2026 General Election Candidate Endorsements

CD-8 includes many LGBTQ+ people raising families in suburban and working-class communities. How would you ensure federal policy improves the lives of all your constituents, and not just partisan or polarizing talking points?

CD-8's diversity is our strength. Growing up with my immigrant mother, I learned that families—in all their forms—deserve dignity and opportunity. I'll focus on kitchen-table issues: affordable healthcare, good jobs, and quality education. LGBTQ+ families face the same challenges. I'll fight for policies grounded in evidence, not right-wing distractions, ensuring federal programs serve everyone equitably, and I’ll draw on my experience passing dozens of Colorado laws, many with bipartisan support, to get it done.

CD-8 includes rapidly growing school systems, community colleges, and workforce training pipelines. What role should the federal government play in protecting LGBTQ+ students, families, and educators from discrimination, censorship, forced outing, and politically motivated targeting, especially in federally funded settings?

Our schools should be safe spaces for learning, not battlegrounds. I support enforcing Title IX protections, opposing policies that endanger students and their privacy, and ensuring federally funded institutions cannot discriminate. Book bans and censorship harm all students. As someone who worked multiple jobs to put myself through high school and college, I know how critical supportive environments are. I'll push for stronger federal guidance protecting LGBTQ+ students, families, and educators from harassment and politically motivated attacks.

The federal administration has used executive orders and actions to threaten federal funding and insurance coverage. The aim is to restrict access to evidence-based gender-affirming care, including for minors. How would you ensure access to care and support protections for providers and families in a way that has a meaningful impact?

Healthcare decisions belong to families, patients, and doctors—not politicians. I’m the only candidate in this race who voted for HB 1309 to protect gender-affirming care in Colorado. I'll continue to oppose efforts to restrict care and fight to protect insurance coverage. This means defending Medicaid funding, challenging discriminatory executive orders in court, and supporting federal non-discrimination protections for healthcare providers. Families in CD-8 deserve access to the care their doctors recommend, period.

Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors is currently under question by the U.S. Supreme Court. Federal law does not ban this practice. Would you support a national ban, and how would you defend it against legal and political attacks, or attempts to slow down the implementation? How would you address religious exemptions within the state ban to best protect LGBTQ+ youth within constitutional boundaries?

I'd absolutely support a federal ban on conversion therapy for minors. This harmful practice has been condemned by every major medical association. The science is clear: conversion therapy causes harm. I'd work with medical and legal experts to craft constitutionally sound federal legislation that protects youth while respecting First Amendment principles for religious counseling that doesn't involve coercive practices.

Federal agencies, courts, and Congress shape the lives of all Americans through rules, guidance, enforcement, and grants. How would you ensure federal policy affecting LGBTQ+ people is grounded in evidence-based medical and social sciences?

Federal policy must follow peer-reviewed, evidence-based science, not ideology. I'd advocate for robust consultation with medical associations, social science researchers, and LGBTQ+ healthcare organizations when crafting rules and guidance. My background in microbiology and economics taught me the importance of evidence-based policymaking, and I believe Congress needs more members with that experience. I'll demand the same rigor for policies affecting LGBTQ+ Americans.

How would you respond to religious exemption claims that seek to limit LGBTQ+ people’s access to federally funded services or public programs?

Religious freedom is fundamental, but it cannot justify discrimination in publicly funded programs. I'd oppose overly broad religious exemptions that deny LGBTQ+ people access to essential services like foster care, adoption, healthcare, or housing. We can respect religious beliefs while ensuring taxpayer-funded programs serve everyone. I'll scrutinize exemption proposals to prevent them from becoming licenses to discriminate.

If you are elected to represent CD-8, how would you meaningfully engage with LGBTQ+ communities and community-based organizations across the district to shape your priorities and votes in Congress?

Representation means listening. I'd establish regular roundtables with organizations like Rocky Mountain Equality, meet with families facing discrimination, and maintain open communication channels. My office would actively seek input on legislation affecting the community before votes, just as we do in the State House. Having worked with diverse communities in Adams County, I understand that good policy requires hearing directly from those most impacted. Your voices will shape my priorities.

If elected Colorado’s Governor, how would you use the powers of your office, including your budget authority, appointments, executive orders, legislative agenda, and public leadership, to protect and expand nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender Coloradans? Please identify at least two specific tools and explain how you would use each.

As Governor, I will expect and demand that all government agencies and state employees treat members of the public with the respect, sensitivity, and inclusivity that everyone deserves. To do that, I will ensure that all state agencies and services have proper procedures and training in place to ensure that every Coloradan is treated with dignity and respect, and has proper training on how to do so. This includes ensuring that state employees receive training focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which I have long advocated is essential in high-functioning organizations.

I will also ensure that the Colorado Civil Rights Division has appropriate resources and systems to effectively enforce the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, so that any Coloradan who experiences discrimination when seeking covered services can report such instances for investigation and remediation.

Additionally, I will continue to support the passage and enforcement of state laws and policies that help LGBTQ+ individuals live as their true authentic selves, such as Colorado’s simplified processes for legal name changes and gender marker corrections on identity documents and birth certificates.

Finally, I will support employee affinity groups, in state agencies and across state government, which can promote a greater sense of belonging within institutions and can make the overall environment more inclusive, which we have embraced at the Attorney General’s Office. And I will appoint state agency leaders with a diverse array of life experiences and backgrounds, who honor and respect the principle that all people be allowed to live as their best authentic selves.

Colorado is considered a safe state, by many across the country, for gender affirming and reproductive healthcare. As Governor, how would you use your authority over state agencies, your budget and appointments, and your legislative and executive powers to protect patients, families, and providers in Colorado from hostile laws, investigations, or subpoenas from local municipalities, other states, and the federal government?

I am proud of Colorado’s protections for gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare and, as Governor, I will continue to protect patients, families, and providers, as I have done as AG.

As AG, I:

- Strongly supported passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act and Amendment 79

- Defended our reproductive rights laws in court when opponents tried to overturn them time and again. Following the Dobbs decision, Colorado’s protections for reproductive care are more important than ever.

- Fought back and threatened to go to court when anti-choice, out-of-state advocates tried to get the City of Pueblo to ban abortion facilities.

- Defended access to gender-affirming care amidst federal attacks, including making Colorado one of the first states to challenge their attempts to limit this care.

- Brought a lawsuit to block an unlawful declaration by HHS that threatens providers and attempts to restrict access to gender-affirming care for young people.

- Joined a coalition of attorneys general to oppose the Trump Administration’s attempt to access confidential medical records related to gender-affirming care at Boston Children’s Hospital.

As Governor, I will always fight to protect access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. That includes:

- fending off attacks by the Trump Administration to defund Colorado or cut off Medicaid to pressure Colorado hospitals to stop offering gender-affirming care;

- ensuring state actors comply with Colorado’s protections for this critical care;

- supporting any and all legislation brought forward to ensure continued access to reproductive care and gender-affirming care;

- protecting Medicaid reimbursability for such critical care;

appointing leaders to critical health and human services state agencies like HCPF, CDPHE, and DHS that will defend access to reproductive care and gender-affirming care; and

- standing up and loudly calling out any and all efforts to demonize this care and the patients who rely on it

LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender people and LGBTQ+ people of color, often face discrimination when interacting with government agencies and services including the DMV, social services, medical systems, and the criminal justice system. As Governor, what actions would you take to ensure that public services and institutions in Colorado are safe, affirming, and accessible for LGBTQ+ people? Please be specific about policies, appointments, oversight structures, and accountability measures you would prioritize.

As Governor, I will expect and demand that all government agencies and state employees treat members of the public with the respect, sensitivity, and inclusivity that everyone deserves. To do that, I will ensure that all state agencies and services have proper procedures and training in place to ensure that every Coloradan is treated with dignity and respect, and has proper training on how to do so. This includes ensuring that state employees receive training focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which I have long advocated is essential in high-functioning organizations.

I will also ensure that the Colorado Civil Rights Division has appropriate resources and systems to effectively enforce the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, so that any Coloradan who experiences discrimination when seeking covered services can report such instances for investigation and remediation.

Additionally, I will continue to support the passage and enforcement of state laws and policies that help LGBTQ+ individuals live as their true authentic selves, such as Colorado’s simplified processes for legal name changes and gender marker corrections on identity documents and birth certificates.

Finally, I will support employee affinity groups, in state agencies and across state government, which can promote a greater sense of belonging within institutions and can make the overall environment more inclusive, which we have embraced at the Attorney General’s Office. And I will appoint state agency leaders with a diverse array of life experiences and backgrounds, who honor and respect the principle that all people be allowed to live as their best authentic selves.

LGBTQ+ communities are deeply impacted by immigration enforcement, housing instability, income disparities, and reproductive injustice, especially LGBTQ+ people of color, immigrants, and youth. As Governor, how would you integrate an intersectional approach into your administration so that your policy agenda, budget, and appointment decisions reflect the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people at these intersections?

As AG, I have developed a deep understanding of how certain communities are disproportionately impacted by challenges facing the state, including housing instability and income disparity, and how these challenges and identities are interrelated. A chief way I did this was by listening to LGBTQ+ leaders, partners, and stakeholder organizations for their guidance on their community’s needs and how best to support them.

At our office’s Teaming Up for Youth Conference earlier this year, I emphasized how we are seeing deep inequities in the youth mental health crisis and who has access to care. I discussed how LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience mental health challenges and less likely to receive the support they need, and how these disparities are even greater for groups such as Black and African American LGBTQ+ youth. We’ve also awarded millions in grants to nonprofits that provide youth mental health services, including The Center on Colfax and The PLACE in Colorado Springs to support LGBTQ+ youth.

Understanding how issues overlap with different identities and communities is essential. This mindset will be core to my approach as Governor as I develop policies. To ensure this approach is integrated into my administration, we will reference and rely on high-quality data that captures these nuances, and we will also engage in dialogue with impacted communities and stakeholders before implementing policies. Community engagement and a regular dialogue with LGBTQ+ organizations has been essential to my approach as AG, and I will continue to do that as Governor. I will ensure that our state agencies and administration leaders have a diverse array of experiences and backgrounds to ensure that the state can benefit from their unique perspectives as we develop policy solutions, and that LGBTQ+ leaders always have a seat at the table.

Government collection and sharing of data can put LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and people seeking abortions and gender affirming care, especially when states or the federal government use that data for surveillance, criminalization, or targeting. As Governor, how would you work with local municipalities and state agencies to prevent the sharing of private data with other states and the federal government unless legally required to do so? If the legality of the data request is in question or violates Colorado state law or values, how will you handle those requests?

As Attorney General, I strongly support state laws that protect the personal information of Coloradans held by the government and prohibit its use for immigration enforcement and similar purposes.

As Governor, I will demand and expect that state agencies and local governments comply with these laws, including by remaining in regular communication with state and local leaders and ensuring that proper accountability and compliance systems are in place for the stewardship of Coloradans’ data.

I will not comply with and will always resist data requests by the federal government or other parties that violate Colorado law, and I will challenge any such unlawful requests in court as I have done as Attorney General. For example, I joined a coalition of states in a lawsuit to block mass transfer of Medicaid enrollee data to ICE, emphasizing that this data should be shared only in narrow circumstances that benefit public health and the integrity of the Medicaid program, and that there is no reason to share this sensitive data with immigration or law enforcement agencies.

These protections are critical to protect Coloradans’ sensitive personal information, build public trust, and ensure that no one is deterred from or fears seeking important resources and services from state and local governments. They also ensure that Colorado’s resources are dedicated to state and local matters, and that they may not be commandeered by the federal government for purposes like immigration enforcement and targeting those who seek reproductive healthcare.

If you are elected Governor, how will you engage with LGBTQ+ communities and community-based organizations across Colorado to shape your priorities, appointments, budget, and policy agenda? Please be specific about how you will ensure this engagement is ongoing, accessible across regions, and meaningfully influences your administration’s decisions.

As AG, I have developed close relationships with LGBTQ+ communities and organizations across the state, and I will continue to prioritize and foster those relationships as Governor.

Community engagement has always been essential to my approach as AG, and I regularly travel across all 64 counties in the state to ensure that I am working for and hearing from all Coloradans—­­­­­­­not just those on the front range.­­ As I have done as AG, I will always consult with and hear from impacted communities and stakeholders as part of developing policies for the state. I will also ensure that state boards and commissions hold meetings and hear public input beyond the Denver metro area, in regions throughout the state so that they are accessible to all communities and not just those who live within a short drive of the State Capitol.

As Governor, I will regularly interact with, consult with, and actively seek policy guidance from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and leaders. This includes regularly scheduled check-ins, ongoing dialogues, and always being responsive when LGBTQ+ organizations like RMEQ contact me, my staff, and my Administration. I will be as personally available and ready to dialogue as I have been as AG. I will seek guidance from and regularly consult with groups like RMEQ and other LGBTQ+ advocates on board and commission appointments and identify other ways that LGBTQ+ Coloradans can always have representation and a voice in state government decisions.

Finally, I will collaborate directly with community partners, just as I have as AG. In 2019, after seeing an increase in hate crimes, I joined with community partners and law enforcement organizations to form a public/private partnership to train law enforcement, improve reporting, and provide resources to frequently targeted groups.

Colorado’s budget is constrained by TABOR’s revenue limits and recurring projected General Fund shortfalls. As Governor, how will you use your budget authority, appointments, legislative agenda, and public leadership to balance the budget and reduce the structural deficit over time while still protecting and advancing the core governments and critical public services? Please identify at least two specific budget tools you would use (for example: a voter referral related to TABOR limits/refunds; reforming or sunset-reviewing tax expenditures; restructuring fees/enterprises; targeted cost containment in Medicaid/education; improving forecasting and reserve policy).

I believe many provisions of TABOR have knotted our state budget, and prevented investments during good fiscal years while forcing devastating cuts in leaner years. That’s unacceptable and not how state government should work to support people.

To address our budget challenges, I will:

- Reform TABOR. I will lead and convene a bottom-up dialogue on the most consequential and harmful parts of TABOR with the intent on bringing forth a reform measure, including the spending cap that prevents investments in good years and forces cuts in bad years. By engaging voters, we can identify the best possible changes for our future and build support for what the voters are most likely to accept. Unlike top-down approaches, this strategy will better position us for success at the ballot box.

- Identify and Remove Tax Expenditures That Strangle Our Ability to Support Health and Education. The more our budget goes to benefit special interests through tax credits and deductions—often put in place not for sound budgetary policy, but based on lobbying at the Capitol—the more it removes critical dollars for core functions like supporting schools and healthcare. I’ll go line-by-line through our budget to find what expenditures aren’t filling critical priorities, so we can get more dollars to our most pressing needs.

- Ensuring Government Operates Efficiently. I will ensure fiscal responsibility to get the best value for every taxpayer dollar, including by updating and streamlining procurement processes that leverage competitive bidding. I will direct state agencies to identify under-utilized programs and services and programs that are not delivering results. With the charge to repurpose existing resources, a Program Evaluation and Responsiveness Team in the Governor’s Office will review state programs, offices, and services for effectiveness. We will drive for smarter investments of taxpayer dollars by repurposing funds to Coloradans’ most pressing needs.

If elected Colorado’s Attorney General, how would you use the legal and enforcement powers of your office to protect and expand nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, including transgender and nonbinary Coloradans? Please identify at least two specific tools (such as pattern or practice litigation, rulemaking, enforcement priorities, amicus briefs, or multistate actions) and explain how you would use each.

In addition to its representation as legal counsel to various state agencies dealing with protecting the civil rights of LGBTQ+ and transgender people, such as the Colorado Civil Rights Division within the Department of Regulatory Agencies or the Colorado Office of Educational Equity within the Department of Higher Education, both of whom are clients of the Attorney General, as are all state agencies, Colorado's Attorney General is the state's legal representative in all cases involving attacks on the State's policies and laws by the Trump Administration. As Attorney General, I will continue to dedicate substantial effort toward blocking the rollback of civil rights protections being pursued across the broad gamut of federal agencies, with pursuit both individually and as part of multi-state coalitions in litigation against new rules (or revisions of old rules) or new federal actions that harm the rights of Coloradans. I would charge the smart lawyers in the AG's office with being vigilant for erosions of civil rights protections by the federal government, and to be creative in thinking of ways to combat those attacks on our neighbors and friends, whether that might be in the form of litigation against federal agencies or federal officials, or in other more practical ways that have real-world impacts, such as data privacy regulations under Colorado's state privacy law. In addition, to the extent any local or regional governments fail to comply with Colorado's robust protections of civil rights, I would use the provisions of Colorado's civil rights laws to open and pursue pattern and practice investigations and ultimately consent decrees against any jurisdiction that fails to comply with Colorado's civil rights laws.

Across the country, there are increasingly successful attempts to censor LGBTQ+ content, limit inclusive curricula, and restrict student expression in schools that are being challenged in the court system. What role do you believe the Colorado Attorney General should play in protecting inclusive education and opposing censorship in our schools, including efforts to ban books or curricula with LGBTQ+ content and to restrict LGBTQ+ students’ speech, privacy, or safety?

Colorado has enacted broad and powerful protections of librarians and educators against ill-informed censorship campaigns, and I will be energetic in upholding those protections, whether that be in the form of litigation to block illegal censorship or in rallying support for teachers and parents and students who must be free to read and learn from as many different sources of knowledge as possible. I will stand firm against efforts to close the minds of our students and our neighbors.

Colorado is considered a safe state by many across the country for gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare. As Attorney General, how would you use the powers of your office to protect patients, families, and providers in Colorado from hostile laws, investigations, or subpoenas from other states?

As Colorado Secretary of State, in my role related to the certification of out-of-state extradition warrants, I announced in 2022 that my office would not approve any extradition of a Colorado healthcare provider who was charged criminally with providing abortion services or other reproductive healthcare. And as Attorney General, it will be a fundamental precept of my administration that Colorado will be a safe haven for both healthcare providers and the people who need their services. I will ensure that Colorado blocks or fights any effort by any state, or the federal government, to prosecute anyone for providing abortion services or gender-affirming healthcare.

Immigrants and LGBTQ+ people often face discrimination and danger in law enforcement, corrections, courts, and other public systems. As Attorney General, what actions will you take to ensure that public services and institutions in Colorado are following all state laws and are not cooperating illegally with federal or other state agencies or engaging in discriminatory practices?

I support Colorado's state-law prohibitions against cooperation by state and local agencies in federal immigration enforcement activities, and I will ensure those state-law obligations are followed by all state and local agencies and officials in Colorado so that our neighbors and friends can live without fear that their local and state governments are assisting in the Trump Administration's misguided and cruel immigration policies. If that means bringing suit against a local law enforcement officer who illegally provides nonpublic information to federal agencies to assist in an immigration sweep, I will not hesitate. I will make clear to all local and regional governments that any participation by them in federal immigration activities or any type of illegal discriminatory practices will be met with swift and stern legal consequences.

LGBTQ+ communities, particularly LGBTQ+ people of color and transgender people, are deeply impacted by immigration enforcement, housing instability, income disparities, and reproductive injustice. As Attorney General, how would you integrate an intersectional approach so that the Office of the Attorney General’s civil rights, consumer protection, and enforcement priorities consider the lived experiences of all people, including LGBTQ+ people?

The Colorado Attorney General's office has hundreds of lawyers working across seven different functional sections, as well as several freestanding units under the Attorney General directly. As Attorney General, I will ensure that all of the legal professionals in all of the AG's office understand the priority of ensuring that Coloradans' civil rights are protected, whether that is in the context of protection against housing discrimination for transgender residents through enforcement of Colorado's anti-discrimination laws or enforcement against surveillance pricing against LGTBQ+ consumers who are charged higher prices based on who they are, in violation of Colorado's consumer protection laws.

Government collection and sharing of data can put LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, people seeking abortions, and other marginalized communities at risk, especially when states or the federal government use that data for surveillance, criminalization, or targeting. As Attorney General, how would you use your authority to protect the privacy and data of people in Colorado, including limiting not legally required, harmful, or unnecessary information-sharing with other state agencies, other states, and the federal government?

The Colorado Attorney General is responsible for promulgating regulations under the state's recently enacted state-law Privacy Act, with a particular focus on data privacy and non-discriminatory use of personally identifiable data. As Attorney General, I will make sure that these regulations adequately and appropriately protect Coloradans from nefarious uses of their PII. Also, I am currently being sued by Trump’s DOJ for refusing to have over private voter data, and look forward to beating them in court.

If elected Colorado’s Secretary of State, how would you use the powers of your office,  including rulemaking, oversight of county clerks, guidance to election officials, and your public leadership, to continue to ensure that voters, including LGBTQ+ people,  can safely and easily register, vote, and have their ballots counted? 

As Colorado’s Secretary of State, I would use every tool of the office—rulemaking, oversight, guidance, and public leadership—to ensure that all eligible voters, including LGBTQ+ people, can safely register, vote, and have their ballots counted. As Colorado’s first out Secretary of State, I would bring both professional expertise and lived experience to this work. I identify as queer and bi, and I understand firsthand how government systems can either affirm people’s dignity or create fear and exclusion.

Through rulemaking and guidance, I would continue to remove unnecessary barriers to participation while protecting voter privacy. LGBTQ+ people should never be afraid to register to vote out of concern that their personal information, name history, or identity could be misused or made public. I would prioritize strong privacy protections, clear limits on data disclosure, and voter-centered policies that ensure election systems respect voters’ names, identities, and lived experiences. I have already worked on administrative changes that allow trans voters to update records without being subjected to invasive or demeaning processes, and I would expand and standardize that work statewide.

Oversight of county clerks must be rooted in partnership and accountability. As someone who has run elections in one of the largest counties in Colorado, I know that consistent guidance, training, and expectations are critical. I would support clerks while holding firm against discrimination, voter intimidation, and targeted misinformation—particularly when LGBTQ+ communities are being singled out.

Finally, public leadership matters. The Secretary of State must be a visible defender of democracy. I would use the platform of the office to protect election workers, counter lies, and affirm clearly: LGBTQ+ people belong in our democracy, and their voices will be protected.

The Secretary of State plays a central role in supporting and overseeing county clerks and election officials across Colorado. How would you ensure that election policies, procedures, training, and polling place practices are welcoming of LGBTQ+ voters, including transgender people whose names, pronouns, or gender markers may not match older records or IDs? Please be specific about how you would work with county clerks and local officials to address these issues.

Ensuring that election policies and practices are welcoming to LGBTQ+ voters—especially transgender and nonbinary voters—requires clear standards, consistent training, and strong leadership from the Secretary of State.

As Secretary of State, I would begin by setting clear, statewide guidance for county clerks and election officials that affirms voters are never required to disclose their gender identity, explain name changes, or present documentation beyond what the law requires in order to register or vote. I would use rulemaking and formal guidance to reinforce that name changes or outdated records are not grounds to question a voter’s eligibility or dignity.

Training is critical. I would work directly with county clerks to ensure that election judge and staff members have access to training that includes LGBTQ+ competency, including respectful use of names and pronouns, privacy protections, and de-escalation when voters experience confusion or harassment. This training must be practical, scenario-based, and updated regularly.

I would also strengthen polling place and ballot-issue resolution practices to protect privacy. That includes guidance on how conversations about identity or documentation are handled discreetly, ensuring voters are not “outed” in public spaces, and reinforcing that any eligibility questions are resolved without stigma or unnecessary scrutiny. I would convene clerks, advocacy organizations, and community members—including LGBTQ+ groups—to regularly review policies, flag emerging issues, and share best practices.

As the only candidate who has administered elections and partnered with clerks across Colorado, I know collaboration works best when expectations are clear and support is real. I also know that the majority of Clerks come from a conservative background and that this work won’t be easy.

Finally, accountability matters. When policies are ignored or voters are mistreated, the Secretary of State must act swiftly to protect voters’ rights. Inclusive elections are not a courtesy, they are a legal and moral obligation.

The Secretary of State oversees management and security of sensitive voter registration data, campaign finance disclosures, and other public records. Government collection, publication, and sharing of data can put LGBTQ+ people, survivors of violence, immigrants, and other marginalized communities at risk. As Secretary of State, how would you balance transparency with safety and privacy, including for people who may be outed, targeted, or harmed if certain information is easily accessible? Please describe any changes you would pursue related to voter file access, address confidentiality, or other data policies.

As Secretary of State, I would treat privacy and safety as core components of election and records integrity—because transparency should never come at the cost of putting people in danger. The goal is a system where the public can hold government accountable without making it easy to target LGBTQ+ people, survivors of violence, immigrants, or other marginalized communities.

First, I would expand and modernize address confidentiality protections. Survivors and others at risk should not have to navigate a maze to keep their information safe. I would work to simplify enrollment in confidentiality programs, improve coordination across state systems, and ensure county clerks have clear, consistent guidance and training to process protected records accurately and quickly.

Second, I would apply a safety-first lens to public records and campaign finance systems. Where the law allows, I would pursue rules and system design choices that reduce the risk of outing, doxxing, or harassment—such as limiting unnecessary exposure of home addresses or other identifying information in high-risk situations, improving takedown and dispute processes, and building privacy-by-design features into online portals.

I would also prioritize clear public guidance so people understand what information is public, what protections exist, and how to access them without fear or confusion. Too often, lack of clarity itself becomes a barrier to participation.

Finally, transparency must be paired with leadership. As Colorado’s first out Secretary of State, I would bring lived experience to decisions about data, safety, and disclosure, and I would be clear that accountability does not require exposure. We can protect public trust while protecting people—and the Secretary of State has both the authority and responsibility to do exactly that.

The Secretary of State enforces campaign finance and disclosure laws. Anti-LGBTQ+ groups and candidates often benefit from opaque funding streams and dark money efforts. As Secretary of State, how will you use your authority, within the limits of the law, over campaign finance, disclosures, and enforcement to increase transparency and help voters understand who is funding campaigns and ballot measures?

As Secretary of State, I would use the authority of the office to ensure that campaign finance laws are enforced consistently, transparently, and without fear or favor—because voters deserve to know who is trying to influence their votes, especially when LGBTQ+ rights are on the line.

First, I would prioritize strong enforcement. The Secretary of State has the responsibility to investigate violations, impose penalties, and ensure compliance with disclosure requirements. I would direct enforcement resources toward patterns of abuse that undermine transparency, including coordination between candidates and outside groups, misuse of issue committees, and efforts to conceal the true source of funds. Enforcement must be timely and credible to deter misconduct, not years after an election has passed.

Second, I would improve how information is presented to the public. Transparency is only meaningful if people can actually understand it. I would work to modernize campaign finance systems so disclosures are searchable, user-friendly, and accessible to everyday voters—not just lawyers or insiders. Clear summaries, standardized reporting, and better public-facing tools help expose dark money tactics and make funding relationships easier to spot.

Third, within the rulemaking authority of the office, I would pursue clear guidance that closes loopholes and reduces ambiguity. When rules are vague, they are exploited. Clear expectations protect compliant campaigns and make it harder for bad actors to hide behind technicalities.

Finally, public leadership matters. The Secretary of State should be willing to name the problem of dark money and explain how it harms democracy and vulnerable communities, including LGBTQ+ people. I would use the platform of the office to educate voters, support accountability, and reinforce that transparency is not partisan—it is fundamental to fair elections and informed consent of the governed.

The Secretary of State oversees business and nonprofit filings that affect small businesses, community organizations, and nonprofits across Colorado. LGBTQ+ and other under-represented populations and their organizations often face barriers to starting and sustaining businesses and nonprofits. As Secretary of State, how will you ensure that your office’s systems, forms, customer service, and outreach are accessible, inclusive, and affirming for LGBTQ+  and other under-represented people, their businesses and organizations they lead? 

As Secretary of State, I would approach business and nonprofit services with the same equity lens I bring to elections: government systems should be easy to navigate, respectful, and designed for the people who actually use them. For LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and community organizations, accessibility and affirmation is essential.

First, I would ensure that systems and forms are inclusive by design. That means reviewing business and nonprofit filings to eliminate unnecessary gendered language, ensure name fields work for people whose legal names may differ from older records, and make sure online systems do not force users into inaccurate or exclusionary categories. Technology should reduce barriers, not create them.

Second, customer service matters. I would prioritize training for Secretary of State staff focused on cultural competency, inclusive communication, and trauma-informed service—so that LGBTQ+ people and others from under-represented communities can interact with the office without fear of being misgendered, dismissed, or treated with suspicion. Clear escalation paths and accountability are essential when issues arise.

Third, I would invest in outreach and education. Many barriers stem from lack of information, not lack of capacity. I would partner with LGBTQ+ chambers of commerce, community nonprofits, rural organizations, and immigrant-led groups to provide clear guidance, workshops, and multilingual resources on starting and maintaining businesses and nonprofits in Colorado.

Finally, leadership sets the tone. As Colorado’s first out Secretary of State, I would use the visibility of the office to affirm that LGBTQ+ people belong in Colorado’s economy and civic life. When government shows up as competent, welcoming, and fair, it helps organizations not just start—but thrive.

If you are elected Secretary of State, how would you engage with LGBTQ+ communities and community-based organizations across Colorado to shape your priorities, rulemaking, guidance to counties, and public education efforts about voting, civic participation, and business or nonprofit filings? Please be specific about how you would ensure this engagement is ongoing and meaningfully informs your decisions.

Meaningful engagement with LGBTQ+ communities must be ongoing, resourced, and designed to shape real decisions—not just check a box. That is how I already lead, and how I would govern as Secretary of State.

In my current role, I created a first-of-its-kind advisory group focused on equity, transparency, and modernization to inform policy, operations, and public-facing services. That model works, and I would encourage other counties to adopt it. As Secretary of State, I would establish standing advisory councils that include LGBTQ+ advocates, community-based organizations, rural leaders, and people with lived experience navigating election, business, and nonprofit systems. These groups would be consulted early—before rulemaking and guidance are finalized—and revisited regularly to assess what is working and what needs to change.

My engagement with LGBTQ+ communities is not new or transactional. One of my first internships in law school was with The Center, and I have spent years working alongside LGBTQ+ organizations on voting access, civic participation, and inclusive government services. Last year, I was honored as a Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40, reflecting my commitment to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders. In my current office, I have also publicly stood with the LGBTQ+ community—especially when visibility and leadership mattered most (https://www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/archives/jeffco/news/local-government/article_638251a4-4b24-52b6-9a7a-4759a4f5910f.html)

Beyond formal advisory structures, I would prioritize regular listening sessions across the state, partnerships with trusted community organizations for voter and business education, and clear feedback loops so communities can see how their input shaped outcomes.

As Colorado’s first out Secretary of State, I would lead with both lived experience and accountability—ensuring LGBTQ+ voices are not only heard, but reflected in policy, practice, and public trust.

The Colorado Title Board (the Secretary of State’s designee, the Attorney General’s designee, and Office of Legislative Legal Services) reviews and approves each proposed statewide citizen ballot initiative to ensure it contains a single subject and that the title and submission clause are clear, fair, and accurately describe the impacts of the proposed initiative on Coloradans so voters can understand what the measure does and the impacts it will have on people and communities. If elected, what specific standards and practices would you implement to ensure the Title Board operates fairly, transparently, and consistently?

As Secretary of State, I would approach the Title Board’s work with the understanding that clarity, fairness, and consistency are not technical details—they are foundational to voter trust and democratic legitimacy. Voters cannot make informed choices if ballot titles are confusing, misleading, or inconsistently applied.

First, I would insist on rigorous, even-handed application of the single-subject requirement and title clarity standards, regardless of the political popularity of a measure. The rules must be applied consistently across all initiatives, with a clear focus on whether a reasonable voter can understand what the measure does and who it affects. That consistency protects voters and protects the integrity of the process.

Second, transparency matters. I would support practices that make Title Board reasoning easier for the public to understand, including clearer explanations on the record for why titles are approved or rejected and why certain language is chosen. When voters and proponents can see how decisions are made, trust in the process increases—even when people disagree with the outcome.

Finally, I would prioritize voter-centered clarity. Titles should accurately describe material impacts, including fiscal effects and impacts on rights or communities, without advocacy or minimization. I would work with my designee to ensure titles avoid euphemisms, jargon, or framing that obscures real-world consequences, particularly for historically marginalized communities.

Do you believe that charter schools and religious schools that receive Colorado state funds should be subject to the rules and requirements for public schools in the state?

Yes. Any school that takes public money should be accountable to all applicable discrimination laws, finance laws, and education state statues.

What guidance would you provide to Colorado school districts to maintain students’ equal access to sports and extracurricular activities? How would you guide them to avoid some of the invasive practices to determine eligibility that have been proposed?

The state board does not have authority in this area. I have subscribed to speaking with individual school board members. My advice to them at this time is to recognize that there are experts in athletics and law that can provide the guidance they need so that all students maintain access.John Hickenlooper's Response

As you know, educational institutions collect sensitive personal data about health care, education, identity documents, and social services. How can the State Board of Education ensure this data is secure and cannot be accessed by the federal government or any other entity and used to target or harm LGBTQ+ students or other at-risk communities?

There are many layers to this question. To start, the state itself does not collect much information from schools on individual students health care (unless they have a health plan) - nothing on immigration status, no social security numbers, etc. School districts have a wide variety of information on students depending on the individual student. Our best defense has been and will continue to be the AG's office. If any district were to to turn over information that is protected under FERPA and HIPPA to anyone it should not, we (state board) would approach the AG and ask them to find any and all legal remedy.

How would you work to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in Colorado schools, including those who are most often the target of bullying and harassment?

In general, on any actions that state board may take, I ask how this impacts students. I go from ALL students, and then down an internalized list of student groups. I do this because I want to ensure all students have equal access to safe facilities, nutritious meals, and healthcare and mental health resources. Advocating for laws and rules that support development and access in these areas is what I do.

If federal funding for the state’s education system is threatened or removed, how would you ensure the quality of education that our public school students receive? In addition, how would you protect marginalized students and families and their access to safe and affirming schools if such budget cuts were instituted?

If federal funding is removed, the State Board and CDE will need to know and be able to provide guidance to local districts, including and especially, maintaining quality education for ALL students. Additionally, lobbying efforts with the legislature must be stepped up, relationships built, and communication with constituents across the state must inform everyone of the new budgeting circumstance. Both the Board and the legislature MUST study and analyze the way state money is used, close every loophole available to bad actors, and institute proper guardrails and rules. Things like the current exploitation of loopholes and vague rules, like ER BOCES, must be exposed and stopped.

How would you work to maintain existing inclusive standards, like the social studies standards adopted in 2022, and create new standards that continue to improve the inclusivity of classroom lessons?

The short answer here is to keep the state board a progressive democrat majority. You all are more than aware of our collective involvement and what it took to get the 2022 social studies standards passed. The approach from here can be like what we did with the health standards (also some of the most progressive in the county). With health standards, we did our stakeholder outreach and a national standards review. That information told us our standards were up to date and we did not need to change them significantly. Our social studies standards review in 2028 should be similar and we can just update them rather than significantly change them. One of the things I plan on focusing on my next term is standards ENFORCEMENT. You will hear me asking about enforcement of all policy and rules we pass. The CDE has no real enforcement mechanism around standards in current law so I'd be happy to work with you all and others on how to get some enforcement in place.

Given the state budget cuts to education, what guidance would you give to school districts to comply with the cuts while also ensuring essential services and inclusive environments are maintained?

I have gone through this personally as the Chief Accountability Officer in APS during 2008 when we had to make dramatic cuts. Based on that experience, what I tell school board members is to look hard at your superintendent and their cabinet. :) Do they share your values of high quality, safe, inclusive learning environments for all students? If they do, then they will do the work of identifying areas that are 'nice to have' that can be eliminated without students losing essential instructional access, legal protections, and inclusive environments.

Do you believe that charter schools and religious schools that receive Colorado state funds should be subject to the rules and requirements for public schools in the state?

ALL schools that receive Colorado state funds should follow the same laws, rules, and requirements. This would include, among other things, teacher licensure, student services such as 504 and IEPs, CDE approved curricula, inclusiveness and acceptance of all students.

The balance between local control and state oversight is difficult at best. That balance will be very much at play in the current educational landscape and will color each of the circumstances you ask about here. I am of the opinion that CDE has been quite lax in its enforcement and oversight of many situations, including HSE (Home School Enrichment), and I will be a proponent of urging the Board and Commissioner to close that gap and re-align those biases.

What guidance would you provide to Colorado school districts to maintain students’ equal access to sports and extracurricular activities? How would you guide them to avoid some of the invasive practices to determine eligibility that have been proposed?

All students are supported and protected under Colorado law. Policies that cover all students have been acceptable to the current Federal OCR office.

Helping district board members recognize the folly of 'gender checks' would be a great start. I think many proponents do not recognize what 'gender checks' would entail, how they would apply to ALL students, and how traumatizing it would be for most cis-gendered students

As you know, educational institutions collect sensitive personal data about health care, education, identity documents, and social services. How can the State Board of Education ensure this data is secure and cannot be accessed by the federal government or any other entity and used to target or harm LGBTQ+ students or other at-risk communities?

I am not certain of current Colorado statute, but step one would be to ensure that statute absolutely protects student data from the federal government and others, using every means available. The Board should give clear direction to the Commissioner regarding this, and the Commissioner should have conversations with the Governor expressing this. CASB should be contacted to provide local districts with sample policy for the local districts to secure student data.

How would you work to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in Colorado schools, including those who are most often the target of bullying and harassment?

I would explore the possibility of these options:

~ well-formed policy guidance for local districts, including work with CASB;

~ state department rules and regulations should be on point;

~ professional development should be available and required for all educators;

~ collaborate with CEA on PD for all;

~ anti-harassment PD is required annually in higher ed; short, to-the-point training could be implemented for K12;

~ availability to districts of continuing anti-bullying programs.

If federal funding for the state’s education system is threatened or removed, how would you ensure the quality of education that our public school students receive? In addition, how would you protect marginalized students and families and their access to safe and affirming schools if such budget cuts were instituted?

If federal funding is removed, the State Board and CDE will need to know and be able to provide guidance to local districts, including and especially, maintaining quality education for ALL students. Additionally, lobbying efforts with the legislature must be stepped up, relationships built, and communication with constituents across the state must inform everyone of the new budgeting circumstance. Both the Board and the legislature MUST study and analyze the way state money is used, close every loophole available to bad actors, and institute proper guardrails and rules. Things like the current exploitation of loopholes and vague rules, like ER BOCES, must be exposed and stopped.

How would you work to maintain existing inclusive standards, like the social studies standards adopted in 2022, and create new standards that continue to improve the inclusivity of classroom lessons?

I absolutely support our inclusive standards. I would like to explore the capacity of the State Board, within the confines of local control, to publicize or call to account, those districts that implement curricula like American Birthright Standards which do not meet existing standards. CDE should at the least counsel these Boards and communities to ensure they are aware of the deficiencies students will find when they are asked to test on real information which they have not been taught or exposed to. I will vote to support and maintain new and existing inclusive standards, and to support educators who work to teach inclusivity.

Given the state budget cuts to education, what guidance would you give to school districts to comply with the cuts while also ensuring essential services and inclusive environments are maintained?

In this kind of situation, local districts and boards will have to re-evaluate their needs, their priorities, and their strategies. This could be supported by CDE workshops and facilitation, along with state board members. as mentioned earlier, rules and statute which ensure inclusive environments must be supported and enforced.

Do you believe that charter schools and religious schools that receive Colorado state funds should be subject to the rules and requirements for public schools in the state?

Absolutely. It is untenable for any education institution receiving public tax dollars to circumvent legislation and CDE rules. What we lack is an enforcement mechanism. The legislature can pass statutes, but if the mechanism to hold schools accountable is not part of the statute, some bad actors will just ignore the statute. This is happening right now.

What guidance would you provide to Colorado school districts to maintain students’ equal access to sports and extracurricular activities? How would you guide them to avoid some of the invasive practices to determine eligibility that have been proposed?

Every student wanting to participate in sports and extracurricular activities should be welcomed. In the state, we have seen little to no abuse caused by transgender students participating on the team they most identify with. Every student should be encouraged to participate in sports and activities. There should never be a proof of gender requirement.

As you know, educational institutions collect sensitive personal data about health care, education, identity documents, and social services. How can the State Board of Education ensure this data is secure and cannot be accessed by the federal government or any other entity and used to target or harm LGBTQ+ students or other at-risk communities?

Our data at CDE is secure and I would be surprised if individual gender data could be accessed by the federal government. We do not report on individual student’s gender, only as a number in the school population. However, I’ve seen parents and a particular board member write to the Secretary of Education and request a transgender student be blocked from sports. The federal government cannot block a particular student, but they can threaten to pull funding from a particular institution. So far there have been threats of pulling funding, but it hasn’t happened. Title IX is the lever the feds want to use.

How would you work to ensure the safety and well-being of all students in Colorado schools, including those who are most often the target of bullying and harassment?

Bullying is and has been a huge detriment to many students with differences. Putting our other LGBTQ+ students into our academic Social Studies is a great first step to helping kids understand acceptance of all students. It was hugely difficult, but we did get it done. I believe strong teachers who know how to teach community and tolerance of all people are our best tool against bullying. Local boards also need policies clearly addressing bullying.

Kids can be very cruel and only through great education and vigilance can we hope to eradicate bullying.

If federal funding for the state’s education system is threatened or removed, how would you ensure the quality of education that our public school students receive? In addition, how would you protect marginalized students and families and their access to safe and affirming schools if such budget cuts were instituted?

We need to guarantee that we are teaching the same standards and providing the same services to all students, especially our marginalized students. In Colorado this year we will try to decouple TABOR from Education Funding. That would give us some flexibility in increasing per pupil funding. This will never be enough to replace all federal funding. We need to increase the state share and hold all institutes of public education to the same rules. Right now we are seeing bad actors take money while discriminating against certain populations. This needs to be audited and stopped, providing more funds for institutions that serve all students equally, with standards based instruction.

How would you work to maintain existing inclusive standards, like the social studies standards adopted in 2022, and create new standards that continue to improve the inclusivity of classroom lessons?

Being on the SBoE when the Social Studies Standards were written, I know just how hard that fight is. We need to assure we are doing everything we can to keep board members who support inclusivity. Social Studies Standards will be back in 2028, so this election is crucial. We also need to keep our eyes on the Sex Ed Standards to keep them unbiased and reality based. This is another area that is hard fought. Experts should be writing standards, not board members with an agenda. We should then approve these reality based, unbiased standards.

Given the state budget cuts to education, what guidance would you give to school districts to comply with the cuts while also ensuring essential services and inclusive environments are maintained?

I want to make sure we all understand that in Colorado we have per pupil funding and categoricals. If a district loses students through attrition and lower birth rates, funding declines. That is where we are now. Because we have local control, the individual budget lies with the local board. These boards need to assure that inclusive, standards-based instruction is not on the cutting block. We all need to make sure there are no cuts to instructional programming and that our voting citizens understand how important it is to increase school funding to the level of better funded systems.

Many people do not have an understanding of what county commissioners actually do. Can you explain how you view the position and what you believe to be the most important responsibilities?

A County Commissioner's main role is to be a public servant representing the people, businesses (shop local!), and environment for their county. In my opinion, one of the most important ways to do this is by building genuine, empathetic, and respectful relationships with people and communities from across the county, including citizens, elected leaders, municipal leaders, staff, businesses, and visitors.

On a day to day basis, these relationships help inform the decisions Commissioners make on land use, developments (commercial, industrial, and residential), transit/roads, infrastructure (water conveyance/treatment, electrification, etc), the county budget, and public health and safety (funding our public health and law enforcement departments). Of course, every responsibility is important and should be handled with care and integrity; but the most important responsibility is to make these decisions with the communities and people of Adams County in mind.

Given the current state budget cuts, how will you shape your funding priorities for county programs designed to help communities that have been historically under-resourced? What guidance will you give county agencies when implementing cuts to programs?

I would start by working with county agencies to identify which programs serve residents with the fewest alternatives. In practice, that means protecting direct services first: behavioral health, survivor support through the new Family Justice Center, food security, early childhood programs, and services for seniors and people with disabilities. These are programs where a cut has an immediate, tangible effect on a real person's life.

I would also push agencies to look hard at every alternative before accepting a cut is inevitable. Adams County has real opportunities through federal grants, state partnerships, and philanthropic relationships that can sometimes fill gaps state funding leaves behind.

When cuts are unavoidable, my guidance would be to show me who bears the cost of this decision, and show me what we lose. Decisions made without that clarity are not real decisions. I will not ask residents to absorb a reduction I cannot explain and defend.

How would you ensure the county budget includes resources for culturally competent training and development for county staff, particularly those who directly serve your constituents?

County staff are often the first and only point of contact residents have with county government. Whether someone is accessing public health services, applying for housing assistance, or interacting with our criminal justice system, that interaction shapes whether they trust county government. This is an investment into our community, undertrained staff often results in worse outcomes for residents, higher staff turnover, more grievances, and legal liabilities for the county.

I would advocate for the relevant cultural competency training for all staff who work directly with the public, with deeper ongoing training for those in health, social services, law enforcement, and child welfare. That training should be developed with the communities being served in mind, including immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ residents, and communities of color. Moreover, our county staff should be representative of the populations they serve, including our LGBTQ+ community.

What support would you give to funding programs designed to bolster the work of community-serving nonprofit organizations that seek to address the needs of county residents, particularly those who are historically underserved, through programs that go beyond what the county offers directly?

County staff are often the first and only point of contact residents have with county government. Whether someone is accessing public health services, applying for housing assistance, or interacting with our criminal justice system, that interaction shapes whether they trust county government. This is an investment into our community, undertrained staff often results in worse outcomes for residents, higher staff turnover, more grievances, and legal liabilities for the county.

I would advocate for the relevant cultural competency training for all staff who work directly with the public, with deeper ongoing training for those in health, social services, law enforcement, and child welfare. That training should be developed with the communities being served in mind, including immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ+ residents, and communities of color. Moreover, our county staff should be representative of the populations they serve, including our LGBTQ+ community.

What criteria would you use to determine whether a proclamation or resolution is appropriate for an event, day or month of recognition, current issue, or other matter as requested by stakeholders? When, if at all, would you deny a request for a proclamation or resolution?

A proclamation or resolution is a public act of recognition, and it should be granted consistently and transparently based on clear criteria, not on which communities have stronger political relationships with the board.

The criteria I would apply to my support of a proclamation include the following:1) Does this recognition reflect a real constituency in Adams County? 2) Is there genuine community support for the proclamation? 3) Does it align with county values around inclusion, public health, and civic participation? 4) Has a similar request been honored under comparable circumstances?

When considering denial of a proclamation request, I would deny a request when it conflicts with the county's commitment to dignity and inclusion, or when it is designed to demean a community or group of people whether directly or indirectly. In these cases, I would have no hesitation in standing up for the people impacted and recommending a denial of such a proclamation.

If you are elected to represent your county, how would you meaningfully engage with LGBTQ+ communities and community-based organizations in the state to shape your priorities in the county?

As a proud ally and long-time supporter and friend of the LGBTQ+ community, I would ensure that my role as Commissioner continues to amplify and elevate the voices and people of the community. This includes having direct conversations with constituents on how they are represented and supported (including areas of growth/opportunity) and strengthening and supporting county services in behavioral health, housing, youth programs, and public safety as they relate to the LGBTQ+ community.

In any of these decisions, my role is to listen to community and what their needs are, then resource appropriately and use my platform to improve responsiveness and services provided by Adams County. I will pay close attention to how the LGBTQ+ community is being served, how the county addresses nondiscrimination, and how we can protect our residents when federal actions create additional risk for LGBTQ+ residents.

County agencies collect sensitive personal data related to health care, education, identity documents, and social services. What steps should the county take to ensure this data is secure and cannot be accessed by the federal administration, or any other entity, and used to target or harm LGBTQ+ people or other at-risk communities?

County agencies hold some of the most sensitive information in people's lives, requiring active, deliberate protection, especially in our current political climate. My priorities would start with understanding what the county actually collects and why. Data that is not operationally necessary should not be collected, and data that is collected should be subject to strict access controls with clear protocols for when and how it can be shared, including with federal agencies. I would work with county legal counsel to understand both the county's legal obligations and where it has genuine discretion to protect residents. Where that discretion exists, I would use it.

On the technical side, I would push for policy requiring regular security audits, training on data handling, and clear breach response protocols. LGBTQ+ residents, immigrants, and other vulnerable communities should be able to access county services without fearing that doing so puts them at risk. That is a basic standard of trust the county has to earn and maintain over time.