I am committed to being an advocate for our land, water, and air and ensuring that Colorado is a safe and healthy place to live. I will support policies that hold corporations accountable for the pollution they cause and commit to look for creative solutions to push our state towards green energy, while ensuring that costs remain steady for working families. 

 

I have been endorsed by the Sierra Club and commit to being thoughtful, creative, and bold in approaching environmental policy. As we make the necessary shift away from fossil fuels and move towards cleaner and more sustainable energy, solutions need to be community-based and data-backed.

 

Here are policy areas that I plan to work on as a legislator: 

 

Permitting reform for oil and gas wells: Permits are issued individually, while impacts should be analyzed and considered as part of the larger whole. Cumulative impact assessments for permits in higher-density areas could help mitigate the negative effects from new wells. We also should consider reforming the permitting process to ensure that more affordable and innovative clean energy projects can start to meet our energy needs. 

 

Electric vehicles: We need to strengthen the charging infrastructure across the state to support greater adoption of electric vehicles.

 

Regulation on data centers: While it is important that Colorado stays technologically advanced, it must not be at the expense of residents and our environment. Profitable businesses do not need tax exemptions. Instead, they should be required to pay for any increase in energy prices or provide green energy sources for the surrounding community. 

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Worker transition programs: Many HD19 residents are employed by the oil and gas industry. I support policies that provide training for current workers to transition into green energy fields. Any policies made need to be done in partnership with these workers and the unions that represent them. As new jobs are created, they need to be well-paying and safe for workers. We can protect the livelihoods of these important workers while still switching to a green energy focus. 

 

Water: Agriculture is the main water user in the state and any water conservation efforts will need to involve farmers. I will support policies that invest in precision irrigation technologies and research into more drought-resistant crops.