve the solutions of humanities future.”

“As a policymaker, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an issue of public concern, I would eagerly consult organizations like Scientist Network for Advancing Policy (SNAP) and other leading groups of scientists, researchers, and industry experts to gain insights and recommendations based on current evidence.

Policymakers must know what they don’t know – and in those moments, it is paramount to seek support and guidance from experts to ensure important decisions are always guided by an objective set of facts rather than the passions of the day.”

“As a grandson of a farmworker, this issue is deeply personal to me.

First, I would advocate for increased funding for agricultural research focused on drought-resistant crops, sustainable farming practices, and innovative irrigation solutions. As a proud graduate of Colorado State University - Fort Collins, I believe supporting land-grant universities and research institutions can yield tremendous practical advancement in these areas in particular.

I would also enhance agricultural extension services to disseminate the latest scientific findings and best practices to farmers in order to help them optimize resource use, improve crop yields, and implement sustainable practices. But I would pair this dissemination of information with financial assistance or loans to farmers to purchase sustainable inputs or upgrade technology to reduce dependency on expensive imported materials.”

“It’s difficult to imagine allowing data centers to move forward in the current environment.

Denver residents are currently barred from watering their lawns due to historically low levels of snowpack in the high country, and I’m not convinced we should make matters worse by constructing data centers that sometimes use about as much water as a small town.

Due to the sheer amount of energy required to power the facilities as well, they will also likely lead to spikes in the electric bills of nearby residents at a time when they’re already barely making ends meet.

While I understand the need to add to the technological capacity of our state, I don’t think it should come at the expense of Coloradans’ livelihoods.”

“I would strongly support an enhanced vaccination program to directly combat this issue. Vaccines do not cause autism – in fact, they cause children to grow into adults through their lifesaving capabilities.

Specifically, I would implement outreach initiatives to increase vaccination rates, especially among vulnerable populations, that would include mobile vaccination clinics, educational campaigns, and partnerships with local healthcare providers to make vaccines more accessible.

I would pair this with a robust public awareness campaign and leverage my background as a son of Mexican immigrants and fluency in Spanish to ensure all Coloradans learn about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, targeting misinformation and promoting the importance of herd immunity. It would be vital to work with Spanish-language media and influencers on social media to reach diverse audiences.”

“The current state of science literacy is simply unacceptable, and it is having a direct and immediate impact on our public discourse around important issues like getting vaccinated against measles.

We can combat this by reforming K-12 education standards to integrate science with other subjects – like history and social studies, for example – to provide context and relevance, showing students how science relates to everyday life and various societal issues.

We must also foster partnerships between schools and local scientists, researchers, and organizations to bring real-world science into the classroom through exciting and engaging guest lectures, workshops, and community outreach programs. This would add meaningful depth to students’ relationship with science as not just another subject in school, but instead as a highly fascinating tool to understand their day-to-day lives.”

“As years of experience as a state lawmaker has taught me: we need to know a little bit about a lot of different things, a lot of information about a few things, and rely on experts for the rest because we can’t know everything about everything. Experto credite, and they should have an active and critical role.

Whenever I have a question on some topic with which I am not familiar, I ask the experts and other people I trust on those issues, and give great weight to their testimony when making my own decisions about what legislation to craft or support with my votes.”

“If we listen to the experts, Colorado is only a few years away from facing a serious water crisis unless we act diligently now. We need to educate the public about the 2023 Colorado Water Plan and ensure the legislature continues supporting its full implementation.

With water scarcity growing, we need smart-growth policies, including stronger conservation standards for new development and demand-management programs which protect our limited water resources. We should also learn from other Western states which have confronted similar challenges with fewer resources, including innovative approaches to managing unprecedented drought.

Colorado should expand the responsible use of water markets and alternative transfer mechanisms to improve water allocation while reducing “buy and dry” pressures on agricultural communities. Protecting Colorado agriculture means protecting both our farmers and the water resources they depend on.”

“Some regulation of artificial intelligence will need to come from the federal government, but there is also much we can – and should – do at the state level. Colorado has already established guardrails for AI in areas such as housing and transportation, including prohibiting AI from setting rents and requiring human review and an appeals process for certain AI-driven decisions. More can and will be done as the technology evolves.

When it comes to data centers, I believe Colorado should welcome the jobs and economic investment they can bring – but not at the expense of existing ratepayers, taxpayers, or our water and energy resources. Data centers should help pay their fair share of the infrastructure and resources they require, while meeting strong standards for efficiency and environmental responsibility. We tried to establish additional data-center regulations this year but could not agree on the best path forward. We’ll certainly try again next year, because there is too much at stake to do nothing.”

“Early in 2025, anticipating there might be unwise changes made to federal policy related to vaccine schedules and recommendations, we in the Colorado legislature passed a bill (HB25-1027) directing the State Board of Health, when adopting rules establishing immunization requirements, to take into consideration not only the recommendations of the CDC’s advisory committee on immunization practices, but also the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians. We went out of our way to make sure our state recommendations followed the best wisdom of medical professionals. I was glad to be a Yes vote on that bill.”

“In August 1960, the Science News Letter asked presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon for their views on science and technology.

Kennedy focused on how technological advances have improved production capabilities and general efficiency, but also caused disruptions to labor and employment. His answer was prescient, since we’ve seen the same thing happen over the last few decades with the rise of computers, the internet, and now AI advancements. Kennedy’s answer deserves renewed attention.

But Nixon’s answer is the most relevant here, and deserves extended quotation:

“Nothing could be more obvious than the impact of science and technology on our national life – indeed, on our very survival.

“But because our attention is focused so largely on the dramatic and the spectacular – on satellites and missiles and space exploration – we may tend to lose sight of the almost routine interrelation of scientific advance and our day-to-day lives: in the fields of health and nutrition, communications of every form, business and industry, and all the processes of an abundant and productive living standard. …

“We need scientific education for the general public. If our national scientific effort is to be maintained, the American people must have deeper motivations than simply a desire for immediate practical benefits. This new age will require of the public generally a high degree of scientific literacy and the blending of science into our total culture and way of life. …

“It is not a question of making every citizen into a scientist: what we must try to do is provide for the nonscientists the insight and understanding with respect to science that we have historically sought to give all our citizens in the general field of the humanities. What we need is continued public support for basic research.”

I whole-heartedly agree.”

“As an educator, data and research are important to me. Opportunities for new data to be sent to us, to meet with researchers and have a clear understanding of the evidence and scientific findings is critical to me. If there are not clear processes and procedures that include this as we consider new legislation, then I will introduce new legislation to update our processes.”

“Agricultural lands comprise the staggering majority of land in Senate District 1. It is critical to look at everything from water efficiency with irrigation to reusing run-off water to developing drought-resistant crops. Protecting farmers from price-gouging of fertiziler and imported materials is also critical. If we could subsidize or incentivize farmers so that they can use local resources and we rely less on importing, I would support that, too.”

“At this time, I do not think we have the regulations and infrastructure in place to develop new data centers. It is critical that we do the research and lay groundwork BEFORE we push this agenda forward. I am not in support of approving more until we have a better understanding of the effects on agriculture and humans, the actual use of resources, and being intentional about gathering information–including hearing and addressing concerns from constituents.”

“I believe in and support vaccines. Understanding how to control and reduce the outbreak is critical, so I would support any safe way to get this outbreak stopped. Offering free vaccines to people who live in poverty and holding immunization clinics in spaces that are accessible to Coloradans is important.”

“I am proud of the work that educators are doing to build science literacy. I feel that our standards in Colorado are working well. Stabilizing and prioritizing FUNDING for public education will ensure that school districts can provide the curriculum AND the lab kits that really help enhance learning of science.”

“I never answer a hypothetical question. You call 300 words a brief survey?!?! When you grow up in the streets you get your PhD before you start high school. What you learn is to separate the truth from the hype. I support and follow the science but via a strong discernment I also know when others are using their positions to enrich themselves.”

“I am a major supporter of agriculture and the farmer ! We have a governor and legislature that has made their lives miserable over the last 15 years. If you want the farmer to thrive you must listen to the farmer and not a politician who sees themselves as a leader. The farmers today not only have the practical ability but many have advanced degrees thanks to great schools like CSU . We must also take a proactive approach to better maintain our forests and keep them clean and healthy to protect our communities from wildfires.”

“AI is the new industrial revolution and we must lead the world in it or we will lose our position as a world leader. We have thousands of acres that can be used to build AI facilities and with that technology many high paying jobs will be created. My only concern is the power grid. In my opinion each AI facility has to build their own power grid and infrastructure and the power that they don’t use is sold back to the utility companies at a fair market price to help keep utility prices down for the consumers.”

“I support the measles vaccine but we are living in a shrinking world and in most cases an individual who has entered our country both legally and illegally has been the carrier. So what do we do? Years ago people were quarantined can we go back to doing that again? We cannot! Therefore we must move on and not blow things out of proportion because if we do we will lose our freedom in the name of safety!”

“As a retired teacher I hate to say this but we have already lost the race. Prior to 1979 we were number one in the world in both math and science and since the creation of the department of education we are now number 48… Something is very wrong! In Chicago with over 600 schools not one person is at grade level in math or science.

We need to recruit better teachers, eliminate many administrative positions and reduce the government bureaucracy associated with education today.”

“I will always endeavor to get advice on any legislation regarding scientific findings and evidence. If I have questions or am unsure I will contact you before casting a vote.”

“Again, I need to seek advice on the many-faceted problems facing farmers today. Something should be done about the rising cost of fertilizer. The scarcity of water in the near future is also something that can be dealt with. Colorado is located in the high plains and subject to droughts. What are other imported materials? I grew up on a farm in Illinois and watched my father agonize when floods, winds, tornadoes or drought threatened. Farming is not for the feint of heart!”

“I am just getting information on the AI industry. I am aware that these centers require a great amount of water, something that could be a problem. Public input must be taken into consideration when looking for locations for construction. I would need to work with others to figure out a right balance of costs and benefits.”

“Children from other countries who have been placed in the classrooms having never been vaccinated have created a problem. I want to see any evidence that what I have just written is fact-based! I don’t want the government interfering in the rights of parents to make health decisions for their children. I am not anti-vaccine.”

“I loved science. I think science should have more classtime. I know from experience that my son had to spend time in the classroom playing games that manipulated moral issues. I want education to stick to the facts and not indoctrinate our students. Standards should be raised in all of academia. We are teaching to the lowest students in the class. We also need to make sure our teachers are the best for teaching science.”

“I support science and technology. When evaluating prospective businesses in these fields, I will examine the scientific tests and metrics used to substantiate their products. I will require claims and intended outcomes to be validated through logically applied quantitative measures.”

“I will champion our farmers by ensuring water—an essential resource—is managed responsibly to support agricultural growth and prevent waste. Everyone who draws water from underground aquifers, streams, and rivers must be accountable to keep water affordable and help farmers maximize profits.”

“The industry must balance its goals with community support, ensuring nearby residents approve of its presence. It must also avoid imposing costs on taxpayers already struggling with everyday expenses. Finally, its operations should be environmentally responsible and compatible with the surrounding area.”

“Scientific and medical evidence shows that political leaders have been wrong on this issue and that vaccination is essential to preventive health. Although parents may choose, leaders should strongly advocate vaccination.”

“Our education system is falling short in several areas of science and mathematics—not because teachers lack commitment, but because the system has been partially dismantled from the top down. Science teachers and local leaders must advocate for higher standards in both closely connected subjects.”

“A practical approach treats science as a tool for discovering truth, not a political weapon or blank check for bureaucracy. Evidence must be reproducible, transparent, and weighed against costs, liberty, and unintended consequences, not treated as “settled” by captured institutions.

Key mechanisms: Mandate independent red-team reviews and adversarial scientific analysis for major regulations. Dissenting researchers and economists must be formally included, not sidelined by “consensus.”

Require full public release of raw data, methods, and funding sources before policy is written. Replication and falsifiability come first. Impose statutory cost-benefit analysis that includes economic growth, energy reliability, and individual freedom. Models with high uncertainty (especially long-range climate or public-health projections) cannot override observed outcomes. Sunset clauses and periodic empirical reviews: policies expire unless real-world data, not updated models, justify continuation.

Limit agency capture by rotating outside experts, prohibiting revolving-door influence, and prioritizing decentralized state-level experimentation over one-size-fits-all federal rules.

Elevate observational data and randomized evidence over precautionary modeling that expands government power.

Science informs; it does not dictate. Policymakers remain accountable to voters and the Constitution, not unaccountable expert panels. This keeps evidence central while preventing the substitution of ideology for results.”

“A practical approach starts with property rights, markets, and results, not central planning or climate narratives that raise input costs. Colorado farmers already operate under prior-appropriation water law; policy should reinforce that system rather than overlay new federal restrictions.

Priorities:Protect senior water rights and expand voluntary water markets so farmers can lease or transfer water efficiently instead of facing bureaucratic takings or environmental set-asides that idle productive land.

Cut energy and fertilizer costs at the source. Abundant domestic natural gas and streamlined permitting for production and infrastructure lower nitrogen prices without subsidies. Oppose policies that restrict reliable energy in the name of emissions targets.

Remove regulatory obstacles to precision agriculture, drought-tolerant varieties, and on-farm storage. Evidence comes from yield data and soil metrics, not models. Fast-track proven technologies through USDA and state extension rather than funding activist research agendas. Defend export markets. Agriculture is Colorado’s top export; reject trade barriers and retaliatory tariffs that punish producers while favoring other sectors.

Invest in storage and conveyance where cost-benefit analysis shows clear returns, reservoirs, lining, and efficiency upgrades funded by users and states, not endless federal programs with strings attached.

Sunset and review existing conservation rules against actual farm output and water-use data. If a regulation reduces production without measurable resource gains, it goes.

The goal is resilient farms and working landscapes, not managed decline. Evidence means observed productivity, voluntary conservation that pays, and policies that treat farmers as stewards in the thick of it, rather than subjects of distant experts.”

“A conservative stance does not treat every data-center proposal as progress. AI buildout concentrates power in a few firms, socializes energy and water costs, and delivers thin local benefits relative to the strain on Colorado farms, households, and the grid.

Right balance: no special deals. Developers pay the full cost of power, water, transmission, and backup generation. If a project cannot clear the market without ratepayer subsidies, tax abatements, or reserved water that farmers need, it does not belong here.

Electricity: New load must bring its own firm generation, gas or nuclear, not shift peak costs onto families and irrigators.

Reject “economic development” rates that hide the bill. Grid reliability for existing users comes first.

Water: Prior-appropriation rights are not a buffet for out-of-state tech. Voluntary purchases only, at market prices, with hard caps on consumptive use. Recycled or air-cooled systems required where feasible. Measured gallons and impacts on agriculture beat corporate sustainability slides.

Economics and privacy: Count real jobs and tax receipts after incentives, not press-release figures. Most value leaves the state. Do not expand state surveillance or data-sharing mandates in exchange for construction. Existing fraud and contract law is enough; new AI-specific industrial policy is not.

Policies: ban targeted subsidies and expedited tracks that other industries do not get; require published cost-benefit and water/power audits before permits; state rules that stop localities from racing to give away resources; sunset any remaining incentives. Evidence is load growth, farm water availability, and household rates, not AI hype. Colorado should not underwrite a sector that consumes scarce inputs while concentrating control elsewhere.”

“A practical approach starts with individual liberty, parental rights, and measured evidence, not panic or standing emergency powers. Colorado’s measles cases since March 2025 have been real but limited: mostly unvaccinated people, some hospitalizations, and no deaths in the state’s published counts. That supports targeted response, not coercion.

MMR is effective for those who choose it. Make shots available, publish age- and status-specific risk data, and leave the decision with families. School exclusion should be narrow and tied to active local transmission, not a permanent mandate. Documented vaccination and prior infection both count. Public-health emergencies expire.

Outbreak work should be practical: isolate the sick, protect hospitals, notify known contacts. Multi-million-dollar traces of every public place are not a durable model. Put money where transmission actually occurs.

Infectious disease is only one threat. Fentanyl, obesity, diabetes, and weak primary care harm far more Coloradans. Evidence-based prevention means addiction treatment, honest nutrition guidance, and access to doctors, not expanding agency control over routine family medicine.Trust has to be rebuilt. Release raw case data, costs, and vaccine-status breakdowns. Do not silence dissenting clinicians. Colorado should not turn CDC preference into state statute.

Government informs and contains outbreaks; it does not conscript healthy people to manage a preventable, concentrated risk.”

“Science literacy is weak because schools too often teach conclusions and institutional authority instead of method. Students learn to recite “the science” on climate, health, or identity and to treat dissent as ignorance. That is catechism, not literacy.

Real science is measurement, replication, falsifiability, and the habit of asking what would prove a claim wrong.K–12 standards should put the method first. Teach experimental design, controls, error, statistics, and the difference between a model, a correlation, and a cause.

Require students to read conflicting studies and state uncertainty in plain language. History of science belongs in the curriculum: discarded theories, frauds, and corrections. Authority is not evidence.

Separate science from policy. Energy, vaccines, and land use involve trade-offs, costs, and values. A literate citizen can understand a finding without being told what law must follow. Drop activist frameworks that treat science class as climate or social-justice training.

Local control and parental review matter. Standards should be specific and testable, not vague “equity in STEM” language that crowds out content. Restore labs, shop, and quantitative work. Screens and slogans do not produce competence.

The goal is adults who can weigh evidence, spot overclaiming, and live with incomplete knowledge. That builds a healthier relationship with science than slogans about trusting experts.

Experts are useful; they are not oracles. Schools should form skeptics who can do the work, not believers who outsource judgment.”

“As a constitutional conservative with a PhD in Economics and 25 years in the Air Force analyzing data, science should not be politicized to justify government overreach. Scientific inquiry is strongest when data, assumptions, and methodologies are transparent and open to public scrutiny. I will support transparent advisory mechanisms including: independent, peer-reviewed studies from diverse sources (not just government-funded consensus), public hearings with cross-examination, rigorous cost-benefit and constitutional impact analyses, and input from affected Coloradans. Evidence must respect individual liberty, limited government, and empirical reality. I also support regular consultation with Colorado’s universities, research institutions, agricultural experts, public health professionals, and private-sector innovators to ensure policymakers have access to the best available evidence.”

“I support free-market solutions and limited government to empower Colorado’s farmers. Thus, it is imperative to reduce regulatory burdens, streamlining water rights protections under the prior appropriation doctrine, and incentivize innovation in efficient irrigation and domestic fertilizer production to combat scarcity and rising costs. I support voluntary advancements in soil health and resource stewardship that respect property rights. I voted for SB26-121 (Overtime Threshold for Agricultural Employees), which reduced regulation, helped farmers to establish a fair overtime threshold for agricultural employees, and balance worker needs with farm viability. I support voluntary adoption of precision agriculture technologies, drought-resistant crop research, advanced irrigation systems, and data-driven resource management practices that help farmers produce more with fewer inputs while protecting natural resources.”

“Data centers can drive technological innovation, economic growth, and high-quality job creation, but their development must be balanced with responsible stewardship of Colorado’s water, energy, and taxpayer resources. Private enterprise should bear full costs via market pricing and local zoning. Any incentives offered to large technology companies should be subject to rigorous public cost-benefit analysis to ensure taxpayers receive measurable returns and are not subsidizing private profits. Most importantly, property rights must be upheld for those who were first established. Large data center projects should provide transparent reporting of projected water consumption and demonstrate how their operations will avoid negatively impacting existing agricultural, residential, and environmental water users.”

“Vaccines have played a significant role in reducing the spread and severity of many infectious diseases, and public health communications should accurately reflect both the benefits and risks of available medical interventions. Individual rights and parental authority should be priority over government mandates. Evidence shows high vaccination rates in Colorado, with outbreaks often tied to pockets of low immunity. Thus, I support: -Transparent, evidence-based public education on vaccines and natural immunity. -Strong informed consent laws protecting medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions. -Local health departments focusing on voluntary outreach, not coercion. True public health improves through personal responsibility, not top-down control. Colorado families, not bureaucrats, make the best health decisions.”

“Science literacy in America is declining because many classrooms prioritize political narratives over the scientific method, critical thinking, and empirical evidence. Students deserve facts, not activism disguised as science. To improve K-12 standards, we must emphasize rigorous teaching of the scientific method, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and debate of competing evidence. Students should also develop a foundational understanding of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, including how to evaluate AI-generated content, identify manipulated images and deepfake videos, and verify information using credible sources. AI should be a tool that enhances human intelligence, not a substitute for human judgment.”

“I make decisions by getting the facts, talking with the people who live the issue every day, and taking the time to understand what’s really going on. In my past work, I’ve always looked at what’s working and what isn’t by using real information from the folks closest to the process. Everyone sees a different angle, and the truth usually sits somewhere in the middle. Good policy making requires facts, data, and input from the people directly affected. That’s the approach I’d bring to policymaking.”

“My family has been in rural Colorado for five generations, starting as homesteaders in Routt County. Agriculture isn’t just an industry to me; it’s the people I grew up with and the way of life that shaped me.

When we talk about water shortages, fertilizer prices, or the pressure on family farms, I’m thinking about real families trying to keep their operations going and protect the land they care about.

In this role, I’d lean on the way rural communities already solve problems: by listening to farmers, ranchers, ditch companies, conservation districts, and local businesses. Everyone brings a piece of the picture, and you only get the full story by hearing them all.

Colorado agriculture is running on thin margins right now. It’s too fragile for rushed decisions or big swings. Good policy takes patience, steady judgment, and respect for the people who live this work every day. I support practical innovations in water conservation, soil health, and agriculture technology that help producers stay competitive without burdening rural communities.”

“New technology always shakes things up while it’s developing. AI and data centers are no exception. They can bring opportunity, but they can also put real pressure on local resources.

I support a balanced, limited government approach that lets the free market grow while making sure our natural resources aren’t taken for granted. Companies should be upfront about their impacts and able to operate responsibly without leaning on subsidies or draining local water supplies. Communities deserve clear information about water use, energy demand, and long-term infrastructure impacts before large project move forward.

Every project should be judged on clear facts. If something brings real benefits and uses resources responsibly, it deserves a fair look. If it puts too much strain on communities or the environment, we need to slow down and rethink it.

These decisions shape our future, and they deserve patience and steady judgment — not guesswork.”

“With the measles outbreak and other health concerns, I support practical, evidence based steps that help people stay healthy while respecting individual choice and keeping the public informed. That starts with clear information from local health departments, schools, and hospitals so we understand what’s actually happening. Public trust matters during health situation, and trust comes from transparency, accuracy, and consistency.

I support straightforward public health practices: making sure families have accurate information, improving access to basic preventive care, and helping schools and clinics share updates quickly when something is spreading. These simple steps go a long way, especially for kids and seniors.”

“A lot of people feel overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, and I understand why. That’s why our schools should focus on practical science education that teaches kids how to think, not what to think.

I support straightforward, evidence based improvements to K–12 standards that help students learn how to ask good questions, check whether information is reliable, and connect science to everyday life.

Hands on learning makes a huge difference. My cousin has been a science teacher for more than 30 years, and I’ve always admired how he teaches through real projects including blasting jack o lanterns every fall. Kids build confidence when they can see and touch what they’re learning.”

“Studying and providing factual statistics to ensure coherent policies across the board.”

“I plan on supporting to keep our reservoirs full. Most irrigations come from rivers and snowpack, but when water is scarce and there has been no snowpack then the reservoirs play a vital role in protecting our farmers and ranchers. In addition, I am a huge proponent of flood irrigation, for the reason it keeps our soil moist and raises the water bank underground. This will all allow our agricultural producers to feel protected and heard in the legislature.”

“My policies would be to prioritize high economic returns through employment and tax revenue while mitigating infrastructure costs. The data centers would pay their full costs without subsidies that affects the affect the markets and burden our residents.”

“Expand no-cost vaccinations to allow for barrier-free opportunities for those who want the vaccine.”

“K-12 learning should prioritize math, reading, writing, science, and history. The state of science literacy begins with education our youth. ”

“Data is strongest when paired with the lived experiences of the communities a policy will affect. If elected, I will often look to the people most knowledgeable by the pertaining legislation, as well as the people most affected by it. Researchers, subject-matter experts, state agencies, nonpartisan legislative staff, community organizations, and professionals working in these fields combined have the best information to convey.

It is imperative to seek clear information about the evidence supporting the proposal, its expected externalities, possible unintended consequences, and how it’s effectiveness will be measured. When the evidence is still developing, pilot programs, consistent evaluations, reporting requirements, and having the humility to improve legislation rather than assuming the first approach will always be the best one will be important as well.”

“I would prioritize policies that give producers the ability to have continued access to the best available science and financial tools in order to adopt practices that strengthen both agricultural productivity and protect our environment.

That means continuing to develop science around our universities in Colorado, build broad coalitions with organizations like the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and farmers and ranchers themselves to expand research and adoption.

Colorado must also focus on the ease and access of these transitions, something the state has historically struggled with in regard to the environmental shift in the state. I would support grants, cost-sharing, technical assistance, and financing for proven water-conservation and agricultural technologies, particularly for small and family-owned operations that may not have the capital to make those investments on their own.

Protecting agriculture and our environment should not be competing goals. If we are trusting the science and making the transitions to more efficient practices accessible, then they should be working in tandem.”

“The balance will exist in a combination of responsibility and relationships. Large data centers should be responsible for the infrastructure costs created by their massive electricity demands instead of emplacing those costs onto the communities they exist in. I support open energy-use reporting and requirements on how major new loads demonstrate how they will support grid reliability and not derail Colorado’s clean-energy goals.

Water use must also be considered in siting and permitting decisions. Requiring closed loop systems and giving local communities a meaningful role in determining whether a project is appropriate for their water supply is crucial in the evaluation of the potential impacts of these builds. Colorado is feeling the water constraint, so we have to be able to prioritize efficiency.

As it comes to balance, we need to understand the need to stay competitive-Colorado is an attractive place to build in the first place. What we don’t need are unnecessary regulations that make the process more difficult for the sake of feeling better about it, but we also need to ensure that impact is minimized.

Builders want to come to Colorado and it would do us much better if we kept those builds here instead of them being more costly and unregulated in a state surrounding us. We need to ensure that we can build it right and build them safely.”

“We need to require that students and workers be vaccinated. That’s it.”

“A scientifically literate public should be able to evaluate evidence, understand basic statistics and probability, recognize the difference between correlation and causation, assess the credibility of sources, and understand that scientific conclusions can evolve as new evidence becomes available. Developing those skills in our schools is imperative to ensuring that we can do things such as research policy decisions and effectively recognize propaganda.

K-12 schools should focus more on inquiry-based and hands-on learning, data interpretation, scientific reasoning, and continuing to build strong foundations in STEM. Students should have opportunities to work through real-world problems and explain why the evidence supports a particular conclusion rather than simply being asked to memorize the conclusion itself.

We should also continue to normalize science in a cultural way. Schools can partner with universities, laboratories, healthcare professionals, agricultural experts, engineers, and local employers to expose students to scientists and the practical applications of science in their own communities. We as members of the government should be to provide teachers and organizations with the training and resources necessary to teach students effectively.”

“I will establish a volunteer advisory panel composed of local scientists, engineers, public health experts, and researchers from Colorado’s universities and technical industries. This council will review major draft legislation, evaluate regional data—from water rights to public health—and flag unintended technical consequences before bills hit the committee floor. I would also actively partner with the nonpartisan Colorado Science & Technology Policy Program (STPP) and Legislative Council Staff. By leveraging STPP Fellows and expert technical staff, our office will ensure that committee analyses and fiscal notes are informed by rigorous, peer-reviewed research. I will base my legislation on the best available peer reviewed data and consult experts in each relevant field.”

“I will sponsor legislation to scale up data-driven water management—funding real-time soil moisture sensors, precision drip irrigation, and advanced crop modeling. By fully funding scientific monitoring within the Colorado Soil Health Program, we can help producers build soil organic matter, which increases water-retention capacity and reduces overall irrigation demands. To shield farmers from volatile imported fertilizer prices, I will push for funding and technical assistance via CSU Extension for variable-rate nutrient application technology and biological soil amendments. Peer-reviewed data shows targeted nutrient management reduces input costs by up to 20% while protecting local watersheds from runoff. Colorado is a national leader in agrivoltaics—integrating solar panels with livestock grazing and crop production. I will champion expanding the state’s Agrivoltaics Research & Demonstration Grants. Panel shading significantly reduces crop water loss through evapotranspiration, creates favorable microclimates, and provides farmers with a stable, secondary revenue stream. I will work to expand performance-based state tax credits and voluntary stewardship grants that financially reward producers for adopting proven practices—such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage—that restore natural resources while maintaining yields.”

“As a Senior Solutions Architect for IBM with specializations in Cloud, AI, and blockchain technology, I am uniquely qualified to legislate on this. First, data centers must cover 100% of the transmission and infrastructure costs required to connect to our grid. To prevent locking in fossil fuel emissions or raising rates for working families, policies should require developers to secure or build dedicated renewable energy generation equal to their demand. Second, with Colorado facing persistent drought, open evaporative cooling systems that evaporate millions of gallons daily are unsustainable. I support statewide standards requiring closed-loop liquid cooling or dry-cooling technologies, informed by local hydrologic modeling to protect vulnerable watersheds. We also need to regulate how data centers deal with waste heat and noise, pushing them to use waste heat to do work rather than venting into the community and dampening noise for the surrounding area. Finally, data protection and privacy standards are key. I will push for privacy laws on par with California and the EU, holding companies responsible for proper protection of data and user privacy.”

“Stopping sustained measles transmission requires maintaining at least a 95% community MMR vaccination rate. I support expanding access through mobile clinics and school-based health centers, while strengthening non-medical exemption standards by requiring evidence-based educational modules on vaccine safety for parents seeking opt-outs. Containing outbreaks before they spread requires robust local health departments. I will advocate for increased funding to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and local public health agencies to modernize contact-tracing platforms, expand state lab diagnostic capacity, and provide rapid post-exposure prophylaxis to exposed individuals. I support funding community health worker initiatives that partner with local pediatricians and trusted community leaders. Equipping primary care providers with behavioral science-backed communication toolkits allows us to directly address vaccine hesitancy, debunk dangerous health claims, and rebuild public trust.”

“Current science literacy is at a critical juncture. While technology impacts every aspect of our lives, science is often still taught as a static set of facts to memorize rather than a dynamic process of questioning, testing hypotheses, and evaluating evidence. This disconnect leaves citizens vulnerable to misinformation on public health, water conservation, and energy policy. We must adapt standards around hands-on, phenomena-based learning. Instead of relying solely on abstract textbooks, students should explore scientific concepts through real-world Colorado challenges—such as studying regional snowpack data, soil micro-biomes, or wildfire ecology. Starting in middle school, standards should explicitly teach students how to evaluate scientific sources. Curriculum should focus on understanding sample size, reading graphs, identifying logical fallacies, and distinguishing peer-reviewed scientific consensus from online misinformation. We should build direct bridges between K-12 classrooms and Colorado’s research institutions, national labs, and agricultural extension offices. Hands-on field studies, lab visits, and mentorships demystify scientific professions and show students how science directly impacts their local communities. By teaching science as an active tool for critical thinking and civic engagement rather than an exercise in memorization, we can raise a generation of Coloradans equipped to navigate a complex, tech-driven world.”

“To ensure evidence and scientific findings shape the policymaking process, I would build partnerships with university research centers, like CSU and CU. This gives us ongoing, independent scientific input on legislation without much added cost. I also support continuing the Science & Technology Policy Fellows program (DMNS), which already brings scientific expertise into Legislative Council Staff. A standing scientific advisory panel could be a good next step, but our state budget is tight, and a panel means salaries. I’m not ready to commit to that cost without knowing more.”

“As a large animal veterinarian with a career built in Colorado agriculture, I bring hands-on, science-based experience to this role. This is firsthand experience with what growers and producers face day to day. That background lets me evaluate research and legislation on its merits, informed by my professional training and ongoing continuing education. On water scarcity, I would push to incentivize efficient irrigation and conservation practices led by the people who steward our water best: our farmers, growers, ranchers, and producers, rather than imposing uninformed mandates. I would also support funding for additional water storage, like reservoirs, and for modernizing distribution infrastructure, like upgrading irrigation ditches, so more of the water we have actually reaches the land that needs it.”

“The urgency around building data centers in Colorado is being manufactured rather than earned. There are many other places in the U.S. suitable for these facilities, and we don’t yet know the full environmental and societal impact of siting them here. I believe the right path forward is a statewide moratorium on new data center development until we have that information. During the moratorium, I would want evidence-based data on the impact to water and energy infrastructure, the direct and indirect costs to residents, and the effects on our land and environment. That evidence should inform a risk-benefit analysis and a set of guardrails, so that when development resumes, it protects our communities and natural resources while still allowing responsible business growth. My inclination is toward stricter environmental protections, particularly limits on carbon emissions, safeguards for water resources, and standards addressing noise pollution and heat-island effects. In addition, I would push for those protections to be built into any framework that comes out of this process.”

“As a Technical Service Veterinarian for a major animal pharmaceutical company, my job was to work with producers to contain disease outbreaks in large herds, experience that directly informs how I think about outbreaks like the measles cases we’ve seen in Colorado since 2025. I would strengthen school vaccine requirements based on the safety and efficacy of individual vaccines, the risk of disease spread to the broader community, and the risk to our most vulnerable residents. Religious exemptions should be preserved; however, non-medical, non-religious exemptions should be revisited, with a higher bar for granting them. Raising our herd immunity protects not just the vaccinated, but those around us who cannot be vaccinated or are immunocompromised. In addition, as a veterinarian, I subscribe to the “One Health” philosophy: that animal and human health are inherently linked. Pandemics often begin as a minor illness in one species and jump to another as a life-threatening illness in a new host. The state needs to strengthen its surveillance of zoonotic diseases so we can catch these threats before they spread widely.”

“Many residents in our state are not scientifically literate. It creates a mismatch between what the data shows to be the best policy in a given area and what the public is willing to accept. This is evident in the debate over data center development, where questions about water use, energy demand, and environmental impact require a level of scientific literacy that most residents, and even many lawmakers, don’t have, making it harder to have an informed public conversation about the right path forward. Closing that gap starts in K-12 education. I believe schools should shift away from lecture-based, textbook-driven instruction and toward more hands-on learning, giving students the chance to connect scientific concepts, including how energy, water systems, and natural resources actually work, to the natural world around them. When students can see, feel, hear, and meaningfully discuss science, rather than just memorize it, they grow into more discerning consumers of information as adults.”

“I would make scientific and technical expertise a regular part of my policymaking process, not something brought in only after a decision has essentially been made. That means seeking input from scientists, engineers, public health professionals, and other subject matter experts when legislation involves their areas of expertise.

I would look beyond a single source or perspective. I want to understand where there is broad scientific consensus, where legitimate disagreement exists, and what the quality of the available evidence tells us. I would ask experts to explain not only their conclusions, but also the limitations and uncertainties in the underlying research.

As a legislator, I would use committee hearings, stakeholder meetings, briefings from Colorado’s universities and research institutions, and consultation with relevant state agencies to make sure evidence is part of the decision making process. I would also support opportunities for scientists to communicate directly with policymakers and the public in accessible, understandable ways.

Elected officials still have to weigh values, costs, individual rights, and the needs of their communities. But when we are making decisions that affect people’s health, safety, environment, education, or economic future, those decisions should start with the best evidence available.”

“The state has a responsibility to help farmers adapt while protecting the natural resources that make agriculture possible in the first place.

Water has to be a major part of that conversation. I would support evidence based approaches to water conservation, agricultural efficiency, soil health, and drought resilience, while recognizing that farmers need reliable water to remain viable. That means working with agricultural producers, water experts, researchers, and local water communities rather than assuming a one size fits all solution will work across Colorado.

I would support ways the state can help farmers access research, technology, and technical assistance that can reduce input costs and improve productivity. Precision agriculture, improved irrigation, soil management, and crop research can all play a role, but adoption has to make economic sense for the people actually working the land.

Finally, I would support policies that encourage collaboration between Colorado’s agricultural community, universities, researchers, and state agencies. Farmers have generations of practical knowledge about our land and water, and that knowledge should be considered alongside scientific research when we make policy.

Protecting Colorado agriculture and protecting our natural resources are not competing goals. They are connected. If we want a strong agricultural economy for the next generation, we need to make decisions today that help farmers remain economically viable while preserving the soil, water, and other resources they depend on.”

“Colorado should welcome innovation and the economic opportunities that AI and data centers can bring, but not at the expense of our water supply, electric grid, taxpayers, or communities. The benefits need to be measured against the actual costs.

For new data centers, I would want transparent, evidence based analysis of their water and energy use, impacts on local infrastructure, and who ultimately pays for those costs. If a project requires significant new infrastructure, the company benefiting from that investment should bear an appropriate share of the cost rather than shifting it to existing residents and businesses.

Location is key. Local governments should regularly review and update zoning, building, and planning codes so they reflect today’s technology and the scale and resource demands of modern data centers. If our codes are outdated, a project could technically receive approval for a location that no longer makes sense for the surrounding community or infrastructure.

Colorado is a water limited state, and we should not approve projects without understanding their long term impact on our water resources and existing water users. Projects should be evaluated using the best available science and meaningful local input.

I do not want Colorado to close the door on an industry that could bring jobs, investment, and technological innovation. The goal should be responsible growth, not growth at any cost. Before we make major policy decisions, I want to see the data and understand both what we gain and what we are giving up.”

“Public health policy should start with evidence, prevention, and making sure people have access to the care and information they need. The measles outbreak is a good example of why strong public health systems matter. Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have for preventing serious infectious diseases, and I support evidence based vaccination policies that protect individuals and our communities, particularly those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

I support disease reporting and rapid communication between local health departments, health care providers, schools, and state agencies. When an outbreak occurs, we need accurate information quickly so communities can respond before a problem becomes larger.

Prevention means making basic health care accessible. Regular primary care, screenings, and treatment for chronic conditions can prevent small problems from becoming much more serious and expensive ones.

We have to communicate science in a way people can actually understand. Public health agencies should provide clear, transparent information about risks, benefits, and the evidence behind recommendations. People are more likely to trust information when they understand where it comes from and why recommendations are being made.

As a legislator, I would listen to public health professionals and researchers, use the best available evidence, and support policies that help Colorado communities prevent illness rather than simply reacting after people are already sick. Good public health is ultimately about protecting our neighbors and making sure our communities are resilient when new threats emerge.”

“Good public policy should be grounded in evidence, research, and the best available scientific findings. As a legislator I will actively seek out credible expertise before making decisions while also listening carefully to the people who would be affected by those decisions.”

“We need to approach agriculture policy grounded in protecting Colorado’s finite natural resources while making sure farmers and ranchers have the tools to remain economically viable. We should put research, producer experience, and measurable results at the center of policy making. We need to continue the strong partnerships between the Department of Agriculture, CSU Extension, conservation districts, and federal agencies that can help build that evidence base.”

“The policy goal should be to allow responsible investment while ensuring that the costs of that investment, particularly electricity, water, grid infrastructure, and environmental impacts are not shifted onto Colorado families and existing businesses.”

“When people are vaccinated we reach herd immunity people do not get sick. The recommendations of medical organizations should be respected.”

“As a former science teacher, I believe science literacy is fundamental to a healthy democracy and strong economy. I would focus on strengthening K-12 science education without turning science into a partisan issue. Standards should emphasize hands-on learning critical thinking, data analysis, scientific inquiry, and opportunities of students to work with real-world problems.”

“Good policymaking starts with good information. In the legislature, I will seek input from scientists, researchers, subject-matter experts, industry professionals, and, importantly, the people who will actually be affected by the policies we consider.

I will ask tough questions, examine credible evidence from multiple sources, and challenge assumptions when necessary. Science and data will play an important role in informing my decisions, while I also consider economic impacts, individual rights, practicality, and potential unintended consequences.

I will support transparency in the legislative process and seek out reliable research and testimony from people with relevant expertise and real-world experience. At the same time, policymaking should not simply be turned over to any single group of experts. Good science welcomes questions. Findings should be tested, replicated, scrutinized, and openly discussed as our understanding continues to evolve.

My approach in the legislature will be straightforward: follow the evidence, ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and make thoughtful decisions based on the best information available. Ultimately, I will remain accountable to the people of Colorado whom I am elected to serve.”

“Colorado agriculture is enormously important to our economy, our food supply, and our way of life, particularly in our rural communities. We should be using science and innovation to help farmers and ranchers produce more efficiently while protecting the natural resources upon which agriculture depends.

Water is obviously one of Colorado’s greatest challenges. I support investments in water storage, conservation, infrastructure, and technologies that improve water efficiency. Agricultural producers should be part of those conversations because they understand their land and water needs better than anyone.

I also support research and development that can improve crop resilience, soil health, irrigation efficiency, and agricultural productivity while reducing unnecessary dependence on costly inputs. Colorado’s universities, agricultural researchers, farmers, ranchers, and private industry can be tremendous partners in that work.

At the same time, innovation shouldn’t become an excuse for imposing costly mandates on producers. The goal should be to give farmers better tools and more choices, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, protect private property and water rights, and allow science and technology to help Colorado agriculture remain productive and competitive for generations to come.”

“Colorado should welcome innovation and the economic opportunities created by artificial intelligence and data centers, but we also need to be realistic about the tremendous amount of electricity, water, and infrastructure these facilities can require.

I support allowing data center development while ensuring that existing residents and businesses are not forced to subsidize the infrastructure or energy demands created by extremely large new users. I believe major data centers should be expected to provide or pay for the infrastructure necessary to support their operations, including dedicated electrical infrastructure when appropriate, rather than shifting those costs onto existing ratepayers.

Colorado also needs an energy policy capable of supporting future demand. That means maintaining reliable and affordable energy while remaining open to emerging technologies, including nuclear power.

Privacy and cybersecurity must also be taken seriously as AI expands. We should protect Coloradans’ personal information while avoiding regulations so restrictive that they drive innovation and investment out of our state.

The right balance is to welcome technological advancement while requiring responsible resource use, protecting consumers and ratepayers, and ensuring that the costs associated with major new developments are appropriately borne by those creating them.”

“Public health decisions should be grounded in reliable medical evidence, accurate information, and transparency. When infectious diseases occur, state and local health agencies should provide timely information so families understand the risks, symptoms, methods of transmission, and steps they can take to protect themselves and others.

I support strong disease surveillance, rapid identification and reporting of outbreaks, access to preventive and primary care, and ensuring that healthcare providers and communities have accurate information about infectious diseases and available vaccines.

I also believe public trust matters tremendously. Public health officials build that trust by being transparent about both what is known and what is not known, explaining the evidence behind their recommendations, and communicating honestly with the public rather than dismissing legitimate questions.

Preventive health extends beyond infectious disease. Improving access to primary care, mental health services, early screening, health education, and telehealth can help identify problems before they become emergencies.

Government has an important responsibility to protect public health, but it should do so while respecting individual rights and parental authority. Good public health policy should educate, provide access, communicate risk clearly, and earn the public’s trust.”

“As a retired teacher of 30 years, I believe science literacy is essential. Students should graduate understanding not only basic scientific concepts, but also how science works: asking questions, developing hypotheses, evaluating evidence, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and revising conclusions when the evidence requires it.

One of the most important skills we can teach students is how to distinguish evidence from opinion. In an age when young people have almost unlimited information at their fingertips, they need the ability to evaluate sources, recognize unsupported claims, understand basic statistics, and think critically about what they read and hear.

Our K-12 standards should emphasize strong foundational knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, mathematics, and scientific reasoning. Whenever possible, students should also have opportunities for hands-on experiments, laboratory work, engineering, technology, and partnerships with Colorado’s universities and STEM industries.

Science education should teach students how to think, not what to think. Genuine scientific inquiry requires curiosity, intellectual honesty, open discussion, and the freedom to question conclusions. If we develop those habits in our students, we will produce graduates who are better prepared for STEM careers and better equipped to make informed decisions throughout their lives.”

“Having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences and a general science teaching certification in 3 states, I’ve dedicated a good portion of my life to not only teaching science, but also helping students learn how to evaluate evidence, distinguish facts from opinions, and make informed decisions based on data. Over the course of 15 years as a science teacher and tutor, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of asking good questions, examining multiple sources, and following the evidence wherever it leads. As a policymaker, I’ve had a strong leadership role in developing our own Board of Health. Having experienced a pandemic as an elected official, I felt it was vital to have experts at the helm. I would bring that same approach to public service at the state level. I believe elected officials should actively seek input from subject-matter experts, researchers, educators, industry professionals, and community stakeholders when considering legislation. I would support the use of expert advisory panels, public hearings with scientific experts, and partnerships with Colorado’s universities, research institutions, and scientific organizations to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence. At the same time, science alone does not make policy, people do. My goal would be to ensure that scientific evidence has a seat at the table in every major policy discussion, particularly on issues involving education, public health, natural resources, energy, and environmental stewardship. Throughout my career, I’ve taught students and the public to think critically and evaluate claims based on evidence rather than ideology. I would bring that same commitment to the legislature, working to advance policies that are transparent, data-informed, and focused on achieving measurable results for the people of Colorado.”

“Colorado agriculture is essential not only to our economy and food systems, but also to the stewardship of our land and natural resources. As a trained Climate Reality Ambassador, I also know that supporting Colorado’s farmers and seasonal workers means respecting their expertise while ensuring they have the tools, training, and resources needed to adapt to a changing climate. It also means recognizing that climate-related challenges often fall hardest on low-income communities and communities of color, making resilient agricultural systems essential for both economic opportunity and environmental justice. I support science-based investments in water conservation, healthy soils, drought preparedness, precision agriculture, and producer support programs. In Broomfield, we’ve had a strong working relationship with trusted partners such as CSU Extension and I would work on building stronger partnerships with conservation districts, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. We can help farmers and ranchers adapt to changing conditions while remaining productive and competitive. Because agriculture, water management, and climate resilience are closely linked, I support continued implementation of strategies that advance both agricultural sustainability and the objectives of the Colorado Water Plan. As Colorado faces these challenges, it is essential that we continue to rely on practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen our communities, support working families, and help local businesses succeed. I believe we must ensure that family farmers and ranchers can remain viable in the face of rising production costs, increasing water demands, and changing environmental conditions. That means investing in efficient irrigation technologies, supporting innovative soil health practices, strengthening local and regional food systems, and expanding access to fresh, healthy food in underserved communities. It also means protecting rural economies from harmful practices that permanently transfer agricultural water rights away from farming communities. Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are already doing their part. They should not have to shoulder the burdens of water scarcity and climate resilience on their own. The state must be a committed partner, working alongside producers to advance practical, science-informed solutions that sustain both our agricultural heritage and our future prosperity.”

“Broomfield and Thornton are home to a highly skilled technology workforce, and our region already hosts multiple data centers that serve as critical infrastructure for the digital economy that supports scientific data collection, interpretation, and implementation. We understand both the benefits and the challenges these facilities bring. The reality is that yesterday’s data centers are not tomorrow’s data centers, as they are centered on an AI-driven economy.

When I helped pass Senate Bill 181, strengthening local control over oil and gas development, Broomfield helped lead the way for Colorado. I believe data center policy should follow a similar principle: local communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their water resources, energy systems, infrastructure, and quality of life. Local governments should retain the authority to set standards, approve or deny permits, and ensure that development aligns with community priorities.

As a Broomfield City Councilmember, I am already working with fellow Councilmember Laurie Anderson to evaluate best practices for next-generation data centers. We are touring facilities that utilize closed-loop cooling systems and other technologies designed to dramatically reduce water consumption. These innovations demonstrate that economic growth and resource conservation can go hand in hand when expectations are clear and accountability is built into the process.

My approach is to evaluate responsible investment while ensuring that the public is not left carrying the costs. Data center operators should pay their fair share for the infrastructure and energy demands they create, rather than shifting those costs onto residential ratepayers. Strong labor standards should also be part of the equation so that these projects create high-quality, family-supporting jobs for Colorado workers.

Artificial intelligence and cloud computing are already part of our daily lives, but the rapid growth of large-load AI data centers requires thoughtful oversight. Colorado must continue making progress toward its greenhouse gas reduction goals while ensuring that new facilities use energy and water responsibly. At the same time, we must protect consumer privacy and data security by supporting transparency, strong cybersecurity standards, and safeguards that prevent the misuse of personal information.

I recognize that neighboring states such as Wyoming and Utah may pursue less restrictive approaches and right now a lot of our workers are driving their gas powered cars across state lines to work, which hurt our GHG emission reduction goals. However, Colorado has long demonstrated that economic development and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. By setting clear standards, encouraging innovation, and maintaining local control, we can attract investment, create good jobs, protect our natural resources, and ensure that the benefits of AI are shared broadly across our communities responsibly.”

“I believe public health policy should be guided by evidence, transparency, and prevention. The recent measles outbreaks in Colorado remind us that infectious diseases do not recognize political boundaries, and that strong public health systems remain essential to protecting our communities. I am proud that Broomfield has consistently maintained high childhood vaccination rates compared to many communities across the country. Those high vaccination rates help protect not only individuals, but also infants, seniors, cancer patients, and others who may be especially vulnerable to infectious diseases. When measles cases were identified in our community, the Broomfield Department of Public Health and Environment acted quickly alongside state and regional partners to notify the public, identify potential exposure locations, conduct contact tracing, and provide clear guidance to families, schools, and healthcare providers. These rapid response measures help contain outbreaks before they become larger public health emergencies. During COVID, I advocated for access to vaccines at the workplace and worked with businesses to provide access. Going forward, I support evidence-based investments in public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, vaccination access, health education, and emergency preparedness. Public health agencies need the resources to detect outbreaks early, communicate accurate information quickly, and coordinate effectively with schools, healthcare providers, and local governments. I also support expanding access to preventive healthcare services so that cost, transportation, or language barriers do not prevent families from receiving recommended care. Beyond infectious diseases, preventive health includes addressing environmental health risks, air and water quality, mental health, chronic disease prevention, and preparedness for climate-related health impacts such as extreme heat and wildfire smoke. The most effective public health policies are often the ones that prevent problems before they occur. As a legislator, I would continue to support science-based public health policies that respect private health concerns, while recognizing our shared responsibility to protect community health. My goal is to ensure that Colorado families have access to accurate information, preventive care, and a strong public health system that is prepared to respond to both current and emerging health threats.”

“As a science teacher and tutor for more than 15 years, I have spent my career helping students learn not just scientific facts, but engage with our world in outdoor classrooms and Project Based Learning, like Northglenn High School’s programming. I’ve taught students how fossil fuel extraction exacerbates climate change and how policy meets the scientific road in regard to health and safety, as well as vaccine access. I’ve also engaged in community outreach as part of the Adams 12 ELEVATE program, with insight from thousands of community members, for our strategic plan, which serves as the roadmap for success in the Five Star District. This work expanded the impact our schools can have and why investing in schools is important. So, in today’s world, science literacy is more important than ever. Whether people are evaluating health information, understanding emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, making decisions about energy and natural resources, or navigating misinformation online, the ability to assess evidence and think critically is an essential civic skill. I support strengthening K-12 science education by continuing to emphasize inquiry-based learning, hands-on investigations, problem-solving, and real-world applications. Students should have opportunities to engage with authentic scientific questions, analyze data, and learn how evidence is gathered and evaluated. We should also better integrate media literacy, data literacy, and critical thinking skills into science instruction so students can navigate the vast amount of information they encounter every day. Colorado has world-class scientific resources, from our universities and research institutions to our aerospace, biotechnology, clean energy, and agricultural sectors. However, we need to be sure we have the funding for our public schools to build a strong teaching workforce and the support they need. Additionally, building stronger partnerships between schools, scientists, industry professionals, and community organizations can help students see science as relevant, accessible, and connected to careers and everyday life. As an educator, I have seen that students become most engaged when they can connect science to their own experiences and communities. Effective science education should help students understand not only the scientific concepts behind important issues, but also how scientific knowledge is developed, communicated, and applied to solve real-world problems. Ultimately, science literacy is not about training every student to become a scientist. It is about preparing all students to be informed citizens who can evaluate evidence, make sound decisions, and participate thoughtfully in our democracy. That goal has guided my work in the classroom, and it would continue to guide my work as a legislator.”

“I believe policymaking should be grounded in evidence, data, and real-world results, not ideology alone. As a State House representative, I will work with independent experts, local educators, healthcare professionals, scientists, and community leaders to make informed decisions that reflect both research and the needs of Aurora families. I support transparent, evidence-based policymaking with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and regular public review so taxpayers can see what is working and what is not. I also believe leaders must be willing to adjust policies when new evidence emerges. To me good policy comes from combining sound science with community input and practical experience. My focus will always be on solutions that improve lives, strengthen trust in government, and deliver results for Colorado families.”

“Colorado’s farmers and ranchers are essential to our economy, our food supply, and our way of life. As water scarcity and rising costs put increasing pressure on agriculture, we need practical, science-based solutions that help producers stay competitive while protecting our natural resources. I support investments in water conservation technology, precision agriculture, soil health programs, and drought resilience strategies that are backed by research and proven results. Colorado’s own Water Plan emphasizes the importance of supporting robust agriculture while improving long-term water sustainability. I also believe the state should strengthen partnerships with Colorado universities, agricultural experts, and local producers so policy decisions are informed by real data and on-the-ground experience, not one-size-fits-all mandates. Supporting innovation in irrigation efficiency, crop management, and fertilizer alternatives can help farmers reduce costs while conserving resources. Most importantly, we must treat farmers and ranchers as partners. Colorado succeeds when we protect both our agricultural economy and the natural resources future generations depend on.”

“Colorado has a chance to lead the nation in responsible AI innovation — creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our clean energy economy while protecting the natural resources that define our state. I support a balanced approach to data center growth that requires strong standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, transparency, and community impact. The right balance is encouraging economic growth and technological innovation while ensuring communities are not left with higher utility costs, strained water supplies, or environmental burdens. In a water-scarce state like Colorado, growth must be sustainable and backed by evidence-based planning. Any public incentives should deliver clear benefits for Coloradans: quality jobs, investments in renewable energy and grid modernization, workforce partnerships, and protections for taxpayers and local communities. My approach would tie incentives and permitting to measurable standards and long-term accountability so companies that benefit from doing business in Colorado also contribute to Colorado’s future. Colorado can lead in innovation without compromising our values or our future.”

“I am not a health expert, but Colorado’s recent measles outbreak is a reminder that public health preparedness matters. We have also seen concerns around illnesses like hantavirus, which highlight how important it is for communities to have accurate information, strong local healthcare systems, and the ability to respond quickly to emerging health threats.

I support evidence-based policies that expand vaccination access, strengthen public health communication, and ensure families receive accurate information from trusted medical professionals. The MMR vaccine is highly effective at preventing measles, and health experts consistently point to declining vaccination rates as a major factor behind recent outbreaks. I support expanding access to preventive care through schools, community clinics, and local healthcare providers, especially in underserved communities like mine. We also need stronger investment in public health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and emergency response so communities can respond quickly to outbreaks and future health threats. Protecting public health requires transparency, clear communication, and policies grounded in science while respecting individual freedoms. At the end of the day, preventive health is about keeping children safe, protecting vulnerable neighbors, reducing long-term healthcare costs, and making sure every Colorado community is prepared for the future.”

“Science literacy is more important than ever in a world shaped by technology, public health challenges, and an overwhelming amount of information and misinformation. Students need more than facts to memorize. They need to know how to think critically, evaluate evidence, solve problems, and make informed decisions in their daily lives. Most students are naturally curious about science when it feels connected to the real world. Colorado has already made important progress with science standards that emphasize inquiry, hands-on learning, and real-world application, and we should continue building on that foundation.

I support strengthening STEM education through high-quality science instruction, career and technical education, lab opportunities, and partnerships with universities and industry. Students should have opportunities to explore pathways in healthcare, aerospace, clean energy, artificial intelligence, and other growing fields that are shaping Colorado’s economy. We should also do more to teach media literacy, data interpretation, and the scientific process itself so students can better evaluate claims, understand evidence, and participate thoughtfully in civic life. Good science education should help students become informed citizens, not just future scientists.

That commitment should continue beyond K-12 education. Colorado’s colleges and universities play a critical role in research, innovation, and workforce development. Strong partnerships between higher education, local schools, and industry can help students connect classroom learning to meaningful careers and real-world challenges. Most importantly, science education should inspire curiosity and confidence. When students see how science connects to issues like healthcare, water conservation, energy, and emerging technology, learning becomes more relevant, engaging, and empowering.”

“Focus on Individual Freedom & Market-Based Solutions Scientific evidence is valued where it supports market solutions, innovation, and consumer choice. Republicans might be more skeptical of evidence used to justify heavy regulation or centralized control.”

“Avoid Overreach on Climate Regulation Policies framed mostly around climate change (e.g. carbon taxes or strict greenhouse gas mandates), unless there are strong local economic benefits and clear evidence that costs won’t hurt producers and familes .”

“Caution Around Regulatory Costs & Overreach Be skeptical of very tight mandates that could raise costs, deter investment, or create uncertainty. Weigh the economic trade-offs: jobs, local tax bases, tech leadership versus regulation cost.”

“Avoiding Discrimination or Social Division Avoid harsh exclusionary rules that could block children from school or deny services—see such exclusions as potential overreach or unfair burden on families.”

“Local Control & Parental Input Parents and local school districts should have significant say over curricula, especially in socially sensitive areas (evolution, climate policy, health). Approval processes, transparency of materials, opt-out options.”

“I would like to implement in every committee or hearing a group of verified experts on a given topic to advise on the topics at hand and come to a more comprehensive decision. Not just in committees where there isn’t someone on the committee who professes to be an expert. ALL committees and hearings full stop.”

“This again falls to consultation. The first step is to talk to the farmers and look at the solutions they propose first. Generally speaking the people on the ground (or in the ground in this case) know best what needs to happen for them to be most effective and we should consult them on decisions that can affect their crops. This is something we understand as we bring in experts in all meetings. Understanding the interplay between how housing, AI and farming affect each other on the water table would need to be a focus based on current trends.”

“I believe the correct balance is when the data center is built in a way that doesn’t interfere with the way everyday Coloradans live their lives. Building data centers anywhere in the city should be out of the question until legislation reflects a building practice that doesn’t involve backup gas generators or any other loud noises of any frequency, air or visual pollution.”

“Vaccinations and quarantines are the most effective and easiest methods for controlling an outbreak that I am aware of. For any other methods that are experimental or unproven I would consult experts and nurses on the ground.”

“After speaking with teachers across my district, the best solutions are as follows: Revamping administrative practices to back up teachers more. Adjusting the curriculum in a way consistent with what veteran teachers believe is the most effective (preferably in a way that folds in the opinions of teachers worldwide). Paying teachers enough to alleviate issues with affordability. Providing materials so teachers don’t have to come out of pocket.”

“I believe policymaking should be made by listening to the people who know the issue best and looking at the evidence before making decisions. I already have worked with scientists, researchers, and educators on issues ranging from healthcare to the environment, and am committed to continuing that practice.”

“As a representative of the Western Slope, I am acutely aware of the real challenges of rising costs and drought facing our ranchers and farmers. I want to continue using my role to make sure the policies we put in place are grounded in the best available data, while also reflecting the expertise of the people who work our land every day. That means supporting water conservation and irrigation improvements, expanding agricultural workforce programs, and investing in research and technology that can help producers do more with fewer resources. I will also continue working directly with those closest to the issues: producers, agricultural researchers, water experts, and state agencies, to make sure these policies are grounded in both the best available evidence and the realities of working Colorado’s land.”

“I believe Colorado can continue supporting technological innovation without putting our communities at risk and in a position to bear the costs and consequences. Especially as a representative of the Western Slope, I know the water strain our communities are already facing. To that end, I believe each data center plan should be evaluated based on its energy use, infrastructure, and impact on surrounding communities. I also believe in working with local governments to determine what makes sense for their communities so residents have a chance to weigh in on the projects that will affect them.”

“I believe in strengthening and partnering with our state and local public health systems, which have the scientific expertise to determine the best ways to reach their communities. We should also make vaccines as accessible as possible by ensuring affordable, convenient resources are available for people who need them. I view pairing trusted local outreach with better access is essential to improving community health across Colorado.”

“As a former teacher, I believe science literacy starts with giving students the resources and teachers they need to succeed. It’s why I have fought to increase K-12 funding and make Colorado’s school funding formula more equitable, because strong science education requires investment in our schools and educators.

We should also make science standards more practical by teaching students how to evaluate evidence, explain their reasoning, and distinguish between science misconceptions and facts. We should also capitalize on living in Colorado, which offers so many hands-on science learning opportunities, from studying our water and mountains to understanding wildfires and agriculture.”

“As I’ve always done, I will ensure I meet with experts & getting expert testimony as much as possible. I believe in science and believe in staying current with the changing dynamics, discoveries, and research. This is especially true with climate change and all of the competing dynamics in our modern policy environment.”

“I would like to support farmers in their goals to modernize their farming techniques, utilizing research and new evidence-based discoveries that improve efficiency, especially in terms of water use, livestock, and climate-hardy biodiversity.”

“We should ensure guardrails are in place to protect quality of life and the environment. For example, using closed-loop systems, ensuring they provide their own clean energy sources including small modular nuclear, and they are zoned in heavy industrial areas only keeping them far away from residences, churches, schools, etc. By making sure that data centers are required to be energy independent, it prevents costs from being passed on to consumers.”

“I strongly believe in the use of proven vaccines. Seeing diseases that were nearly eradicated making a comeback is a serious public and community health issue. I believe it is our responsibility to ensure that evidence-based, factual information is provided to the public, so that parents & individuals can make educated choices for themselves and their families.”

“I believe we should be implementing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) into state standards for our education system in Colorado. We should put more emphasis on critical thinking & life skills in our education system, as well.”

“For me, using evidence to make policy decisions would be standard practice. Colorado has a wealth of scientific expertise we can draw on, from Colorado Mesa University and Colorado State University to local researchers, experts, and state agencies. I would also look for ways to build and encourage independent and local scientific advisory networks that can provide objective and useful information.

Before sponsoring major legislation—especially on issues like water, wildfire, public lands, agriculture, energy, and public health—I would seek out the best available evidence, understand where there is still uncertainty, and make that information available to the public. I also want to make sure we’re listening to people who know these issues firsthand. This means seeking input from water managers, agricultural researchers, land managers, and communities across the Western Slope.

Where it makes sense, I would support pilot programs with measurable goals so we can see what actually works. If the evidence changes, our policies should be willing to change with it.

Colorado already has valuable nonpartisan resources through the Legislative Council and legislative staff, including research and fiscal analysis. I would make use of those resources while also seeking independent scientific expertise to help make informed decisions.”

“Farmers and ranchers here in western Colorado need policies that support both their livelihoods and the water, soil, and ecosystems they depend on. The goal should be practical and scientifically supported solutions that help agriculture stay profitable while keeping our land and natural resources healthy for the next generation. As a legislator, I would make evidence-based agricultural innovation a priority by:

1) Investing in water efficiency: We should expand funding and technical assistance for tools like precision irrigation and soil-moisture monitoring. CSU’s research centers in western Colorado are already doing important work on water conservation, crop varieties, pests, and resilient production, giving us a strong foundation to build on. 2) Supporting farmer- and rancher-led research: Partnering with CSU Extension, Colorado’s Agricultural Experiment Station, conservation districts, and local growers to test drought-tolerant crops, soil-health practices, and technologies that can reduce costs under Western Slope conditions connects and strengthens different areas of expertise. 3) Protecting agricultural water: I support conservation efforts that don’t unnecessarily reduce agricultural production, protect existing agricultural water rights, and make sure farmers and ranchers have a meaningful voice in Colorado River and basin-management decisions. 4) Reducing vulnerability: Colorado must encourage research and incentives for healthier soils, better nutrient management, and more diverse supply chains so producers are less dependent on volatile prices for imported fertilizers and other materials. 5) Measuring what works: We must make sure public investments are focused on practices that show real improvements in farm profitability, water conservation, soil health, and environmental outcomes—and adjust programs when the data tells us something isn’t working.

In the state legislature we need to find ways to give producers the tools and flexibility to find practical solutions that are proven to work here in western Colorado.”

“The jury is out about whether data centers can provide ANY long-term positive benefits for the communities in which they’re built. At the same time, Colorado’s Legislative Council has identified higher electricity/energy costs, dramatic water consumption, negative public health outcomes, noise exposure, environmental and habitat degradation, and loss of surrounding land value as very real and critically negative AI data-center impacts.

Because of this, Colorado’s legislators must all take full responsibility for making sure that any approved data centers pay their fair share of the costs and negative impacts (economic, environmental, land value etc.) that they create.

So, before approving any project, I would demand rigorous, transparent analysis of its impacts on electricity rates, water supplies, grid reliability, emissions, land use, and local infrastructure, as well as any potential long-term jobs and economic benefits. I believe that to be approved anywhere in Colorado, a data center must at a minimum:

1) Pay the full incremental cost of new generation, transmission, and grid upgrades so existing ratepayers are not left subsidizing private development. 2) Demonstrate and commit to sustainable, self-contained, efficient and non-potable cooling technologies. Data centers in Colorado must not be allowed to jeopardize the precious, limited, and already over-taxed water resources that support ALL life and livelihoods in Colorado. 3) Meet strong energy-efficiency and clean-energy standards, with transparent reporting of electricity and water consumption. Standards must be maintained or operations must stop. 4) Provide measurable public benefits—quality and long-term jobs, workforce training, tax revenue, and infrastructure investment—before any state or local incentives are offered. 5) Protect privacy and communities through appropriate data-security standards and meaningful local review.

Innovation should be encouraged when its benefits exceed its public costs. Our state legislature must require developers—not Colorado ratepayers or water users—to bear these costs.”

“Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. We got to that point through prevention, early detection, and decisions based on the best available evidence. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective against measles, and Colorado’s experience in 2025 showed that quick contact tracing, testing, and clear public communication can help limit the spread. If we want a healthier Colorado, we should:

1) Make vaccines easier to access: Support public-health clinics, school-based vaccination programs, mobile clinics, and outreach that helps remove barriers to recommended vaccines. 2) Invest in early detection: Maintain and expand Colorado’s disease surveillance systems, including wastewater monitoring. In Mesa County, wastewater detection helped identify the potential for additional measles cases and focus the public-health response. 3) Support local public health: Make sure county health departments have the resources they need for contact tracing, testing, outbreak response, and clear communication with healthcare providers and the public. 4) Use prevention to address other health threats: Apply the same evidence-based approach to issues like substance use, chronic disease, air quality, and environmental exposures. We should set measurable goals, track what works, and adjust when it doesn’t. 5) Build trust through transparency: Be clear about what the evidence tells us, what we’re still uncertain about, and why recommendations may change as we learn more.

We can make Colorado’s House District 54 healthier by using scientific evidence to identify what works, making proven prevention accessible, measuring the results, and being willing to change course when the evidence changes.”

“Unfortunately, I think public science literacy is fairly low. Colorado has made an effort to improve science literacy and education, and we rank above average nationally in overall educational attainment. At the same time, despite having a strong adult STEM workforce, a high concentration of federal research labs, and significant recent state investments, Colorado’s local K-12 scores are still closer to the national average.

There are several reasons for this. Unequal access to quality science education, limited time and resources for teachers, misinformation on social media, and declining trust in institutions can all make it harder for people to tell reliable and rigorous scientific evidence from unsupported claims. Science can also feel disconnected from everyday life when we aren’t shown how it relates to the decisions we make or the tools we use every day. Colorado’s K-12 standards could help by putting more emphasis on scientific reasoning and building stronger relationships with science. This could include:

1) Ensuring that our teachers have quality tools and reasonable class sizes. Science teachers should never have to curtail labs because overcrowded classes or outdated equipment jeopardize lab safety. We must support schools and teachers so they can provide more hands-on opportunities to investigate real-world questions, collect evidence, and develop and revise explanations. 2) Teaching students how scientific knowledge is developed, including uncertainty, peer review, replication, and the difference between evidence and opinion. 3) Building media and information literacy skills so students can evaluate scientific claims, sources, statistics, and misinformation. 4) Connecting science to issues that matter here in Colorado, such as water, wildfires, agriculture, energy, and ecosystems. 5) Creating space for respectful conversations about controversial scientific topics while recognizing legitimate uncertainty. 6) Providing teachers with professional development and resources to support inquiry-based and culturally responsive science instruction. Students should be able to explore the historical and cultural contexts of science.

Ultimately, we shouldn’t just be teaching students scientific facts. We should be helping them understand how science works, how to evaluate evidence, and to feel comfortable engaging with science throughout their lives.”

“I come from a background of medicine and science and will continue to use my critical thinking skills in policy making. I also know to reach out to experts in the corresponding fields to get their input on the effects of policy decisions.”

“I have been Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources for six years and have built great relationships with Colorado farmers and the agricultural ecosystem. I listen to them on ways to solve problems and to protect the ag economy for the future.”

“I believe that data centers will continue to be needed and that there is a way for us to move forward in a smart, targeted way to protect our natural resources, communities and energy prices. We have to set aside hyperbole and focus on real solutions.”

“I am 100% pro-vaccine and education to make sure communities understand the best way to protect ourselves and our families is through preventative medicine. We must find ways to overcome misinformation and fear that has undermined the ability for medicine to help people.”

“We need to focus on fostering the ability for kids to think critically, question assumptions and to explore answers looking for supported data and evidence. Science must be lifted up and celebrated in schools at all ages.”

“The Colorado Assembly has the nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff that researches and prepares policy analyses. I would make use of their services as well as weighing expert and scientific testimony on bills. I would like to see if there are ways to formalize the standards for such testimony. Many bills currently come with fiscal notes, and having similar advisory notes that summarize research and data, identify potential strengths and weaknesses and benefits and risks from an evidentiary and scientific perspective could be useful to legislators in their decision-making role.”

“Current climate and economic conditions are certainly challenging for Colorado’s farmers, and any policy that legislators pass should focus on evidence-based measures that can promote productivity and profitability while also conserving natural resources. I would support policies that support innovation at CSU and by other agricultural researchers to create more drought-tolerant crops, healthy soil use, fertilizer alternatives, and improved irrigation technologies.”

“The development of data centers in Colorado is a concern for me. While it is important that Colorado stays technologically advanced, it must not be at the expense of residents and our environment. There may, however, be an opportunity if we require data centers to get a certain portion of their energy from renewable sources. Colorado will then see more investment in our renewable energy infrastructure, which benefits everyone. The energy that data centers use should place an emphasis on green energy and must not result in rate increases for Colorado residents. Any incentives that Colorado offers should be for investing in the local communities and infrastructure that will be impacted by the data centers, not the data centers themselves. The legislature’s focus needs to be community welfare, not corporate welfare.”

“The measles outbreaks across the country are an example of how quickly and devastatingly misinformation can put children and other vulnerable people at risk. Measles and many other diseases are easily preventable via vaccination. I believe the best way to address this issue is to use reputable, peer-reviewed research to get clear data. Government research agencies need to be independent from partisan influence and political pressure. They need to be free to base recommendations on the best science available.

Having unbiased data will not be enough, however, to convince the vaccine-hesitant. Parents who refuse or delay immunization are not making the choice because they don’t care about their children’s health; they are usually misinformed about the risks of vaccines. Any good public health campaign must include education, and utilizing relationships of trust can be an effective way of communicating with various populations. We should enlist family doctors, educators, religious leaders, and other trusted community leaders to share reliable information about the safety of vaccines, the risks of preventable infectious diseases, and the importance of herd immunity.”

“While most Americans can answer basic science questions correctly, science literacy also involves an ability to interpret graphs, understand statistical relevance, and evaluate sources, among other things. K-12 education standards should include the necessary factual building blocks of scientific systems, but they should also include data interpretation, scientific reasoning, and understanding that science is not always certain because inquiry and learning is ongoing.

I would love to see less standardized testing and more hands-on experiments and field work to get more students excited about science. Let’s get students actively applying the necessary practical and analytical skills that result in scientifically literate adults. Many children will not grow up to work in science careers, but knowing how to analyze data and synthesize information to make decisions that affect our health, environment, economy, and politics are critical for all people engaging in our modern society.”

“I’ll start with my B.S. in Mathematics with a Physics minor. I’ll use my experience as a math teacher. And I’ll welcome input from the science community.”

“I plan to use my education, experience as a teacher, and experience living in rural Colorado to help guide my urban legislators toward prudent policies that affect ranching and farming. I’ll also use it to communicate to ranching and farming communities about proposed policies.”

“China has 4 times as many people as the U.S. The U.S. has at least 10 times the number of data centers and almost twice the computing power compared to China. I support a moratorium on new data centers until such time as science proves a) there is a need for more; b) they can be built without harming the environment; and c) they can be built and operated without the general citizenry paying for it.”

“The evidence is clear. People who are talking other people into avoiding vaccines are idiots.”

“One of the best things we can do to improve science and math education in public schools is to start re-emphasizing the arts in public schools. Science and math require creativity to master.”

“I recognize organizations with subject matter experts are vital to the policymaking. Listening and learning from these entities, and listening to and informing my constituents – these are is the best methods for effective policymaking.”

“I am an accountant. Business management is about using the evidence from accounts to manage a business. State government is about providing for, utilizing and protecting our common wealth. I can advance data gathering at the state level that was performed by our federal government. I imagine using my role as a state legislator to support evidence-based advancements, study weather and climate, and support farmers while protecting resources for the future.”

“AI may be an effective tool for assisting with work tasks, such as a radiologist reading an X-ray. However, AI is a tool to help, not a replacement for people. Furthermore, we are in a situation where there is speculative business to build data centers to support AI. We cannot let that economic bubble consume undue water and electricity. We cannot let the populace continue to be increasingly unemployed due to AI. We cannot allow data centers to despoil peaceful neighborhoods.”

“Colorado has a robust, but hidden public health system, consisting of the CDPHE and of county and/or regional health departments. Given the abdication of the federal government of this responsibility we need to boost the visibility and outreach of our state resources. We can deal with infectious diseases and environmental hazards. However, the safety of our food supply is beyond our ability to control. I recommend building a coalition of states to perform food production and packaging inspections.”

“The number one misperception about science is that it is magic for solving problems. Through project-based learning we can teach that science is a process of learning and discovery. Through engineering and management, we can harness advances to help people.”

“I will make evidence-based policymaking a core part of my work by creating advisory circles of scientists, educators, public health experts, engineers, economists, workers, and community members. I will rely on nonpartisan research, expert briefings, and transparent review of evidence before major decisions. I will also support clear goals, data tracking, and regular policy reviews so we can adjust when the facts show something is not working.”

“Colorado farmers are facing water scarcity, rising costs, and climate pressures, and I would support practical, evidence-based solutions that protect both farms and natural resources. That includes water-smart agriculture, drought-resilient crops, soil health, precision irrigation, stronger local supply chains, and partnerships with CSU, conservation districts, and farmers. Farmers must be at the table so policy reflects both science and real-world experience.”

“Colorado should welcome AI innovation and good jobs, but not at the expense of our water, energy grid, neighborhoods, or ratepayers. I would support data centers only with strong standards for water efficiency, clean energy, grid reliability, land-use compatibility, and public transparency. Large users should pay their fair share for grid upgrades, and tax incentives should be tied to local hiring, efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and community benefit. We should also put job protections and utility rate protections in place. “

“I support evidence-based public health policies focused on prevention, trust, and rapid response. That means expanding vaccine access and education, strengthening local public health departments, improving outbreak tracking and communication, and protecting schools, seniors, and vulnerable residents. I would also invest in broader preventive health, including mental health, maternal health, chronic disease prevention, nutrition, air quality, and affordable primary care.”

“Science literacy should help students understand evidence, ask good questions, recognize misinformation, and make informed decisions. I would support K-12 standards that focus on hands-on learning, critical thinking, data interpretation, source evaluation, and real-world problem solving. We should also connect students with local scientists, farmers, engineers, healthcare workers, and universities so science feels relevant to their lives and prepares them for future careers.”

“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.”

“Good policymaking begins with reliable evidence. I will regularly consult scientists, researchers, technical experts, and the people directly affected by a policy. That includes seeking guidance from Colorado’s universities, public-health agencies, nonpartisan legislative staff, professional scientific organizations, and experts working in our communities.

For legislation involving complex scientific or technical questions, I will encourage early expert briefings and stakeholder roundtables before positions become entrenched. I will ask what the strongest available evidence shows, where genuine uncertainty remains, and whether the research is independent and applicable to Colorado. I will also look for conflicts of interest and distinguish peer-reviewed findings from unsupported claims or industry talking points.

Whenever practical, legislation should include clearly defined goals and measurable outcomes so we can determine whether it is working. I support transparent reporting, independent evaluation, and regular legislative review of major programs. If new evidence shows that a policy is ineffective or causing unintended harm, lawmakers should be willing to revise it.

Science will not always dictate a single policy choice; elected officials must also weigh costs, competing needs, community values, and fairness. But those choices should begin with an honest understanding of the evidence. Coloradans, especially working families whose health, safety, and livelihoods are affected by our decisions, deserve policies grounded in facts rather than ideology.”

“My district is largely suburban, and I would not pretend to be an expert on agriculture. My responsibility as a legislator would be to listen to Colorado’s farmers and ranchers, consult agricultural scientists and water experts, and make decisions based on evidence and practical experience.

Agriculture still matters greatly to the working families I hope to represent. Drought, rising production costs, and disruptions in imported supplies eventually affect the prices families pay at the grocery store. Water decisions made elsewhere in Colorado also have consequences for our communities, economy, and long-term growth.

I would support research and voluntary programs that help producers use water, fertilizer, and other resources more efficiently while maintaining productive farms and ranches. Colorado State University, its Extension offices, and agricultural research stations can play an important role in identifying which approaches actually work under Colorado conditions. State assistance should be practical, affordable, and accessible to small and midsized producers.

I would also be careful about policies that sound good in theory but shift costs onto farmers, consumers, or rural communities. Farmers and ranchers should have a meaningful voice from the beginning, and programs should include measurable goals so legislators can determine whether they are protecting water and soil, strengthening our food supply, and reducing costs.

Putting working families first means recognizing that affordable food, responsible water management, healthy natural resources, and a strong agricultural economy are closely connected.”

“Colorado should welcome AI innovation and the economic opportunities it can create, but new AI data centers must be treated as the heavy industrial facilities they are. Their demands for electricity, water, and infrastructure can be enormous, while the number of permanent local jobs may be relatively small. The right balance is growth with clear, evidence-based guardrails that put working families first.

My first principle is that residential and small-business utility customers should not subsidize these projects through higher electric or water bills. Data centers should pay the full cost of the substations, transmission upgrades, grid connections, and other infrastructure they require, backed by long-term contracts and financial guarantees.

Before approving projects or granting incentives, state and local decisionmakers should have reliable, publicly available information about projected electricity use, water consumption, infrastructure costs, permanent jobs, and community benefits. Water-intensive projects should provide verified long-term water plans, with preference given to air-cooled or closed-loop cooling systems.

I oppose blank-check tax incentives. Any incentive should undergo a transparent cost-benefit analysis, produce enforceable benefits such as local hiring, apprenticeships, and use of local vendors, and include clawback provisions if promises are not met.

Responsible siting, emergency planning, and ongoing public reporting should also be required. Colorado can be pro-innovation and pro-business while remaining firmly pro-taxpayer. AI growth should strengthen our economy and infrastructure. It should not shift corporate costs onto working families or strain the water and energy resources upon which every Colorado community depends.”

“Living with a pediatric nurse has given me a close-up appreciation for the importance of prevention, vaccination, and clear communication with families. My wife’s work has also reinforced that public-health policy must be grounded in medical evidence and delivered with compassion, not politicized or shaped by misinformation.

I support making recommended vaccines easy and affordable to obtain through doctors, pharmacies, schools, community clinics, and mobile programs. Colorado should maintain appropriate vaccination standards for schools and childcare settings, accurately track immunization rates, and focus outreach on communities where gaps leave children and medically vulnerable people at greater risk.

We also need well-funded state and local public-health agencies capable of identifying outbreaks quickly, conducting laboratory testing and disease surveillance, notifying people who may have been exposed, and providing communities with timely, understandable information. Waiting until an outbreak becomes a crisis is both more dangerous and more expensive.

Preventive health extends beyond infectious disease. Working families need affordable access to primary care, routine screenings, maternal and pediatric care, mental-health services, and reliable information about environmental threats such as unsafe air or water.

I will rely on qualified medical professionals, public-health experts, and credible scientific evidence when evaluating these policies. Putting working families first means giving people the information and access they need to protect themselves, while maintaining the public-health safeguards that protect children, seniors, and neighbors whose medical conditions make them especially vulnerable.”

“Science literacy is increasingly important, yet many people have difficulty distinguishing reliable evidence from misinformation, especially on social media. Science education should do more than teach students a collection of facts. It should teach them how to ask good questions, evaluate sources, interpret data, understand probability and uncertainty, and change their conclusions when better evidence becomes available.

Colorado’s K-12 standards should continue to include strong instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, climate science, and health. They should also place greater emphasis on hands-on investigation, practical problem-solving, statistics, and media literacy. Students should learn how scientific knowledge develops through testing, review, replication, and constructive disagreement. Understanding that process can build trust without asking students to accept every claim uncritically.

Standards alone, however, are not enough. We must fully fund public schools, maintain manageable class sizes, provide modern laboratory materials, and give teachers the training and freedom needed to bring science to life. Schools should also be encouraged to partner with Colorado’s universities, museums, research laboratories, healthcare professionals, conservation organizations, and science-based employers so students can meet scientists and see how their work affects daily life.

Those opportunities must be available in every school, not just wealthy districts. Putting working families first means ensuring that every child can develop the skills needed to make informed decisions about health, technology, the environment, and civic life, while also preparing for the science and technology jobs that will help power Colorado’s future.”

“I plan on relying strongly on data and evidence-based practices although not to the exclusion of the personal experiences of our community.”

“There are parts of the country and internationally that have adopted less-water intensive irrigation practices. For example, center-pivot irrigation systems have been adopted to pull irrigation lines that water directly onto the ground rather than spraying it in the air and subject to greater evaporation. We should be able to make sure that our farmers have the best information and practices available.”

“Data centers should be required to act as a community partner as they will change the character of the surrounding area. This includes the use of resources and noise generated from backup generators.”

“We need to continue to support efforts to help inform our community that measles can cause serious conditions such as brain swelling and hospitalization and even death in some cases while explaining that vaccines are about 97% effective at preventing measles. We should be upfront about the side effects but not allow misinformation to minimize the effectiveness of the vaccines.”

“We should encourage schools to offer more pathways to allow students to explore STEM disciplines.”

“Sound policymaking requires good evidence, but it also requires judgment, transparency and accountability, as often what we are searching for is the least worst solution to issues that confront us. I will continue consulting nonpartisan Legislative Council staff, research 9fellows, state auditors, economists, technical experts, affected industries, local governments and Colorado’s universities, including experts at CSU Extension, before making major policy decisions. Additionally, I have used the legislative interim periods to tour facilities, attend conferences, and short academy offerings.

Advisory groups should include practitioners with firsthand experience, not solely academics, agency officials or advocacy organizations. A transportation engineer, rural physician, farmer, small-business owner or county commissioner may identify practical consequences that a statewide model overlooks. Minority viewpoints and credible conflicting evidence should also be considered rather than excluded

For significant legislation, I support clearly identifying the data, assumptions, projected costs and expected outcomes underlying the proposal. When evidence is incomplete, lawmakers should acknowledge that uncertainty. Pilot programs, sunset reviews and measurable performance standards can allow Colorado to test an approach before expanding it statewide.

After implementation, agencies should report whether a policy accomplished its stated purpose, what it cost and whether it produced unintended consequences. Programs that do not deliver measurable results should be changed or ended.

Scientific findings should inform public policy, but science does not independently decide questions involving constitutional rights, affordability, personal liberty or competing public priorities. Evidence should illuminate those tradeoffs so elected representatives, and ultimately the public, can make informed and accountable decisions.”

“Agriculture is $47 billion industry fundamental to Colorado’s economy, food security and rural heritage. Supporting it begins with listening to producers and advancing solutions that work under real-world conditions.

I support strengthening agricultural research and CSU Extension programs focused on drought-resistant crops, soil health, livestock health, precision agriculture, water efficiency and lower-cost alternatives to imported fertilizer and other high-cost inputs. Public research should be conducted transparently and translated into practical tools that producers of every size can use.

Colorado should also streamline approval of proven water-saving technology, support irrigation modernization, expand water storage and improve drought forecasting. Conservation programs should remain voluntary, locally driven and incentive-based. Protecting natural resources cannot mean regulating productive agriculture out of existence or transferring rural water without regard for the communities that depend upon it.

We should measure proposed agricultural regulations against their economic and operational effects, including cumulative costs. Farmers should have meaningful representation before new mandates are adopted. They are the on-the-ground experts in conservation practices. Policies must also protect private-property and senior water rights.

Finally, innovation requires infrastructure. Rural broadband, reliable and affordable energy, passable roads, agricultural workforce development and accessible veterinary services all help producers adopt new technologies and remain competitive.

My objective is to ensure we never dictate farming practices from Denver. It is to connect sound research with producer experience, remove unnecessary barriers and give Colorado farmers and ranchers the tools and flexibility to produce more efficiently while preserving our land and water for future generations.”

“Colorado should welcome responsible investment in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure, but growth must not force families, farmers and existing businesses to subsidize the industry’s substantial electricity, water and infrastructure demands.

Data centers can bring construction investment, tax revenue and high-skilled employment. They can also require enormous amounts of power, create new transmission costs, consume water and affect neighboring communities through noise, traffic and land-use changes. The proper balance is growth that pays its own way and respects local priorities.

I support transparent utility proceedings requiring data-center developers to bear the costs of the generation, transmission and grid upgrades needed to serve them. Long-term contracts, appropriate financial sureties and protective rate structures should prevent existing customers from being left with stranded costs if a project closes or uses less power than projected.

Developers must disclose anticipated energy and water demands before approval. Colorado should encourage, but not prescribe, a diverse supply of reliable power, including natural gas, advanced nuclear, renewables and storage. Projects using reclaimed water, closed-loop systems, air cooling, waste-heat recovery or other resource-saving technologies may merit incentives when benefits can be independently verified.

County and municipal governments must retain meaningful land-use authority. Local residents deserve early notice and a voice regarding water availability, noise, emergency services, roads and community impacts. Local governments are best positioned to ensure objective impacts to their communities are fully mitigated.

Colorado does not need either a blanket prohibition or a taxpayer-funded giveaway. We need clear rules, accurate information, local control and enforceable protections ensuring that innovation benefits Colorado without shifting its costs onto everyone else.”

“The premise of this question illustrates why policymakers must verify the facts before prescribing solutions. Colorado has not experienced one continuous measles outbreak since March 2025. Instead, the state experienced several introductions and clusters. The best-documented outbreak, linked to an infectious traveler passing through Denver International Airport, ended in July 2025. Later cases represent separate transmission events.

While measles is highly contagious, vaccination provides strong protection. I support making recommended vaccines readily accessible while preserving informed consent. Patients and parents deserve complete, understandable information about benefits, risks, alternatives and individual circumstances, and the freedom to ask questions without being dismissed or coerced.

We must also recognize the unfortunate but understandable erosion of public trust following Colorado’s handling of COVID-19. Changing guidance, inconsistent restrictions, insufficient acknowledgment of uncertainty and troubling issues subsequently examined through congressional hearings caused many Americans to question traditional public-health information sources. That trust cannot be restored by demanding compliance or dismissing legitimate concerns. It must be rebuilt carefully and deliberately through transparency, humility and accountability.

Public-health officials should clearly distinguish established evidence from evolving judgment, disclose uncertainties and competing findings, explain policy changes and acknowledge mistakes. Data and supporting assumptions should be publicly available whenever possible.

Rural communities also need practical access to vaccination, testing and treatment through local health departments, clinics, hospitals and pharmacies. During an outbreak, I support rapid testing, accurate exposure notifications, focused protection for vulnerable people and close coordination with local officials, not an automatic return to inflexible statewide mandates.

Effective public health depends upon trust. Deep factual analysis, honest communication, informed consent, individual responsibility and locally tailored action provide the strongest foundation for protecting both public health and personal liberty.”

“As an engineer and former school board member, I recognize that science literacy is both increasingly important and it involves more than memorizing conclusions. Students should understand how evidence is gathered, how hypotheses are tested, how uncertainty is measured and how new findings can refine earlier conclusions.

Colorado’s K–12 standards should place greater emphasis on the scientific method, statistics, probability, experimental design, source evaluation and the difference between correlation and causation. Students should learn to examine data, identify weak assumptions and distinguish peer-reviewed research from unsupported claims or persuasive online content. These reasoning skills are critical in all areas of life regardless of a student’s eventual career path.

Hands-on learning is especially valuable. Laboratory experiments, agricultural science, engineering projects, environmental fieldwork, computer science and career-and-technical education help students see how scientific principles solve practical problems. Partnerships with farms, hospitals, utilities, manufacturers, universities and skilled-trades employers can connect classroom learning with Colorado careers.

Standards should also teach students how to discuss scientific disagreements constructively. Science advances through questioning and testing, not appeals to political authority. Students should be able to consider competing explanations, evaluate the strength of evidence and revise their views without treating disagreement as hostility.

Teachers need strong subject-matter preparation, quality instructional materials and access to continuing education. At the same time, curriculum decisions should remain transparent to parents and accountable to locally elected school boards.

Our goal should not be to tell students what to think about every contested issue. It should be to equip them to ask good questions, understand evidence, recognize uncertainty and reach defensible conclusions. Those abilities will produce better scientists, more capable workers and better-informed citizens.”

“Good public policy should begin with reliable evidence. As a legislator, I would seek information from credible scientific and technical sources, consult qualified experts, examine the underlying data and assumptions, and be transparent about what is known, what is uncertain, and the potential costs and benefits of a proposal.

My professional work in land use, planning, agriculture, mediation, and community development has taught me that data must also be considered in the context of real-world conditions. Evidence can be incomplete, communities can differ significantly, and policies that appear sound in theory can have unintended consequences when implemented.

I would support advisory mechanisms that bring together qualified scientists, technical experts, practitioners, and stakeholders with relevant expertise, while ensuring that their findings are independently evaluated and publicly accessible. Scientific conclusions should be based on evidence and the scientific process - not on political agendas or pressure to reach a predetermined outcome.

I also believe political or social agendas should never be used to override actual scientific findings. At the same time, science should inform policy rather than dictate every policy decision; legislators must weigh evidence alongside constitutional rights, costs, practical consequences, and the needs of their constituents - farmers, healthcare providers, teachers, businesses, local governments, and families who will have to live with the result.

Evidence matters. Experience Matters. I will always look at all side of an issue, seek all the information, ask difficult questions, acknowledge uncertainty, and make policy decisions that produce practical, measurable benefits for Coloradans.”

“Colorado agriculture is essential to our economy, food supply, open spaces, and rural communities. Farmers and ranchers are also among our most experienced conservationists because their livelihoods depend on healthy soil, reliable water, and productive land.

As a legislator, I would support evidence-based, voluntary innovations that help producers use water, fertilizer, energy, and other inputs more efficiently. This could include improved irrigation technology, soil-health practices, precision agriculture, drought-resistant crops where appropriate, better water measurement and management, and research developed in partnership with producers.

I would also oppose unnecessary mandates on farming practices or labor use that increase operating costs, reduce productivity, or negatively affect a farm’s bottom line without clear evidence that they will achieve their intended benefit. Farmers need flexibility to make decisions based on their crops, livestock, land, workforce, and local conditions.

Solutions must recognize that agriculture in Southwest Colorado is different from agriculture along the Front Range. State policy should not impose one-size-fits-all requirements based on assumptions that do not fit every region or operation.

Water is particularly important. We must protect Colorado’s water, respect prior appropriation and existing water rights, maintain agricultural water infrastructure, and avoid policies that make farming and ranching less economically sustainable.

Government should provide sound research, improve infrastructure, remove unnecessary regulatory barriers, and give producers practical tools and flexibility—not dictate how they operate their farms and ranches. Political or social agendas should never override sound agricultural science or the experience of those working the land.”

“Colorado should welcome innovation, artificial intelligence, and the economic opportunities they can create, while ensuring that new data centers do not shift their costs and resource demands onto existing residents, businesses, or taxpayers.

I would support a transparent, evidence-based review of major data-center projects before governments provide subsidies, tax incentives, infrastructure commitments, or special treatment. We should understand a project’s expected electricity and water use, impacts on local infrastructure and utilities, additional generation or transmission needs, and who will ultimately pay for those improvements.

Water is particularly important in Colorado. Data centers should not compete with agricultural, domestic, or other essential water needs without a clear understanding of the consequences. Projects should demonstrate that their resource demands can be responsibly accommodated.

The electrical grid must also have the capacity to support an AI or data-center project. If additional generation or transmission capacity is necessary, the project should be economically responsible for the associated expansion costs rather than shifting them to the public.

Economic benefits should be evaluated realistically, including permanent jobs, tax revenue, infrastructure requirements, and broader impacts on local economies. Government should not socialize costs while private interests receive the benefits.

I also support strong protections for individual privacy and personal information as AI and data technologies evolve. Those protections should be clear and enforceable without unnecessarily restricting beneficial innovation.

The right balance is not to oppose new technology, but to require accountability. Colorado can encourage investment and innovation while protecting water, energy reliability, taxpayers, property rights, privacy, and existing communities.”

“Effective public health policy should be grounded in sound scientific evidence, accurate information, access to healthcare, and informed choice. Colorado should use the best available evidence to prevent and respond to infectious diseases such as measles while respecting individual rights whenever possible.

I support strong access to primary care, preventive services, timely diagnosis, treatment, and reliable public-health information. This is particularly important in rural Colorado, where families may travel significant distances for healthcare and hospitals and clinics often operate with limited resources.

During an infectious-disease outbreak, state and local officials should clearly communicate the demonstrated risks, available prevention and treatment options, and the scientific evidence supporting their recommendations. They should also be transparent about uncertainty and willing to revise recommendations when credible new evidence emerges.

I believe healthcare decisions should include informed choice and meaningful discussion between patients, families, and qualified healthcare providers. Public-health interventions should be proportionate to the demonstrated risk, and broad mandates should not become a substitute for education, transparency, access, and public trust.

Science should guide public-health policy, not political or social agendas. Political pressure should never be used to override credible scientific findings or suppress legitimate scientific discussion.

Finally, strengthening rural healthcare capacity is itself a preventive-health strategy. Communities are healthier and more resilient when people can obtain timely care from accessible providers they know and trust.”

“I believe Colorado’s science education should focus on teaching students how to evaluate evidence and think critically, not simply what conclusions to reach.

Students need a strong foundation in the sciences, mathematics, technology, agriculture, and geography, but they also need to understand how scientific knowledge is developed - how to ask good questions, evaluate evidence, test assumptions, recognize uncertainty, and adjust conclusions when credible new information emerges.

These skills extend well beyond the classroom. They help students evaluate information, understand technology, make informed decisions, and participate thoughtfully in our society.

I would support rigorous, age-appropriate science standards and stronger connections between classrooms and real-world applications. Partnerships with agriculture, healthcare, engineering, energy, natural-resource industries, skilled trades, colleges, and universities can demonstrate how science is used every day and introduce students to Colorado career opportunities.

Teachers should be supported in teaching rigorous academic content without turning science education into political or social advocacy. Social agendas should not drive science education in our schools, and political or ideological objectives should never override established scientific evidence. Students should be encouraged to respectfully question, challenge assumptions, and understand that legitimate scientific inquiry can involve uncertainty and evolving conclusions.

Our goal should be graduates who are scientifically literate, curious, independent thinkers, and confident enough to ask good questions. Those skills will serve them throughout their lives.”

“Depending on the legislation, I would research which organizations I need to contact to ask questions and to learn if the proposed bill is good, bad or needs amendments to work. My goal is will always be to do no harm and to ensure a law is actually necessary and doesn’t violate the constitution. “

“Given that Colorado is a semi-arid state, we must focus on developing water storage with reasonable rules and regulations. No civilization can survive without water and so we must collaborate to ensure water storage is built in a timely manner with minimal impact to the environment.

As for fertilizers there must be balance between what is needed to increase crop production using safe ingredients that can be verified and tested.

As agriculture is not my “wheel house” I would work to find credible resources to help me understand the issues before I voted on any legislation.”

“The AI industry is new which means there are many unknowns and before policy is decided, the state must make sure all facts are gathered and are based on actual evidence.

I worked at Noosa Yoghurt, and the company did a great job of recirculating the water used for producing yoghurt. Noosa also invested in a system that cleaned the water before sending back to the Poudre River. I don’t know what impact AI data centers have on water quality, but companies such as Noosa show that solutions can be found!”

“Measles is something that recently became an issue again and it is important to understand why. I am a strong believer in root cause analysis and therefore we need to understand WHY measles outbreaks are occurring and increasing. Is it because of influx of illegal aliens? Is it because number of people receiving vaccination is decreasing? Is it because of both or something else? People much smarter than me need to research and then present the evidence to legislators before new laws are written.”

“As someone who is serving on a school board (started in 2021) I do believe that K-12 standards need to be reviewed to ensure are based on actual science and not political agendas.
When there are multiple positions on the cause of some issue such as COVID-19 or climate change, curriculum must include ALL positions with supporting evidence.”

“I will consider credible scientific evidence and expert input while ensuring every policy remains grounded in the Constitution, individual liberty, limited government, and transparency. Science should never override constitutional rights.”

“I will support Colorado farmers by protecting property and water rights, reducing unnecessary regulations, and encouraging proven technologies that improve water efficiency and agricultural productivity. I believe solutions should be science-based, practical, and developed alongside the farmers and ranchers who know their land best.”

“Colorado should encourage innovation and free enterprise while protecting property rights, individual privacy, and taxpayers. I support limited, transparent government, local decision-making, and holding data centers responsible for the costs of the resources they use rather than shifting those costs onto Colorado families.”

“I be open to listen to evidence-based prevention, public education, early detection, and rapid response to infectious diseases while protecting individual liberty, informed consent, parental rights, and medical privacy.”

“Students need strong foundations in science and critical thinking. Education standards should focus on academic excellence and objective evidence while respecting parental rights, transparency, and local control of education.”

“I believe sound public policy should be informed by credible evidence, scientific research, and measurable outcomes—not assumptions or political convenience. As an elected legislator, I would use several mechanisms to ensure evidence plays a meaningful role in my decision-making. First, I would seek input from nonpartisan legislative research staff, relevant state agencies, universities, subject-matter experts, and professionals working directly in the affected fields. When legislation involves specialized areas such as health care, behavioral health, education, energy, environmental policy, or emerging technology, I would support advisory panels that include researchers, practitioners, community representatives, and other stakeholders with relevant expertise.

Second, I would examine the quality of the evidence itself. A single study should not automatically determine policy. I would consider the strength of the research, whether the findings have been replicated, the data’s limitations, potential conflicts of interest, and whether the evidence applies to Colorado’s communities. Third, I would support greater use of pilot programs, fiscal and policy analyses, performance measures, and periodic evaluations. When possible, legislation should establish measurable objectives so policymakers and the public can determine whether a program is actually producing its intended results.

I believe transparency is an essential non-negotiable. Policymakers should be willing to explain what evidence informed a decision, acknowledge uncertainty or conflicting findings, and reconsider policies when credible new evidence demonstrates that a different approach would better serve Coloradans. Evidence should inform policymaking while remaining balanced with constitutional requirements, fiscal realities, practical implementation, and the lived experiences of the people affected by our decisions.”

“Colorado agriculture is essential to our economy, food security, rural communities, and stewardship of our natural resources. Supporting farmers requires policies grounded in science while recognizing that solutions must also be economically practical for the people working the land that Colorado is known for.

As an elected legislator, I would strengthen partnerships among farmers and ranchers, Colorado State University extension, agricultural researchers, water districts, conservation organizations, and state agencies. CSU is already conducting applied research on drought-resilient forage crops, soil-moisture monitoring, irrigation efficiency, fertilizer management, and agricultural water quality. These efforts can provide policymakers and producers with Colorado-specific evidence rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches.

Water would be a major priority. I would support research and voluntary, incentive-based programs that help producers improve irrigation efficiency, strengthen soil health, adopt drought-resilient crops where appropriate, and conserve water without unnecessarily removing productive agricultural land. Colorado research has shown that certain voluntary irrigation-management strategies can reduce water consumption while maintaining some agricultural production.

I would also support precision agriculture, soil and nutrient testing, improved fertilizer-management practices, and technologies that can reduce input costs while protecting groundwater and rivers. Importantly, farmers and ranchers should have a meaningful role in developing these policies because they understand the operational and economic realities of agriculture. My goal would be to use research, field data, producer experience, and measurable outcomes together—protecting Colorado’s water, soil, and agricultural lands while ensuring that farming and ranching remain economically viable for future generations.”

“Colorado should welcome innovation and the economic opportunities created by artificial intelligence and data centers, but growth should not come at the expense of residents, our electric grid, or our limited water resources. The right balance is responsible development in which the benefits are measurable and the costs created by large facilities are not shifted onto Colorado families and small businesses.

As an elected legislator, I would support requiring large data center proposals to undergo transparent assessments of their projected electricity demand, water consumption, infrastructure needs, environmental impacts, and economic benefits before receiving significant state incentives. Colorado should also require meaningful reporting of actual energy and water use so policymakers can compare projections with real-world outcomes.

Ratepayer protection is particularly important. Large data centers can require substantial new generation, transmission, and other infrastructure. I would support policies ensuring that the companies creating those demands bear an appropriate share of the associated costs rather than transferring them to existing utility customers.

I would also encourage technologies that reduce water consumption, improve energy efficiency, use reclaimed water where feasible, support grid reliability, and reduce electricity demand during peak periods. Incentives should be tied to demonstrated public benefits, such as infrastructure investment, workforce development, quality Colorado jobs, and measurable efficiency improvements.

I would preserve appropriate local involvement in siting decisions because communities experience these projects differently. Colorado does not have to choose between technological innovation and responsible resource management. We can encourage AI now super intelligence (SI) investment while establishing clear, evidence-based standards that protect consumers, conserve water, maintain grid reliability, and ensure Coloradans receive meaningful benefits from this growth.”

“Protecting community health requires prevention, early detection, rapid response, and public trust. I support policies that use the best available scientific evidence while ensuring Coloradans have reliable information and practical access to preventive care. For infectious diseases such as measles, I support making recommended vaccinations readily accessible through physicians, pharmacies, schools, community clinics, and rural health providers. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles, making vaccination an important component of prevention.

I also believe public health communication should clearly explain benefits, risks, and the evidence behind recommendations so individuals and parents can make informed health decisions. Prevention also requires strong disease surveillance. Colorado’s experience with wastewater monitoring demonstrates how emerging outbreaks can sometimes be detected before clinical cases are reported. I would support evidence-based surveillance, laboratory capacity, rapid testing, and coordination among state and local public health agencies and health care providers so that outbreaks can be identified and contained quickly.

Beyond infectious disease, preventive health policy should address chronic disease, maternal and child health, behavioral health, environmental health threats, and access to screenings and primary care. Investments in prevention should be evaluated using measurable outcomes, so we know which programs are actually improving health and using taxpayer dollars effectively. Preparedness matters. Colorado should maintain clear response plans, adequate medical and laboratory capacity, reliable public communication, and coordination with hospitals, schools, emergency management, and local communities. My doctoral studies as a health psychologist approach would be to strengthen prevention without relying on fear by providing accurate information, improving access, detecting threats early, measuring outcomes, and adjusting policies as scientific evidence evolves.”

“Science literacy is increasingly important because Coloradans are being asked to make decisions about health, energy, water, agriculture, artificial intelligence, environmental stewardship, and emerging technologies, while misinformation can spread rapidly, making the ability to evaluate evidence just as important as knowing scientific facts. I believe K–12 science education should teach students not only what we know, but how we know it. Students should learn how to ask questions, develop and test hypotheses, interpret data, distinguish correlation from causation, evaluate the credibility of sources, recognize research limitations, and understand that scientific knowledge can change as new evidence emerges.

Colorado’s standards already incorporate scientific inquiry, evidence, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. I would build on that foundation by supporting more hands-on laboratory experiences, project-based learning, and partnerships with universities, research institutions, and industries such as agriculture, health care, engineering, technology, and other Colorado industries. Science literacy should also connect across subjects. Students can learn to evaluate scientific claims while developing reading, mathematics, statistics, communication, and digital-media literacy skills.

We should strengthen the relationship between science and the public by making science relevant to students’ communities. Studying Colorado’s water supply, agriculture, wildfire risks, energy systems, ecosystems, and public health can demonstrate how scientific evidence affects everyday life. Our goal should not be to tell students what to think. It should be to give them the knowledge and analytical tools to examine evidence, ask informed questions, challenge unsupported claims, and reach well-reasoned conclusions for themselves.”

“Science and evidence based research plays a huge rule in policymaking and lawmaking. I believe in science and peer reviewed research, I do not support using “junk science” as a measure of policy. Science and research takes time and potentially years, I’m very cautious on “new” or “revolutionary” research. I believe having a curious mind but healthy skepticism is important in the age of misinformation we live in together.”

“I believe in smart growth and I would support our farmers in the agricultural business in any way and capacity. Colorado has been known as a strong breadbasket/agricultural state for decades. We should ensure that fertilizer and materials can be accessible so that we have healthy food and products in our communities.”

“One of my prime bills was SB-70 which put guardrails and regulated FLOCK cameras technologies. I believe that there must be an environmentally friendly and supportive of people living new potentially new Data Centers. We cannot expect residents to pay for potentially high increased utility bills for Data Centers.”

“We must believe in science and support our doctors, people must get vaccinated and I encourage and support efforts for mass immunization efforts. I would advocate for PSA and more education on the merits of getting vaccinated.”

“I believe that science has a special core place in our education, however it is very known that our education system in Colorado is broken. We must ensure that our teachers and educators are paid living wages and that we invest much more to our education system. I support SB-135 for example to re-invest TABOR dollars back to our schools, students, and educators.”

“I know what I don’t know and I trust science. I will support continuing the Science & Technology Policy Fellows work to educate Legislative Council Staff. I believe we need formal advisory panels consisting of working scientists, public health experts, and environmental researchers to review proposed state legislation. Drawing on my professional background in emergency response and my academic training in public policy, I rely on data to assess risks and evaluate outcomes. I intend to partner with independent, non-partisan entities, such as the Union of Concerned Scientists and researchers from Colorado’s universities, to evaluate the empirical basis of bills before they are voted on. By embedding scientific review directly into the legislative drafting process, the state can ensure that policies address issues using verified evidence rather than ideological assumptions.”

“I will advocate for state funding to expand applied agricultural research, focusing specifically on drought-resistant crops, water efficiency, and soil health. I support expanding state partnerships with agricultural extension programs to help farmers adopt precision agriculture technologies and regenerative land management practices. These science-backed practices allow agricultural producers to optimize their use of water and imported fertilizers, which directly reduces operational costs and minimizes environmental impact. State policy should focus on providing farmers with the proven tools and financial incentives necessary to implement these methods, ensuring long-term sustainability for Colorado’s agricultural sector and natural resources.”

“The massive rush to build enormous centralized data centers, specifically hyperscalers, is largely driven by near-zero vacancy rates in major markets, leading developers to scramble and pre-lease capacity years ahead just to secure available power. However, we must critically evaluate why we are building so large and so fast when the current AI investment bubble is predicted to burst.

Crucially, the technology is rapidly evolving. Emerging engineering insights suggest the future of AI is smaller, local, and sovereign, moving toward distributed computing and quantum networks. Massive, centralized data centers are increasingly viewed as end-of-life technology relied upon by legacy tech giants, not the true frontier of innovation.

Currently, Colorado lacks a unified state infrastructure plan for advanced computing, leaving local municipalities to fend for themselves with emergency moratoriums against private hyperscalers. We need a proactive, state-led strategy—much like the national infrastructure models utilized by our global competitors—that dictates terms rather than surrendering to tech companies.

I propose a comprehensive Colorado Compute Infrastructure Plan. Instead of a patchwork of local zoning fights, the state must map our energy grid, renewable resources, and water watersheds to designate precisely where, and if, compute facilities can safely exist. This plan would shift development away from water-stressed Front Range communities and mandate that any new, localized AI infrastructure be directly paired with dedicated, off-grid renewable energy sources. By taking a state-level planning approach, we protect our resources, prevent local grid collapse, and ensure Colorado controls its technological footprint, rather than letting legacy tech giants dictate our future.”

“I support strengthening the state’s public health infrastructure by increasing funding for local health departments and establishing publicly funded community medicine programs. Utilizing first responders and community health workers, these programs can deliver vaccines and preventive care directly to underserved areas. I also support policies that rely on epidemiological data to guide outbreak responses, which includes funding robust public health education initiatives designed specifically to counter vaccine misinformation. Ensuring widespread access to preventive care and maintaining high vaccination rates are the most proven, evidence-based methods to stop the spread of infectious diseases.”

“Colorado’s K-12 education standards should place a stronger emphasis on inquiry-based learning and the scientific method, moving away from rote memorization. Students need to learn how to evaluate evidence, understand data sets, and identify misinformation. I support updating curriculum standards to apply scientific principles directly to local, real-world issues, such as Colorado’s water conservation efforts and wildfire ecology. Additionally, the state must increase funding for STEM resources and ensure that science educators are adequately supported. Improving science literacy in our schools, beginning in elementary school, is essential for developing a public capable of making informed decisions based on empirical evidence.”

“I have a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and have always thought we need more scientists in Government. I have been a member of the IEEE and thought they always have done a good job in discussing policy issues on a range of subjects from how the H1-B visa program affects science employment to renewable energy development. As a Semiconductor engineer I have been closely following the AI developments, and as a user of it myself, I find that we still need a lot more discussion on the possible great scientific and labor efficiency rewards possible, but also on the potential dangers of unconstrained AI growth. Science has so many fields of endeavor that is crucial to always find multiple sources covering all sides of the issues for seeking advice and scientific truth.”

“Water resources are likely to continue to be scarce. The Ogallala aquifer is likely to shrink and cause major problems for farmers in Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. The Colorado river has for decades been delivering insufficient water to Lake Powell and Lake Mead. I don’t think there is a good answer to this except rationing water away from high water usage crops and reducing the amount of ethanol in our gasoline because the ethanol mandate increases water demand for growing corn without actually feeding people or livestock.”

“The question is absolutely on the mark that there are concerns over AI and balancing the positive aspects with the possible negatives. In the near term we must listen to localities that might be affected by the proximity of a new data center and try to employ mitigation strategies for noise, energy and water consumption. New data centers should not be increasing energy costs for consumers, so they likely will need to provide their own power, or at least prove the energy providers are not increasing power costs on existing consumers. I believe in the positive promises of an AI driven future of increased productivity and we should make every effort to facilitate data center construction at minimal impact to existing residents.”

“As a former member of the Larimer County Board of Health I am a firm believer in the efficacy of traditional vaccines like the measles vaccine. Our local board of health did a good job of giving free vaccinations for measles and other standard vaccines to lower income populations.”

“I am not sure what standards need to be changed or updated, because we already have standards in basic math and reading that are achieving really poor results in our students. I do think overall better student discipline and a removal of cell phones from students during school hours would help students concentrate better on their studies. The poor standardized testing results over the last decade are a major concern to me but I don’t know all the answers on this. I do believe that college admissions need to use standardized test scores for admission qualification and end the social justice admission criteria and focus on meritocracy.”

“The scientific method is fundamentally about seeking truth, and it provides a valuable discipline for developing sound economic and social policy while remaining within the bounds of constitutionality. It requires rigor, measurable and falsifiable outcomes, and a willingness to challenge our own assumptions.

Good policy debate should welcome disagreement and competing evidence. When evaluating a hypothesis, the most valuable contribution is not a friendly effort to confirm it, but an honest and determined attempt to disprove it. If a policy cannot withstand that scrutiny, it should not be imposed on the citizens of Colorado.

This approach also helps guard against confirmation bias—the tendency to seek evidence that supports what we already believe while dismissing evidence that contradicts it. Policymakers should actively seek competing data, subject assumptions to rigorous testing, and be willing to revise or reject policies when the evidence demonstrates that they are not achieving their intended outcomes.

Science does not determine constitutional authority or moral truth. But within those boundaries, disciplined inquiry, open debate, and a genuine willingness to be proven wrong are among the best safeguards against ideology masquerading as evidence. Without the rigor of scientific scrutiny, the only outcome we can guarantee is unintended consequences. A rigorous pursuit of truth can help restore the Constitution’s self-evident truths as the foundation for sound public policy.”

“Colorado agriculture should be a model for applying the scientific method to public policy: establish a hypothesis, measure outcomes, challenge assumptions, and expand what works. Farmers and ranchers face water scarcity, rising input costs, and increasing regulatory pressures. Policy should be driven by evidence, not ideology.

Colorado’s wolf reintroduction is a cautionary example. The policy was driven more by an ideological commitment to restoring wolves than by rigorous evaluation of all consequences. Today, both ranchers and wolves are paying the price. That experience reinforces the need to test assumptions before imposing them on Colorado’s communities and ecosystems.

We should instead leverage Colorado’s extraordinary agricultural research. Colorado State University, our premier agricultural university, and organizations such as the Savory Institute are demonstrating that productive ranching and environmental stewardship—including addressing climate concerns—need not be competing objectives. Properly managed livestock can help restore grasslands designed for grazing, improve soil structure and water infiltration, utilize non-arable land for food production, and increase rangeland resilience. CSU research is examining how restorative and adaptive grazing affect soil health, rangeland resistance and resilience, carbon sequestration, and wildfire mitigation. Healthy, carbon-rich soil can function like a sponge, improving water retention and supporting the water cycle.

As a legislator, I would support producer-led research and policies with measurable, falsifiable outcomes. Public resources should follow demonstrated results, not political narratives. When evidence contradicts an assumption, policy should change. Ranching and conservation need not be at odds. Sound science can show where they are mutually beneficial—and good policy should follow the evidence.”

“Colorado should welcome AI innovation while requiring data centers to bear the costs they impose rather than shifting them to existing ratepayers and communities.

My HB26-1246 would have addressed much of the uncertainty by allowing large-load users to generate their own power. That could allow data centers to locate where power can be produced economically rather than concentrating development near existing grid capacity, where they compete with housing and other community needs.

It would also allow us to apply the scientific method to questions about human and animal impacts. Rather than beginning with a politically predetermined conclusion that there is “no impact”—and then forcing costly experimentation to defend that conclusion—we should identify the competing hypotheses, measure outcomes, and allow evidence to determine what impacts actually exist and how significant they are. Noise, vibration, light pollution, water use, and other externalities can be studied objectively and reasonable standards established accordingly.

Existing electric providers also have a financial incentive to sell the additional baseload these facilities require. That incentive should not determine public policy or shift infrastructure costs onto citizens who do not benefit from the development. The proper balance is to welcome innovation, require data centers to pay their own way, protect citizens and communities from uncompensated externalities, and let evidence—not predetermined conclusions or financial interests—determine reasonable standards.”

“Measles was once a common childhood disease and has been largely eradicated in the United States. Its resurgence raises important questions about transmission, immunity, vaccination, population movement, and other contributing factors. Those questions should be answered through science—not predetermined political conclusions.

The scientific method requires us to develop competing hypotheses, test them rigorously, and remain willing to be proven wrong. That applies equally to vaccines, natural immunity, adjuvants, infectious-disease interventions, and other public-health measures. I support appropriately designed, double-blind, controlled studies and continuing surveillance to determine which interventions provide measurable benefits and which introduce risks that may outweigh those benefits.

That scrutiny should extend to every component of a medical intervention, including adjuvants, whose purpose is specifically to stimulate the immune system. Their individual safety and contribution to the desired outcome should be understood rather than simply assumed.

Most importantly, government should not begin with the conclusion that a particular medical intervention must be mandated. Government has a legitimate responsibility to protect the certain, self-evident, Creator-endowed rights of its citizens, but those rights include individual liberty and bodily autonomy. Public-health policy must therefore demonstrate both a compelling justification and evidence that the proposed intervention is effective and proportionate.

I would not legislate from a pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine position. I would legislate from a pro-science, pro-evidence, and pro-liberty position—following the evidence wherever it leads, while preserving the constitutional rights that government exists to secure.”

“Colorado’s science literacy problem is reflected in its outcomes: only about one-quarter of 11th-grade students meet or exceed science standards. My experience teaching Calculus II at the U.S. Air Force Academy reinforced the problem firsthand. Students could manipulate equations but often lacked the foundational mathematical and physical principles needed to understand what those equations represented. One student pleaded to use his graphing calculator, admitting that while it could produce the correct answer, he would not understand what the answer meant.

Education needs to return to first principles. The common paraphrase of Galileo—that mathematics is the language with which God wrote the universe—captures the wonder that should animate science education. The mathematical coherence of the natural world invites us to explore, not merely memorize, what we observe.

Students should never be taught what to conclude. They should learn the current state of scientific thought as our best understanding based on current evidence—not as settled truth beyond challenge. Scientific advancement has repeatedly occurred by challenging consensus, from phlogiston theory to phrenology.

Children are naturally curious. Their incessant “why?” demonstrates their desire to understand how and why things work. Teaching them to pursue that “why” reveals relationships between seemingly disparate observations, events and phenomena.

K–12 standards should emphasize foundational mathematics, observation, experimentation, measurement, falsifiability, replication, and critical analysis. Students should distinguish evidence from assertion and correlation from causation, and learn to challenge their own conclusions.

The objective is not to teach students what to think, but how to seek truth—with the rigor to question consensus, the tools to test hypotheses, and the humility to follow evidence wherever it leads.”

“As I am originally an Engineer, and nearly majored in history of science, I’m better prepared than professional politicians to understand scientific evidence. Further, on controversial points, I tend to research what politicians babble and form my own opinions. Most politicians have very little understanding of real science.”

“Science literacy is low. Unfortunately most K-12 teachers “physical science” course required for licensure is stripped of math and amounts to handwaving, little more than Aristotle. (this is not true of high school science teachers as they often have better training) I believe it time to require new teachers to have at least one math-based physical science course so they can use examples from stoichiometry, Newtonian physics, Ohm’s law, and similar when constructing math problem sets – as math should be taught with science. This will also help then teach science in schools. Then, we also need to bring professionals like engineers and doctors into schools to help teach science with math”

“The State Board of Education should have a close relationship with evidence and fact. I will advocate to keep all applicable policy grounded in science; Colorado’s students and educators must be able to trust that everything we do is evidence-based. The suggested reading curricula is evidence-based and has shown great success across the state. 45”

“Science literacy in general could always be better. Our current state standards are well done, however, local control means that each school district determines its science curriculum and implementation thereof. We must insist upon evidence based curriculum.”

“I have a Ph.D in Quantitative Research Methods. One my informal roles on the State Board of Education is to question and/or fact check information the board is presented by both internal and external stakeholders. I have a cadre of like minded individuals that help me in this work. This is particularly important in education where the superficial analysis of data can lead to conclusions not supported by the evidence.”

“I think the science standards themselves are improving each cycle of adoption (every 6 years). The issue around science literacy is the persistent gap between individuals wanting to trust science and the actual understanding of core concepts that then gets exploited by misinformation. We have to combine the teaching of science and information literacy.”

“The State Board of Education is involved in rule making for legislative statutes that impact education and for the State Academic Standards in all subject areas. For statute, we have our CDE representatives over at the capital during the session to make sure the well-being of all students and families is considered. For science standards, I assure that science experts in the field review and recommend the standards that are the most complete and up-to-date. This includes experts in scientific areas at the corporate level, teaching at our universities, researchers, and of course our science and tech teachers in Colorado. We also have a group of very interested high school and college students with Pro Science Good Trouble that I reach out to regularly to hear their concerns and what they are working on.”

“The State Board of Education reviews the Science Standards every six years, which was done one year ago. We always have open input when working on science literacy to hear all different perspectives, of which there are many. At the end of the day, we must adhere to fact based, scientific method proven standards. I reach out to the science professional field, including science students and professors to learn about any new research, or areas where we have missed the mark in the past. Climate Science is an area where I believe we have more to do and need more professional input to assure, we are current with all new research.”

“As a former Colorado State Representative and a candidate for the CU Board of Regents, my approach to governance has always been data-driven. Within the CU system, our greatest asset is our world-class faculty, researchers, and graduate students. To ensure scientific evidence directly informs university policy, I will advocate for formalizing advisory panels that bridge the gap between researchers and the Board. This includes regular briefings from CU’s premier institutes (such as CIRES, JILA, and BioFrontiers) on critical issues such as climate resilience and sustainability (e.g., the SPIKE Center for Sustainability Education), public health, and technological innovation.”

“Science literacy is fundamental to a functioning democracy and a thriving economy. I support the current shift away from rote memorization, teaching to the test, toward inquiry-based learning - evaluating evidence, testing hypotheses, and understanding the peer-review process. CU can impact this by expanding its K-12 outreach, teacher training programs, and pipeline initiatives such as CU Teach.”

“As a tech lawyer, I’m used to bringing in experts whenever a matter turns on technical knowledge outside my own. That discipline of knowing what you don’t know and getting the right specialists at the table is exactly what I’ll bring to the CU Board of Regents. On every consequential decision, whether it’s research policy, campus safety, financial stewardship, or academic affairs, I’ll rely on qualified professionals in the relevant field to inform my judgment and shape sound policy.”

“CU Regents don’t set agriculture policy, but we are involved with research priorities, and CU has real assets for Colorado’s farmers: world class water and climate science at CIRES, leading water law scholarship at our law school, and engineering programs ready to advance ag tech. As CU Regent, I’ll promote that CU translate that research into tools farmers can actually use, deepen our partnership with CSU, and listen to the agronomists, hydrologists, and farmers closest to the problem.”

“Data centers offer potential economic upside and real costs in water, power, grid strain, and general community harm. The right balance demands transparency, true cost pricing, and binding community benefit standards before approval. As a tech lawyer, I’ve navigated these tradeoffs professionally.”

“Medicine runs through my life. I represent medical professionals, I own a veterinary oncology clinic, and as an Indian American, half my family wears a white coat. I believe in evidence based medicine, full stop. As Regent, I’ll champion CU Anschutz as a national leader in vaccine science, infectious disease research, and public health, and ensure CU’s expertise informs Colorado’s response to measles and whatever threat comes next. Science should guide policy.”

“Science literacy in America is in trouble, and CU Regents don’t set K-12 standards. But CU does train Colorado’s teachers, run dual enrollment programs, and produce public facing science through various programs. As CU Regent, I’ll champion stronger STEM teacher preparation, K-12 partnerships that bring CU scientists into classrooms, and science communication training.”

“Peer-reviewed articles are always a good place to start. But my main approach will be to make sure that I read or meet with scientists on both sides of an important debate or question before making a decision that weighs in on scientific inquiry.”

“My sense is that, along with literacy in most subjects, scientific literacy is poor. K-12 is not my area of expertise, but making sure we should start by focusing on the basic mechanics of science. What are physics, chemistry, and biology? How do they explain the world around us? What are important subfields of science? And importantly, what is scientific inquiry and debate, and how do we participate in it?”

“A regent’s job is governance and oversight, making sure the Board’s decisions are guided by the best available evidence. Shared governance is crucial. I’ll treat the Faculty Council and campus faculty assemblies as a channel for expert input, and seek their analysis before votes on academic and research policy rather than after. I’ll also ask that major actions come to the Board accompanied by analysis from CU System Institutional Research and relevant faculty, so we’re weighing actual data and not just anecdotes. I’ll push for transparency about the evidence itself by making the data and analysis behind significant decisions available to the public. Policy only builds trust if people can see the reasoning behind it. Protecting the independence and integrity of that research, free from political interference, is also part of the job.”

“While CSU is Colorado’s land-grant agricultural university that works directly with producers, CU’s job is to be a stronger partner by supplying the science and forecasting that farmers depend on. CU’s strength is water and climate. CU Boulder is a national leader in snowpack, drought forecasting, and hydrology, and better water forecasting means better planning for farmers. Our law school’s water-law expertise is pivotal in an age of more frequent droughts, and our economists and engineers can help with input costs and efficiency with evidence. As a regent, I’d use the budget and oversight to protect that research, encourage CU–CSU collaboration, and defend research independence.”

“We are in a water crisis in the west and I don’t think that large new data centers are a good trade for Colorado. These facilities consume enormous amounts of water for cooling—which competes directly with households—while delivering few permanent jobs. The costs land on ratepayers, rivers, and farmers.

The Regents don’t set data center siting policy, but our water scientists and economists can put hard numbers on the consumption and grid impacts so those decisions aren’t made on hype. When CU builds its own computing capacity, I’d hold us to a high standard on water and energy use, rather than adding to the problem.”

“The measles resurgence is exactly why CU’s immunization requirements matter. We need to listen to the experts by maintaining and strengthening CU’s student immunization requirements, including MMR, and keeping exemptions narrow and evidence-based. With tens of thousands of students living and learning in close quarters, clear and well-enforced requirements protect the whole campus community and the cities they’re in.”

“Too much science education treats science as facts to memorize rather than as a method for asking questions and weighing evidence. A CU Regent doesn’t set K-12 standards, but CU is the state’s most powerful lever for science literacy, mainly through teacher preparation, since our schools of education train a large share of Colorado’s teachers.”

“I think a major trap elected officials fall into is believing that they are “experts” on certain topics, and developing solutions in search of problems. I have always believed that the best policy making comes from identifying a problem, bring ALL impacted stakeholders and experts in to stake-hold early, evaluating the causes of the problem, exploring potential solutions and only then developing solutions. In some ways, I think there are some similarities in this approach to the scientific method. Also I have noticed that too often policy makers focus on anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous data.”

“Our agricultural land is vital to our identity and economy. I have spoken with a lot of producers and the struggles you identify in the question are real. I think we need to take every step we can to preserve our existing agricultural land, and the water connected to it. Water security and agricultural preservation go hand in hand. The county has a great relationship with the ag. community and I intend to keep it that way. I support taking any and all steps to keep Larimer County’s water in Larimer County. At the same time, our agricultural producers need to play important roles in conserving water. I would consider programs that tie incentives to growing less water intensive crops.”

“I support smart, sustainable growth. AI Data centers as they are being deployed now, are neither smart nor sustainable. Right now the costs are too high, and the benefits for a community are practically non-existent. At the same time, we cannot bury our heads in the sand; this technology is coming. I believe we need robust requirements in place, that ensure there is real community benefit to development. They should generate and store their own electricity, use the best technology to ensure they are not using our water and completely mitigate any environmental impacts. Many of these technologies exist already, but the companies are choosing not to use them because they are trying to build them as cheaply as possible. I worry that without the state setting these requirements, we will end up with an ineffective patchwork of regulations.”

“Vaccines work. The anti-science rhetoric from the right in the last decade are disheartening to say the least, and now we are starting to see the effects. We have a robust public health department, with experts who care deeply about our residents. Let them work. Ensure they have adequate resources and funding. This is one of those instances where we can do a lot of good at the local level, regardless of what is happening in the national politics. I believe in local government as a vehicle to improve lives. We need to focus on what we can control, and I think there is a lot we are doing and can do locally on this issue.”

“I think the same issues around science literacy are happening across educational disciplines. I taught high school social studies for 13 years, and over that time, I saw educational rigor dropping off in favor of greater standardization. Expectations have declined in order to increase graduation rates. Why are graduation rates going up, while SAT and ACT scores are going down? Education policy is something I am extremely passionate about, but there isn’t a lot of it that is connected to the position I am running for. We need to fight for better public education funding, better teacher pay and real reforms that are preparing our next generation to be thinkers. This goes for science of course but I think is a much bigger issue in the current state of our education system.”

“As an elected official, it is vital to take into consideration all advisors including those from a scientific background.”

“As a farmer myself, it is very important to be sure farmers have the best information available to them. My policy would be to include common sense to all information available to me”

“It is my understanding that data centers require the equivalent of two Olympic sized swimming pools of water every day. Colorado is a very dry state incapable of sustaining that kind of water use. This being said, I would not consider placing data centers here in Colorado. The very same people screaming about climate change are being very hypocritical when pushing these data centers which would contribute to the very problem they claim will destroy the planet.”

“What evidence is there that hasn’t gone down the path of a political agenda? With the gain of function research that has become questionable as to the purpose of population control and biological warfare it is becoming harder and harder for people to trust “the science “ when it comes to the health of the people. The CDC is now reporting vaccine harm and the people can’t retaliate against big Pharmaceutical companies that caused the harm. It will be increasingly difficult for me to adapt any policy that requires the people to harm themselves from questionable science.”

“When science decided that woke ideology was the determining factor as what true science is and what is not, when science became a political tool over logical research, it has lost its credibility and can no longer be trusted in shaping the minds of the children.”

“I support and have in any past business projects that require deep subject matter expertise worked with and actively sought out counsel. It is important to seek out unbiased and unemotional data that can drive decisions based on fact.”

“We have many challenging topics related to resources that will be highly charged and highly emotional. As someone who comes from a legacy ranch that has passed thru 5 generations of my family I am deeply rooted and understanding of the Ag industry. I have spent almost 30 years working in the cooperative system and supported our farm and ranch owner/customers in leadership roles. In all crucial conversations I have found that the more we can root the discussion in fact and math the easier it is to find common ground.”

“AI use can raise tax bases in the county but also increase demand on weak utility systems. There is substantial electrical and water use that in some parts of the country are readily available such as the Pacific Northwest. That is not the case in SE Colorado. We must critically evaluate potential development in this area against the availability of these limited resources.”

“Science and math can further the conversation but there is still an inherent personal right that we must also be protective of. These are hard decisions that will have consequences on both sides of the topic.”

“Educators and state boards must lead this discussion. Running as a candidate for county commissioner my stance would be to support opportunities for education and literacy where possible in that role.”

“I’d rather describe what I’ve been doing than what I intend to do.

Over the past several months, I’ve been working through Clear Creek’s budgets and financial reports back to 2013. Every time I reached a conclusion, I wrote to the county official who holds the underlying data and asked them to check my reading — the Assessor on mine valuation, the Finance Director on the general fund projections, the County Attorney on federal payment allocations, Public Works on road classifications.

Three of those conversations proved me wrong.

I believed the county’s tax base was recovering. The Finance Director explained that the county assumes flat revenue and no recovery, and the Assessor’s own abstracts confirmed she was right and I wasn’t. I believed a federal payment decision was being made without analysis. The County Attorney pointed me to a staff memo that had already analyzed it thoroughly. In both cases I withdrew the claim.

That’s the mechanism: put the conclusion in writing to the person who can check it, before saying it in public. It costs an email and it has already saved me from being wrong out loud four times.

My published platform commits to it — every figure carries its source, and if someone thinks one is wrong, I’ll show them where it came from or correct it publicly. I’d apply the same standard as a commissioner, including publishing the criteria behind funding decisions so the answer to “why was that funded” is a document rather than a conversation you had to be in the room for.

I do also have friends I trust in engineering and AI, and I ask them things. But friends are not a mechanism. Writing it down and having it checked is.”

“I should be honest about the county I’m running in. Clear Creek’s total agricultural assessed value in 2025 was about $260,000, out of a $404 million tax base — roughly six hundredths of one percent. We are not a farming county and I’d be making things up if I claimed otherwise.

What we are is a headwaters county. Clear Creek starts on the Continental Divide and runs east into the Denver metro water supply. What happens on these slopes ends up in somebody else’s irrigation ditch.

That gives a Clear Creek commissioner three real jobs on this. Watershed health, including a Superfund site covering roughly 400 square miles of historic mine drainage in our watershed. Wildfire, because a burn scar upstream means sediment and ash downstream for years. And being an honest partner to the people downstream rather than treating our water as purely ours.

That’s a smaller claim than saying I’ll support Colorado agriculture. It’s also one I could actually deliver.”

“My answer here has changed, though not to a position.

When I first answered I said I didn’t know enough to speak on it. That was honest and it’s still mostly true. What I’ve learned since is that there’s a second reason for me to be careful: a data center in Clear Creek would arrive as a land use application, and county commissioners sit quasi-judicially on those. If I campaign on how I’d rule, I may disqualify myself from ruling at all.

So I won’t prejudge an application I might have to vote on. What I’ll say is what I’d want on the table before anyone votes: what it draws in water, what it does to the grid, what it actually adds to the tax base after incentives, and whether residents see those numbers before approval rather than after.

Publishing the analysis isn’t prejudging the outcome. It’s the part I’d insist on.”

“My first answer to this was incomplete, and on reflection I was answering a general question rather than the one asked.

The question was about measles, and measles is a poor fit for the answer I gave. It’s airborne and stays infectious in a room for up to two hours after someone leaves it. Handwashing does very little against it. Measles is also one of the few diseases we genuinely solved — two doses of MMR are about 97% effective, and it was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. It’s back because coverage dropped, not because the tool stopped working.

I’m a Libertarian and I don’t think government should compel medical decisions. But I’m not going to pretend the evidence is unsettled to make that position easier. The vaccine works. A county’s job is to make it easy to get, be straight about what the evidence actually shows, and not muddy it.

The part of my original answer I do stand behind is this: people go to work sick because they can’t afford not to, and no public health campaign overcomes that. That one is squarely in a commissioner’s hands. The county employs about 206 people, and its sick leave policy is set by the Board. If we want people to stay home when they’re contagious, we should start by making sure our own employees can.

I’d also note that Clear Creek has a Board of Health, and commissioners have a role in it. That’s a piece of this office I’m still learning, and I’d rather say so than pretend otherwise.”

“Not thrilled.

I have a second and third grader. STEM in this country gets treated like the worse option between that and a sharp stick in the eye, to quote my grandfather. It should be core curriculum, not an enrichment activity.

I’ve been meeting with the Clear Creek teachers to understand what they’re actually up against. I want to be careful here: schools are governed by a separately elected board, and a county commissioner has no authority over curriculum. Anyone who tells you otherwise is promising something they can’t deliver.

What a commissioner does control is adjacent and not nothing. The county negotiates how federal National Forest Payments are split with the school district — this year that’s roughly $460,000 to the district. I’d want that negotiation, and the reasoning behind it, done in public.

Beyond that my honest answer is that I’d listen to the teachers and use the seat where it actually reaches.”

“I have always built grounded evidence and scientific thinking into policy processes. But specifically:

First, every significant policy proposal that comes before the Board should carry a staff analysis grounded in actual data — not just intent — including input from the subject-matter experts already on our staff, who I believe should be trusted and elevated, not worked around.

Second, I’d continue to lean on and strengthen our existing advisory bodies — planning commissions, public health partners, and our CSU Extension office — as standing channels for research-based input before votes, not just after problems surface.

Third, I’d bring in outside expertise where our own staff doesn’t have it: regional universities, the State Demography Office, and peer counties who’ve already tackled the same problem.

But evidence only matters if we follow through — so the mechanism I care about most is a built-in review cycle that checks whether a policy actually produced the outcome we predicted, and adjusts when it didn’t. Good policy isn’t just evidence-informed going in; it’s accountable to evidence coming out.”

“This question isn’t abstract for me — it’s every morning at my own operation. You see, I am the CEO of an Agriculture based business. At EsoTerra, we’ve put in drip irrigation, built retention ponds, to capture and reuse water, planted wind breaks, and gone solar, not because it was trendy, but because at nearly 7,000 feet in a region where water is never guaranteed, efficiency isn’t optional — it’s survival. So when I think about supporting farmers across this county, I’m not starting from theory. I’m starting from what I’ve had to learn by doing it on my own land.

As Commissioner, my role isn’t to tell farmers how to farm — it’s to make sure the tools that actually work are within reach, and that our policy is grounded in evidence, not assumption. That means supporting cost-share and grant programs that help growers adopt water-efficient infrastructure like drip systems and retention storage, the same way we did. It means working with groups like NRCS, CSU Extension and regional water districts to get real, local data into farmers’ hands — not generic guidance, but what actually performs in our soil, our elevation, our water rights system. And with fertilizer and input costs rising, it means exploring regional and cooperative purchasing models that give small operations some of the buying power that only large ag currently has.

Agriculture is our top export sector, but more than that, it’s our identity and our land stewardship. Protecting it means investing in resilience now — water efficiency, renewable energy, and shared infrastructure — so the next generation of farmers in La Plata County isn’t gambling against scarcity. I’m not guessing at what farmers need. I’m living it alongside them.”

“Data centers haven’t landed in La Plata County yet, and I intend to use that lead time well. Rather than react after a proposal is on our doorstep, we’re already gathering the information now — water and power demand, tax and job impacts, and how other Colorado communities have negotiated these agreements — so that if a project does come here, we’re not deciding under pressure.

The right balance protects our water and grid capacity first, and ensures real local benefit — jobs, tax revenue, reinvestment — isn’t traded away for speed. Being prepared now is how we make sure we get that balance right. However, I can’t speak to the ‘right balance’ because information is still coming in and there are gaps in my knowledge. I will never pretend to know something, if I do not - and for now… I still have a lot to learn on this matter.”

“I want to be direct: I believe deeply in modern medicine, and vaccines are one of the greatest inventions in human history. They’ve saved more lives than almost any other public health tool we have, and the science behind them is not in question. When I see a disease like measles — something we had effectively eliminated — lingering in our state since last spring, that tells me our vaccination coverage has slipped somewhere, and that’s a problem worth taking seriously, not politically.

My approach is evidence-based prevention paired with genuine caution when a threat is active. That means supporting our public health partners in maintaining strong, accessible vaccination programs, investing in real-time disease surveillance so we catch outbreaks early rather than after they’ve spread, and communicating clearly and honestly with residents instead of either minimizing a threat or stoking fear around it.

I also believe good policy stays open to new evidence. Science evolves, and so should we — but “staying open” doesn’t mean waiting until a threat is confirmed before acting. When the risk is real and the evidence is solid, caution now is how we protect families later. That’s the standard I hold myself to on every public health decision.”

“I think we do our kids a disservice when we tell them they’re “the best in the world” without being honest that, by most international measures, we haven’t ranked near the top in science and math for years. That gap doesn’t close by pretending it isn’t there — it closes by being honest about it and getting curious about why. We were once the undisputed leader in science and technology, and I don’t think that’s gone for good, but complacency is how you lose it permanently.

A commissioner doesn’t set K-12 curriculum — that’s our school boards and the state — but I can still be a voice for what I know works: science learning that’s hands-on and tied to real problems, not just memorized for a test. We have an extraordinary natural laboratory right here — our rivers, our soil, our agriculture, our changing climate — and partnerships between our schools, our community partners, and local producers like ours can turn that into real science education, not abstract theory.

I also push hard for critical thinking and media literacy alongside content knowledge, because the ability to evaluate evidence is itself a core science skill, and it’s one that protects kids long after graduation. Raising science literacy starts with admitting where we actually stand — and then doing the unglamorous work of building curiosity back up from there.”

“First of all, I will base decisions on peer-reviewed science and research above all else. I’m fortunate to have attended a graduate program with a robust focus on methodology. I regularly consume peer-reviewed research in fields adjacent to my own, including economics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and more. I am better than the average person at consuming more “hard science” research and would consult peer-reviewed sources in public health, ecology, etc. when within my time and power.

Likewise, I will ensure that experts in their field are given the same access to decisionmakers in Adams County that wealthy special interests have. At times, this will involve consulting experts like naturalists or engineers on county staff. At other times, it will mean inviting local researchers and faculty members to testify on important and relevant issues. It may mean contacting associations.

What I can commit to, above all else, is ensuring that scientific and social scientific perspectives, grounded in peer-reviewed, empirical research and expert opinion, are elevated in discourses surrounding policymaking. I can also pledge that my own decisions, which would only make up one-fifth of decision-making, will prioritize scientific research and findings above all else. “

“In Adams County we need a comprehensive zoning and planning update for agriculture. We need to incentivize moving away from soy and other feed crops and toward water-wise crops that we can sell here in our own community (thereby reducing our community’s carbon footprint as well). Right now, farmers I’m talking to have feed crops that were supposed be destined for Mexico still rotting in their field after tariffs disrupted their normal economic model. We need to seize this disruption as an opportunity to become more self-sufficient and economically resilient.

We also need to explore more ways to get working families into farm ownership, preventing consolidation.

We can further save water by regulating oil and gas more effectively. Right now, housing projects have to prove 300 years of water reserves in eastern Adams County while fracking wells can withdraw unlimited water from the basin, soil it, and effectively remove it from our water resources indefinitely.

We also need to be judicious with data center development. Data centers focused on market-unproven AI products make big promises but often fail to deliver. They also have a tendency to use more water and power. We need to regulate data centers to mandate closed-loop cooling systems and on-site electricity generation. We also must be wise and discerning in which data center projects we approve, seeking proven long-term economic growth industries over trendy but risky digital services focused on AI.”

“Well, I answered this question partially above. Let me expand on two things:

1. Data centers perform a variety of digital services ranging from the absolutely necessary, e.g. financial transactions or inventory systems management, to the superfluous, e.g. many generative A.I. and blockchain products, V.R. products (though this seems a little passe now). We need a County Commissioner who can ask intelligent questions about the services that a data center will provide because that’s how you can corroborate grandiose claims about revenue or jobs. I have the background and ability to perform such analysis.

2. We need to effectively calculate externalities. This isn’t something that many county or municipal economic development offices do but is increasingly important. Short-term gains in revenue or union jobs are important but cannot come at the expense at long-term pollution, devastation of our water resources, etc.

I did not mention privacy, so to expand on that a little bit. In general, the county needs to be more discerning about making sure that contracts with third-party include provisions that secure personal data in county-owned hardware, limit connectivity (and thus vulnerability), and fulfill our legal obligation to avoid collaborating with lawless federal entities like ICE. “

“This is a tricky question because it arrives against the backdrop of Trump defunding Medicaid and public health programs. This does make community health fairs and mobile clinics all the more important, and I will fight hard to ensure that these are funded to the fullest extent possible. We know that mobile clinics, in particular, can help address the vaccination gap between the insured and uninsured.

We also need to invest in after-school and summer programs to keep young people in school, oriented toward a meaningful career, mentally healthy, and out of the costly and extremely unhealthy prison system. Low-cost, early investments in these types of programs have incredible cost savings for the county in the long term and transform lives.

Finally, we need to make sure that our Adams County recreational facilities remain affordable for our working-class residents. We can achieve this by increasing leasing opportunities and class offerings to increase revenue. That’s a win-win for everyone.”

“As an educator, I can confirm that science literacy is lacking. This is an issue beyond the purview of the Adams County Board of County Commissioners, however.

I am not particularly familiar with the current K-12 education standards. In my political experience, the K-12 system’s greatest challenges in Colorado are fiscal. Colorado ranks low for teacher pay, per pupil expenditures, etc. We need to more fully fund public education to most seriously address this problem.

In my personal view, students seem to have far less of a grasp on the scientific method than my generation did. As budgets are cut, so are labs and experiential learning. If possible, I would like to see these better integrated into public education. But again, what we need most of all are new sources of revenue. “

“I use the Lean Manufacturing system to collect data to help me understand and resolve issues. This system includes KPI’s from data collecting and input from those closest to the problem. I have used an A3/9 Step problem solving tool that has helped me as a leader resolve several impassable issues. As a leader you must collect unbiased data and listen to the Team or the people who are closest to the problem to come to a true conclusion to a problem. Lean offers several problem-solving tools that I have come to trust to resolve any issue that I have faced over the years in Corporate America.”

“Water is a precious commodity to farmers and the people of Fremont County. Fremont County must take control of our water and where it is distributed. We must work with all Red Counties to take control of all our resources within our Counties. We cannot continue to allow the State or Federal Government to control our water or natural resources. Working in Corporate America deals are always available. We need to work with small businesses and Corporate America to lower the cost-of-living for not only farmers, ranchers and businesses but for the people we represent. If the Red Counties of Colorado unite, I firmly believe we can make deals that benefit all of our businesses.”

“I am slowly learning about the AI world. I have to admit I am not a fan of AI to this point. I am a believer in technology if used correctly. Technology can be used to help farmers, ranchers and businesses. Machinery technology can be used to help resolve many issues. If you use modern technology, you must have the right team of engineers for the correct application or usage of technology. This goes to my earlier statement of listening and working with individuals who know what is needed and how to use the technology to benefit the intended goal that does not harm the environment or displace any community or business.”

“I feel there is always a lot of politics and false information when it comes to infectious diseases or health concerns. We must tread lightly on this issue and ensure we listen to an organization or individuals we can trust but act in a manner of urgency to protect the people of Fremont County.”

“I have to admit I am not a fan of the Teachers Union, but I know from raising two children and watching/listening to our grandbabies I am grateful for the teachers we have in Fremont County. We must get politics out of our school agendas and get back to basics. Math, Science, History and English should be the core of every child’s education. Science was fun and exciting back in my days in school. We must bring back the enthusiasm I felt as a child and allow our children to learn all the great benefits of learning science and the basic fundamentals of an education to be proud of.”

“Evidence and scientific findings should play an important role in policymaking, especially on issues such as healthcare access, infrastructure, water resources, transportation, behavioral health, and environmental sustainability. As County Commissioner, I would support a research-driven decision-making process that includes regular consultation with subject matter experts, review of credible studies and local conditions, and partnerships with universities, healthcare professionals, and technical experts when evaluating major policy decisions affecting Arapahoe County.”

“Colorado agriculture is critical to our economy and food systems, and farmers are facing serious pressures from water scarcity, rising costs, and long-term environmental challenges. As County Commissioner, I would support data-informed water management, conservation strategies, and long-term infrastructure planning that help protect agricultural land and natural resources while supporting sustainability for farmers and rural communities. I believe counties should work with producers, conservation experts, universities, and state agencies to support practical solutions around water efficiency, land use, and emerging technologies that strengthen Colorado agriculture for future generations.”

“Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are creating new economic opportunities, but data centers can also place major demands on water, electricity, land use, and public infrastructure. Currently, large-scale data centers are generally not permitted under existing land use and zoning regulations in unincorporated Arapahoe County. I believe any future discussions about changing those policies should be approached cautiously, transparently, and with strong public input. As County Commissioner, I would support data-informed evaluation of impacts on water resources, energy demand, infrastructure capacity, environmental sustainability, and long-term community benefit before considering any major land-use changes.”

“Counties play an important role in supporting public health education, prevention, emergency preparedness, and access to accurate health information during outbreaks and other public health threats. I support data-informed public health strategies that improve vaccination access, community outreach, early detection, and coordination between public health agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and local governments. I also believe public trust is strengthened through transparency, clear communication, and culturally responsive outreach that helps residents make informed health decisions.”

“Science literacy is increasingly important because scientific and technological issues affect everyday life, including public health, water, energy, agriculture, and emerging technologies. I believe K-12 education should emphasize hands-on learning, critical thinking, media literacy, and real-world problem solving so students better understand how science connects to their communities and future careers. Building trust in science also requires transparency, strong communication, and helping students learn how to evaluate information critically and engage respectfully with different perspectives.”

“I want RTD decisions to be grounded in evidence, public data, and measurable outcomes. That means regularly reviewing reliability, ridership, safety, maintenance, and service data before major policy decisions, and making that information accessible to the public.

I also support bringing outside expertise into the process. RTD should hear not only from agency staff, but also from local governments, researchers, labor, riders, and subject-matter experts who can help test assumptions and identify unintended consequences.

Where appropriate, I will support pilot programs with clear performance measures. Try an approach, measure the results, publish (publicly when appropriate) happened, and change course if the evidence shows it is not working. Good policymaking requires a willingness to learn rather than defend a decision simply because it has already been made. We have to be willing to try things, and iterate based results, not biases.”

“Agricultural policy is largely outside the authority of the RTD Board, so I want to be clear about the role I would actually have. However, transportation and land-use decisions can still affect agriculture and natural resources in meaningful ways.

One of the strongest contributions RTD can make is supporting compact growth around existing communities and transit. Building more homes and jobs in already-developed areas can reduce pressure to convert farmland and open space at the edges of the metro area.

More broadly, I would work collaboratively with local governments and state leaders on issues involving water, growth, and natural-resource protection. I believe transportation planning should reinforce responsible land use rather than unintentionally contribute to sprawl and the loss of agricultural land.”

“Colorado should welcome innovation, but data centers should contribute to the communities they enter, not drain resources from their neighbors.

That means clear setbacks and siting standards, firm limits on water use, and large-load electricity tariffs so major data centers pay the true cost of the electricity and infrastructure they require. Existing residents and small businesses should not see higher utility costs, tighter water supplies, or degraded quality of life because a massive new facility came to town.

I also think public incentives should be tied to real, measurable public benefits such as permanent jobs, infrastructure investment, strong environmental performance, and community protections. If a project cannot show that it is adding more than it is taking, taxpayers should not subsidize it.

RTD does not regulate data centers directly, but transportation should still be part of major development planning from the beginning. Large employment centers should have realistic transit access so their growth does not simply create more traffic and car dependence, so when a place will actually have hundreds of jobs, lets make sure it has transit options.”

“I recognize that the RTD Board does not control agricultural or water policy, but I believe public agencies should make evidence-based decisions that protect our natural resources.

Colorado farmers face growing pressure from water scarcity, rising costs, and development. Smart growth and transit-oriented development can help reduce sprawl, preserve agricultural land, and make better use of existing infrastructure.

As an architect, I look at how transportation, housing, land use, and economic development are connected. I would bring that systems-based approach to the RTD Board and support investments that help RTD work better while contributing to a more sustainable Colorado.”

“As a candidate for the RTD Board, I want to be clear about what this position can and cannot do. RTD does not set agricultural or water policy. But transportation, land use, economic development, and natural resources are deeply connected, and public agencies should consider those connections in every major decision.

Colorado’s farmers face growing pressure from water scarcity, rising costs, and the loss of agricultural land to development. One way RTD can help is by supporting smarter growth. Investing in reliable transit and encouraging housing and development near existing infrastructure can reduce sprawl and help preserve agricultural land and open space.

As an architect, I have spent my career thinking about how individual decisions affect entire systems. I believe public policy should be grounded in evidence, long-term planning, and measurable outcomes—not ideology or short-term politics.

On the RTD Board, my primary responsibility would be making transit work better. But I would bring a broader perspective to that work. How we invest in transportation affects where we build, how we use land, and the resources we consume.

I want to help build a more sustainable Colorado for future generations.”

“Colorado should welcome innovation, but growth cannot come at any cost. We need to honestly evaluate the impacts on water, energy, land, and surrounding communities—and ensure the economic benefits justify those costs. Unfortunately, I don’t think the RTD Board has much oversight in this area.

As an architect, I believe good development requires looking at the entire system and planning for long-term impacts. While the RTD Board does not regulate data centers, transportation and land use are closely connected. I would support smart growth that makes the best use of existing infrastructure while protecting Colorado’s natural resources.”

“I already use data significantly in guiding my decision making around transit advocacy. This includes data sets such as historical snapshots of RTD’s real-time data, which I publish directly on my GitHub, as well as ridership data I’ve helped work on with Greater Denver Transit. RTD will be undergoing its first major system redesign since 1978 when I’m on the board. While this system redesign is long overdue, I won’t vote to adopt it without independently verifying that the changes make sense and have a positive impact on ridership. And better yet, I will also share this data in a manner that others can reproduce the results, like I do today with the real-time data.

My education is in Computer Science, and professionally I’m a software engineer. I don’t design systems without looking deeply into the assumptions on the table and alternatives considered, and I expect to see the same at RTD. Financial forecasts and major capital decisions should be backed by evidence. For example, RTD’s transit asset management plan proposes spending hundreds of millions to repair an aging light rail system over the next few years, and yet, there was no postmortem analysis about why the tracks were damaged, nor even a documented need from the PUC. Directors need to see the math before they vote; making these policy decisions shouldn’t be a blind process.

I helped create and pass HB26-1269, the Transit Access bill, part of which creates new data reporting requirements for the agency. I’ll push RTD to go above and beyond the requirements prescribed in that bill, publishing machine-readable data on missed trips, on-time performance, crowding, and elevator outages. Transparency enables the public to hold the agency accountable.”

“Colorado’s farms and growing municipalities here in the Front Range draw on the same limited water, and how the urban area grows matters. When growth sprawls away from the urban centers, cities often supply it by buying agricultural water rights and drying up farmland. Households near frequent transit use far less land and outdoor irrigation water than suburban and exurban developments with large lots.

RTD can help steer growth to those places: HB24-1313’s Transit Areas are created from RTD’s frequent transit network, and starting in 2028, HB26-1001 will enable RTD to ground-lease underutilized park-n-rides for housing. I’ll push RTD to identify those sites now, and share its service plans with cities, so they can zone for housing where frequent service will run.

Public transit helps reduce ground-level ozone, which reduces crop yields, and the Front Range has been out of compliance with federal ozone standards for years. Furthermore, I’ll hold RTD to the zero-emission fleet plan the board approved in 2024, grow ridership so transit replaces more car trips, and ask staff to report the emissions impact of major vehicle purchases.

RTD should also lead by example on its own land. The agency maintains landscaping at stations and park-n-rides across the district. I’ll push the agency to replace irrigated turf with native, water-wise plantings, and publicly report water use.”

“As a software engineer, I know this technology has value, but only if data centers pay their full cost, operate as good stewards to the environment and our grid, and don’t crowd out the communities already here.

Xcel Energy projects that data centers will drive most new energy growth here in Colorado. RTD runs the light rail and commuter rail on electricity, and electrifying RTD’s bus fleet will require major grid upgrades at every garage. When data centers drive up the cost of electricity, RTD pays more to run the trains, and charging electric buses competes for grid capacity. I support making data centers pay for the generation and transmission they require, and I’ll push RTD to be an active voice at the PUC so electrification remains a priority.

On privacy, RTD collects trip data through MyRide cards and the app, plus camera footage on vehicles and at stations. RTD should collect only what it needs, set retention limits, never sell identifiable rider data, and anonymize it before sharing with the public. I do not support the usage of AI surveillance at RTD, and would strictly oppose the adoption of any of this technology.”