State Governor 2018 Issues

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Email us any information, especially for items not yet filled in: colorado-elections-wiki@googlegroups.com. Please include your source(s).

A questionnaire was sent out to every Democratic and Republican candidate, tailored to each candidate for specific items that had yet to be found. Thus far only Teri Kear's, Cary Kennedy's, and Noel Ginsburg's have been returned.

Democratic Primary Candidates

Infrastructure

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Democratic Party Candidates - Infrastructure
Name Party Maintenance/General Transportation Internet/Broadband Community Revitalization
(Urban Gentrification/Rural Development)
I-70 Expansion
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat "I will be making this mandatory for our road cleaning crews in #Colorado. Freeing up countless amount of hours for the people during winter. Vote #Garrity2018 as #Governor of this great state." (Links to video of a specialized plow.) (Campaign Facebook) "The speed limits were never to be law only mileage suggestions . And they cause more harm than good grouping cars in a close proximity causing more car accidents than it prevents. The community is though allow to install speed limiting bumps on the roads they maintain as long as they are not severe and cause damage..........just a smart way and legal way of going about it as speed limits are illegal ways for the state to be the victim judge police and prosecutor in trial which is illegal so they can extort money from the people." (Campaign Facebook)
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "...first step begins with creating a statewide development and planning office to identify infrastructure needs across Colorado. ...assesses how our demographics, economic development, infrastructure, transportation systems, public lands, natural resources, energy, and housing developments intersect. Rather than continue to let growth roll over Colorado... This board will break the state into regions, and collaborate heavily with local leadership in those regions to ensure that the highest priority projects are completed first. Projects should come from communities up (locally based) and that information will be woven together into a statewide plan for growth in support of our infrastructure. Step 2 is to identify the cost of needed infrastructure projects, prioritize projects by region as it relates to infrastructure, and work with the voters of Colorado identify the best method to raise the necessary funds to support the implementation of those plans and projects over the decades to come." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "...continue to invest in light rail, and not just in Denver. We must focus on connecting people and commerce to our smaller towns and communities too. For example, building passenger rail from Fort Collins to Pueblo would be a game changer for economic development in Colorado. Folks living in Pueblo could still work in Denver, or vice versa." (Campaign Website) "...need to make accessible high-speed Internet a reality for every Coloradan in every city and every rural community." (Campaign Website) "...Colorado must reassess our existing state economic incentives with a bias towards stimulating growth in rural colorado. Our urban centers are experiencing massive economic growth, and their need for economic incentives to spur job growth is much lower today (as our unemployment hits record lows) than it was in the past. ...will focus on giving local leadership more say in identifying what type of economic growth their community aspires for, and putting the state in a position to support those initiatives with the resources and support needed to be successful. The strategies used in Colorado’s economic blueprint - pairing education institutions with local businesses, listening more to local leadership, and creating collaborative solutions with communities so that the communities in need of job growth are leading the way and being supported by the state..." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire)

"...I will create a statewide planning and development board, built with leadership from communities, and heads of state departments like economic development and transportation. Collaboration between communities and vital agencies at the state and community level will yield smarter development policies and processes that will lead to better results for Colorado’s communities. When multiple communities’ transit departments, affordable housing boards, economic development offices, water and electric utilities, and the state have platforms to collaborate, their policies can be coordinated, and have a greater impact. A statewide planning and development board will be equipped to connect communities, preserve historic neighborhoods, and ensure growth is positively impacting communities. ...Colorado must do more to increase the available stock of affordable housing. ...Ensuring our affordable housing developments are interwoven with mass transit networks, or are centrally located, is as important as finding more affordable housing. Those living in affordable housing units must have access to high quality job and education opportunities. As Governor, I will support creating a statewide cabinet position on affordable housing, increase funds for affordable housing projects, and ensure that the affordable housing cabinet is represented on the statewide planning and development board so all of Colorado’s communities can experience positive growth without marginalizing communities." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

[Rural Development] "As Governor, I will firmly support all efforts to get broadband in every single Colorado community quickly because of the benefits that it can provide to residents through telehealth and telemedicine - two areas the state should help develop. In addition, a universal healthcare system in partnership with progressive western states will create a large enough patient pool to stabilize markets in rural areas of high cost and will ensure that every single person receives coverage." (Email from the Ginsburg campaign to IFRR Wiki Co-Founder Jessica Chauvin, 2/28/18)
"Yes. We have to increase the capacity of our east-west highways throughout the State of Colorado both to address interstate commerce, support of our tourism industry to the mountains, and ensure that our citizens spend less time in stop and go traffic. With that being said, although expansion is necessary, we have to take into consideration any impact that any expansion will have on neighboring communities, ensuring that all voices and concerns are heard, and the issues at hand are thoughtfully addressed. More specifically, widening roads is not a long-term solution to transportation needs in Colorado because traffic will always expand to the number of lanes available. We must make long term investments in multi-modal transit like passenger rail, expansion of bus rapid transit, and others that will address transportation concerns for the next 50 years. Ignoring our problems, and continuously expanding roadways as our population is simply put, not an option." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat "Our infrastructure has been failing us because we have been letting it. Now is the time to building it up better than ever for our citizens. We have to make a budget without raising taxes." (Campaign Facebook)
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "We cannot meet the vast infrastructure needs without securing additional funding in the state budget. For that reason, I am committed to leading the fight to reform TABOR and bring us additional revenue that we can put towards the state’s most pressing needs including infrastructure. In addition to a focus on roads & bridge, we also need to bring high speed broadband to our rural areas. This will increase opportunity for businesses, health and mental health care, and education, and will connect our state in a way that has previously never been possible." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) Statewide broadband. (Arvadans for Progressive Action) "In the rural areas, educated youth are leaving for the cities, businesses are struggling to attract and retain employees, and the necessary services like hospitals, schools and business are struggling to stay open. ... I sponsored the “Jumpstart” legislation ... to increase economic opportunities in rural areas by providing state funds to companies in rural areas who committee [sic] to grow their businesses and hire locally. ... I also opened a community office in the heart of my district in Northeast Denver to ensure those in my community who knew the challenges and opportunities better than anyone, were the ones who had the most direct access to their State Senator. As Governor, I am committed to ensuring that all communities – rural and urban alike – can thrive in our changing economy by providing broadband across the state, continuing smart policies like Jumpstart, and working closely with people in their own neighborhoods to solve problems. Additionally, through my “Colorado Promise” the state will partner with businesses and our workers to ensure that as the economy changes across our rural and urban areas, workers have access to the training and support they need to provide for their families." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "We can build a more equitable and prosperous Colorado by modernizing our infrastructure. Our growing population is creating an urgency to meet this challenge, but also an opportunity to think big. I am ready to act now to improve Colorado’s infrastructure. It’s time for us to modernize our state’s transportation and broadband systems to expand prosperity in our state and ensure our progress reaches everyone." (Campaign Website) "To meet the demands of growth, address traffic, and reduce our impact on the environment, we need a transportation system focused on moving people, not cars. That means fewer trips, less emissions, and more options. ...we need to invest in new systems that focus on choice, mobility, and sustainability. While highway improvements are needed, especially in rural Colorado, in the long term trying to “widen” our way out of traffic is expensive and inefficient. We can have a coordinated system of transportation options that includes high-speed and commuter rail, buses, bikes, van pools and ride shares that will allow us to reduce congestion, improve health, and protect the environment. ...enforce the Keep Jobs in Colorado Act through the Department of Labor to ensure that 80% wages paid to employees on publicly-funded contractors are from Colorado ...Increase EV Charging Stations Statewide" (Campaign Website) "This inequitable access to broadband hurts our rural areas and is a major driver behind the unequal growth across the state. I hear too often from local business owners in rural towns about how they lose internet on important holiday shopping days and cannot process a credit card! ...Telehealth and telemedicine use online video conferencing technology to help patients connect with specialty providers, a serious problem for Coloradans living in rural areas. ...As governor, I will ensure that every Coloradan has abundant, redundant, and affordable broadband. ...The state also needs to prioritize broadband in all infrastructure projects it undertakes. ...Fight for Net Neutrality" (Campaign Website) "To help our growing senior population stay in their homes and in their communities, especially those that live in rural areas, we need to invest in mobility services. More than half of seniors and adults with disabilities depend on families, friends, or volunteers for transportation. ...Telehealth and telemedicine use online video conferencing technology to help patients connect with specialty providers, a serious problem for Coloradans living in rural areas (re: Broadband). ...While the major highway corridors dominate the media headlines, we can not forget about rural communities, local roads, bike paths, sidewalks, and transit. A 2011 study showed 54% of all trips taken in the state were shorter than 3 miles." (Campaign Website) "I have been hearing a lot of concerns from the community about this project. I know that we need to work together to mitigate the impacts and improve the health and safety of the communities most impacted. These are communities that have been disenfranchised and ignored by the city for decades. I am not taking a stance on specific infrastructure projects during the campaign as they are too detailed but I am committing to taking a look at all the options that are available when I become Governor." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat "We need to address our funding challenges head on and build on the down payment Governor Hickenlooper and the General Assembly negotiated this past session with Senate Bill 267." (Campaign Website) "We cannot sustain a strong statewide economy without universal broadband availability. Our entrepreneurs, our students and our health care workers can’t get the information they need to succeed without this connectivity. We’ve set an ambitious goal to reach 100% across the state, and as governor I will make sure we achieve it." (Campaign Website)
 
Jared Polis Democrat "Nearly 70 percent of our roads and highways are in poor or mediocre condition, and each Colorado driver pays $287 in car repairs per year ...Support and work alongside a diverse group of stakeholders of all geographic and political persuasions ...relieving congestion across the state, improving rural roads, and fixing potholes ...finding existing dollars in our General Fund ...Continue support for existing, effective electric vehicle (EV) and EV infrastructure policies ...Prioritize the hiring of Coloradans first, and utilize the best-trained workers in the state by using contractors that invest in United States Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs" (Campaign Website) "...Push RTD to fulfill the commitments ...Strictly vet potential operators ...undergone a rigorous, transparent, and statewide public-input process ...provide transit-oriented attainable housing at stops along the rail that help people live affordably closer to their work and multiple transportation options" (Campaign Website) "Our Broadband Deployment Fund could fund internet projects across the state...speed that investment by changing the law to move resources faster. ...We’ll give rural towns and citizens the freedom to plan for and invest in broadband by removing the antiquated requirement to conduct costly and time-intensive elections to do so. Municipal broadband is one of the most powerful consumer protection tools we have to preserve net neutrality and maintain an open internet. ...Colorado will partner with local governments to create strategic regional broadband plans and support public-private partnerships by encouraging state agencies to collaborate in building reliable internet across the state using existing resources." (Campaign Website)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "I am the only candidate that has a 4 step plan to repeal Tabor! We need to fund our schools equitably and repair our roads. This would help to stimulate growth in our rural areas." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)


Healthcare

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Democratic Party Candidates - Healthcare
Name Party System Disabilities Women's Health Mental Health Rural Healthcare Access
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "I believe every Coloradan deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare, and that nobody should go bankrupt because they get sick. ...protecting and expanding access to healthcare across our state, ensuring those in rural areas don’t see higher premiums, protecting access to preventive care, and improving access to and coverage for mental health. We also must look at the actual cost of medical care and what we can do to bring down costs statewide. ...I will also fight back hard against the draconian Medicaid cuts being pushed in Washington." (Campaign Website)

"Yes [for supporting single-payer], but at a federal or regional level. It is not financially feasible to create a single-payer system at the State level." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire)

"...Care must be affordable for all individuals, and fiscally feasible for the state. Colorado’s state health care spending has risen significantly in the recent past. As of 2013, personal health care costs in Colorado have more than quadrupled over the previous two decades. More than 33¢ of every $1 spent in our state goes to healthcare, but our healthcare system does not serve all our constituents well enough. At the current pace, we will bankrupt the state trying to provide care for everyone. Transparency is an intermediate measure that will help contain costs, but a ​universal healthcare market shows great promise as a strong long-term fix. ...That is why I have been working with Gavin Newsom (front-runner for Governor of California) to create an interstate health care compact between Colorado, California, and other western progressive states to ensure that all our citizens can have affordable, high quality health care. By expanding the patient pool across multiple states, our public health care system will have more power to lower costs, expand coverage, and improve care for all." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
"I believe it is essential that we protect women’s rights to affordable and accessible contraceptive care. Not only should women have autonomy over their bodies, but they and their partners should be empowered to enter parenthood responsibly. The policies I support as Governor will reflect these values." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "For those with mental health needs, I believe that mental healthcare and physical healthcare should receive equal coverage. Many of our rural areas struggle to attract enough mental health providers. As Governor, I will look to create incentives that drive mental health providers towards areas of high need, alongside my economic development plan for the state which specifically targets development in rural Colorado, and should spur a natural growth in healthcare as a region develops." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "For those with mental health needs, I believe that mental healthcare and physical healthcare should receive equal coverage. Many of our rural areas struggle to attract enough mental health providers. As Governor, I will look to create incentives that drive mental health providers towards areas of high need, alongside my economic development plan for the state which specifically targets development in rural Colorado, and should spur a natural growth in healthcare as a region develops." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat "As we know with the trumpcare could hurt American across the country. We need to make a health care affordable and that fits all American citizens. That will not hurt pre-condition at any cost. Our citizens pays theirs taxes it's time to let their voices be heard on what they really want." (Campaign Facebook)
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "I am committed to achieving universal coverage in our state. One way I plan to accelerate progress is to guarantee that every Colorado family has a choice when it comes to health insurance. In counties where there is no competition, we are going to work to incentivize new providers so the state can ensure there are options available. I also want every child in Colorado to be guaranteed health insurance, and as Governor, I’d ensure that the children’s health insurance program would be available to all income eligible children, regardless of national origin. We are looking at all possible options to expand affordable access to heath care across our state." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"Cover ALL Children in Colorado ...Health care costs must be more transparent." (Campaign Website)

"This plan consists of $9.3M to expand Medicaid to undocumented children and pregnant women, $2.5M to improve the state cost and quality database, $1M for the provider tax incentive, $15M for tobacco cessation programs, and $20M for broadband expansion. All the other interventions take advantage of existing authority and state leverage. I will use the hospital provider fee to fund the Medicaid expansion and database improvements. The provider tax incentive comes out of our existing surplus. The tobacco tax will fund the tobacco cessation programs and broadband expansion." (Campaign Website)
"Women have the right to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their physicians. They also have the right to birth control as part of their insurance. ...put forth legislation that required that health insurers cover maternity care and contraception and prohibited health insurers from considering gender in setting rates. Mike championed legislation providing for pregnancy accommodations to employees." (Campaign Website) "Bring badly needed doctors to all parts of the state: I will provide tax credits to providers who serve in rural communities, and specifically recruit primary and mental health doctors to serve communities hardest hit by the opioid crisis. ...Expand telemedicine to bring services to underserved parts of the state: I will work to help providers access broadband services, so they can fully take advantage of telemedicine to provide essential primary care as well as mental health and substance abuse care." (Campaign Website)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "As Governor, I will lead Colorado to universal health care coverage. ...Fill gaps in coverage, cost, and accessibility by adding options to buy into Medicaid (Health First Colorado) and health plans available to state employees through state’s health insurance exchange. ...Lower premiums, stabilize markets, and increase choices by creating a public insurance program available to all Coloradans, esp those in rural areas where options are limited. (Campaign Website)

"I support single payer health coverage at the federal level including Medicare for all. Because we can’t wait on DC, I have a comprehensive health care platform that includes a public option. This plan will increase access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and lower costs, especially in rural Colorado." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
"As Governor, I will work to help Coloradans of all abilities. People who have a disability must have the strongest voice at the table for any and all policy decisions that affect their health, wellbeing, and ability to thrive. This includes using my position as Governor to advocate against any attempts in DC to cut Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security. As State Treasurer, I created the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program which has helped repair and replace aging, and dilapidated school buildings across the state. BEST has allowed schools across the state to upgrade their facilities and make them ADA compliant. As Governor I will work to ensure our communities are accessible to people of different abilities." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "...helped start the Child Health Plan in Colorado, which helped tens of thousands of low income children across our state get health insurance. I worked for the Colorado Children’s Campaign developing legislation that improved the quality of low-income child care. I also expanded access to nurse home visits for low income, first-time mothers. ...protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care. We cannot allow ideological extremists in DC to deny evidence and undermine public health successes by infringing upon a women’s right to choose in Colorado. ...access the medical care they need — regardless of income — to make their own decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. I will oppose any legislation that attempts to restrict women’s access to reproductive health care or abortion services." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) (More Info - Campaign Website) "Simply put, we need to put more resources towards treating mental health. Too many people who experience mental illness end up in the criminal justice system because they cannot access the services they need. This idea that providing people preventative services is better than locking people up who suffer from mental health issues was at the core of the Denver Housing to Health Initiative. I launched a program as Deputy Mayor and CFO of Denver and it will house nearly 200 hundred formerly, chronically homeless people in Denver many of whom suffer from mental illness and addiction. In the Housing to Health Initiative, wraparound services are funded through the savings the city realizes from the participants not needing as many emergency services like detox and emergency room visits and from participants spending fewer nights in jail." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Lower premiums, stabilize markets, and increase choices by creating a public insurance program available to all Coloradans, esp those in rural areas where options are limited." (Campaign Website)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat "I’ve fought alongside Governor Hickenlooper to help save the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and to make improvements to it. The ACA has been a success, especially here in Colorado where we have cut in half the number of people who didn’t have health coverage ...I’ve worked on legislation to expand access, increase transparency, and make health care more affordable for all Colorado families. I think health care is a right, not a privilege, and I support universal coverage and will fight to make it a reality for all Colorado families."(Campaign Website)
 
Jared Polis Democrat "Yes [for supporting single-payer]. I cosponsor the Medicare for All bill in Congress and have included single-payer healthcare as part of my policy platform since I first ran for Congress in 2008." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "We have to end the cost inequities of health insurance in rural areas when compared to the relative affordability of coverage along the Front Range. Coloradans in our rural communities face both enormous out-of-pocket health care costs and a shortage of qualified providers. ...We need to continue to challenge ourselves to redraw Colorado's geographic rating areas to provide relief to rural Coloradans facing high costs. I will work with community members and public health officials at both the state and federal levels to bring down these costs, while incentivizing more providers to practice in underserved rural areas. I will also take advantage of innovative solutions to improve access to affordable health care services, such as telemedicine and mobile care." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "I will work to expand Medicaid to the most vulnerable Colorado who need access to quality health care. We will make sure that our Coloradans are taken care of...Outward - Inward." (Campaign Website)

"Yes, I support and will fight for Universal Health Care. It is a right, and not a privilege. I actually supported Amendment 69, as you know the proposal had some problems with it and I think those problems are fixable. I will support a bi-partisan redo of Amendment 69 and campaign for it in all 64 counties. ...also explore the possibility of partnering with other Western States to expand the pool of participants in a fee health care exchange system." (Our Revolution Durango)


Energy/Environment

Email us any information, especially for items not yet filled in: colorado-elections-wiki@googlegroups.com. Please include your source(s).


Democratic Party Candidates - Energy/Environment
Name Party Renewable Energy Environmental Clean-up
Health & Safety
Fracking
(Local Control, distance)
Open Space, Public Land, & Wildlife Water Issues
(drought, security, compacts, agriculture)
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat "#Vote #Garrity2018 for #Governor and watch #Colorado have 100% renewable energy given freely to residents." (Campaign Facebook)

"Lets upgrade Colorado's power grid to be more renewable energy friendly. Colorado is the prime place for both wind and solar. We can lead the way and show the country what Colorado can do. I see a future of wind turbines , geothermal pumps , and solar panels melting roadways that provide free mass transit with electrical vehicles. There is a better way." (Campaign Facebook)
"...miss spending [sic] of state funds. I notice that restrooms in park ares get damaged and the repairs are twice the cost as the initial building price....our parks are not to be used to steal money from the state." (Campaign Facebook)
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "An investment in clean energy is not only good for our environment, but it’s good economics too. By the end of my tenure as Governor, it will be my goal for our state to be generating 50 percent of our energy from renewable sources. And by doing more to help our businesses and homeowners go solar, weatherize, and become more energy efficient..." (Campaign Website)

"As gas prices have dropped, I believe the state has an opportunity today, to provide farmers and ranchers a more reliable source of secondary income - wind turbines and solar panels. In Colorado, renewable energy development by individuals is largely limited by the utilities in which the farms reside. As Governor, I want to open up the energy marketplace to private renewable developers so farmers and ranchers across the state can utilize our sunshine and wind to provide clean electricity to Coloradans - and get paid for it. As Colorado moves to more aggressive percentages of renewable energy, I believe farmers and ranchers can play a vital role, and can generate additional revenue when crop and cattle prices are low." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
Absolutely, to both of those questions. [To private companies covering the cost of toxic spills, and being fined.] (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "I believe that Colorado’s oil, gas, and mineral extraction policies are not serving those rights well enough today- we must do better. ...accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels - on our electric grid, in our transportation system, and in our petroleum-based products. ...aggressively pursuing increased renewable energy (45% Statewide within 8 years) and will pursue legislation to create open market access for renewable developers so we can rapidly integrate more renewable energy onto our grid, and further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. ...proposing that Colorado give communities increased say in the drilling and extraction processes so that they can ensure their land, water, and air is taken into consideration before drilling occurs. ...full support of the recent Supreme Court case ​Martinez v COGCC that found the protection of public health and the environment is “a condition that must be fulfilled” by the state before oil and gas drilling can be done. ...support increasing the State Health Department’s Water Quality section’s resources. Ensuring our state’s water quality is among my top priorities, and I will place this funding increase in the priorities of our state budget." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "...I will ensure that neither this presidential administration, nor the extreme growth our state is experiencing will disparately impact our public lands. I will fight for their protection from mineral extraction or private ownership. These lands are precious resource that are invaluable to our people, our economy, and our state. I will fight against any efforts to remove, or harm them." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "...I believe the state can play a larger role in helping water utilities and individual communities finance large scale water projects (storage, repairing large water infrastructure projects in disrepair, etc.) but perhaps more significant are the projects that the state can help implement within communities and on a statewide level. There are ​five primary policies that will unlock enormous water savings for Colorado - many of these recommendations are directly from the Colorado Water Plan. First: ...invest in water storage infrastructure to ensure in years of heavy precipitation, we can preserve water for years of drought. ...Second: ...use of Alternative Transfer Methods, or methods other than diversion projects to get more water from the western slope to the front range. Many of these methods are as simple as creating water leases, a water bank, or new water rights agreements that allow water rights owners to lease their water to urban areas without having to forfeit their water rights. ...Third, by utilizing innovative technology to use water more efficiently in our urban centers. Cloud based irrigation systems track live weather patterns, humidity, rainfall, etc.. so our homes can use less water, and enjoy the same results. ...Fourth, Colorado must do more to explore the potential for water reuse. ...Fifth ...Colorado ​needs a statewide vision that helps communities plan their infrastructure, economic development, transportation systems, land development, and water use to ensure that growth and conservation are not mutually exclusive..." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) (NOTE: Lengthy answer that has been greatly truncated for space. For details and context, please go to the questionnaire link.)
 
Moses Humes Democrat "We need to move our country into a cleaner air and energy with wind mills and solar panels by creating the best reform energy plan to save money for our citizens and our nation" (Campaign Facebook)
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "...100% renewables by 2040. ...Details of that policy can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o80vcfUZDCY (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"...created a commission to streamline where power lines are set in order to...[expand] wind and solar resources in rural Colorado. ...proposed a clean energy improvement financing program that helps customers pay for home improvements if it leads to more energy efficiency. ...increased transparency with building energy performance ...allocated funds to improve the energy efficiency of state buildings. ...brought legislation that successfully required new homes to have water-saving features. ...supported adding hydroelectricity as a source of energy for public utilities." (Campaign Website)
"These student leaders have made the important point that seems so clear in light of the Firestone catastrophe: Our first responsibility is to protect the health and safety of all Coloradans and then balance the reasonable extraction of our state’s natural resources against that public safety. The appellate court made clear [in the Martinez case decision] that is the plain language of the statute, and I don’t see why anyone would fight the state’s commitment to ensure that public safety." (Colorado Independent article) "...oppose the transfer of federal public lands to the state; Colorado does not have the infrastructure, capacity or resources to manage these lands. ...I will fight any federal efforts to transfer protected federal lands to private hands, and work with our Congressional delegation to restrict mineral extraction in inappropriate settings." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "As Governor, I will ensure Colorado leads the nation in building the new energy economy. We already have made great strides in harnessing the sun and the wind to power our homes and businesses. Colorado was the first state in the nation where voters required utilities to provide clean, renewable sources of energy. Every homeowner and business in Colorado should be able to purchase 100% of their energy from clean, green sources without paying a premium. While long-term aspirational goals are good, what we do in the next 4-5 years will be the most important. As your governor, I will lead the effort to ensure that Colorado meets and exceeds the emission reduction targets identified in the Paris Accord, and position our state to benefit from the innovation and jobs that a clean energy economy offers." (Campaign Website) "Yes. Companies that damage our land or wildlife are obligated to cover the costs of cleanup and should face fines commensurate with the negligence that caused the accident. Our state learned this is the hard way with old mine sites that were abandoned decades ago and never cleaned up. I am concerned with the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to the EPA. Colorado is home to a number of Superfund sites and we need federal resources to help clean our communities. As Governor, I will do everything in my power to ensure Colorado has the resources to protect our natural environment and not let President Trump take us backwards." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Public health and safety must be our top priority. We can and must do more to protect public health and our communities. Given the information that is publicly available I don’t believe appealing the court’s ruling [on the Martinez case] is consistent with that priority. This is an important industry to Colorado and I’m confident together we can do more to improve safety for workers and communities and protect public health and safety. This court ruling presents an opportunity to address the conflicting mission of the oil and gas commission and clarify the priority is public health and safety." (Colorado Independent article)

"I support enforcing laws that require the state to make public health, safety, and the environment the priorities in regulating the industry. I also support giving local communities more control over oil and gas operations in their jurisdictions. We need to work together to ensure the oil and gas industry can develop the resources within our state, and do it in ways that protect our health, safety and environment." (Campaign Website)

"The COGCC has long labored under the dual mandates of promoting the industry and protecting Coloradans. For too long the preferences of the industry have come before the health and safety of Coloradans. I have called to give local governments authority to regulate industry within their communities, and that includes the oil and gas industry." (Our Revolution Durango Questionnaire)
"...conserve 1 million acres of land and 400,000 acre-feet of water by 2050, even as our State’s population grows. ...I will never let our public lands be sold to the highest bidder. ...I oppose any efforts to sell off, transfer management of, cut down, or commercialize our National Parks and National Monuments. ...I will stand up to attempts from the federal government to limit access to public lands and our parks. I will fight any attempts by the federal government to raise National Park fees or privatize our parks, while at the same time slashing National Park budgets. ...Reauthorize Great Outdoors Colorado ...identify and pursue opportunities to expand the state park system in Colorado. ...We need to ensure that all Colorado communities, including low-income communities, can easily access parks, open spaces, and outdoor opportunities. ...Make Colorado the Top Outdoor Recreation Economy ...Conserve Water and Protect our Rivers" (Campaign Website) "Invest in and implement the State Water Plan (Achieving the goal will mean reducing per-capita water demand by about 1% per year by 2050) ...Increase Reuse and Recharge Projects ...Prioritize Conservation in New Developments (in order to earn Land Use Approval) ...Rehab and Repair Existing Water Infrastructure ...Support Instream Flow Program ...We must move away from the permanent drying of agricultural lands to meet the growing demands of urban and industrial water uses. Instead, we must expand the prevalence of Alternative Transfer Methods which allow water to be shared between agricultural users and other users without the permanent transfer of water rights." (Campaign Website)

"Water is also a top issue and is critical to the livelihood of ranchers and farmers. We can not keep drying up farmland to satisfy the growing demands of urban areas. My water plan puts conservation first and focuses on alternative methods to ensure that we support our agricultural lands." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat "As governor, I’ll continue the progress we’ve made ensuring our environment is protected for generations to come. Climate change is real, and we must do all we can to slow its effects. I’ve worked to improve Colorado’s air quality, ensure we have clean rivers, streams and drinking water, and increase our conservation efforts. We’ve set real goals to reduce nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and other emissions in our state. We’re making progress, but more must be done. We’ve already begun to see our energy providers make plans to speed up their transition from coal-based energy to renewables ...As governor, I’ll work with our energy providers to continue the transition from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy production while keeping costs low for consumers, and ensuring that we provide retraining for workers who have been affected." (Campaign Website) "As one of only two headwater states in the country, our state plays a unique role in ensuring a sustainable water future for all Coloradans. Our statewide Water Plan provides the blueprint for the kind of conservation, storage and innovation we need to protect and fund our water future, and as governor I will continue this work." (Campaign Website)
 
Jared Polis Democrat "...incentivize our state’s vehicle fleet to go electric and streamline the charging station permitting process" (Campaign Website)

"100 percent renewable energy...by 2040 ...We can create strong incentives for energy efficiency ...spur investment in new local renewable energy projects ...Investing in coal communities where coal plants have retired by creating Workforce Development Commissions to help skilled workers find meaningful work in their field, become entrepreneurs, or retrain for a new career if they choose. ...miners to receive the healthcare and retirement benefits they are owed. ...Working with industry and local communities to create partnerships that give shut down mines and factories new missions in manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and renewable energy development." (Campaign Website)
"...require companies that develop projects, like oil and gas wells and wind farms, to pay private ranchers to enhance or restore habitat on their lands to compensate for habitat damaged in the development process. Colorado should join our western neighbors in adopting this requirement, which would improve habitat across the state, helping wildlife and providing a new revenue stream for participating ranchers." (Campaign Website) "My position has been consistent and unwavering: we need to protect Coloradans with increased setbacks and make sure local communities and families have a say where and when fracking takes place. This has severe ramifications on the quality of our air and water, and we should be able to find common ground in securing the safety and longevity of our communities and neighborhoods." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "Create Colorado Conservation and Recreation Districts ...harness the economic power of these landscapes to highlight Colorado’s natural outdoor assets and promote each community’s unique attractions. ...I will fight any attempt to sell our public lands to the highest bidder or diminish them in any way. ...Improve Funding for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Division ...Provide More Resources for Wildlife Habitat Restoration, Conservation, and Enhancement ...Require Habitat Mitigation for Habitat Damaged from Development ...Support Full Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) ...Expand Use of Wildlife Crossings ...Protect Our Bears and Wild Horses" (Campaign Website) "Implement Colorado’s Water Plan ...I will work to do even better by our state’s water system by leveraging new technology and best practices to prioritize conservation. ...refreshing our water data with recent drought and hydrologic information ...identify regional water opportunities where integrated water systems, and water management, can produce a more resilient water supply ...advance our water reuse capability by removing regulatory barriers and incentivizing water reuse without injury to downstream water rights. ...Colorado will resist federal efforts to dictate water decisions. ...we will resist attempts to export our water to moneyed interests outside of our state. ...future transmountain diversions pose an existential threat to the health of our rivers and our agriculture economy. ...I support the conceptual framework agreed upon by our state’s Western and Eastern basin roundtables to manage the consideration of any proposed future diversions. I will enforce its use..." (Campaign Website)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "Yes [support a pledge for 100% renewable energy by 2035], but I also support everyday Coloradans being a part of the entrepreneurial explosion in renewable energy. I do not want State alternative and renewable contracts going to millionaires and billionaires." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"We have to invest in our clean energy future here in Colorado. I will support all industries, that reduces the carbon footprint where we can keep Colorado pristine for the next generation. Its good for the economy, for job creation, and it is good morally to leave this place better than we found it." (Campaign Website)
"Unfortunately, with recent court rulings, companies have the right to frack. But make no mistake, I want to make it harder for these fracking companies through local control, so we can protect our environment and people. I support local control over fracking companies." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "I will "never" [sic] not sell off our public lands....period! I want Colorado to stay beautiful for generations to come." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "...urban areas should do far more to conserve water before asking to divert more water resources from rural areas. Water is major issue as we share water with other surrounding States with ongoing legal disputes that can result in more water diversion down stream. I support innovative initiatives for recycled water through filtration processes and gray water, which will conserve water and stock pile water for the future. As you know, Colorado is also an agricultural State, and agriculture uses a great deal of water. I would like to work with farmers and other stake holders on innovative methods for water conservation. As our population grows it will b come more important than ever." (Our Revolution Durango)


Political Influence

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Democratic Party Candidates - Political Influence
Name Party Campaign Finance Reforms PACs/Special Interests Redistricting
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "The purpose of the democratic political process is to give a voice to the masses in the form of a vote. When the process itself is distorted by the hundreds of millions of dollars that are thrown into political races, we lose the fair and balanced system on which democracy is founded. ...​A public campaign finance system returns justice to our democracy and our political process by returning democratic power to the people. In this system, the state regulates total campaign donations, and the government provides matching funds for small donors so the grassroots can once again be the focal point of the democratic process. In making these reforms, we can fix the imbalance of influences that corrupt our political process and make strides towards strengthening our democracy and creating an electoral system in which the best candidates - not necessarily the richest - hold office." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) Indicated he does not accept money from Monsanto, oil companies, or banks. (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire)

[In regards to Democrats for Education Reform use of the Democratic name] "What we shouldn't have are institutions that leverage off the Democratic name. ...we know that underlying those values that they [DFER] have are not our values. ...It is insincere for us to stand here and say we are for the Democratic values... ...If you hear me saying something that doesn't ring true...I would ask you hold me accountable." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

"GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS! Cory Gardner has received more than 3 million dollars from the NRA! Do you think for one minute that they don’t have an influence on his position on guns? Do you think that the NRA wasn’t behind the recall of our state legislators that supported the high capacity magazine ban? If money wasn’t corrupting the issue in Washington our gun laws would have changed years ago." (Email from the Ginsburg campaign to IFRR Wiki Co-Founder Jessica Chauvin, 2/28/18)
"The ultimate objective in redistricting is to create highest number of competitive districts to ensure that the majority of Coloradans have the greatest political representation possible - candidates should have to earn the vote of every Colorado neighborhood, not the ones redistricted to the benefit of their party. As a result, I believe this process should be de-politicized, and should utilize scientific methods to enable the democratic process to function properly. Those who represent the majority of Colorado should win. As Governor, I will look to data scientists to guide the process to ensure we achieve the greatest degree of balance possible." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat
 
Michael Johnston Democrat Has repeatedly pledged on various platforms and in numerous forums to not accept any PAC money.

"...signatures collected without a paid vendor."

[About Democrats for Education Reform use of the name Democrat] "What does it mean to be a party that is actually about inclusion? And it is about building a big tent. It is saying we may disagree on some things, but we welcome you here. ...So, no, I don't believe our party should be in the practice of exclusion. ...saying you don't get to be a Democrat ...No I don't believe they have the trademark power to deny someone the ability to use the term "Democrats" ...I think that is the wrong direction for the party ...how do you deal with someone with whom you disagree? ...talk out the things you disagree on, and you find the things you do agree on, and you build a way forward. ...We are a party of diversity, we ought to stand for that diversity..." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

Evite for a fundraiser in DC with a Q&A with Johnston
Hosted by Aviva Jacobs, who is VP of Recruitment for Teach for America, an education reform group; Aviva Jacobs' Twitter, post about Mike Johnston
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "An obscene amount of money gets spent on our elections these days, and people are tired of it. Let’s agree to scale back campaign spending in the Democratic primary. We want to be a strong, united front going into the general election in November. I am asking all Democratic candidates to pledge to cap primary election spending at $3 million -- plenty of funding to get our names on the ballot and effectively communicate with primary voters. This is far more than any Democratic gubernatorial candidate has spent before in the primary, so this should not be a hardship for any of us." (Campaign Action Network Page)

"Citizens United v. FEC is one of the most destructive Supreme Court decisions in our country’s history. We need comprehensive campaign finance reform to ensure that people, not corporations decide our country’s elections and elected officials aren’t captive to the corporations that fund their campaigns." (Our Revolution Durango Questionnaire)
"Corporations have too much influence in our politics today. I propose we all pledge to not take -- and if necessary, return any -- corporate PAC contributions, or donations from corporate lobbyists, to eliminate this influence in our campaigns and in our state government. And for any of us who have already accepted corporate donations, we should agree to return those contributions. When corporations lobby at the capitol it's because they have a profit motive." (Campaign Website)

"...I do not believe the Governor should accept contributions from the industries he/she will be responsible for regulating. ...I have asked all Democratic candidates to pledge to cap primary election spending at $3 million -- plenty of funding to get our names on the ballot and effectively communicate with primary voters." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)

"The Democratic Party is a big tent and we need to welcome people who bring different views ...but I think it's important that you understand the difference." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

"I have never received any campaign funding from oil and gas companies and am not planning on receiving any. I have pledged not to take any money from Corporate PACs or lobbyists." (Our Revolution Durango Questionnaire)
"I will make my appointments based on the following criteria: [1] A commitment to fairness and the ideal that voter access is at the core of a successful and functional democracy. [2] Knowledge and experience with elections. [3] A diversity of perspectives and backgrounds." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat "I can't say whether they [Democrats for Education Reform] can use that brand or term ["Democrats"] or not. I think if they are accepting money from voices and individuals that are actually opposed to the things you've heard us talk about like funding for public education, good salaries for teachers, that we should declare as candidates that we're not going to be part of that movement...I don't think the influence of that one group [Democrats for Education Reform] is something that is at least going to change those values that I have." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)
 
Jared Polis Democrat "[Indicated he does not accept campaign contributions from sources such as Monsanto, oil companies, or banks.] ...I’ve chosen to not accept PAC money in my campaign for governor, and have capped contributions at $100. I’ve long supported public financing of campaigns as well as overturning Citizens United, and I believe we can take action in our state to reduce the influence of highpowered special interests in our elections and in our government." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "I support publicly funded elections. I would look at having a public fund and public cap on money spent on elections here in the State of Colorado. Money in politics is corrupted and in my opinion should be banned from politics and elections. When you take money out of politics, then you would have even more brave men and women who want to stand up for our democracy as an elected official." (Our Revolution Durango) "...anything [Democrats for Education Reform] with the name Koch Brothers attached to it makes me kind of queasy." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

"I will not and have not taken a dime from the fracking industry; my other opponents cannot say the same." (Our Revolution Durango)


Immigration

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Democratic Party Candidates - Immigration
Name Party DREAMERS/DACA Sanctuary Cities Sanctuary State
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat Does not support deporting undocumented immigrants without a criminal record. (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) Supports sanctuary cities. (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "Yes. I wholeheartedly support codifying Colorado as a sanctuary state, but this must be an intermediary step in creating a federal fix that is a long-term solution. Leadership in Washington has been unable to craft a coherent immigration policy that provides our global community real opportunities to migrate legally. We should not encourage people to come here illegally, but we must have a more progressive immigration system that creates real pathways for people who are looking for a better economic future to come to America. I stand with the hardworking Coloradans that have come here for a better life. I believe companies should be held accountable for paying people under the table, and exploiting migrant workers by paying them unfair wages. This practice has no place in Colorado. As Governor, I will urge our congressional representatives to support holistic immigration reform, and in the meantime, I will stand by hardworking Coloradans in support for codifying Colorado as a sanctuary state." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat "Today a federal judge allow a temporary stay for Muslim that are already in America that is legally here also means a temporary hold on deportation. This could turn a lot of things around for a nation of one and a nation of immigrants. Now it's time to start working overturning trumps ban and start putting our states and country on the right direction to a better and future road to success. We can do this together. Moses humes for governor and the people can and will keep this state and country moving forward." (Campaign Facebook) "As we watch the government threaten to hurt our cities in Colorado with the immigration issue we will not back down we will rise up and make Colorado a better home for all Coloradans and the future Coloradans that will move here for our wonderful state we call home" (Campaign Facebook)
 
Michael Johnston Democrat Does not support deporting undocumented immigrants without a criminal record. (Huerfano County Democrats Questionnaire)

"...supported legislation to give undocumented Coloradans the ability to get driver’s licenses, making our roads safer for everyone. As Governor, I am committed to protecting DREAMers, and I have pledged that I will not allow for any state resources to be used to transport or detain DREAMers." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

...[sponsored] the ASSET bill – Colorado’s DREAM act – to allow undocumented kids access to in-state tuition." (Campaign Website)
"Yes [in supporting sanctuary cities], I support protections for minor crimes; however, I also support reporting to ICE for murder and major violent sex assaults." (Huerfano County Democrats Questionnaire)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "As Governor, I will make sure all Colorado families feel safe and welcome in schools, courthouses, and other public places. That includes standing up to the Trump administration’s racist efforts to scapegoat and persecute our immigrant families. I stand behind all of Colorado’s families and support DACA fully and unequivocally. I call on Congress to demonstrate real leadership and pass comprehensive immigration reform for so many that contribute to our country." (Campaign Website) "Local law enforcement should not be enforcing federal immigration. In order to keep Colorado communities safe, all people need to feel safe and able to report crimes like child abuse, drunk driving and domestic violence and must be able to visit police stations, courthouses, hospitals, and schools without the fear of them or their loved ones being turned over to ICE." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "Local and State law enforcement should not be required to enforce federal immigration laws. In order to keep Colorado communities safe, all people need to feel safe and able to report crimes like child abuse, drunk driving and domestic violence and must be able to visit police stations, courthouses, hospitals, and schools without the fear of them or their loved ones being turned over to ICE." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat
 
Jared Polis Democrat Does not support deporting undocumented immigrants without a criminal record. (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "Each community is in charge of how they use their law enforcement resources, not Washington, and we must do all we can to avoid separating families, and causing distress in our communities." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "My plan (Come Out Of The Shadows) will allow all undocumented immigrants to become a legal state resident of Colorado through a process. Pay a nominal program fee (they can apply for waiver, if unafforadable), stay out of trouble, after two years, they can become a resident of Colorado. The nominal fee that participants pay will help subsidize the program. We will set up State advocates to guide immigrants on how to become a U.S. Permanent Resident or a U.S. Citizen, after completing the COOTS program. Colorado will not share our registry list with any federal agency, except in a serious case where someone commits a felony. ...[If] it gets legally challenged, we will defend the program in the courts. ...As state legal residents, undocumented immigrants can work, pay taxes, and have a beginning to a pathway to becoming a U.S. Citizen." (Campaign Website) "Yes, I have a plan called, Come Out Of The Shadows program that gives Undocumented Immigrants legal status as State residents." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)


Education

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Education-Specific Forum:


Democratic Party Candidates - Education
Name Party Charter Schools Standardized Testing Vouchers/ESAs Teacher Issues
(pay, accountability)
Secondary Ed.
(vocational, college, apprenticeships)
Pre-K through 12
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat
 
Noel Ginsburg
(Campaign Plan)
Democrat "Charter schools are not an answer to public education. They can be incubators for ideas, but they should be and operate to the same standards... ...we can't have privatized schools anywhere on our street. We certainly can't do that with charters. ...we are currently a billion dollars underfunded with what [Amendment 23] was intended to do through the Negative Factor. ...teachers shouldn't be doing this as volunteers. They should be living in the communities they work. ...building a coalition throughout the state ...we're 3 or 4 years away from putting no money into highr ed in this state. We have an equity gap that is building..." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

"I support public charter schools that are not run by for-profit entities as incubators for education innovation - not as a substitute for public neighborhood schools. In addition, I believe that if charter schools are to receive state dollars, they must adhere to state standards." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
"...standard testing should be used as a guide, but should not overwhelm the education system, nor take away from the learning processes of our students. In Colorado, we must ensure that the systems we use to evaluate our teachers are in line with the skills we expect to be taught in the classroom. A large factor in student success and high student test scores is parent involvement, something out of a teacher’s control. ...Testing should be used as a tool for teachers to help them identify what areas their students struggle in, and to most effectively target the support their students need; not to punish teachers. ...recommend that we reform the requirements of Senate Bill 10-191, and establish new methods to evaluate student and teacher performance based not on how well a student tests, but through the best examples of cutting edge evaluation methods that we can find across the United States, and the world. Adjustments in our teacher evaluation process should be led by master teachers and education leaders throughout Colorado, with guidance from the state to ensure their recommendations reflect the needs of both urban and rural, high performing, and low performing schools. ...will place the finalists of the Colorado Teacher of the Year award and the National Board of Teacher’s Certificate recipients in the front seat of Colorado’s evaluation reform process to ensure that the teachers who truly are the best in the business are leading the way on finding the most effective ways to evaluate other teachers, and help them improve." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) Does not support using taxpayer money for private schools. (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "[Addressing teacher shortages.] ...essential that ​we pay teachers the professional wages their critical profession deserves, improve the teacher evaluation system to make it more fair and comprehensive, and create stronger systems to recognize and reward teachers as they develop throughout their career. ...we create a better environment, and more attractive compensation packages that will attract new teachers to the profession today, and change the culture around teaching to make it a more appealing profession for years to come. ...support the expansion of student-teacher pipeline programs, and will use my experience forging partnerships between education institutions, nonprofits, and industry to aid communities in developing pipeline programs that align with their needs and resources. In addition, I will support increased funding for education across the state, a portion of this new investment will be aimed specifically at fighting the teacher shortage, and raising teacher’s wages." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "As Governor, I’ll build Colorado’s own statewide apprenticeship and job training program—using CareerWise as a model—so within 10 years we’ll be graduating 20,000 Coloradans from highly skilled apprenticeships each year. That’s 100,000 new pathways to the middle class every five years. ...our State budget doesn’t match what we need to build a highly skilled, highly trained home-grown workforce that will grow our economy and build a bridge to the middle class that’s accessible to all Coloradans. By forming a partnership between our apprenticeship program and our community colleges, we will have an incredible opportunity for Colorado to reimagine community college, as more than a place to start a 4-year degree, but as an incubator that will prepare the next generation for the job skills they need to get ahead and grow our economy." (Campaign Website) "[Amendment 23 / Negative Impact] ...increase our state´s investment in education with new dollars. ...proposing reforms to both TABOR and Gallagher to commit to a new education revenue stream that is sustainable and does not adversely affect other areas of our state. ...fight to find the resources that our existing K-16 education system needs to excel. We must fix our schools crumbling infrastructure, find the money to keep school open 5 days a week, pay teachers a professional wage, and invest in our higher education institutions. Once we can pay for what we have, I will assess the costs of providing free pre-k and free community college, but these programs should not take the front seat over finding the resources to pay for the things that are fundamental to our existing public education systems." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat
 
Michael Johnston
("Great Schools",
"Colorado Promise")
Democrat "I do believe that district schools and charter schools should be accountable to the same rules. ...districts who would not serve special ed students ...we ran the district self-contained emotionally disturbed program at my school because I asked to run it there. We need to make sure all schools both district and charter serves special needs students. ...the idea behind charter schools is they've got to work hard to serve the students not being served in the traditional district right now and I think that's the promise they should hold onto. ...I sponsored a bill to say...[describes low-income student disparities] we are not going to give you the same funding...we will punish you in the School Finance Act if you are creaming (?) the highest capacity and highest income kids from that school district. ...make sure you serve the same population of kids under the same rules. That means you take kids whenever they come to you, you serve all types of kids, and you make it your business to attract the types of kids who need your help the most." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

"[On charter schools] Now I will say there have been some small dips in those charter school performances, but the amazing part is they've now taken that as a challenge to come back with better and stronger efforts, and I think you're going to see those scores rise even higher this year. I think that's been a really great acknowledgement by that sector that they want this to be an entirely level playing field." (Nov. 2015 The 74 Million interview)
"I think the only question is how do you measure those outcomes [in regards to testing weighing into half of teacher evaluations]. I think there are a lot of questions about what tests are reliable and what tests aren't reliable. ...we're going to require that there be multiple measures of student growth. ...we're talking about multiple measures. And there's flexibility in how they weight those measures. So if they have a really great local assessment they've built — if you're talking about a fourth grade art assessment — then they can use that as their predominant variable, but there has to be conversations about outcomes." (Nov. 2015 The 74 Million interview) States he does not support using taxpayer funds for private schools. (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "...[sponsored SB 10-191] based on performance and had meaningful chances to improve their practices through high-quality evaluations. This also put more power and control in the hands of local school leaders and their teachers by ending the practice of forced placement. Mike also championed legislation which allowed for teachers to deduct classroom expenses from their taxes." (Campaign Website)

"...[SB 10-191] requires that at least half of a teacher’s evaluation be based on the academic growth of his or her students. ...allows teachers to essentially be stripped of their tenure if they receive unsatisfactory evaluations two years in a row. (2016 Chalkbeat article)

"[Addressing the teacher shortage:] Increasing teacher pay, funded through reforming TABOR by “de-Brucing” the state. Increasing the broader benefits package for teachers including affordable housing options, perks from private business and the state government, and beneficial savings programs. ...Developing and funding innovative pathways for great teachers to stay in the classroom while taking on added leadership roles so they continue to advance their craft and their career without leaving the classroom." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
"...Lifetime Opportunity Promise [now "The Colorado Promise"], which is the opportunity for any Coloradan to have access, debt-free, to two years of either career training or post-secondary education as a way to get them the skills they need and the opportunity at the jobs they want in industries that are emerging. ...it will be done in exchange for students offering meaningful service to the state. ...almost be like a National Guard, where they would do four or five weekends a year. It could be fire mitigation, it could trail repair, it could be flood prevention — things we need that are going to have impacts on the Colorado economy and the Colorado budget down the line if we don't attend to them....if there are instances of a crisis or a catastrophe, that corps is available to be called up." (Westword Article. More here: Campaign Website) "As Governor, I will prioritize investment in K-12, give principals more autonomy over how they decide to dedicate these funds, and also ensure there is transparent reporting of how these funds are spent so we can build trust with communities and capitalize on best practices and the best return on investment. As a State Senator, I sponsored a state-wide tax increase for K-12, and when that was not ultimately successful at the ballot, I passed several legislative solutions that allowed for innovative funding measures to invest in our K-12 system. I am committed to continuing that support of our public schools." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"[Regarding Amendment 23:] The only ways to eliminate the negative factor involve expanding the funds available for our schools, and that takes political courage. I risked the political backlash to fight for Amendment 66 which would have put $1 billion into our schools, and, while voters ultimately rejected it, I would gladly do that again, or ask voters to change the TABOR formula, to ensure that our schools have adequate resources." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Cary Kennedy
(Campaign Plan)
Democrat "All charter schools...should be subject to the accountability standards as any other public school. ...the success of some schools are coming at the expense of others. ...that we equitably fund all of our schools. There is no meaningful choice when your neighborhood public school isn't a great public school." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)

"Charter schools can provide options for students who may benefit from alternative curriculum or schooling models. But we cannot build an education system where the success of some schools comes at the expense of others. We need to ensure every Colorado kid has access to a high-quality, neighborhood public school. Our top priority must be to adequately invest in our public schools, students and teachers. Charter schools must be held to the same standards as all other public schools. Without the same accountability and transparency required of traditional public schools, the rights of teachers and students are not well protected." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
"I believe that we need high standards for all students and that we must measure their progress. However, learning is more than just standardized test scores. We need to incentivize the growth of students as dynamic, creative thinkers. We are focused too much on high stakes testing, narrowing curriculums and blaming teachers." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) Does not support using taxpayer money for private schools. (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "Colorado needs to pay its teachers better. Teachers should be able to afford to live in the community where they work, without having to take a second job or go on public assistance. Colorado should attract and retain the best and brightest in teaching, and support the great teachers we have working today in our classrooms. ...The lack of investment in our teachers is compromising public education in Colorado. Every day we lose great teachers and lose the potential to give our kids the great education that we want for them. ...raise teacher pay in Colorado at least to the national average and close the teacher pay penalty... Scholarships for Future Teachers (hard-to-serve, hard-to-staff schools) ...Expand the Role Teachers Play in Evaluation Systems ...Increase Opportunities for Teachers’ Professional Advancement" (Campaign Website) "We need a public education system that makes sure that every Colorado student, by the age of 19, regardless of where they live and how much their family makes, is ready for higher education, a career, or both. That includes expanding access to vocational programs and concurrent enrollment." (Campaign Website) "Universal Access to Quality Preschool and Full Day Kindergarten ...Make Access to Technology More Equitable ...Additional support services are especially important for our students with special needs. We need to provide the services necessary to allow all students to learn and grow with their classmates at their neighborhood school. ...Making Education Colorado’s Top Priority" (Campaign Website)

"Many communities I visited didn’t have the tax base to repair and replace their public schools; schools that had been built 50, 75 or 100 years prior. I [as State Treasurer]...created the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program which has invested over $1 billion dollars to repair and replace school buildings across the state, primarily in rural Colorado." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne
Campaign Plan)
Democrat "...believes in accountability and transparency...make sure we are spending your money wisely and we're telling you what you get. I work directly with the Dept. of Education to make sure we're graduating students on time...dealing with our equity gap. That is the kind of accountability that we owe to all of you. ...the direct question on the [NAACP] moratorium the charters--I don't know enough about it to tell you yes or no, but I will tell you that I am incredibly impressed by the innovation that's going on in our public schools. That's what we need to support first and foremost as we go forward." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum) "We need to do more to ensure our teachers at every level have the resources and support they need to be effective in the classroom. We have a real teacher shortage in our state – especially in our rural regions – and as governor I will work to address this." (Campaign Website) "We need to increase post-secondary degree attainment across the state, but in particular for our state’s minority populations which face significant equity gaps relative to our white students. ...increase the number of minority high school students also taking college courses. This is a proven way to reduce the cost many students pay to obtain a college degree and ease the transition from high school to college." (Campaign Website) "While funding our schools will continue to be a challenge due to TABOR and our constitutional issues, I have and will continue to focus on improving funding and outcomes for all Colorado students. ...I understand how pivotal the right support for our youngest learners is to their long-term success, and as governor I will have the experience to deliver for them. ...I also believe that we must make critical changes to our K-12 school funding formula to better address the needs of all our students." (Campaign Website)
"We must fund public schools. ...they've got to be funded adequately no matter where they are... ...some of our rural schools...challenge trying to meet their property tax obligations... ...redistribution of our schools funding formula...because every student in Colorado deserves a fair and equitable education." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum)
 
Jared Polis
(Campaign Plan)
Democrat "I'm a strong supporter of public schools, and that starts with neighborhood schools. It means good schools of choice run by school districts. It means high-quality, accountable charter schools. I strongly support transparency and accountability for charter schools ...stronger conflict of interest rules. I'm against any for-profit charter schools. ...We have good laws, but not great laws in that regard. ...stronger laws to make sure they don't establish a foothold in our state. ...different kids learn in different ways. ...excited when I look at public education in our state. Districts are doing an amazing job... I've also worked to prevent takeovers of school districts from pro-voucher forces that want to charterize and voucherize schools... ...make sure that the pro-privatization forces don't take over our local school district boards." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum) "I am strongly opposed to vouchers, for-profit schools, and other mechanisms that divert funds away from public education." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "Ending our Teacher Shortage by Providing Student Loan Relief, and Building Affordable Housing ...especially for those that work in a rural, or high-need, area for a number of years determined by local school districts who want to participate. ...I will leverage the profile of the Governorship to support local district measures that provide for more resources to recruit high-quality teachers across the state. ...Paying Teachers What They’re Worth" (Campaign Website) "...encouraging enrollment in trade schools and community colleges, apprenticeships, prioritizing dual and concurrent enrollment programs, and making sure the riches of a great education are available to every child regardless of their background and circumstance. ...Dual and concurrent enrollment programs are giving high school students across the state a head start on getting their college degree or certificate. ...making sure that 100 percent of Colorado’s school districts are able to offer dual and concurrent enrollment programs through an Associates Degree or professional certification, and work to boost enrollment in them." (Campaign Website) "High-quality, full-day kindergarten and preschool promotes school readiness, closes achievement gaps, and supports the healthy development of all children. Improved access to preschool and kindergarten would also save parents money on daycare, and allow parents the flexibility to go back to work ...This federally-funded program aims to improve child care for infants and toddlers by bringing the quality components of the Early Head Start program into child development centers and homes. This expansion would be targeted to low-income children, children with special needs, and children experiencing homelessness." (Campaign Website)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood
(Campaign Plan - Public Schools,
Campaign Plan - Secondary Ed)
Democrat "Yes, I am for greater transparency for charter schools. Boulder County is one of the best school districts in the state ...the funding for Boulder County is not the same as in Denver, or Aurora, Pueblo, or Grand Junction. And so there is a great divide there. ...the transparency part failed in bill 191. ...it excluded the charter schools...we have to rectify that. I'm not for charter schools because we need to fund our public schools. ...I'm going to uphold our public schools and make sure they get the proper funding." (Colorado Young Democrats Education Forum) "...get rid of senate bill 191, it punishes teachers instead of its intent of testing students and finding resources to better educate them. One of my democratic opponents was a former state senator at that time and has started charter schools as well. He (Mike Johnston) sponsored senate bill 191 and took out the provision that would create better transparency in charter schools." (Our Revolution Durango) "...take the excess state lottery revenues to give hard working families and deserving students a helping hand. [The Colorado Hope Grant] will give free college in - state tuition to graduating high school seniors with a B+ average or better. The grant will also include tuition for trade schools. In return, students will have to give 25 hours per year (4 years total) of community service to the Colorado State Parks & Recreation Department. Graduating high school seniors who do not have a B+ can apply and attend a public community college tuition free. Students that go to a community college for one semester and raise their grades to a B+; can then transfer to a state public college or university, in Colorado, tuition free." (Campaign Website) "It should not be that because your public school is in an affluent neighborhood that you have more resources for programs and education than someone who is not. This is where rural and urban Coloradans get left behind. We cannot allow this to continue here in Colorado. We need to get rid of TABOR so we can fund our schools. I order to put all children in this State on equal footing, we have to have the resources to fund after school programs and to support our teachers in greater pay." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"I propose doing way with Amendment 23, and doing a replacement Amendment that I would call, "The Colorado Public Schools Equity Funding Act". Under my proposal, I would make sure the formula is higher in rural school districts to offset the disparity in public school funding and to provide for more resources." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)


Criminal Justice

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Democratic Party Candidates - Criminal Justice
Name Party Criminal Justice Reform Private Prisons Police Accountability Racial Profiling Gun Safety
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat Shared meme about fining cops $15,000 for preventing citizens from filming police. (Campaign Facebook) "#Garrity2018 sums up my stance on allowing open or concealed carry. Guns save lives IMO" (Links to video.) (Campaign Facebook)

"I feel that the Residents of Colorado deserve hunting licenses before they all get sold out to private hunts who use them for profit while people who need to hunt for food cannot buy a Tag to hunt with. When Elected I will solve this problem." (Campaign Facebook)

Links to a Ted Nugent interview. (Campaign Facebook)

Shared meme of Congressional Democrats with pacifiers photoshopped on when they staged their sit-in protest on gun safety. (Campaign Facebook)
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "Colorado’s justice system is failing - is costs the taxpayers millions, incarcerates those who need rehabilitation and mental health treatment, and is ultimately a drag on society. I believe that violent criminals with a history of being a danger to society or themselves belong in these institutions, but too many times, those enrolled in the criminal justice system are unable to return as productive members of society. The point of a justice system is within the name - to ensure those who act criminally receive a just punishment - not one that forever condemns them to a life of poverty and prison. Rehabilitation has to become a critical component to the penal system that ultimately, our prison system is judged by. As governor, I want to explore justice reform that reduces the recidivism rate, prioritizes public safety, and focuses on allowing those who have made mistakes to have a second chance to become productive members of our society." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "There is an inherent conflict of interest when profit and incarceration go hand in hand. Basic market forces push private prisons to incarcerate more people, not rehabilitate them. Colorado must continue to fight recidivism rates across the board. Corporations have an interest in profit, therefore even if rehabilitation is offered, there is an incentive to keep prisons full. I believe that the only way to remove this conflict of interest is by bringing prisons back under the control of the state, and reforming our justice system to focus on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than expensive punishment that largely fails to help the convicted, and society as a whole." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Yes, I do believe in community policing. It is a way in which officers can better get to know the communities they patrol, and the folks within those communities can know the officers tasked with protecting their safety and security. ...officers should absolutely be held accountable for their actions, but I believe that all Coloradan’s should also work to see the positive impacts that the vast majority of police officers have on our state. Our communities should rally behind our police officers, peace officers, and military who day in and day out fight the right fight. In our 24 hour news cycle, we see the horrific acts of a few, but this is not representative of the many decent, hard working men and women in our police force or military at large. Colorado can do more to recognize and and support the exceptional members of our police force and the military in their fight to improve our communities, as we continue to hold them to a high standard, and ensure that the few bad apples do not impede our judgement of these groups as a whole, or in our communities." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "...I can set the tone for our state. That tone will be one of strong support for all of our racial communities, and exceptionally strong support for those being targeted. There is no place for hate or misconduct towards anyone based on their race - every single Coloradan deserves to be treated with dignity and respect - as Governor I will be sure the state hears that message. ...I will support statewide programs that ensure our police officers, sheriffs, and state patrolers are aware of how they may be intentionally or unintentionally profiling in our communities of color. It is essential that we utilize data from police interactions, traffic stops, searches, and arrests so we can identify if statistically, people are not being targeted simply because of the color of their skin, and create policy to counteract that profiling." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "1. Follow the lead of Denver and ban bump-stocks. Add silencers to the ban. ...2. Safe Storage: Require that anyone with a firearm must keep it stored with a trigger lock or in a firearm safe. Failure to do so, resulting in the death of injury of another will be considered a felony offense for the gun owner. ...3. “Smart Technology”: Research technologies that would require a finger-print or digital code to be used to unlock a gun. ...4. Prior to purchasing a gun and receiving a license to carry, a gun safety course must be taken and passed. Why do we need a license that reflects our competency to drive a car /motorcycle and not to use a firearm? ...5. Require our state law enforcement agencies to respond to threats made on social media regarding gun violence with the same intensity as we do for potential terrorist threats. The unfortunate truth is, the threat is much greater from within our Country! ...6. Mental Health: Ensure that there are sufficient resources available to provide mental health support for people in need. ...7. Ban semi-automatic assault rifles! Weapons of war don’t belong on the streets of this country! ...8. GET MONEY OUT OF POLITICS! Cory Gardner has received more than 3 million dollars from the NRA! Do you think for one minute that they don’t have an influence on his position on guns? Do you think that the NRA wasn’t behind the recall of our state legislators that supported the high capacity magazine ban? If money wasn’t corrupting the issue in Washington our gun laws would have changed years ago." (Email from the Ginsburg campaign to IFRR Wiki Co-Founder Jessica Chauvin, 2/28/18)
 
Moses Humes Democrat
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "Eliminate the Death Penalty ...Stop Criminalizing Poverty – Reform Cash Bail ...Reform Sentencing ...Stop Criminalizing Drug Addiction – Expand Drug Courts ...Stop Criminalizing Mental Illness – Expand Mental Health Courts and Expand Treatment ...Invest in Workforce Development In Prison and Upon Reentry" (Campaign Website) "Take Profit out of Prisons: Prisons provide a public service – they should remain public institutions. For-profit prisons have been shown to provide poorer services and should be phased out." (Campaign Website) Sponsored bill that banned chokeholds (exception if the officer believes his or her life is in danger or that he or she or another person is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury). (ACLU link)

"Grow our Police Forces and Increase Community Policing: ...Too few shoulder such an important burden; our state needs more officers. More police officers lead to lower crime... More police officers allow for more high-quality community policing. Community policing is as much a culture as it is a strategy ...officers need to be allowed more time to spend in neighborhoods and at community gatherings building relationships. That’s why, as Governor, I will reinvest savings from bail reforms into hiring more police officers. This new recruiting push will focus on increasing the diversity of our police so they best represent the communities they serve." (Campaign Website)
He co-sponsored the bill that expanded background checks to include private gun sales, and he voted in favor of the measure that imposed a 15-round limit on magazines — both of which were signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper. ...He argues the restrictions do not infringe on the 2nd Amendment and that Congress should follow Colorado’s lead. “I think those are common-sense,” he added. ...a longtime gun owner ...“I do believe in the right to self-defense,” he said. “I do believe that if someone breaks into your house, you ought to be able to shoot them.” (2017 Denver Post article)
(Plan on Gun Safety)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "This era of mass incarceration in our state has had a devastating impact on individuals, families, communities, and the state’s budget. ...prioritizes prevention and ensures that jails are not a replacement for important mental health services. We must confront the severe racial biases present in our criminal justice system and we need to demand solutions to bring down the rate of recidivism in our prisons and jails. ...I personally do not support the death penalty, and do not believe the state should take a life. ...death penalty sentences are disproportionately applied to Coloradans based on race. ...It is unfair and immoral to continue the practice when we know this bias exists. The death penalty results in slow and uncertain justice for families of victims, an extensive financial burden to families and taxpayers, and is not an effective deterrent of crime." (Campaign Website) "Private prisons operate with a profit motive which fundamentally undermines their ability to act in a way that prioritizes the public good of the community and inmates in their facility. As Governor, I will work to end the use of private prisons in Colorado." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Yes, I believe that the concept of Community Policing should be reintroduced and that officers should be held accountable for their actions. This country, and our state, have seen a tragic amount of police brutality disproportionately perpetrated against people of color. We must act to reduce these incidents in order to create a more just and equitable Colorado." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) [First portion of answer covered same points within Equal Rights in the Social Justice Section.] "We also need to focus on community policing and holding our police officers accountable. We need to increase training for law enforcement officers that stresses nonviolence and deescalation." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Every four to five days, a child is brought to an emergency room in Colorado with a gunshot wound," she said. ...one of Kennedy’s goals is "to raise awareness about keeping guns out of the reach of children" — although she wasn’t specific as to what she would do. ...support a state ban on bump stocks and oppose efforts to make it easier to buy suppressors. (2017 Denver Post Article)



"We lose too many lives to senseless shootings. We are no stranger to mass shooting tragedies here in Colorado. We need to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill, which is why I support common sense restrictions on guns like universal background checks. We also need to keep military-style weapons out of our communities including bump stocks, silencers, and other military style devices that are designed to kill large numbers of people in a small amount of time." (Campaign Website)

 
Donna Lynne Democrat She oversees a state program that seeks to better connect primary care doctors with their counterparts in behavioral health. The idea is to reduce the number of mentally ill patients who slip through the cracks. ...“What we’re trying to do...is integrate primary care and behavioral health, so they’re not two separate streams of treatment,” she said. ...has been outspoken in her support of several gun-control measures, such as limits on magazine sizes or prohibitions on military-style weapons.

(2017 Denver Post article)

Lynne supports legislation that would ban the manufacture, possession, transfer, sale, or importation of bump stocks and other devices like the ones use to cause the unspeakable rampage in Las Vegas. "...As governor, I would not hesitate to sign legislation the minute it hits my desk to get these killing devices off our streets." (Campaign Website)

 
Jared Polis Democrat Polis is the least enthusiastic about new gun regulations, although he still hews closer to them than most Republicans. ...had doubts about a 2013 federal bill that sought to ban dozens of military-style firearms — saying ...it would “make it harder for Colorado families to defend themselves” — and he has supported legislation that would make it easier for consumers to buy firearms across state lines. ...he once sponsored a bill that would restore gun ownership rights to people convicted of marijuana offenses. ...He joined a bipartisan bill this month that would outlaw bump stock devices used by the Las Vegas shooter — although his measure would impose less prison time than a rival bill backed by [DeGette and Perlmutter]. ...called for tougher laws to “keep guns out of the hands of domestic violence offenders.” ... “big supporter” of universal background checks. (2017 Denver Post article)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "I greatly respect the military, and do not think that the U.S. military impacts violence in our communities. However, I think the militarization of our police force all around the U.S. has contributed to violence between communities of color and police. I do not support military equipment supplied to police departments." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)


Social Justice

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Democratic Party Candidates - Social Justice
Name Party Equal Rights
(LGBT+, Women, transgender, disabilities, etc.)
Minimum Wage Collective Bargaining/Unions Homelessness Hunger
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat Shared a meme about $15/hour to fast food workers. (Campaign Facebook)
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "ABSOLUTELY [equal pay for equal work], across occupation, industries, race, and education level, women with full-time year-round jobs make less than men. Based on median income, women in Colorado make 87 cents for every dollar that men make, which adds up to an annual wage gap of $9,938. The wage gap deepens for women of color, with Black women paid 64 cents, Latinas 54 cents and Asian women paid 70 cents for every dollar paid to white men. If nothing is done now, women and men may not reach equality in pay until 2059. ...There are measures we can take to better enforce pay gap legislation, and make a substantive difference towards closing the gender wage gap. By limiting what legal claims employers can use to justify paying female employees less than their male counterparts so that legally pay differences can only be justified by similar differences in a workers skills, effort, and responsibility. New provisions that would help Colorado enforce equal pay legislation would include: legally requiring equal pay for employees who perform substantially similar work, eliminating the requirement that employees being compared work at the same establishment, explicitly stating that retaliation against employees who seek to enforce the law is illegal, and making it more difficult for employers to satisfy the bona fide factor other than sex." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "A $12/hour minimum wage may be enough, depending on the community. Some Colorado communities have extremely low costs of living, and similarly have low costs of doing business which allow them to be successful in areas of low economic activity. As a state, $12/hour should meet the minimum standard for many of those communities, but it likely will not be enough for the urban centers that have experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Yes! I support the rights of workers to collectively bargain. The ability to collectively bargain creates a balance of power that elevates workers voices, and ensures protection of their rights - It is a vital function of our economic system." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Poor economic conditions, problems with health, mental health, or any combination of the three can all lead to homelessness... ...help all Coloradans receive a high quality education and increased economic opportunities that lead to good jobs. Rather than focus the fight solely on finding housing for our existing homeless population, I believe the long-term solution must focus on fighting the root causes of homelessness in our state. Keeping people off the streets and healthy is first and foremost the right thing to do, but in the long-run, it’s also much cheaper for all of us. Colorado has been on the forefront of creating innovative strategies to combat homelessness in our communities. We have piloted and implemented health, job, and mental health based programs aimed at combating homelessness, and many have seen success, but fighting homelessness in totality is dynamic ...must be specifically designed to account for location, and the primary cause of homelessness with a focus on utilizing the resources that communities have. Because each community has different job opportunities, education institutions, and health networks, the solutions to fight homelessness in each area will differ." (Huerfano County Dems questionnaire) "...explore food sharing programs between grocery stores and food banks. In the United States, we waste almost 40% of the food produced between the farm and meals at the kitchen table. Our grocery stores throw out food that may have imperfections, or be approaching its expiration date. In Spain and France, it is illegal for grocery stores to throw away food, they must give away the food that is not selling, or approaching it’s expiration date to the needy. I believe Colorado must move in this direction and explore the potential of this type of program to stop the food shortage. As a long-term solution, I believe that the struggle to find enough food is a symptom of a broken economy and a reflection of the rising income inequality in our state. Funding education can actively fight both of these phenomena by ensuring during weekdays students can receive nutrition meals at school, and by ensuring that all Coloradans have access to high quality education that gives them the necessary skills to go on to earn post-secondary degrees, or work in the middle class. That is why I started Careerwise Colorado...fight income inequality, and give students from all backgrounds and geographies new opportunities to gain real-world skills starting in high school that will benefit them for life." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat "It's is ashame [sic] that we live in 2017 and our government is still doing discrimination in our federal and state level. This needs to stop immediately. Trans woman and men and teens / adults should have the right to be them selfs [sic]. We live in the land of the free it's time we start acting like it. If our federal and state level offices can't focus on the real issues then you should step down and let someone who fix the real issues in office." (Campaign Facebook)
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "...voted against the Repeal Job Protection Civil Rights Enforcement Act which would have repealed the 2013 law that established compensation for people who prove an employer is engaged in discriminatory or unfair employment practice under state law; I supported the Working Families Economic Opportunity Act, which includes tax credits that reward working women and I’ve consistently supported legislation to expand the Child Care Assistance Program to increase access to child care for working families." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

Women have the right...to equal pay for doing the same work as men. ...Mike championed legislation providing for pregnancy accommodations to employees. ...co-sponsored the legislation legalizing same-sex civil unions in advance of the Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage. ...co-sponsored...the largest expansion of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act in state history. ...enabled victims of workplace discrimination to seek compensatory and punitive damages, and for the first time included those discriminated against for sexual orientation. He earned a 100% on One Colorado’s legislative scorecard in 2016. (Campaign Website)

(New Women’s Equity and Opportunity Plan, 2/15/18)
Supports collective bargaining. (Arvadans for Progressive Action) "I extended the low-income housing tax credit (HB16-1465) because I have seen firsthand the impact homeless and increased housing costs can have on communities, families and individuals. I am also in the process of rolling out a comprehensive policy plan to address affordable housing which I can share with this group upon release. Finally, we know that homelessness is often a confluence of many factors, including mental and behavioral health issues; my health care plan has details of how we expand access to mental and behavioral health care so that we can address some of the underlying issues of homelessness." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat Additional support services for students with special needs (Campaign Website)

"In Colorado, women are paid 81 cents for every dollar men earn. The wage gap is even larger for women of color. Black women are paid 64 cents, Latinas are paid 54 cents, and Asian women are paid 70 cents for every dollar paid to white men. This inequity is found all across the state and has been growing wider for women of color. It is unacceptable. ...Reinstitute something similar to the Colorado Pay Equity Commission to study the problem and support employers and employees in understanding the pay equity gap. ...Ensure that all state contractors are in compliance with equal pay standards. ...Ensure that women are not discriminated against in the job application process by preventing employers from seeking salary history information unless the employer had provided a salary range for the open position. This prevents discriminatory payments from following a women throughout her career." (Campaign Website)

"In 2015, Black Coloradans were nearly three times as likely to be unemployed as white Coloradans. Latino students were more than three times less likely to receive a college degree than white students. American Indians in Colorado are nearly three times more likely to live in poverty than white Coloradans. ...I have spent my career trying to dismantle these barriers by writing and implementing policies that support Coloradans who have been denied opportunities to succeed. As Governor, I will fight against racism and racial injustice and I hope all Coloradans will join me in the fight for a more just and equitable Colorado." (Campaign Website)

"...time for Colorado to ban the harmful and discredited practice of conversion therapy on young people. Transgender Coloradans should be able to have identity documents like driver’s licenses and birth certificates that match who they are. ...protect Colorado’s laws from attempts to allow businesses or individuals to pick and choose which laws to follow." (Campaign Website)
"...we know that cost of living varies dramatically in different parts of the state. Local communities should be allowed to vote to raise the minimum wage in their towns and cities. As governor, I will push for legislation that overturns the prohibition of local governments enacting minimum wage laws. A majority of minimum wage workers in Colorado are women. This is an issue of local control and economic justice. We must allow Colorado voters and communities the freedom to raise their minimum wage." (Campaign Website) Yes. I stand with working families and believe that unions play a critical role in building and protecting the middle class in America. Unions help hardworking people access good paying jobs, health care benefits and have workplace protections. These values make our economy stronger. This is especially important as we witness the largest income gap in our country’s history. When unions are strong, entire communities enjoy better wages and greater social and economic mobility. I believe in collective bargaining, and as governor, I will never let right-to-work laws take hold in our state. Employees, unions and employers all stand to benefit from working together, and workers deserve a seat at the negotiating table. I am a champion of labor and am honored to have the endorsement of a growing number of labor unions across the state. (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "...I created a first of its kind program that provided supportive housing and wraparound services for 200 homeless individuals with the money that the City otherwise would have been spending on locking these people up. So far, the program has seen great success with these formerly homeless Coloradans maintaining housing and achieving positive outcomes in terms of employment, etc. One of the driving forces in the increasing number of homeless Coloradans is the lack of affordable housing. This problem is affecting communities across Colorado and solving this crisis is a key way that we can ensure that our state’s progress reaches everyone. ...comprehensive plan for affordable housing that calls for the creation of the first ever state-level affordable housing investment fund in Colorado..." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "[1] I supported both initiatives that raised the minimum wage in CO and I support allowing towns and cities to raise their local minimum wage above the state level. Communities should be able to ensure that wages match cost of living. [2] work to close the gender pay gap. I took steps as Denver’s CFO to equalize pay for city employees. [Read more here.] [3] I’ve called for instituting a paid family leave program in the state. Currently, 88% of Coloradans do not have paid leave to care for a seriously ill relative, welcome a new baby to their family or recover from a personal illness. [4] As Governor, I will defend the free breakfast and lunch program and explore extending the school lunch program through to higher education for students that qualified for the program as high school seniors. Currently, nearly 22% of all college students report very low levels of food security. Finally, our state’s growth has quickly made the cost of living more and more unaffordable. Many families face the choice of paying for rent or food. I’ve laid out a plan to make sure as our population grows we do everything we can to keep our state affordable." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat "I’m a strong supporter of raising the minimum wage and doing more to help hardworking Coloradans get ahead. I also know that there is real income inequality in this country and our state, and this is especially magnified among our minority and rural communities. Focusing on education at all levels is an important way to address this challenge, and we should continue and expand our career training and apprenticeship programs." (Campaign Website)
 
Jared Polis Democrat "More employees should have access to stock options, profit sharing, and company ownership." (Campaign Website) "I will be an ally for teachers by continuing my support for the right to collectively bargain for benefits, pay, and the tools teachers need to give every child a great education. ...We need to stop attacking teachers and the organizations that give them a voice on the job. ...We will do this by ensuring teachers have stronger representation on the commissions and working groups that shape not only our education system, but other issues of importance to educators like transportation, infrastructure, and affordable housing." (Campaign Website) "It’s time for our state to convene a statewide mayor’s caucus to develop and begin implementation of best practices to reduce homelessness in our state. This means making sure there are enough beds available in shelters and that people feel safe seeking help in them, providing access to mental health care services, and consideration of humane policies that consider the involvement of law enforcement as a last resort for communities struggling with homelessness." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "Gender equality is very important to me. I admire and respect women greatly, having been raised by a single mom. As Governor, I will make sure all state workers who are women, are making the same as their male counterparts. It is the right thing to do and we will get it done! I also support efforts in the private sector for paid family leave for both men and women." (Arvadans for Progressive Action) (Also: Campaign Website) Supports collective bargaining. (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"I support the rights of workers to organize. Workers who band together under one voice are a powerful tool for checks and balances, especially against corporate greed. ...I have marched with unions and more recently with IBEW 111 in Denver against Excel Energy." (Our Revolution Durango)
"I do have a plan for Homeless Vets. We have to put our patriotism where our mouth is, and that means helping our men and women who are heroes. I will work the public and private sector to implement a program for homeless vets here in Colorado." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"There are several reason why homelessness occurs. It could be economics or through mental illness. I plan to work with private and public groups on providing resources to the mentally ill and for those who need a helping hand through their circumstances. We need resource centers throughout the State that can combat homelessness. Our vets who become homeless will be a top priority for my administration." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)


General Economic Issues

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Democratic Party Candidates - General Economic Issues
Name Party TABOR Commerce
(businesses big and small, entrepreneurship, tech, etc)
Agriculture Amazon/Olympics Affordable Housing
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat Reposted a video on how taxation is theft, giving the commentary: "#Garrity2018 My Thoughts on Taxation" (Campaign Facebook) "When Elected I will have strict labeling requirements on GMO foods from being sold in #Colorado Until we can remove them completely. #Garrity2018" (Campaign Facebook)
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "I believe that we must modernize TABOR. When TABOR was enacted in 1992, Colorado was a very different place. I believe that Colorado’s recent growth, and thriving economy have highlighted the consequences we face from such thoughtless legislation. That is why in the first two years of my first term as governor, I will build a coalition, travel the state, and make the case to modernize TABOR, by stripping the amendment of it’s ridiculous funding formulas that have left Colorado unable to pay for vital public services such as education, infrastructure, and healthcare while maintaining the right of the people to vote on all new taxes. After all, the people of Colorado should have the right to decide when we must make investments in our state." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "...As a business leader and a Democrat, I believe I have unique insight into the undeniably powerful opportunities that innovative businesses and Democratic leadership can accomplish together. After chairing the Colorado Economic Development commissions for years, I understand what processes Colorado must take to attract businesses, and many of the business incentives we offer today simply make no sense. ...I will reform the economic development and job creation incentives that Colorado offers companies to ensure that economic growth does not just reach a few urban communities, but that we unlock that benefits that each individual community across Colorado holds. Many of our urban areas do not need major financial incentives to attract business, we need to invest in our education and infrastructure to sustain the businesses that come here with home grown talent. In many of our rural communities, state economic development initiatives have a far greater impact, and many of those rural communities are in need of development. In today’s economic climate, I belief economic development incentives should be given with a bias towards rural Colorado. I believe in a bottom up approach to economic development and job growth wherein individual communities should lead the process by identifying what type of growth they want to spur, and as Governor, I would direct the state’s economic development incentives to help them accomplish their goals." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Colorado’s heritage is in farming and ranching, and today this industry is an integral part of our economy generating $41 billion a year in activity. I believe that the state’s policy should reflect the vital importance of agriculture in our state, and as this industry struggles with low crop and cattle prices, the state should be there to support them. A primary measure to support farmers and ranchers is by protecting our public lands, and combating any efforts to sell our public lands off. Many ranchers depend on public lands for affordable grazing. The Governor must protect these lands for our state, and this community. Second, many farmers and ranchers utilize mineral rights, or oil and gas production as a secondary source of income. As gas prices have dropped, I believe the state has an opportunity today, to provide farmers and ranchers a more reliable source of secondary income - wind turbines and solar panels. In Colorado, renewable energy development by individuals is largely limited by the utilities in which the farms reside. As Governor, I want to open up the energy marketplace to private renewable developers so farmers and ranchers across the state can utilize our sunshine and wind to provide clean electricity to Coloradans - and get paid for it. As Colorado moves to more aggressive percentages of renewable energy, I believe farmers and ranchers can play a vital role, and can generate additional revenue when crop and cattle prices are low. Third...incentives with a bias to rural Colorado. As communities see more economic development, farmers and ranchers will have new opportunities to gain additional income through farm to table initiatives, and special product organic farming, and industry which has seen growing profits while the standard cash crops have seen declining revenues. Finally, ...Colorado has an opportunity to lead the nation in industrial hemp production, and spur economic growth in these industries which show great promise." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) [Olympics] "No. I would not support an offer to the U.S. Olympic bid if it would require any additional investment from Colorado’s taxpayers. To that end, if Colorado could receive an infrastructure investment from federal funds to widen our roadways, invest in the electrification of our infrastructure and transportation systems, and create more economic development in our state, I would consider a bid for the Olympics. As Governor, my top priority is to create a better Colorado for everyone - unless an Olympic bid can prove benefits to this end, I would not support it." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

[Amazon] ...he would ask Amazon leaders to participate in the youth apprenticeship system and to provide students opportunities to work in HQ2. “These are good corporate citizens. There’s no doubt about that. If they would participate in the skills development in this state, then I’m much more open to supporting their move.” ...Ginsburg said he’s seen a “fairly large backlash” against the potential of Amazon’s new jobs from many constituencies other than business leaders, who universally are supportive of it. (2017 Denver Business Journal article)
[Effective construction-defect laws passed last year] appears to be working as expected and should just be monitored. (2018 Denver Business Journal article)

"The growing housing crisis...is an issue of supply and demand. Demand for housing in our urban centers is outpacing supply, and this is causing prices to rise dramatically. To stabilize prices...increase the supply of housing. As Governor, I will fight for the following policies so that as housing development gets built, we have established incentives and financial mechanisms to support increasing affordable housing in the market for renters, veterans, seniors, and everyday Coloradans. Though the needs of these groups may differ, the lack of housing specific for them is equally a reflection of a market that does not have the supply to meet the demand - the bottom line is we must do better at spurring affordable and special needs housing development. As Governor, there are three primary solutions that I will fully support to make effective change in creating affordable housing across our state. [1] Increase funding for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit [Details in link] ...[2] New Flexible Affordable Housing Funds ...[3] Setting the Tone [Collaboration between communites. See more in link]" (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) (NOTE: Answer was drastically truncated due to great detail and limited space. Use the questionnaire link to see the full context and plan.)
 
Moses Humes Democrat
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "The most damaging part of TABOR is that is prevents our state from operating in the way that smart businesses, or even smart families, run their budgets: because of the mandated refunds if the State’s budget grows too much when our economy is booming, we are unable to prioritize the most important investments in good economic years. In the same way that businesses invest in new technologies when they had a good year, and families put money towards a down payment of a house in good economic times, the state should be able to take those added funds and put them towards the projects and places most important to Coloradans. I am committed to going to the ballot to make changes to TABOR to allow us to reinvest these funds." (Arvadans for Progressive Action) "He fought for legislation that made sure mom and pop businesses can compete on a level playing field by requiring that online, out-of-state businesses pay their fair share. This state legislation became a national model, later upheld by the United States Supreme Court." (Campaign Website) [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...he supports using the job-growth incentive tax credit as a "sweetener" but would like to put more resources to improving the state's education system in order to make that Colorado's most powerful economic-development tool. ""The best economic incentive we can provide companies like Amazon is a highly-educated work force ready to go to work for them on day one." (2017 Denver Business Journal article)
"Housing must be accessible to all Coloradans. As a State Senator, I consistently promoted legislation in our state to keep housing affordable and support the most vulnerable among us including extending the Low-Incoming Housing Tax Credit and passing the First-time Home Buyer Savings Account Tax Deduction. We are preparing a housing policy that we will roll out in 2018 that will increase access to affordable housing and combat the rapid growth that is having such an impact on our communities." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)

"...[in regards to Kennedy's plan] There is not enough money in the state budget to offer developers to make it profitable for them to construct a significant amount of housing for people between 60 percent and 80 percent of the average median income. ...like to take publicly owned land within cities — unused land on the campuses of state buildings or schools, for example, deed it to a private developer at 10 percent of market value and allow developers to put up housing that would be deed-restricted to a certain band of affordability for 50 years. That could add attainable housing on public land in centers of employment. “The benefit of that is you have the capacity to take the 4 percent state (affordable housing tax) credits that aren’t enough right now to close the deal and make them enough,” he said. (2018 Denver Business Journal article)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "I am the only statewide elected official who has called for permanent TABOR reform since the beginning of my career and helped lead two successful statewide ballot measures that avoided deep cuts in education that TABOR otherwise would have required (Amendment 23 in 2000 and Referendum C in 2005). The spending caps in TABOR have forced Colorado to cut our investment in schools for decades, and prevented our state from modernizing our infrastructure to keep up with growth. ...TABOR is outdated and has locked us into fiscal and economic policy that prevents our state from meeting the demands of a growing economy. We can maintain protections for taxpayers, and have responsible fiscal policy for our state by allowing tax revenue to keep up with Colorado’s economic growth." (Campaign Website) "Each community in Colorado faces unique challenges and unique opportunities for new economic development. On the eastern plains, improvements to water delivery and storage are critical to support agriculture. In mountain corridors, the outdoor recreation economy offers new opportunities for small business. And throughout the state investments in community, place-making and the arts are transforming small towns to tourist destinations. We need to focus on supporting the businesses and entrepreneurs that are already there. They are the most important employers our communities have. That means connecting those Coloradans to networks of peers, mentors, and sources of capital." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) "...I will lead to ensure Colorado’s agricultural industry is a global leader. I support research and innovations that make our agricultural industry dynamic, sustainable and adaptable to climate change. I will prioritize agricultural energy efficiency programs that reduce production costs for farmers and ranchers. As CFO of Denver, I helped develop the financing and represented farmers and ranchers for the National Western Center proposal, which includes a state of the art center for agriculture and climate science. Colorado should lead the nation to strengthen and advance agriculture; promote a safe, high quality and sustainable food supply; and protect consumers and the environment." (Campaign Website) "Colorado should not submit a bid unless we can host the games without having and adverse effect on our environment, or continuing to stress our already crowded infrastructure. The Olympics could be an opportunity to leverage outside financing to build affordable housing student housing and make long-term improvements to I-70." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

...questioned whether even the job-growth incentive tax credits need to be offered, though she said she is OK with offering that popular tax break. She would ask that Amazon work with the state to protect the environment and support the local community were it to move to Colorado. ...Kennedy said people are very concerned about growth in this state and that worries about Amazon’s effects on roads and schools are a part of that. (2017 Denver Business Journal article)
"Create a Statewide Affordable Housing Fund ...financing the construction, maintenance, and preservation of the affordable housing supply in communities across the state. ...Invest in mixed-income housing opportunities that maintain diverse and inclusive communities across the state. ...Preserve affordable property so that it can be used for affordable development ...Support programs that provide rental/down payment assistance, address homelessness, increase homeownership, and help Coloradans attain affordable housing. ...Increase Landlord Transparency End Income Discrimination in Housing ...Expand Legal Aide for Evicted Tenants ...One reason for our diminishing supply of affordable housing is a lack of skilled workers to build new houses. ...By working with labor unions, community colleges, and construction companies to increase the number of available training and apprenticeship programs..." (Campaign Website)

...would like to use surplus money from the Colorado Unclaimed Property Fund within the treasurer’s office to seed a $50 million to $70 million affordable-housing fund. That money in turn would be used to fill the gap that exists now between grants available to help developers put up affordable housing and the full amount they need to profit. (2018 Denver Business Journal article)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat "...make government services easier to access and navigate, so that it’s easier for entrepreneurs to get started here. We have moved more than a hundred professional license applications online, and reduced by 30% the amount of time it takes to complete these. This helps people spend less time in line, and more time building their business and supporting workers." (Campaign Website) [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...declined to go into specifics about what she would offer to Amazon and what she would expect in return, citing the fact that she is in the unique position of working currently to attract the company as part of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s administration. ...she feels it’s important to balance the growth Amazon would bring with its impact on the state’s already congested transportation system. (2017 Denver Business Journal article)
...need to increase vocational training to prepare students for the construction trades but said the next governor will have few opportunities to cut regulations, since most of those rules are written and enforced by local governments rather than the state government. She proposed adding a Cabinet-level official to oversee housing efforts in the state. (2018 Denver Business Journal article)
 
Jared Polis Democrat "I want to build an economic infrastructure in Huerfano County [question about rural areas] that benefits all families. One of my top priorities will be helping people find work in the communities they call home. You shouldn't have to move to Denver, hours away from your family, to get a good job. ...coal miners already have some of the finest skills and talents that we need for our future. In many cases, it's not simply about diversifying their skills, but making sure that we value what they already offer Colorado. We can inject new life into rural Colorado by partnering with industry to renovate our closed-down factories and mines to give them a new mission, whether it be to harvest our natural resources in pursuit of a clean economy or create the next hub of manufacturing in Colorado as a way to kickstart local economies. As coal traffic decreases, we can use existing rail infrastructure to move locally manufactured products to give us a competitive advantage in transportation pricing." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire) [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...he would like to create a partnership similar to one Amazon has in its home state of Washington, in which it’s invested millions of dollars in improving the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) offerings at area universities. A similar investment here could increase the training of high-tech workers and could expand STEM courses across the state in places like community colleges and vocational schools, he said. “If Amazon comes to Colorado, we need to make sure our state gets more out of the partnership than we put into it. For that to happen, we need policies in place to maximize the economic gains and minimize any potential downsides.” (2017 Denver Business Journal article)
...would like to work with counties, municipalities and the Colorado Land Board to identify opportunities, such as vacant lots or rundown properties, to incentivize leasing for affordable-housing development. (2018 Denver Business Journal article)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "TABOR is a very complicated amendment that is strangling our State resources. We must work together to repeal this amendment, so our State can meet our financial challenges. I am against the TABOR Amendment, because we need a rainy day fund for the unknown. Our State needs the flexibility in our budget to fund very important projects and programs. Colorado is growing, and so are the traffic problems. Our Schools are underfunded. I will provide leadership working with mayors and other leaders around our State addressing these issues. We have to get the votes in the State Senate, in order to begin the process of repealing TABOR. We have to plan for our State's future, and getting rid of TABOR will help to provide more resources to solve these very important problems. Our kids will greatly benefit as well, by properly funding our schools, we can give school districts more resources; so our kids can compete, grow, and learn." (Arvadans for Progressive Action) (Also: Campaign Website) "I want Colorado to become an economic leader in industrialized hemp for manufacturing purposes. Through this program, we would help farmers and manufacturers with State funded loans to spark entrepreneurship and job growth. Farmers and Manufactures will have a streamlined program where they can come together, and spark massive growth here in Colorado. The result can export many hemp based goods from Colorado to all over the world. ... Colorado will see billions of dollars in new revenue ... My plan will help farmers to obtain financing ... In order for manufacturers to get tax and abatement incentives from the state, including help of financing through public and private partnerships, the manufacturing facilities of Hemp made products must be located in designated rural counties and urban cities hit hard by job loss opportunities." (Arvadans for Progressive Action) [Olympics] "No!!! We need to get our house in order, before we invite anyone over for a party. We have infrastructure problems, traffic problems, road problems, and have not properly planned for our growing population. We can't even properly fund our schools equitably across this State, and we're suppose to spend State resources the Olympics that will cost billions of dollars; I don't think so!" (Our Revolution Durango)

[Need independent verification for Amazon]
"We have to create a rent control formula in neighborhoods across Colorado. Also, for older and senior Coloradans, we have to create property tax exemptions for tax relief. Also, for Coloradans buying homes, we have to work with builders creating a certain number of houses or units where the price is geared towards affordability based on income." (Arvadans for Progressive Action)


Seniors/Veterans

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Democratic Party Candidates - Seniors/Veterans
Name Party Veterans PERA Housing Caregiving/Paid Family Leave
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "The most important thing for our veterans is that they have access to a good job when they return from combat. As Governor, I will work with our department of labor to establish job growth and economic development incentives that prioritizing give preference to businesses that hire returning vets. In addition, recent reports have identified the vital role that the outdoors can play for veterans with mental health issues transitioning to civilian life. As Governor, I will push for policy that waives all fees at state parks for veterans. Finally, though the Governor of Colorado does not directly control health benefits for our veterans, from urban to rural communities, I continue to hear about veterans struggles to secure high quality health care. As Governor, I will work with our congressional delegation to ensure that Colorado’s leaders in Washington are actively fighting for our veterans returning from combat." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "I believe that with PERA’ pending insolvency, we may need the taxpayers today to make an investment in PERA so Colorado can honor its commitment to our existing public servants. Any taxpayer investment that I ask the public to make will focus on putting PERA on track to solvency based on today's calculations. Going forward, the financial risk of our future public employee pension system should not rest on the shoulders of the taxpayer - the bottom line is, those managing the fund must do a better job. As Governor, I would focus on ensuring that PERA board members have the guidance, information, and expertise necessary to make sound, and responsible financial decisions. I believe what is most important is that those serving on the PERA board are highly informed. As Governor, I will push for an independent third-party of financial experts to serve as council in support of the board, to provide expertise and guidance on the financial decisions that the PERA board makes going forward." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) Refer back to Affordable Housing section (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat
 
Michael Johnston Democrat "Mike reinstated and fully funded the ability for seniors to reduce their tax payments on the homes they own." (Campaign Website)
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "Colorado is home to almost half a million American heroes who faithfully served our country in uniform. It is our responsibility to ensure that we support these brave men and women. ...There are several policies that can specifically help our veterans. 1. Expand the state income tax deduction on veterans’ pensions. 2. Increase the number of Veterans Trauma Courts throughout the state. These courts help by enlisting troubled veterans into a program that includes counseling and mental health treatment instead of simply sending them to jail. 3. Install a dedicated officer in the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to oversee programs related to Women and LGBTQ Veterans. 4. Increased investments in affordable housing, job training and community mental health also support our veterans. [Read more here.]" (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "My experience as State Treasurer and CFO of Denver makes me uniquely qualified to provide the leadership needed to keep the Public Employee’s Retirement Association of Colorado on sound financial footing. Over 10% of Colorado’s population rely on PERA instead of Social Security, and as with Social Security, a pension is a promise. It is essential we protect the retirement savings of so many Coloradans. While I was State Treasurer, I helped lead efforts to strengthen PERA by improving the status of PERA by over $9 billion — the largest improvement in its history. As Governor, I will continue to provide this leadership to ensure we maintain our commitment to public employees and keep our state on sound financial footing." (Campaign Website) "[Also ties into Kennedy's healthcare and infrastructure programs.] The population of those 65 and older in Colorado is expected to double to 1.2 million by 2030. We need to ensure our seniors are able to live dignified, independent lives and remain in their home if they choose. As CFO of Denver, I helped double Denver’s property tax rebate for seniors and disabled citizens to help keep housing affordable through the 2A ballot measure. As Governor, I will protect the senior homestead exemption and ensure that our seniors have access to the housing, health care, transportation and support services they need." (Campaign Website) "Paid Family Leave. [88%] of Coloradans do not have paid leave to care for a seriously ill relative, welcome a new baby to their family, or recover from a personal illness. 43% of Coloradans do not have any paid sick at all. The United States is the only advanced economy in the world that does not offer paid family leave. With Republicans in Washington still unwilling to fund [CHIP], it is clear that states will have to lead to improve working conditions for families. As governor, I will work to create a paid family leave program so that all Coloradans have the ability to care for a loved one. During my time as CFO and Deputy Mayor of Denver I pushed a proposal to provide paid leave for city employees. As governor, I will support legislation that creates a family and medical leave insurance program to provide partial wage-replacement benefits for people who need to care for a new child, care for a sick or aging family member, or recover from an illness themselves. (Campaign Website)

As part of my #WhenWomenLead platform, I have expressed my support for paid family leave. Research has shown the health benefits to women and children by allowing women time to care for a new child without losing income. Read more on my #WhenWomenLead platform." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat
 
Jared Polis Democrat "Making sure that the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) is solvent for years to come is more than just smart budgeting: it’s keeping our promise to those who serve our state. Any attempt to reform PERA on the backs of our teaching professionals will be rejected by me as Governor." (Campaign Website)
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "I also will work communities and organizations to address addiction and mental health issues affecting vets. We need to create a housing and treatment program for vets. Where upon successful completion of a 3- 6 months program, we will help them get back on their feet, with permanent housing and workforce development training, so they can reenter the workforce. We can do better on this issue and we must." (Arvadans for Progressive Action) (Also: Campaign Website)

"We need resource centers throughout the State that can combat homelessness. Our vets who become homeless will be a top priority for my administration." (Huerfano County Democrats questionnaire)
"...PERA should pick their own board members, there should not be political appointees to the board. If PERA needs help with resources in terms of financial advisors or whatever, I think the Governor should assist directing resources to the board.We have to repeal Tabor and we have to pay our teachers more in rural areas so we can attract the very best talent. I also want to stabilize PERA with a one time injection of $250 -300 million so we can do better matching of contributions specifically targeting our rural school districts around Colorado." (Our Revolution Durango)


Misc.

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Democratic Party Candidates - General Economic Issues
Name Party Marijuana
(incl. clemency)
Renee Blanchard Democrat
 
Adam Garrity Democrat "I will make sure to remove the ties of prohibition. Plant count limitations should be removed. We should be allowed to grow enough needed at home even in public view. And No reason people cannot make rosin or solventless hash with their own products. Allow cannabis farmers markets and watch a cleaner superior product become easily available for Adults medical and recreational use. Colorado law makers need to stop acting as if they are a corrupt mafia only caring about profit. Just because cannabis is new to people doesn't mean it should be so restricted. Alternating Current was scary to people to but look how much good it has done the world. Proper Education is key not media propaganda using cannabis in scary stories for ratings." (Campaign Facebook)
 
Noel Ginsburg Democrat "...the industry has created jobs, strengthened our real-estate market, and generated tax dollars to fund our schools and drug abuse prevention efforts. As the industry continues to expand, I will work to ensure it is supported by smart and safe regulations, that allow the industry to grow and evolve, while also protecting our citizens. It is vital that we allow the industry to bank legally and work to remove the crippling financial burdens caused by outdated federal tax-codes. I will also partner with other Governors to lead the fight to modernize our federal laws, and push back on Jeff Sessions’ attempts to criminalize law-abiding citizens." (Campaign Website)

"Yes!" [In reference to considering retroactive clemency for non-volent convictions.] (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Moses Humes Democrat
 
Michael Johnston Democrat
 
Cary Kennedy Democrat "The passage of Amendment 64 has been a great benefit to the state and I will resist any attempts by the Trump Administration or anyone else who tries to infringe on our state’s right to self governance. I believe that the current taxation structure on marijuana sales is working. In fact, marijuana taxes helped to fund the Building Excellent Schools Today program which I started during my time as State Treasurer. That program has built and repaired over 380 aging schools across the state, primarily in rural areas. I will consider retroactive clemency and expunging records for non-violent convictions involving marijuana. With the entrenched racial bias in our justice system, we know that low income communities and communities of color were most affected by low level marijuana convictions." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Donna Lynne Democrat
 
Jared Polis Democrat
 
Michael Schroeder Democrat
 
Erik Underwood Democrat "Lets make things right in Colorado, and expunge nonviolent marijuana convictions so affected Coloradans can move on with their life." (Campaign Website)



Republican Primary Candidates

Infrastructure

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Republican Party Candidates - Infrastructure
Name Party Maintenance/General Transportation Internet/Broadband Community Revitalization
(Urban Gentrification/Rural Development)
I-70 Expansion
Stephen Barlock Republican "After eight years of Governor Hickenlooper and his limousine liberal friends spending our tax dollars on everything and anything besides roads and bridges, I am confident I will be able to work in a bi-partisan effort with the legislature to develop a transportation plan for roads and bridges which will be funded within the state’s current tax revenue." (Campaign website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican ...make it a priority to make broadband available throughout the state. “There’s been a lot of talk about it, but we haven’t been able to execute and do it quickly,” she said. “... How do small business owners build a business on the internet if they can’t even get on the internet?” (The Durango Herald article) [Need independent verification for Gentrification]

"...see a disparity in how different parts of the state have recovered from the recession...some places have been left behind in the recovery process and have not rebounded like the Front Range. I want to make sure we don’t leave ... small towns behind. ...Make sure that when you’re thinking about any project or investment in Colorado, you are also looking at the impact and the needs outside of the Front Range, and that has equal importance and significance." (Durango Herald article)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican “We're a great state. We have so many things that unite us, but sometimes, we get focused on the things that divide us,” Gaiter said in an interview. A lot of that divide, he said, comes from residents of rural counties feeling like they're not being heard, an issue that came up on the national level during the 2016 presidential election. Gaiter pointed to Colorado's 51st state movement in 2013 that failed: It wasn't necessarily about Democrats versus Republicans, but rural versus urban voices. (The Reporter-Herald article)
 
Teri Kear Republican "When I-70 is completed it will ease one part of infrastructure problems. As well as the I-25 will also ease traffic." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Allowing one company to have monopoly on entire state is bad business for the people of Colorado." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Urban growth should be encouraged through out the entire state." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

[RE: Rural communities] "Every community will be looked into, according to the needs of each community." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
"The area that is in question needs the improvement, this area is so congested it needs to be made into a smoother transition for drivers through the area." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican "I will review and advocate for ideas that I consider to be the best non-negotiable aspects of Colorado’s transportation health. With the current Governor’s 2018 budget sending Transportation dollars to the chopping block, I will never ignore or play politics with transportation. Today, those cuts put our transportation infrastructure and those who rely upon it, behind the proverbial “eight ball.” On my watch as your Governor, this will not happen." (Campaign website)
 
Victor Mitchell Republican "I don't support any new tax increase. ...Yes, we desperately need infrastructure...but CDOT...has become terribly political. ...I can't stand red-light camera systems. ...Big Brother Government ...This is a racket ...outlawing all red-light cameras ...[recounting story about foreign county visited]...they had applications...where you can key in where you're traveling to and it gives you suggested times to travel. In fact, it incentivized individuals to travel at certain times where they can access toll or express lanes for free or for a deep discount. ...ability to hook up with other people that want to carpool with you or traveling to similar locations at comparable times. ...solve congestion, pollution, and carpooling by using better modern technologies. ...We need to do more with less." (Campaign video)
 
Doug Robinson Republican "CDOT's maintenance cost per mile has risen steadily over the past decade. We must ensure that this number gets pushed back down. One way to do this is to outsource ongoing maintenance to the private sector to take advantage of their greater efficiency. ...By cutting costs on things like maintenance, we can reinvest that money where it's needed -- in construction projects to upgrade and expand our aging roads. ...Widening I-25 between Castle Rock and Monument. Widening I-25 between Longmont and Fort Collins. Expanding our mountain access. During the first year of a Robinson administration, we will begin work on all of these projects." (Campaign website) "We should be exploring all forms of transportation for our future. What Colorado has seriously lacked is a long-term vision for what we would like our transportation to look like 10, 20, 30 years down the line. That said, RTD has failed to deliver on the last major investment taxpayers gave them -- the line from Denver to Boulder. We have to demand more of these agencies before we give them more authority." (Campaign website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican "Our transportation gridlock amounts to a hidden tax on all Coloradans, and fixing this issue is of the utmost importance, not only to our overall quality of life, but also to our state economy as a whole. ...I will demand results from the Department of Transportation (CDOT). ...Our gas tax revenues have increased by over 30 percent since 1999. We should re-bond a portion of our gas tax revenue, as was accomplished successfully in 1999 without increasing Coloradans’ taxes by a dime. This simple fix will allow us to complete big projects, today, providing meaningful relief to the congestion we are all facing. ...I will restore transparency and accountability to CDOT to ensure our tax dollars are being properly spent on projects for taxpayers, not special interests and bureaucrats." (Campaign website)
 
Greg Westin Republican


Healthcare

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Republican Party Candidates - Healthcare
Name Party System Disabilities Women's Health Mental Health Rural Healthcare Access
Stephen Barlock Republican [In regards to state health exchange.] "When someone needs medical care, the last thing they need is more bureaucracy. I support our doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners and will work to cut down the red tape that has strangled their profession for the past thirty years. By offering a streamlined profession with less bureaucratic hurdles than other states, Colorado will be able to keep the great medical people we have and recruit high quality ones to help care for our citizens. [In regards to single-payer.] This flawed idea was thoroughly rejected by Colorado voters by more than a three to one margin. Although many of my opponents might try to repackage this failed concept, I will actively work against it." (Campaign website) "As Governor, I will seek to protect the rights of all heartbeats in Colorado. We have had many people move from the 43 states which do more to protect the most innocent heartbeats. I am the only gubernatorial candidate who actively used his sphere of influence to ensure a former schoolmate of mine, Justice Neil Gorsuch, would support the sanctity of life. All other candidates either sat on the sidelines or actively campaigned against having a jurist of his quality on the Supreme Court." (Campaign website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican "For the sake of prevention, we must get to the root of what's driving increased youth suicide rates across Colorado. This study will empower our communities with a plan to act and provide support for young Coloradans when they need it most." (Cynthia Coffman's Twitter)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican
 
Teri Kear Republican "Heath care needs to free market, so the public can have the choice which health care suits them. Allow multiple companies to come into the state and have the ability to write policies." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Every women, physically and mentally disabled should be able to have equal quality health care." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Every women, physically and mentally disabled should be able to have equal quality health care." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Every women, physically and mentally disabled should be able to have equal quality health care." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Encourage companies available that will write policies for all rural areas with in Colorado." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican "As Governor, I will work closely with our state’s top health officials, our Congressional Delegation, and others to ensure we work together on the common goal of implementing a quality healthcare system for all of Colorado. ...Along with being affordable it must be available and accessible through an efficient delivery system, regardless of your zip code. Of Colorado’s nearly 5.5 million residents, approximately 2.7 million of them live outside of the Denver-metro area, in less populous counties throughout our state’s vast 104,000 square miles. It is vital that our rural communities also have the medical facilities necessary to take care of our farmers and ranchers and surrounding citizens. Choices. Ease of access. Efficiency of use. My mission is to do everything in my power to have our state’s healthcare not become a burden to the very people it is designed to help." (Campaign website) "It is vital that our rural communities also have the medical facilities necessary to take care of our farmers and ranchers and surrounding citizens. Choices. Ease of access. Efficiency of use. My mission is to do everything in my power to have our state’s healthcare not become a burden to the very people it is designed to help." (Campaign website)
 
Victor Mitchell Republican "The great irony of the Affordable Care Act has made actually seeing a doctor unaffordable and out of reach for Coloradans--even with insurance. This year alone Coloradans may see 20% spikes in their premiums. Maybe even 40% for those living in rural areas. [Example from Virginia--Health Wagon, serving impoverish rural communities] $10 per visit at most. Patients received 40 minutes ...from skilled nurse practitioners. ...also provided with prescriptions at a low cost by partnering with pharmaceutical companies. ...Look outside the traditional insurance model. ...emphasize preventative care and clinic-based care, not overly expensive emergency room treatment. ...return control to the patient instead of the big insurance companies. And this could result in lower out-of-pocket costs." (Campaign video)

"I plan to repeal the exchange..." (Campaign video)
 
Doug Robinson Republican "Too many Coloradans are suffering from skyrocketing healthcare costs. Premiums continue to rise and show little sign of slowing down. Instead of continuing to promote a system that hasn’t been working, let’s look for new solutions. Flexible, patient-centered clinics are sprouting up across Colorado, as Coloradans take matters into their own hands. Let Coloradans lead the way on healthcare, while also promoting prevention and healthy living." (Campaign website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican "I am pro-life, and completely against abortion. I believe life begins at conception, and that every human life has the right to live to the fullest extent of their capabilities." (LinkedIn page)
 
Walker Stapleton Republican
 
Greg Westin Republican


Energy/Environment

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Republican Party Candidates - Energy/Environment
Name Party Renewable Energy Environmental Clean-up
Health & Safety
Fracking
(Local Control, distance)
Open Space, Public Land, & Wildlife Water Issues
(drought, security, compacts, agriculture)
Stephen Barlock Republican ...will demand more hydroelectric power and wants to see fewer subsidized wind turbines. (Colorado Independent article)

[In regards to 100% renewable energy by 2040.] "Tyrannical measures and expensive subsides are not the answer to Colorado’s energy needs. We need to work with all available energy sources including increasing hydroelectric power, the original green energy which also provides storage and steady flows for our water needs, as well as maintaining use of clean coal, oil and gas in accordance with a free market to ensure abundant inexpensive energy." (Campaign website)
"The mission statement available on the COGCC website already lists the following first: “The efficient exploration and production of oil and gas resources in a manner consistent with the protection of public health, safety and welfare.” I support the current COGCC mission especially regarding protecting our water. I see no reason to attack private property rights under a globalist scheme such as the Paris Accord. I am proud President Trump pulled us out of this poorly written deal. On a state level, I will fully support our energy industry while keeping our people safe." (Campaign website) "I fully support the actions of President Trump and Secretary Zinke relating to working with Utah regarding a more cooperative stance on the use of federal lands than the Obama administration had followed. Specifically, I would support working with our ranching and energy sector in utilizing our abundant natural resources. I am also hopeful that President Trump will renegotiate NAFTA to allow the Colorado timber industry to expand including the clearing and use of beetle kill to mitigate the impact of forest fires in our state." (Campaign website) He thinks the next governor should tackle Colorado’s dwindling water as the population grows by going to court to fight for water rights. (Colorado Independent article)

[Regarding raising taxes for projects to increase water supplies.] "If this question said “use current funding sources” instead of “raise…tax dollars,” I would say yes. From the day I announced, I have supported updating our water systems including fighting in the courts to modernize outdated water pacts which allow California to use Colorado water instead of desalination for their water needs. 21st century Colorado Water will require increasing water storage with a focus on hydroelectric energy, but we can accomplish these initiatives within current funding and by partnering with private industry without undermining TABOR or burdening taxpayers more." Does not support water use restrictions or limiting new planting. (Campaign website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican Shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy by 2040 would ultimately harm much of Colorado, Coffman said, pointing to Democrat support for the idea. "Do they know how much that would cost and how much it would change rural Colorado?" Coffman asked. (The Daily Sentinel article (Grand Junction)) Coffman defended the use of fossil fuels as a bulwark of rural economies and said she would support the Jordan Cove project. Shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy by 2040 would ultimately harm much of Colorado, Coffman said, pointing to Democrat support for the idea. ""Do they know how much that would cost and how much it would change rural Colorado?" Coffman asked. (The Daily Sentinel article (Grand Junction))

...is concerned about mining operations being shut down... (The Durango Herald article)
She also pledged to support existing agreements governing the Colorado River and urged Western Slope residents to treasure their water. "I can tell you we are greedy on the Front Range," Coffman warned. "Give us an inch and we'll take a mile." (The Daily Sentinel article (Grand Junction))
 
Lew Gaiter Republican He proposed trying to balance those two ends, likely via incentives for renewable energy production, given his opposition to mandates. "It doesn't have to be either/or," Gaiter said, referring to power sources. "It can be and."(The Coloradoan article) Gaiter called himself a “big fan of water retention,” advocating for building reservoirs and storing water for low-precipitation years but also conserving and being smart about how Coloradans use their water. (Reporter-Herald article)
 
Teri Kear Republican "Some candidates have said they will take care of the Energy plans by the year of 2030, but I believe that it can be done as early as 2020-2022." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) [RE: Private companies being responsible for cleaning up spills.] "Most definitely, as long as the private companies clean up the land better than before they made the mess. If they don't clean up the area to the standards of Federal guildlines then that company should be heavily fined." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "The locals should have the control over what is under the topsoil, no matter what it is, it should be stated before the company starts digging." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "I will protect all open land, public spaces and wildlife to preserve the beautiful state." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Collect moisture from the air, use limited water on landscape or provide incentives on xeriscape landscape." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican "You hear they're looking to reduce our costs for energy by forcing us to go into areas that we know is not going to reduce the cost. Kind of reminds me of Obamacare. ...we need fossil fuels, we need clean energy ...but we cannot sacrifice one for the other. There are many families that are relying on our industry--the oil & gas industry. ...no, we are not going to go 100% in any one direction ...look at smart policies to make sure we protect our health and our people, but more importantly we're going to make sure that we encourage industry to thrive and succeed. ...make sure that any regulation...is applied equally on everyone. ...fight hard to make sure that...your cost of living doesn't go up just because some environmentalists somewhere decided they wanted us to buy something that we really don't want." (Campaign video) "Water coordination is not just important in our state, but also to the inter-state compacts of which Colorado is a part. ...I pledge to conduct a thorough review of the Colorado Water Plan generated by the Colorado Water Conservation Board – and work very closely with them, the Colorado Water Congress, and to listen to the many voices that sit on Colorado’s regional basin roundtables. Looking at innovative water management or water supply projects will be key." (Campaign website)
 
Victor Mitchell Republican
 
Doug Robinson Republican "The oil and gas industry plays a vital role in Colorado. It contributes almost 10% of GDP in the state and over $1.2 billion in revenues to government. The people in the oil and gas industry also want to enjoy our pristine environment without pollution and contamination. We can balance these competing demands by supporting common sense regulations, which allow our industry to provide good jobs and also protect our environment." (Campaign website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican "Our state has become a pioneer in balancing responsible economic development with environmental stewardship... Colorado’s oil and gas industry contributes over 200,000 jobs and over $30 billion to Colorado’s economy. Over the past five years, the industry has averaged nearly $60 million in annual payments to county coffers alone. The University of Colorado Leeds School of Business estimates that total industry payments to federal, state and local governments totaled $1.2 billion in 2014, funding everything from schools to roads and bridges. ...work with the energy industry with an understanding that new technology and innovation drive constant changes to the business practices of the industry. ...we must present a stable business environment to ensure a low-cost energy supply that will attract and retain businesses in Colorado. ...businesses...will not be hit with agenda-driven, burdensome, job-killing regulations. ...Together, we can safely develop our natural resources. We can have a booming energy sector, create thousands of well-paying jobs, and protect Colorado’s environment for current and future generations." (Campaign website) "The federal government owns roughly 47% of the land in the West, and the various federal laws that govern land management practices place an emphasis on the concept of multiple uses. Federal land management agencies should consult with the states where this land is located and involve them in the decision-making process for how these lands are managed. Furthermore, I support moving the Department of Interior to Colorado, where significant federal lands are located, so Washington bureaucrats can better understand the impact and consequences of their top-down mandates." (Campaign website)
 
Greg Westin Republican


Political Influence

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Republican Party Candidates - Political Influence
Name Party Campaign Finance Reforms PACs/Special Interests Redistricting
Stephen Barlock Republican
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican
 
Lew Gaiter Republican
 
Teri Kear Republican "I won't take any money from special interests groups who don't protect or value human life. Those who want to take away our open land, public spaces, destroy our wildlife." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) [RE: Criteria for the 3 gubernatorial appointments to the redistricting commission.] "To find the best people qualified, so there is a wide range of knowledgeable people with in the 11 appointment commission." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican
 
Victor Mitchell Republican
 
Doug Robinson Republican
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican
 
Greg Westin Republican


Immigration

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Republican Party Candidates - Immigration
Name Party DREAMERS/DACA Sanctuary Cities Sanctuary State
Stephen Barlock Republican Barlock also claims support as a pro-Trump “America First candidate” meaning he supports a nationalist agenda. Running for governor he calls himself a “statist” which means he is “all in for Colorado,” and will do whatever is in the state’s best interest. (Colorado Independent article) [In regards to Denver barring asking about immigration status.] "Just as I expect all local and state agencies to assist each other and the federal government with preventing acts of terrorism, I expect them to work together to help enforce our immigration laws." (Campaign website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican "I'm grateful to Tom Tancredo for highlighting issues that don't always get the attention they deserve, particularly educating the public on the dangers of unchecked and unaccountable sanctuary cities." (Cynthia Coffman's Twitter)

"I am deeply disappointed in the verdict in the Kate Steinle murder trial... I urge Congress to act immediately to pass Kate's Law... I've prioritized the safety and security of Colorado's communities, and that starts with enforcing our existing laws. ...ensure that convicted felons who are in the country illegally...are kept off the streets." (Cynthia Coffman's Twitter)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican
 
Teri Kear Republican "Undocumented immigrants have broken the Federal Law & will be sent back in a timely fashion." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "...not a good thing, for the cities or for the State." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Bad idea, because it is a Federal law that is being broken." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican "I'm against Sanctuary Cities. I'm a strong supporter of the Constitution of the United States. ...we are all protected by our Constitution and we all have equal rights. No one has extra rights. ...I'm going to make sure that communities that feel that they need to be a sanctuary city...that the governor's office is not supportive of that ...harmeful to what we stand for here in America. I believe in the Rule of Law. I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe in all the things that have made America great. ...our county was based on the Divine Intervention of God. ...our conservative values were bestowed upon us by God himself and I will die on the sword for my Lord and Savior." (Campaign video)
 
Victor Mitchell Republican
 
Doug Robinson Republican
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican
 
Greg Westin Republican


Education

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Republican Party Candidates - Education
Name Party Charter Schools Standardized Testing Vouchers/ESAs Teacher Issues
(pay, accountability)
Secondary Ed.
(vocational, college, apprenticeships)
Pre-K through 12
Stephen Barlock Republican "Standardized testing increases the power of Common Core and other initiatives to take local control away from our state and communities. I support local control of education and oppose Common Core and continued overreliance on standardized testing." (Campaign Website) [In regards to private and religious school vouchers.] "Although school vouchers purport to be an answer for improved educational choice, they are not realistically feasible for many in rural Colorado and were recently rejected by voters in Douglas County due to other complications which state educational tax credits do not have. I am an ardent supporter of parental choice especially homeschooling and access to apprenticeships and STEM offerings for the entire state." (Campaign website) “I’m definitely not a teachers’ union guy.” He likes apprenticeship programs more than specialty trade schools in higher education. (Colorado Independent article) ...strongly supports homeschooling... (Colorado Independent article)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican "We have an opportunity to make all education better for our students. And charter schools are a part of that." (Cynthia Coffman's Twitter)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican
 
Teri Kear Republican "My daughter went to a charter school and she loved it. She could come and go freely from the school as long as she completed her work for the week. The only bad thing about it is if the student doesn't have the ability to make every effort to work at their own pace, then it won't work for them." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "So the state can keep a record of how the teachers/schools are educating our children. But unfortunately if the tests were made to be shorter and give breaks often they would be better on the kids and teachers as well." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Not in favor of using tax payer money for [private schools]." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "A number of things can be done to help public school teachers. 1. by giving new teachers low income housing, close to the school they are employed. 2. Giving them incentives to work for a set number of years, at their 4th pick school so they can get their student load paid off." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "We seem to have forgotten that our youth should be taught self-help classes: cooking, accounting, auto mechanics, wood shop, basic things that this generation doesn't know anything about." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "[Universal Pre-K] should be first considered to anyone who has a child that has special needs, or low income households." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican "Every child that graduates is job-ready from Day 1. ...There are going to be a lot of Coloradans that are not going be to able to go to college. Cannot afford to go to college. And perhaps are not interested in going to college. ...We need to remind them to take pride in doing the hard work that we need in our communities, like being a plumber, an electrician, a mechanic. ...Yes, we need to re-evaluate how do we pay our teachers; how do we accommodate them. But more importantly, what are we producing? ...instill the American Dream ...small business." (Campaign video)
 
Victor Mitchell Republican "We have roughly 3 times as many job openings in the STEM disciplines...than qualified graduates today. In fact, we only graduate about 1 in 4 students here in Colorado from a state university with a degree in STEM. [One of my plans] is to triple that. ...my plan is to take all of the state funding for higher education and have that earmarked entirely for STEM, whereby STEM disciplines become the least expensive--today they are the most expensive. ...We need a greater emphasis towards remediation. Roughly 35% of our kids who are graduating from a public high school today need remediation--they're not college-ready. ...We need a greater emphasis on vocational training. ...We need to be lowering the cost of tuition, most especially on the degrees of STEM." (Campaign video)
 
Doug Robinson Republican "Children do better when they can attend a school of their family’s choice, regardless of the type: public, charter, private, traditional, online or home school. Colorado has become a leader in the creation of effective public charter schools. ...Expanded school choice, of course, does not mean we should be leaving behind our traditional public schools; it’s about increasing the level of competition in our education system to compel schools to be better. Charter schools bring increased innovation and competition, which drives all schools to improve. A state-based system of testing and school assessment is critical to providing parents and students the information they need to make good school choices." (Campaign website) "...desperately struggling to fill vacant teaching positions. If we’re going to fix this crisis, we need to elevate our teachers, empowering them in the classroom and providing better incentives for student achievement. ...We must improve our evaluation system, so we can pay our best more. This means differentiated pay and career pathways for teachers based on performance and job category. We also need to change our teacher licensing programs, to allow school districts to have the same sort of flexibility universities have to hire private sector talent." (Campaign website) "...we need to bring back vocational education. Colorado students don’t necessarily need a four-year college education to make a living wage. We need to stop pushing this one-size-fits-all vision on to our students. We need skilled laborers -- IT specialists, plumbers, mechanics, beauticians -- but these professions don’t necessarily require a bachelor’s degree. By bringing this type of training back into our schools, we can prepare our students for the future, without forcing them into debt." (Campaign website) "...a survey of our state’s largest school districts determined that only 2 of every 7 students have access to STEM education. Through private-public partnerships we can bring applicable STEM education into our schools, working with nonprofits and private companies to teach students the real-life skills they’ll need in the professional world." (Campaign Website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican "We spend nearly 40% of our general fund budget on K-12 education, yet only one in four students graduate fully prepared for college or the workforce. ...Expanding school choice is a critical component of this effort. Charter schools provide a low-cost, high-quality education that serves a more diverse student body than traditional public schools. These schools are at the forefront of education reform and have made tremendous strides in providing equal access to education for all children in Colorado. We must continue to drive for innovation in education that increases student achievement, while ensuring we have transparency and accountability for all teachers and schools." (Campaign website) "In order to transform our system to one that prioritizes education, we must allow the money to follow the students, not the other way around." (Campaign website) "We must continue to drive for innovation in education that increases student achievement, while ensuring we have transparency and accountability for all teachers and schools." (Campaign website)
 
Greg Westin Republican


Criminal Justice

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Republican Party Candidates - Criminal Justice
Name Party Criminal Justice Reform Private Prisons Police Accountability Racial Profiling Gun Safety
Stephen Barlock Republican [Dealth Penalty] "Unlike our current Governor, I believe in the enforcement of our laws and would allow the sentences of all criminals to be carried out as intended by Colorado’s judicial system including the execution of Nathan Dunlap." (Campaign Website) "“The only thing that could ever pull me away from Donald Trump is if he pulls away from the NRA.” (Colorado Independent article)

[Repealing high-capacity magazine ban.] "This ban not only attacks the Second Amendment rights of Colorado citizens but also does not make our state safer. I agree with the sheriffs from 54 of our 64 counties who do not want this ban. I commend State Senator Vicki Marble’s efforts to gain bi-partisan support of this measure in the Colorado Senate. I hope this repeal happens before I take the office of Governor; however, I pledge to work towards its repeal if it is still on the books when I become governor." (Campaign Website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican [In support of Congress' conceal carry across state lines.] "Republicans and Democrats in Congress must act to protect the 2nd Amendment. We shouldn’t have to forfeit our freedoms just because we cross a state line." (Cynthia Coffman's Twitter)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican Another challenge, he says, is as the state works to reduce its prison population it puts pressure on counties. If a violent offender’s term is shortened and he or she gets out on early release or parole and commits another crime, he says, that suspect goes back to the local jail until a conviction. “There’s no funds to deal with that,” he says. “You get unfunded mandates down to your local communities.” (Colorado Independent article)
 
Teri Kear Republican "Usually giving public prison into the hands of private companies is a big mistake. It means overcrowding of inmates, less qualified guards, and more money goes into the hands of upper management and their lawyers." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "I have always expected officers to be held accountable for their actions to a much higher standard than the general public, but unfortunately criminals don't have to follow these rules." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "I would expect that we use profiling to stop criminals prior to doing horrible things. Profiling should always be done with in the laws of the land. It would always be better to question a person of interest and be wrong then to let someone go who should have been detained." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "I stand on the 2nd Amendment, I took gun safety class prior to my 1st hunting experience, I am a safe gun owner...meaning I use my guns to hunt animals with all safety precautions necessary for myself and those who could be near me." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican
 
Victor Mitchell Republican To deter mass shootings or other violence, Victor Mitchell wants more people to carry firearms in more places while strengthening penalties for gun misuse. ...elimination of what he described as “gun-free zones” and said Colorado school districts should have the right to decide whether trained teachers can carry firearms into the classroom. ...educators would get the proper training beforehand. ...“generally supportive” of universal background checks and that he’d like to see the prison sentence double for any crime committed with a gun. ...he said his family used to keep a handgun in the home but that they sold it last year for safety reasons. (Denver Post article)
 
Doug Robinson Republican Doug Robinson said his outlook on gun policy comes from a career in business. ...Colorado should keep its policy of universal background checks. “We all want to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those that have mental illness,” he said. ...Colorado should reconsider the decision to limit magazines to 15 rounds ...he’s still making up his mind about whether it’s the right policy to ban [bump stocks]. ...another way to deal with gun violence is to address other social trends, including drug use. “We have had a decline in family life in America and a decline of church attendance and a decline of people involved in community and other activities.” (Denver Post article)

"Yes." [On repealing the high-capacity magazine ban.] (Campaign website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican "I will not allow police to rely on weapons to resolve situations. I do not want to happen here the police brutality that has been going on around our country. I mean the police brutal behavior resulting in death to citizens, and the un-needed shooting by police of unarmed, non-threatening citizens. ...Doing away with “Traffic Police” by increasing use of highway cameras, and speed detecting automated equipment. Changing police confrontational attitudes and behavior. Taking away police guns, and giving our police radios in situations where it is feasible." (Cache copy of a campaign press release attributed to Jim Rundberg) "I can ask Colorado citizens to arm themselves, and to be proficient in self-defense and use of their weapons. In this I can support our people with legislation, funding, and training. I will remove anti-gun laws from the books. I will provide subsidies for Colorado citizens new to arming themselves. And, I will provide incentives for self-defense training." (Cache copy of a campaign press release attributed to Jim Rundberg)
 
Walker Stapleton Republican ...oppose the 2013 Colorado law that expanded background checks to include private sales. ...would back a bill repealing the law. ...Stapleton’s solution to gun violence was to focus more on mental health. ...He did not provide details on where he would allocate the money, other than to say that he would support the creation of a mental health task force. (Denver Post article)
 
Greg Westin Republican


Social Justice

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Republican Party Candidates - Social Justice
Name Party Equal Rights
(LGBT+, Women, transgender, disabilities, etc.)
Minimum Wage Collective Bargaining/Unions Homelessness Hunger
Stephen Barlock Republican [In regards to Equal Pay.] "People are individuals with rights and equal opportunity but should not be guaranteed equal outcomes by governmental mandates. I will work to ensure equal employment opportunity free from discrimination, but I will not mandate equal outcomes. To quote President Trump, with Barlock as Governor of Colorado, “You’re gonna make the same if you do as good of a job.” I support the free market to determine how good of a job someone is doing and do not favor an added layer of bureaucracy." (Campaign Website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican
 
Lew Gaiter Republican
 
Teri Kear Republican "The pay should always be equal regardless to who is doing it. The pay raises should be based on how the person completes the tasks on the job." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Everyone wants to raise the minimum wage, but raising the wages means that price of goods have to increase as well, thus making no difference in the minimum wage increase." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "If employees are able to make unions, hopefully their union reps will take care of them keeping their employees safe from being taken advantage of." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) She said one of her main concerns is the number of homeless veterans and what can be done to help them. (The Mountain Mail article (Salida))

"This is a high priority for me and it will be as well for my administration. I will make every efforts to get this problem under control and continue to resolve this until it is completely under control." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
"I would like to see the Food Program have more restrictions on what can be bought, to make it become more like the W.I.C. coupons/checks. There for making the quality of food purchased better for everyone in the household." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican
 
Victor Mitchell Republican
 
Doug Robinson Republican "The economic boom that we all hear so much about hasn’t spread to all Coloradans; low wages and skyrocketing housing prices have forced many Coloradans onto the streets. We need to work with nonprofit groups to increase the amount of affordable housing in Colorado, and work with our schools, universities, and business owners to ensure that Colorado workers are being prepared with the skills they need for the jobs of the future." (Campaign Website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican
 
Greg Westin Republican


General Economic Issues

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Republican Party Candidates - General Economic Issues
Name Party TABOR Commerce
(businesses big and small, entrepreneurship, tech, etc)
Agriculture Amazon/Olympics Affordable Housing
Stephen Barlock Republican ...wants to “strengthen” TABOR. ...he would run a statewide ballot measure to add voting on tax incentives to that requirement. If the government wants to give a company a tax break, voters would have to weigh in. “I’m against all subsidies,” he says. “I believe that’s totally the true meaning of TABOR. It’s people vote on the taxes. If it’s a tax break people vote on the taxes. If it’s a tax increase people vote on the taxes.” (Colorado Independent article)

"TABOR’s requirement of asking voters their permission for tax hikes is a fundamental aspect of Colorado’s constitution and culture. As Governor, I will not only support keeping TABOR but also work to strengthen it and will not support run-arounds on its substantive meaning such as an endless liberal array of fees and licensing requirements." (Campaign Website)
[Need independent verification for Olympics]

...would not offer a dime to Amazon to bring its second headquarters here. ...don’t believe the state should be in the business of trying to pay companies to move to the Denver area when the region already is a top target for relocating firms because of the high educational level of residents and the growing nature of the economy. ...he would use incentives only to help companies that already are in Colorado to expand. (Denver Business Journal article)
[In regards to overturning the rent control ban.] "I support the Telluride decision, and I believe in free market principles not socialistic bureaucracy and forced scarcity. It would be a disaster to have public officials, rather than the free market, set rents. ...Our current situation has allowed out-of-state and out-of-country speculators to acquire buildings in Colorado including empty residences and those used for illegal activities. I would work with the legislature to increase taxes on foreign owned property which is artificially creating higher prices and taking Colorado citizens out of the game. However, the best policy to help our citizens is to provide an economy with fewer regulations which President Trump has shown works well." (Campaign Website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...would entertain the offering of some sort of incentives but would seek to roll back the state’s standard offer of tax incentives or would offer it only reluctantly. ...also would prefer to focus on helping existing Colorado companies expand and innovate supporting local entrepreneurs and increasing technical training to strengthen the workforce. She said she would offer tax credits if that were important, though. “I am open to tax rebates or credits for companies wishing to relocate to Colorado, but I am not overly enthusiastic about opening the taxpayer-funded bank vaults to attract one of the richest corporations in America. Fair tax structure and regulation is what attracts business and makes a good economy for everyone.” (Denver Business Journal article)
...the state should work to cut restrictive regulations and permitting on home builders to lower their costs and to lower costs of homes in turn. (Denver Business Journal article)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican One of those unintended consequences, he says, is how TABOR intersects with another constitutional amendment called Gallagher. Passed in 1982, Gallagher caps assessment values on residential property taxes to no more than 45 percent of Colorado’s overall assessed value. When Gallagher was passed TABOR didn’t exist, he says, and the idea was local counties could adjust the mill levies— tax rates applied to assessed home values— to fix the imbalances. “TABOR comes in and now your local communities can’t raise the mil levy without going to a full vote of the people,” Gaiter says, adding that Gallagher sets the tax rate statewide. “But we don’t have a statewide economy, we have a lot of local economies. What makes sense in Douglas County, Colorado makes absolutely no sense in Conejos County.” (Colorado Independent article) “I’ve been very successful with Larimer County [in] bringing private sector initiatives, doing it in the public sector,” he says. “I want to take that into the state level. I want our state government to work with our counties and our cities. A lot of things right now are top down.” (Colorado Independent article) [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...would entertain the offering of some sort of incentives but would seek to roll back the state’s standard offer of tax incentives or would offer it only reluctantly. ...said he, too, wants to prioritize growing Colorado-based companies. He said he doesn’t want to offer cash to Amazon but would prefer to put onto the table incentives that could help its new employees get to know Colorado, like free passes to state parks or discounted tickets to ski resorts. (Denver Business Journal article)
 
Teri Kear Republican "TABOR places strict limits on how much revenue the state can keep and how much it can spend. TABOR limits are the strictest revenue and spending limits in the nation. Any revenue collected in excess of TABOR’s revenue limits must be refunded to the taxpayers. If the taxpayers are going to be taxed an X amount to be used on Y item, then why should the extra money be divided back up among the population? Shouldn't the correct amount be calculated and then used to what it's purpose was meant for? So if it stays this way the money will continue to go back and forth being taxed then partly returned, but if it is changed or amended so the money is taxed correctly and used propertly." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "If Amazon HQ decides to move to Colorado when I'm Governor, I would put up guildlines that Amazon would have to hire a certain percent of returning military, have flexible hour for single women w/children that can work during the hours that schools are open, as well as making sure each and every employed worker gets above minimum wage." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Coloradans must keep moving forward on the preservation of agriculture. The people of Co. will have my approval on making agriculture and farming a priority." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Olympics is a great deal here for Coloradans esp. this year we have many Olympians participating." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

"I would have liked it [Amazon HQ], if it's location would be in outside of the metropolitan area." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican "Our state’s economy comprises diverse industries such as food and agriculture, ranching, manufacturing, tourism and outdoor recreation, energy and natural resources, craft brewing, recreational marijuana and creative industries. As Governor, I will continually highlight the need for innovation, and drawing new industries to Colorado. But most importantly, I will foster growth by surrounding business in all regions of our state with an environment in which they may not only grow, but also stabilize and sustain themselves to benefit their surrounding communities. ...But to reach our full potential on this front, I will do more as Governor to stabilize the “boom and bust” cycle plaguing our state’s small business history. As Governor, my aim is to boost the health and expansion of small business, and develop new small business opportunities in the neglected counties in our state. But I think you would agree: We need to boost innovation, ideas, and expand access to capital funding." (Campaign Website) [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...would entertain the offering of some sort of incentives but would seek to roll back the state’s standard offer of tax incentives or would offer it only reluctantly. ...said that he would be willing to offer some incentives but that he would not pursue Amazon aggressively if he were governor and would not consider landing HQ2 a top priority. “Business is important, but I would more want to grow our companies organically from within the state." (Denver Business Journal article)
 
Victor Mitchell Republican "These regulations...kill small, independent, and family-run businesses. ...Getting rid of nonsensical rules and regulations that make it hard to succeed in Colorado. ...expediting job certification when people move across state lines into Colorado. ...supports more reasonable certifications across industries to increase employment opportunities and lower prices on consumers." (Campaign Video)

"Colorado has become horribly overregulated. ...bring in a team of...people who work in private industry here in Colorado. ...go through all of our regulations and determine which ones can be either cut entirely or need to be materially modified. ...this is stifling innovation...the ability for young people to take on vocational careers. ...We have to get out of the way of entrepreneurs and small business owners." (Campaign Video)
[Need independent verification for Olympics]

...would not offer a dime to Amazon to bring its second headquarters here. ...don’t believe the state should be in the business of trying to pay companies to move to the Denver area when the region already is a top target for relocating firms because of the high educational level of residents and the growing nature of the economy. ...he would use incentives to attract companies of 20 to 100 workers to rural Colorado or to help existing companies in those areas to expand. ...said that while incentives serve as public relations from cities and states, they rarely factor much into the final decisions of large companies. ...“Amazon has a market cap of over $500 million. Why would a Colorado taxpayer be sending this company money? With Amazon, a few million dollars is a rounding error to the company. And if that’s what they’re basing their decision on, then we’ve got to tell them we’re not the right state for them." (Denver Business Journal article)
...criticized the call for more state funding to help pay the costs of affordable housing, however, saying that the ultimate solutions must come from the private sector or from a partnership between builders and the state government. ...suggested that the state’s best role would involve encouraging schools to increase classes in trade skills to alleviate a shortage of construction workers that contributes to the lack of housing going up, particularly along the Front Range. ...the state should work to cut restrictive regulations and permitting on home builders to lower their costs and to lower costs of homes in turn. ...would allow builders to receive building permits from licensed architects rather than have to seek them from county permitting offices. “The greatest thing we can do in Colorado to improve affordable housing is to improve earning power. We’re not creating a regulatory environment that’s conducive to small-business growth.” ...[Effective construction-defect laws passed last year] appears to be working as expected and should just be monitored. ...however...more needs to be done in repealing laws that make filing lawsuits against condo builders so easy. (Denver Business Journal article)
 
Doug Robinson Republican [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...emphasized that [Robinson] did not want to go above and beyond the state’s normal tax breaks and put anything on the table like the $7 billion package New Jersey has made available, but [Robinson] said it is key for the state to continue growing and attracting high-paying jobs like those Amazon can bring. (Denver Business Journal article)
...criticized the call for more state funding to help pay the costs of affordable housing, however, saying that the ultimate solutions must come from the private sector or from a partnership between builders and the state government. ...suggested that the state’s best role would involve encouraging schools to increase classes in trade skills to alleviate a shortage of construction workers that contributes to the lack of housing going up, particularly along the Front Range. ...the state should work to cut restrictive regulations and permitting on home builders to lower their costs and to lower costs of homes in turn.

(Denver Business Journal article)

 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican "...our unemployment has been falling, and job creation in certain sectors of our state is going strong. ...people across Colorado still struggle with underemployment, looking for more hours and income to try to make ends meet. ...I will champion policies that spur job growth throughout Colorado...never forget about rural Colorado and the Western Slope, whose priorities have too often have been forgotten in the halls of our State Capitol. Small businesses are the driving force behind Colorado’s economy, adding up to nearly half of all jobs in the state. Creating a positive business environment that does not pick winners and losers, and works for businesses big and small, will be essential to restoring equitable growth that extends to all Coloradans in all corners of our great state. ...I will apply a strict cost-benefit analysis to any bill that crosses my desk, and will work actively with the legislature to promote common sense solutions that will create jobs and improve the lives of families across our state." (Campaign Website) [Need independent verification for Olympics]

...emphasized that [Stapleton] did not want to go above and beyond the state’s normal tax breaks and put anything on the table like the $7 billion package New Jersey has made available, but [Stapleton] said it is key for the state to continue growing and attracting high-paying jobs like those Amazon can bring. ...“Colorado has very modest incentives compared to other states bidding on Amazon. And I think when you talk about incentives, you have to talk about them in context. What we are talking about is jobs and how to grow our tax base and how to grow opportunity in Colorado. It would represent 50,000 high-paying jobs in our economy." (Denver Business Journal article)
...criticized the call for more state funding to help pay the costs of affordable housing, however, saying that the ultimate solutions must come from the private sector or from a partnership between builders and the state government. ...suggested that the state’s best role would involve encouraging schools to increase classes in trade skills to alleviate a shortage of construction workers that contributes to the lack of housing going up, particularly along the Front Range. ...the state should work to cut restrictive regulations and permitting on home builders to lower their costs and to lower costs of homes in turn. (Denver Business Journal article)
 
Greg Westin Republican


Seniors/Veterans

Email us any information, especially for items not yet filled in: colorado-elections-wiki@googlegroups.com. Please include your source(s).


Republican Party Candidates - Seniors/Veterans
Name Party Veterans PERA Housing
Stephen Barlock Republican He bemoans its large unfunded liability and fears a stock market crash could bankrupt Colorado, which could lead to higher property taxes to mitigate the impact. His plan to fix that liability is to find what he considers unnecessary state spending and divert those public funds to fund PERA. He says he would also divert revenue from state lottery money [Current formula is 50 percent of profits go to the Great Outdoors Colorado (COGO) Trust Fund, 40 percent to the Conservation Trust Fund, and 10 percent to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.]. ...Barlock says a statewide ballot measure might be the way to reroute the funds, or perhaps just pull out of state-sponsored gambling altogether. (Colorado Independent article)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican
 
Lew Gaiter Republican
 
Teri Kear Republican She said one of her main concerns is the number of homeless veterans and what can be done to help them. (The Mountain Mail article (Salida))

"Giving homeless veterans a community where they are able to get back on their feet, give them a sense of pride, belonging among fellow citizens." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

[RE: Services for returning vets to ease transition home.] "Give them communities where they can acclimate back into the civilian population." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
"Needs to be seriously looked into, it needs to be re-examined and possibly make other options available to where teachers can have more choices where their retirement money is placed." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire) "Seniors also need to have more communities where they can feel safe, be taken care of and live out the rest of their lives in peace and comfort." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)

"Today's society seems to think it's alright to forget helping seniors, we need to realize that our population is increasingly getting older and there fore we must take care of the senior population, and if that means helping out by making low income housing for them." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican
 
Victor Mitchell Republican
 
Doug Robinson Republican "Those in charge of PERA have failed Colorado. We have a $36 billion dollar unfunded liability, and leadership that has been completely ineffective in reigning that in. We need decisive action if we’re going to keep PERA from sinking our state’s economy. I believe we need to change the makeup of the PERA board, and make sure that those in charge of the fund have actual experience in finance and investing and fewer are beneficiaries." (Campaign Website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican "I have led the charge in reforming our Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA), which has surpassed $30 billion in unfunded liabilities. ...Attempts at reform have been blocked by politicians on both sides of the aisle. Over the past seven years of working on this issue, I have learned that it’s not a Democrat or Republican issue – it is an issue of the “haves” versus the “have-nots.” ...Our PERA obligations are just one of many examples of government mismanagement and neglecting the taxpayer. ...fight for fiscal restraint and rational conservative reforms that will ensure individual liberty and economic freedom for all Coloradans." (Campaign Website)
 
Greg Westin Republican


Misc.

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Republican Party Candidates - General Economic Issues
Name Party Marijuana
(incl. clemency)
Stephen Barlock Republican "Not only is legal pot a states’ rights issue it also is a small business issue. I support Colorado small businesses including those involved in legalized marijuana. Unfortunately, Obama took it upon himself to issue a faulty executive order when he should have worked with congress to address the issue of marijuana. In the 1980’s, Congress was the proper place to legislate laws regarding a national drinking age. The literal interpretation of our U.S. Constitution requires the Congress to legislate laws. I would support Colorado’s Senators and Representatives working on a proper fix of this issue in Congress." (Campaign Website)
 
Erich Braun Republican
 
Cynthia Coffman Republican "Frankly, it is too late for the federal government to step in and dismantle this burgeoning industry. ...Despite the decision, I still believe that priorities laid out in the Cole memo are critically important. Those include preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors, preventing criminal enterprises and cartels from using our state’s laws as a cover or pretext for illegal activity and focusing on preventing drugged driving and the exacerbation of other adverse public-health consequences. ...I did not support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado...I have certainly seen the downside to its establishment. ...implement the will of citizens to the best of their abilities. ...encouraging Congress to take necessary action to bring marijuana businesses out of the financial shadows and allow them access to banking services. ...impedes the ability of law enforcement and regulatory authorities to monitor the financial transactions of this multibillion-dollar industry. This creates a public safety threat, as cash-only businesses are targeted for robbery and other crimes. It also creates additional challenges for regulators and taxing authorities trying to determine what taxes are owed to state and local governments." (Washington Post guest commentary by Coffman)
 
Lew Gaiter Republican He was opposed to the statewide ballot measure legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana in Colorado, but he helped green-light two pot businesses as a county commissioner once it passed. (Colorado Independent article)
 
Teri Kear Republican "Since Coloradans have voted on the legalization of marijuanaI will protect the people who follow the laws of the state. Seeing how marijuana taxes have increased in amount every year since it was legalized, I would want to make sure that the money is being divided according to the increased revenue. If a person has a record for marijuana prior to it becoming legal and hasn't been in any other trouble since the arrest, should be allowed to have their case looked into to see if clemency can be given, based on a case by case decision." (IFRR Wiki Questionnaire)
 
Greg Lopez Republican
 
Victor Mitchell Republican "...revenues are being completely ripped off. There's no transparency in the amount of revenues. ...we don't even know where the money is going. ...proposing a bold initiative in which every dollar that comes into the state on marijuana is displayed to all our citizens. Not only how much money is coming on, but where it's going to be allocated. ...we need a better educational plan and marketing efforts to really enlighten people about the long term and serious effects of marijuana...every week there's children being born with THC in their system...long term cognitive disabilities. But that doesn't mean I want to repeal it. I think the voters have spoken. We need to fix it." (Campaign Video)
 
Doug Robinson Republican "I was not a supporter of legalizing marijuana. But I believe it is the duty of the governor to uphold the will of Coloradans. ...we engaged other concerned citizens and founded Smart Colorado, an organization dedicated to educating and protecting Colorado’s kids from today’s high potency marijuana. ... Our state government has been slow to close some of the critical loopholes...allowed for gross abuses of the system. We need to close the loopholes now. ...cutting down the number of individuals who are abusing the two-tiered tax structure between our retail and medical sales systems. ...By pushing these individuals into the recreational marketplace where they belong, we can increase the tax revenue, and put that money towards educating our kids about the dangers of marijuana, as well as providing law enforcement with the necessary tools to tamp down on the black and grey markets, and to ensure that they have the resources to test and prevent individuals from driving while stoned. ...I’ll bring transparency and accountability to our marijuana system." (Campaign Website)
 
Jim Rundberg Republican
 
Walker Stapleton Republican
 
Greg Westin Republican