The US Constitution is the foundation of freedom in America. Our Constitutional Rights allow for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by guarding against governmental overreach. These Rights must be respected, and protected.

How?

• Investigate Legal Options for Increasing County Autonomy: For example, Title 30 of the Colorado Revised Statutes (§30-35-101- “Home Rule”) provides additional power and flexibility to county government in order to “better meet and resolve problems of growth and urbanization and to promote the health, safety, security, and general welfare of the people.” Declaring Home Rule may be an option for ensuring county sovereignty.

• Sanctuary County Resolutions: I will not support, abide by or enforce any law that disregards the Constitutional Rights of the People.

• Understand and Respect the Constitution: I will never vote in favor of any resolution, proclamation, mandate, etc. that violates the principles of the US Constitution.

Democracy dies in the dark. It is imperative that Park County citizens are not only aware of how their hard-earned money is being spent, but also have a say in where money should be spent.

How?

• Citizens Budget Advisory / Review Committee: I will use qualified local citizens to bring outside perspective into the yearly budget process, evaluate current / historic spending priorities, and advise the BOCC. In addition, my career as County Assessor has given me a thorough understanding of the County budgets; I would like to train interested citizens how to understand budget line-items how money is being spent.

• Quarterly Budget Reports: I will publish summary reports for the public to review in a format that is easily understandable. People shouldn’t have to have a finance degree in order to read a budget report.

• Accountability: Citizens should have access to public financial records, and not be hesitant to request financial information for fear of retaliation. I will ensure that any citizen, group or journalist obtains the information needed to hold their government accountable.

• Support TABOR: I fully support the TABOR amendment. We need to restore TABOR protections and slow the rate of property tax increases.

The Right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.

How?

• Stand Against Red Flag Laws: Currently, Park County is a sanctuary county against the unconstitutional gun seizure laws (“Red Flag Laws”) implemented by the State. I will ensure that Park County remains a 2nd Amendment sanctuary county.

• Public Shooting Ranges: It is important that gun-owners have local and inexpensive access to safe practice. I will work to re-open or help establish new ranges, with citizen input, so residents can safely practice gun use.

• Partner with Local Gun Clubs: I will partner with local and state gun education groups to ensure that citizens have the knowledge to safely obtain, carry and use firearms.

• Protect Property Use Rights: I will work to ensure that citizen’s rights to reasonably set-up and safely use personal ranges on their own property is not infringed.

Elected Officials are accountable to the People, so we should be available to the People. Currently, many citizens feel that their concerns are not being heard or taken seriously by Park County officials. There is a lack of social and communication connection that makes voicing your concerns and ideas difficult.

How?

• “Fireside with the BOCC:” I will hold monthly online or in-person meetings where citizens can ask questions directly, comment and get to know me (and any other BOCC member who’d like to attend) in a welcoming and open environment.

• Be Open 5 Days a Week: Currently, Park County is only open Monday-Thursday which causes delays. By using staggered work schedules, employees can continue to work a 4-day week but be available during normal business hours.

• Respond to e-mails: You took the time to write your message, I will take the time to read it and ensure you receive a response.

It is imperative that people know that their voice is heard and that the results of an election are accurate and secure. There is enough evidence to justify people’s concerns of election fraud, and general lack of integrity. I will work with the County Clerk to help secure our elections.

How?

• Add Polling Locations: Open more in-person voting locations across the county.

• Implement Voting Safeguards: I will work to implement voting measures that mirror the “Improve Public Confidence Election Validity” measure (SB21-007) that was proposed by Sen. Paul Lundeen (R) in the CO Senate in 2021. This measure promoted election confidence by:

  • Limiting voting in person to a 7-day period.

  • Institute procedures by which mail ballots are affirmatively requested.

  • Require all counting to be completed by end of election day.

• Conduct Hand counts: During ballot tabulation, comparative hand-counts should be done to ensure ballot totals and system totals match.

• Evaluate Alternative Counting Methods: Currently, Park County has a contract with Dominion until 2025. I will evaluate if and when the Dominion contract can be terminated, and what other methods (Clear Ballot, non-digital tally machines, hand counts, etc.) could provide Park County with a more secure and cost effective voting process.

It is critical that the BOCC - as the managers of the County budget - eliminate unnecessary spending and use the funds we have wisely.

How?

• Question the Budget: I will not only scrutinize every line item of the budget to understand where money is being spent, but also where money is being wasted.

• Require County Officials to Drive Private Vehicles: Currently, the Commissioners and Assessor are provided “company cars” paid for with County funds. You have to pay for your own car, gas, and maintenance to get to work. County Officials should pay their own way.

• Efficiency: Encourage employee suggestions to improve efficiency. Who knows better than the person who is doing the job?

• Maintain our Work Force: Constant recruitment, turnover and training massively drain funds. I will work to…

  • Ensure staff feel appreciated and their accomplishments are recognized,

  • Expand employee investments, retirement options,

  • Find alternative funding methods for continued employee growth and development opportunities,

  • Re-create the “Employee Advisory Team” to solicit employee input.

Park County entered into a Joint Water Defense Agreement in 1996 to fight the Aurora South Park Conjunctive Use Project (SPCUP); however, in 2012, the County started duplicate water augmentation services, which wasted funds on hiring and training new personnel. The County is spending tax dollars for no benefit.

How?

• Acquire Water Storage Rights: I will utilize all of our skills, resources, and relationships to improve our individual and collective water rights portfolios. Water decisions are critical and must be made today, not decades from now.

• Share Special Water Counsel with USPWCD, CCWCD, HASP: These entities are the leading water rights administrative and legal experts. We must work together to gain augmentation water rights within the Upper South Platte and Arkansas River Basins.

  • Renewing this historic partnership will save time and precious fiscal resources.

The Land & Water Trust Fund (“L&WTF”) uses sales tax funding ($3M/yr) to preserve “unique and valuable land and water rights.” In 2018, the fund was amended which allowed money to go toward “recreation” activities. This is not an appropriate use of funding.

How?

• Re-establish the L&WTF Advisory Board: In 2019, many experienced members of the Advisory Board were removed. I will ensure that the Board members have sufficient water/land rights experience and listen to their advice.

• Use Lotto Ticket Revenue to Fund Recreation Projects: L&WTF money should go toward preservation, not recreation. “History Colorado” - which is funded by lotto sales - is a much more appropriate funding stream, and will not dip into preservation funding.

Land Use Regulations & Zoning laws determine how the 50,000 parcels of real estate in the County are used. We have multiple layers of regulations restricting the use by individual property owners. We must consider different rules for different regions. A “one-size-fits-all” approach does not work in our unique and varied County.

How?

• Citizen Land Use Advisory Committee : I will create a citizen group and use focus groups to advise on land use issues and solutions.

• Update the Land Use Strategic Master Plan: The first priority of the committee will be to update the master plan.