THE ISSUES
Public Safety
Every family deserves to feel safe in their home, at school, at work, and in their neighborhood. Public safety is one of the fundamental responsibilities of government, and it is an issue I care deeply about, both professionally and personally.
Before starting my law practice, I had the privilege of clerking for a judge in Colorado's Fourth Judicial District, serving El Paso and Teller Counties. I worked on both criminal and civil cases, reviewing evidence, researching the law, and drafting court orders. Every day, I saw firsthand how difficult many of these decisions were. Behind every case file were real people whose lives had been forever changed.
During law school, I also worked at the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the responsibility prosecutors carry as they seek justice for victims while ensuring the law is applied fairly. It also reinforced something equally important: our justice system only works when every constitutional safeguard is respected. District attorneys and public defenders play different roles, but both are essential to protecting the rights and freedoms that define our country.
I believe in the rule of law. I believe in due process. I believe that every person is innocent until proven guilty. I believe in the right to a trial by a jury of our peers. And I believe victims deserve justice delivered through a fair and impartial legal system. These principles are not political talking points. They are the foundation of our democracy, and my experiences in the courtroom have strengthened my commitment to protecting them.
Public safety extends well beyond our courtrooms. It depends on the dedicated police officers, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and first responders who answer the call every day, often on someone else's worst day.
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with members of our local firefighters union. One message came through loud and clear: for years, firefighters have been doing more with less. As Colorado Springs has grown, call volumes have increased, emergency incidents have become more complex, and demands on our first responders have continued to rise. They have stepped up time and again, but they are reaching a point where simply asking them to do more is no longer sustainable.
The same challenge exists for law enforcement. Our police officers face growing responsibilities while working to recruit and retain qualified officers in an increasingly competitive environment. If we want safe communities, we must make sure our public safety agencies have the personnel, equipment, training, and resources they need to do their jobs effectively.
A state representative does not manage local police or fire departments, but the legislature plays an important role in supporting public safety. The state can provide grant funding for equipment and training, invest in behavioral health resources that help first responders and reduce repeat emergency calls, strengthen recruitment and retention programs, improve emergency communications, and ensure state laws give local agencies the tools they need to protect their communities.
I also believe we have to be honest about growth. Northern Colorado Springs continues to welcome new neighborhoods, new businesses, and new families. That is exciting, but growth must be matched by investments in the services that make a community function. Roads, schools, water, and public safety should grow together. We cannot continue approving development without ensuring our police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel have the resources necessary to serve the people who live here.
Public safety is not about choosing between accountability and support. We can respect constitutional rights, support victims, and provide law enforcement and first responders with the tools they need to succeed. Those goals are not in conflict. They work best when pursued together.
As your State Representative, I will bring both my legal experience and my commitment to common sense problem solving to the Capitol. I will support policies that strengthen our justice system, invest in public safety, uphold the Constitution, and ensure that Colorado Springs remains one of the safest places to live, work, and raise a family.
