We asked all our candidates 6 questions on the same topics: Police Reform, Healthcare, Economy, Housing, Environment, and Special Areas of Concern.

US HOUSE REP. D2

 

Representative Joe Neguse:

 

Incumbent. Lives in Lafayette with wife Andrea and daughter Natalie. “As the son of immigrants to this country who were given a shot at the American dream, I decided to run for office because that dream is under assault now as never before.”

Thomas Atkinson:

Charlie Winn:

 

I’m a physician and a retired Navy captain, allowed me to see the impact America had on spreading democracy. The problem now is that we can’t work together as one people.

Police Reform: The police violence is not rampant. We see very few cases of those instances, and our perceptions of police officers are biased.

Healthcare: Patient-centered system by ensuring everyone has access to insurance coverage, personal physicians, health-savings accounts, generic medications, and affordable treatment options.

Economy: Young people have low hospitalization rates, so freeing the young people while isolating the vulnerable would help us boost the economy and reach herd immunity.

Housing: Complete forgiveness would help one side by harming the other. Need deferred loans that renters can pay back, with payroll protection plans that provide relief for landlords.

Environment: Man impacts the environment and we should protect the planet. Solar panels can’t be the exclusive source of our energy; implementing nuclear power provides increased energy, clean air, high-quality water, and more food sources.

Other: We need civility. We’ve lost it, and so we need our leaders and the people to start listening with more attentiveness and to start acting with more civility.

U.S. HOUSE REP D4

Bruce Griffith:

U.S. SENATE

Claire Levy:

 

Colorado House Representative for District 13 from 2006 to 2013, served as Minority Whip, and has since been the director for the Colorado Center on Law and Policy.

Police Reform: We need reform, we need accountability… standards for who gets to be a police officer… training so that they don’t overreact.

Health: We have inequity in our healthcare system.

Economy: We need to get this pandemic under control to help the economy.

Housing: We can’t expect landlords to forego rent perpetually. Just calling for a moratorium isn’t the solution… It goes back to getting federal assistance.

Environment: At the local level [we can] have policies that incentivize switching to renewable energy … and switching the transportation sector over to renewable energy.

Other: We need to be thinking about things that might appear to be smaller issues such as the cost of child care.

Marta Loachamin:

 

Experience in banking, finance, real estate, consulting, and teaching. Did community work on social justice, economic justice, housing, DACA, and predatory lending. Working on the disparate access to resources after the flood encouraged me to run.”

Police Reform: Form policies to alleviate systemic racism, work with the Sheriff’s Office to create substantial change, and improve the pipeline of care for our communities.”

Healthcare: Efficient COVID testing protocols for the county and accessible health care options for residents. Many aren’t aware of the health care educational programs the county offers.

Economy: The county can help small businesses get state contracts;, the county can help small businesses get in line, complete the application, and receive the contracts.

Housing: We have funding available for rent assistance that has not been used yet. Rental assistance was allocated to support struggling families; inform people about that resource and make the program accessible.

Environment: Continue climate action progress. Implement high-scale resolutions like electric vehicles or solar panels; Collaborate with residents to optimize natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, and utilize renewable energy.

Other: Get more people involved in local politics and more women, Latinos, and other minorities in leadership positions. We all have a role.

 

James Crowder:

 

I’ve lived in Boulder County since the mid 70’s. I’ve jumped into this race, at the prompting of others, to address some serious issues we’re facing. Looking at affordable housing and development costs, as well as unchecked lack of representation.

Police Reform: As a commissioner I can make sure we’re ensuring the rights of everyone, that justice is fair. I hope we can all cool down a little bit. I don’t consider the police my adversary.

Healthcare: I’m not a scientist. I read a lot of studies. What I’m seeing is we’re probably losing more lives because of the lock down than because of COVID. I don’t wanna take away a year of people’s livelihoods or education.

Economy: Let’s reopen the economy and let those with a zero percent chance of getting COVID go back to work. We can change these overwhelming regulatory policies. County can do a better job on roads.

Housing: Our system of Tort laws goes all the way back to the Magna Carta. The very idea that a commissioner can force someone to forgive the debt of another…it’s not within the law. I would not pursue a debt jubilee.

Environment: I don’t think the science is settled. The only thing I know for sure that I can do to prevent advanced CO2 buildup in the atmosphere is to stop breathing, and I’m not willing to do that.

Other: I’m worried about representation. I want to hold town halls in the evening and on weekends. I’ll be a servant to the people.

DA Michael Dougherty:

 

Incumbent. Continuing on our mission to enhance community safety while improving the justice system.

Police Reform: Priority of ours. Expanding restorative justice & diversion programs. Pre-charging mental health diversion program. Fresh start warrant clearing program. Marijuana clearing program. Selected to do a deep dive data analysis to identify racial inequities. Worked on, testified for, SB 217. Holding police accountable. They’re not above the law.

Building Trust: Premium on community outreach. Follow them on FB for info. Immigrant protection program. Partnership with NAACP, LGBT community members.

Areas of improvement: I would not declare any of these areas Mission Accomplished. Lots of work to do. Drug diversion. More opps for mental & behavioral health treatment. Prevent recidivism. Need to reimagine the justice system.

Other: Community safety: increased our efforts around domestic violence, sex assaults, and violent felony cases. Doing everything we can to prevent, but also responding right. Have to make changes with community support. Helped pass a wage theft bill, to support immigrants and others. Selected for a fellowship for the public rights project. Appointed by the governor to serve as co-chair of the sentencing reform task force to ensure fair sentencing. Homeless liaison in office to help support unhoused entering or exiting the criminal justice system.

 

WELD COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

 

DA Michael Rourke: Incumbent.

 

Incumbent, continuing on I went to Chatfield HS, CU Boulder, and DU Law. In 2005, I began working in the Weld County DA’s Office. In 2007 I was promoted to Assistant DA. Appointed by then-Gov Hickenlooper to DA. Won election in 2016.

Police Reform: The body camera program increased accountability for defendants, officers, and evidence collection. We must identify bad apples and hold them accountable. We formed the Critical Incident Response Team to conduct unbiased and independent investigations into officer-involved shootings or use-of-force situations.

Building Trust: I require all of our prosecutors to engage in the community, whether it’s formal positions, volunteer efforts, or coaching youth sports. I also try to foster a cohesive relationship with residents by participating in community forums and being available.

Areas of Improvement: We have an excessive amount of crimes against children in Weld and Colorado, so we must hold those criminals accountable. We also see an uptick in violence, it’s hit concerning levels.

Other: Our diversion program is among the best in the nation. For adults and juveniles, we identify people who would benefit from the program, who shouldn’t be entrenched in the court system, and the program has been wildly successful with a 97 percent success rate over the last 15 years.

Michael Welch:

 

Attended University of Texas. Studied chemical engineering, worked in oil fields in N.M., and moved to Colorado to work in Weld. I fell in love with the people here, but they deserve a better government; another perspective would be beneficial.”

Police Reform: Increased funding allows us to hire better qualified officers, implement effective training programs, improve conflict resolution skills, and pay higher wages. Also increase dept. diversity and improve jail conditions.

Healthcare: Financial support to obtain advanced medical resources and equipment. I support the COVID advice of experts regarding mask wearing, social distancing, and testing protocols.

Economy: Maintain a safe environment to encourage shopping, increase business profitability. Investing in infrastructure to help attract businesses to generate jobs, revenue for communities.

Housing: I’d lobby the state to enact mortgage forgiveness. The challenges are going to continue into the foreseeable future. We need to assist them through the crisis.

Environment: The state EPA needs to be trusted, they’re experts in their field, and so we should strictly enforce their guidelines for environmental protection and resource sustainability.”

Other: I will listen to my district, have their best interests, and maximize use of tax money by allocating in ways that address their economic, health, and environmental needs.

CU REGENT

 

Callie Rennison:

 

20+ years as a criminologist working to solve problems and support those around her.

Police Reform: I’m for reimagining the police to where they’re more focused on protecting and serving.

Healthcare: I would love to see a Medicare-for-all type universal health care. I’d like to see it pulled out of work places.

Economy: I understand how hard it is for businesses. But we’ve got to get this [pandemic] behind us.

Housing: Tuition is very expensive and then housing on top of it, I’d love to ultimately see tuition be free.

Environment: We have amazing climate scientists or environmental scientists working on [climate change]. I think getting more funding to the people to do their work is critical.

Other: The Denver campus is slated to become an Hispanic serving institution in January, which is great news, but I think that we can even still do better there.

 

 

Kyle Brown:

 

Running unopposed.

 

SUPERIOR TRUSTEE

3 open seats. 2 endorsements.

 

 

Kevin Ryan:

 

A long time resident of Superior, Ryan is an active community member and has been on the Board since 2016.

Police Reform: At the national level, I do support some elements of police reform. I would love to see some of those dollars reallocated within a police department more for training and resources.

Healthcare: I support a regional approach.

Economy: We need to remind our neighbors to shop local. I’m grateful for the CARES Act.

Housing: Unfortunately, communities like Superior are no longer attainable. We have to have an affordable housing approach.

Environment: Global warming is real. I’m supportive of additional air quality monitoring.

Other: Bringing in the commercial core into Downtown Superior. To make sure that Main Street is delivered with the commercial property that was promised.

 

Tim Howard:

 

Running to protect the health and safety of family and residents of Superior.

Police Funding: It’s about allocating funding and resources. And we limit what police are required.

Health: I fully support the idea of universal healthcare. I do believe that the implementation of a public option with the Medicare/Medicaid programs would facilitate an eventual transition to a single payer system.

Economy: They enacted a grant program very quickly, which was excellent. We need to… expand it.

Housing: The eviction and mortgage foreclosure moratorium should be extended and the current solution, which is just to accumulate those amounts after the election is no solution at all.

Environment: There’s no reason that Superior shouldn’t be driving to 100% renewable energy by 2025.

Other: A requirement on any new development to have 15 to 20% of the units set aside for attainable homes.

 

Paige Hetchen:

 

Lived in Superior since 2016. 2 kids. Business background. Wants to invest in the community and make it a great place to live.

Police Reform: It’s clear we need to do something. Supported SB217. Support programs like [STAR] for appropriate response. Spoke out against officer Smyly being rehired by BOCO Sheriffs.

Healthcare: Take the role seriously. Make sure everyone is aware of services. Use position as a platform to advocate at state.

Economy: Support ongoing efforts in town (trustees did a good job, responded quickly). Expand programs. Hire full time Econ. Dev. person, whose duties include support to current businesses.

Housing: Disappointed in Polis not offering an eviction moratorium – compounds public health crisis. More local investors and developers. Subdividing parcels for attainability.

Environment: Climate, air quality, and water. Banning O&G. Restricting or banning natural gas in new building construction. Moving to elec. vehicles.

Other: Affordable/attainable housing -> diversity & inclusion. No current plan. Many ideas. A vision to have homes for everyone that works here.

 

Mark Lacis:

 

He currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem and was elected to the Town Board in 2016. Previously, he served on the Town’s Planning Commission.

Police Reform: We need to have trust. We need to reform policing as a whole, and actually serve and protect the community. (No policies offered.)

Healthcare: Everybody should be entitled to healthcare, as a right. I support the ACA. We listen to the scientists and data gathered by CDPH and BCPH.

Economy: We have done two rounds of grants, over $300K. Strong proponent of doing everything we can. Some businesses have failed. Keep property taxes low.

Housing: In favor of [town’s] first ever affordable housing ordinance, redeveloping Superior marketplace to include a substantial residential housing component – a great infill project.

Environment: Existential crisis of our generation. Passed tough O&G regulations, strict setbacks. Testified at the Capitol in favor of SB181. Banned Glyphosate as a known carcinogen. Piloted program to bring goats to mow open space. Wants town to be powered by 100% renewables by 2022. Recruit environmentally friendly contractors to build Superior.

Other: Development of downtown. Diversify sales tax base. Improve quality of life. Address local airport noise.

 

Gladys Forshee: 

 

Did not return requests for interview.

 

Sonya Jaquez Lewis:

 

Pharmacist, Educator and first Latina/LGBTQ legislator from Boulder County. Sonya has passed laws for Environment, HealthCare access, Childcare and Business Relief.

Police: I’m very proud to have been a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 217 which is the leading national legislation passed to date on police accountability and reform here in Colorado.

Healthcare: I happen to be the sponsor of the prescription drug importation bill.

Economy: We cannot fix our economy until we do something about the pandemic.

Housing: The governor and the Legislature took quick action and we passed some eviction protections. This is going to be a matter of funding.

Environment: We have to increase the use of solar and electric.

Other: We have to save our education funding by defeating [proposition 116 and 117].

 

Matt Menza:

 

The state needs real leadership.

Police Reform: Programs for mental health response to keep people having a temporary mental health issue from being shot or killed.

Healthcare: Big advocate on mental health access…to every corner of the state.

Economy: Take restrictions off and allow them to have more autonomy. The Gallagher Amendment repeal will … open up pandora’s box for taxation. We need to be business friendly.

Housing: We all have an obligation to pay our bills. There are some grants and some loans that people can get.

Environment: You can’t demonize O&G. Renewables don’t provide enough energy to meet our energy needs. We need to focus on the energy grid…we lose a third of energy from power plant to homes. Need to look at superconductivity, fusion…

Other: Unintelligible.

 

 

CO STATE SENATE D18

 

Steve Fenberg:

 

Believes politics is about improving people’s lives and the world we live in. It’s why he’s dedicated his life to fighting for public interest.

Police Reform: I definitely support police reform.” “Including the use of tear gas and pepper spray, but also enforcing the use of body cams.

Healthcare: If you get a surgery and it doesn’t work, then maybe you shouldn’t have to pay for it.

Economy: Rethink on how we invest in public infrastructure and public systems.

Housing: We need to do more to protect renters and make sure that everyone has a roof over their heads.

Environment: I support a path towards 100% renewables as fast possible. I think that means shutting down coal plants earlier.

Other: Make sure we are vigilant … and continue to improve our election system.

 

Peg Cage:

 

Did not return request for interview.

 

Edie Hooten:

 

Since being elected in 2016 to the same position, focused on reproductive rights, access to quality education, and voter participation.

Police Reform: I follow the lead of the black and brown caucus members on police reform.

Healthcare: Health care is a human right and it should not be portioned out based on an ability to pay.

Economy: Citizens who are willing to cooperate, wear their masks, and lower the transmission rate, support local business.

Housing: We can afford to support landlords in keeping them whole on their mortgage obligations and assisting them in keeping renters housed.

Environment: Get ourselves off of fossil fuels, we have to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And it has to be dramatic.

Other: Keeping people housed is absolutely critical, finding housing for those unhoused… has to be on the forefront of our policy decisions.

Mark Milliman:

 

Worked in energy and telecommunications for 20 years. Global travelling experience broadened my mind. Colorado is not handling the virus correctly and we need non-political discussions to beat the pandemic and avoid mental health issues.

Police Reform: Abusive force from officers is wrong. Fix it with better training and no-knock warrant reforms. Unfortunate to label all law enforcement professionals as bad. I’m fully supportive of law enforcement.

Healthcare: Our healthcare system is a mess. We must make the process more efficient for doctors and more affordable for patients.

Economy: We need to just allow schools and businesses to reopen, enable restaurants to reopen at full capacity, and remove the regulations that increase costs and limit profits.

Housing: We can’t give rent or mortgage forgiveness because the owners of the properties  have to pay their bills too. But if people lost their jobs they should not be evicted.

Environment: The jury is still out on man-made climate change. We should find cleaner energy sources, solar and wind cannot accommodate our needs; nuclear energy is more effective.

Other: We need to give parents options that can keep their children safe and expand broadband services throughout both urban or rural areas.

 

Karen McCormick:

 

I grew up in a military family because my Dad was in the Navy, and so the concept of service to the country was always in my DNA. I want to bring my scientific values, problem-solving skills, and compassionate attitude to the Statehouse.”

Police Reform: “We should direct resources to areas where we would be helping the police. Partnering with mental health professionals would help.

Healthcare: Protocols that accommodate scientific data to help manage the pandemic and maintain public safety. Improve the healthcare system by making insurance more accessible, treatment more affordable, and by offering preventive checkups.

Economy: Federal stimulus packages would help small companies. In Colorado, robust test and trace programs would provide safe environments for consumers, progressive tax structures would allocate more resources for communities.

Housing: Bridge programs to assist the renters and landlords. Support affordable housing thresholds, such as the 12 percent goal in Boulder.

Environment: Responsibility to protect the planet, technology to do so. Community solar gardens, electrification projects, utilize geothermal and battery storage, implement carbon sequestration.

Other: I’ll be accessible and available to all my constituents. I’m also passionate about being able to represent the Latinx. 20 percent of my district is Latinx.

 

Tracey Bernett:

 

Change happens at the grassroots level. Personal reasons: wants to address the climate/air, work on healthcare costs.

Police Reform: Supports BLM, supports programs to send non-police responders. Not defunding the police, spending it wisely.

Healthcare: Supports the public option. Shift to more preventative care. Increase telemedicine. Health & safety come first. Rapid/at home testing.

Economy: Entrepreneur, understands issues. More stimulus money, CARES act, get rid of TABOR, supports Fair Tax Colorado.

Housing: Value: evicting people isn’t right, will add to the crisis, treat people with compassion.

Environment: We need to do a lot more: address energy efficiency, 100% renewables, modernize grid, electrify public/private transportation and buildings, carbon sequestration, community solar. Bring everyone along, not just people who can afford Teslas, including O&G workers

Other: Education and Equity. More funding for education (kill TABOR).

 

Eric Davila:

 

Proud Chicano Coloradan transplant from East L.A. Moved to Boulder in 2002 and living in Louisville for the last thirteen years. Fiscally conservative, socially liberal.

Police Reform: I believe every station has room for reform and for improvement. I do not support the violence against the police. I do not support the organization called Black Lives Matter.

Healthcare: Upfront pricing for medical procedures. As far as forced reform of government funded single payer health care. I’m not for that.

Economics: We are smart enough to make our own decisions for ourselves. It’s the government’s role to advise us.

Housing: We need to maintain the housing for those people have been displaced…on a temporary basis so long as that there’s a venue or avenue for them to find employment.

Environment: The lack of forest management and adequate forest management because of unintended consequences from well meaning legislation.

Other: I would like to stop the Californication of Colorado.

Judith Amabile:

 

Boulder resident since 1975. Founded and ran a water bottle company for 25 years. Formed Good Business CO to advocate for economic policies that are good for workers.

Police Reform: More money for mental health support. Less for police and CJ system. Racial justice is an economic issue.

Healthcare: Paid family leave. Decouple employment from health insurance. Expand service delivery to rural areas.

Economy: No economic recovery w/o health, so curb the spread. Support businesses however we can. Make sure people don’t lose housing.

Housing: Protect people. Subsidize rents. Extend mortgages. Relax occupancy limits (Polis).

Environment: Need a path to renewable energy. We have to get off fossil fuels…in a just transition. Convert buildings and vehicles to electricity. Defend ourselves, build resiliency. Address fires and drought. Stop taking water.

Other: Getting through COVID. Access to mental healthcare. Homelessness.

 

Kevin Sipple:

 

I will continue to work to improve Colorado. I support the environment, police, education, fiscal responsibility, life, freedom, and the American Way.

Police reform: I am a strong supporter of the police. The city of Boulder Police are pretty good, and I know there’s some controversies that pop up now and then.

Health: I do support the efforts of the various health departments. We basically just told them [China] how to beat America. It’s time for us to open the economy back up and open schools.

Economy: Grass roots efforts to support businesses.

Housing: If someone’s stopping paying rent, and you totally exclude a landlord from getting rid of that person. The landlord isn’t going to be able to pay his mortgage.

Environment: California has made some major mistakes. Roughly 20 years ago, they stopped maintaining the forests and stopped prescribed burns and logging.

OTHER: This gross reservoir expansion is supposed to take all this water out of the Frazer river…and there isn’t enough water. The Colorado River is over-subscribed.

 

 

 

Geneiveve Schneider:

Past Dacono City Council member, and part of the planning commision and Police Advisory Board, Schneider supports reproductive rights, workers rights and protections, and education.

Police Reform: Let’s make the police deal with crime and criminals and then have social programs for the things that they shouldn’t be involved in.

Health: We need to make these accessible. We need to make them either low cost or free.”

Economy: We can’t expect small businesses to stay open if individuals have no finances to support them.

Housing: Chase Manhattan losing money on a mortgage is not gonna bring down the economy.

Environment: We need to move away from fossil fuels.

Other: I want to protect reproductive rights and women’s rights. I want to end the school to prison pipeline.

 

 

 

Joe Johnson:

 

 

Did not return request for interview.

 

JUDICIAL RETENTION

 

 

CO SUPREME COURT:

Justice Melissa Hart:

 

Recommend for retention

 

 

Justice Carlos A. Samour jr:

 

Neutral on retention

 

CO COURT OF APPEALS:

 

Judge Craig R. Welling:

 

Neutral on retention

 

 

Judge Ted C. Tow III:

 

Recommend for retention

 

20TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

 

Judge Judith L. LaBuda:

 

Neutral on retention

 

Judge Patrick Butler:

 

Do not recommend retention, with prejudice

 

 

Judge Ingrid Seftar Bakke:

 

Recommend for retention

 

 

Judge Andrew Ross Macdonald:

 

Recommend for retention

 

 

Judge Nancy Woodruff Salomone:

 

Recommend for retention

 

CHIEF DISTRICT  COURT JUDGE: 20th

 

Chief Judge Bakke:

 

Recommend retention

 

 

BOULDER COUNTY COURT

Judge Jonathon P. Martin:

 

Neutral on retention

 

PROPOSITIONS, BALLOT MEASURES, AND QUESTIONS

 

 

Amendment B:

 

Gallagher Amendment Repeal and Property Tax Assessment Rates Measure

A “yes” vote supports repealing the Gallagher Amendment, which set residential and non-residential property tax assessment rates in the state constitution. We find tax policy should respond to the era, not be stuck in a constitution. It allows the legislature to freeze property tax assessment rates at the current rates (7.15% for residential property and 29% for non-residential property) and more, while continuing to require voter approval for rate increases due to TABOR. We want to toss out TABOR as well. For now, this will do.

 

YES on B

 

Amendment C:

 

Charitable Bingo and Raffles Amendment

Currently, charitable organizations must exist for five (5) years before obtaining a charitable gaming license. Amendment C would lower the charitable organization’s need to exist before obtaining a gambling license to three (3) years. It would also allow these organizations to hire managers and operators so long as they are not paid more than minimum wage rather than having unpaid volunteers. Has largely bipartisan support and sponsored by two republicans and two democrats. We’re not opposed to gambling, but we do appreciate robust regulation. We are neutral on this proposition.

 

NEUTRAL on Amendment C

 

Amendment 76:

 

Non-citizens voting

Non-citizens are not allowed to vote in any election, anywhere in the United States. The point of this amendment is unclear, except to codify a racist, nativist, nationalist attitude into Colorado law. A “no” vote opposes amending the Colorado Constitution, instead maintaining the current language that says “every citizen” of the U.S. who is 18 years of age or older can vote in Colorado. For these reasons, and to avoid providing a foothold for xenophobic policy to build on, we emphatically suggest a No vote on Amendment 76.

 

NO on 76

 

Amendment 77:

 

Gambling – Central City, Black Hawk , Expanded Gaming Types and Bet Limits

This would allow the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other games and increase a maximum single bet to any amount. Voters of the individual cities would also be able to allow gaming tax revenue to be used to support services to improve student retention and credential completion by students enrolled in community colleges.

 

YES on 77

 

Proposition EE:

 

Nicotine tax

With the goal of raising tax money for schools, housing development, and to maintain as reserve, and to discourage the consumption of a dangerous, deadly carcinogen product, we find no reason to be against this proposition. A “yes” vote supports creating a tax on nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, increasing cigarette and tobacco taxes, and dedicating revenues to various health and education programs. While we would prefer more clarity around the “initially” language, with an understanding of future tax use, we do still recommend a YES vote.

 

YES on Proposition EE

 

Proposition 113:

 

Colorado National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum

The Colorado National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum would affirm the Colorado General Assembly’s passage of Senate Bill 19-042, which entered Colorado into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to ensure Colorado’s Electoral College votes are awarded to the winner of the nationwide popular vote in presidential elections. The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would not take effect until an Electoral College majority of states joins. As of August 2020, 14 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation that would trigger the compact in the event 270 Electoral College votes are achieved. We firmly believe the national popular vote winner should be president; one person, one vote.

 

YES on 113

 

Proposition 114:

 

Restoration of Gray Wolves

The Colorado Gray Wolf Reintroduction Initiative directs the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to reintroduce and manage the population of gray wolves in specific areas of the state by the end of 2023. There is no reason to deny an ancient species access to its homelands and we are fully committed to biodiversity. A “yes” vote is a howl for wolves.

 

YES on 114

 

Proposition 115:

 

22-week Abortion Ban Initiative

Prop 115 would make it a Class 1 Misdemeanor to perform or attempt to perform an abortion on a fetus deemed older than 22 weeks. Because we support abortion and women’s bodily autonomy, and we understand that these procedures are rare, and doctors should not be penalized for doing their jobs, and legislation on which to build further restrictions on women’s bodies are a no go. A “no” vote defeats this anti-women legislation.

 

NO on 115

 

Proposition 116:

 

Decrease Income Tax Rate from 4.63% to 4.55% Initiative

In a Colorado with complicated strangleholds of tax policy choking off needed revenue for the state and local municipalities, a proposition to reduce the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55% makes little sense, while costing big bucks. We are against this for all the reasons that people who like to live in a well educated, well funded, safe, healthy state would be against it. A “no” vote tells the state we want to live in a great state, that’s well funded.

 

NO on 116

 

Proposition 117:

 

Enterprise Fees

We cannot in good conscience, or with a basic understanding of the serious necessity of states to be able to raise taxes to support state needs, support the expansion or broadening of TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, which is less a bill of rights than well coordinated anti-state propaganda. This proposition seeks to impose more limits on the state’s functioning where it sees an opportunity to do so. A “no” vote opposes requiring statewide voter approval of new state enterprises.

 

NO on Proposition 117

 

Proposition 118:

 

Healthcare Paid Medical and Family Leave

Paid family and medical leave has always been a critical staple of modern societies (excluding the US), and is even more so in the pandemic world. It would require job protection for and prohibit retaliation against an employee who takes leave. Because we believe that Colorado can and should be better, and do more to protect the health and life of fellow Coloradans, a “yes” vote is a vote for paid family and medical leave.

 

YES on Proposition 118

 

BOULDER BALLOT MEASURES

 

2B: No Evictions without Representation | YES on 2B

 

2C: Public Service Company Franchise: Xcel monopoly of heat provision for 20 years |   NO on 2C

 

2D: Utility Occupation Tax extension  | YES on 2D

 

2E: Direct Election of the Mayor via Ranked Choice Voting |  YES on 2E

 

2F: Charter Amendment Related to the Boulder Arts Commission, changes board to seven members, staggers terms   |  YES on 2F

 

 

LONGMONT SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT QUESTION

 

Question 3C: Water system improvement tax  |  YES on 3C

 

Question 3D: Extend city leases from 20 to 30 years  |  YES on 3D

 

 

LOUISVILLE BALLOT QUESTIONS

 

Question 2A: Disposable Bags tax  |  NEUTRAL on Louisville 2A

 

 

St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District

 

Ballot Issue 7A: Mill Levy Increase  |  YES on 7A

 

 

Sunshine Fire Protection District

 

Ballot Issue 6A: Fire District Funding if Gallagher repeal passes  | YES on 6A

 

 

Baseline Water District Ballot

 

Issue 6B: Removes Term Limits for Board Members  |  Yes on Issue 6B

 

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Local Votes, Local Change

 

Many have said that this is the biggest election of our lifetime. I used the same refrain last year, and in the years before, as the inner machinations of the democratic party revealed themselves and the Republican party was swallowed up by Trumpian fascism. The truth is, every election matters and, by default, especially in a failing democracy like ours, that means they don’t matter as much as we want them to; especially not at the highest levels. We currently have a choice between two presidents (though you can definitely vote Third Party), neither of whom is a favorite of the majority of the American people.

Please vote for a president. We do believe Trump needs to go, even if we don’t think Biden is a stellar replacement. Instead, here in this guide, we focus on where we can have real impact, where we can make change, where we can see the best and brightest of our neighbors and community members elected to office. At the local level we see people who know the streets, understand the waterways, work on the campuses, show up at the protests, and speak up at the community meetings. We know their histories of involvement. With that knowledge, with those aims, we thought long and hard, investigated, interrogated, and internally debated the merits of the argument and qualifications of the candidates.

These are our determinations. Use them as you will. As for us, in the Big Red House in Erie Village working hard to put out your monthly Yellow Scene and this annual Election Guide, we’re voting to create the Boulder County and the state of Colorado that we hope to see, that we want to live in. Vote like your life depends on it because, in an America that doesn’t actually want a lot of us to vote, you’re voting for more than just yourself.

 

Yours in the Struggle,

 

De La Vaca

Managing Editor, Yellow Scene