I’m committed to working with our CSPD so that we can find solutions to better resource our first responders. I’m proud to have earned the endorsement of the Police Protective Association. This is a positive first step in our partnership to work within our district to ensure that crime rates continue to decrease, reduce response time, and build relationships within our community. As a city council member, I am committed to communicating regularly with our police leadership, hosting joint community and/or education events, and inviting our officers to community events.

Our city is small business friendly. The home of multiple chambers and several business collaboration networks, we need to continue this work and leverage our Economic Development Office to attract industries that strengthen our economy. Zoning and annexation decisions should be data-driven, ensuring responsible growth without overburdening city services like police, fire, and utilities, while maintaining our quality of life.

To accommodate growth while preserving Colorado Springs’ unique character, we must balance smart development, affordability, and sustainability. Encouraging mixed-use and infill development can increase housing options without excessive sprawl. Public-private partnerships should expand workforce and affordable housing, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). We must rely on our housing subject matter experts like those at Pikes Peak Housing Network to address our housing challenges. By integrating strategies at many levels, we can ensure Colorado Springs remains a desirable, livable city for all, blending progress with the natural beauty and character that make it special.

Homelessness is complex and requires layered solutions. There are different types of homelessness—hidden, transitional, episodic, and chronic. Most people start at hidden homelessness. As someone who has experienced hidden homelessness, I know early intervention changes lives. We need a multifaceted approach that can reach our homeless population in whatever state of homelessness they are in a holistic way.

Voter decisions should be honored. Our citizens made a choice regarding recreational marijuana and democracy should be upheld. The increase in community members using drugs, alcohol, and other legal and illegal substances as a coping mechanism is concerning. Education on the dangers of substance use abuse and creating environments where youth can thrive are key to breaking cycles of addiction before they start. In the cases where addiction has already taken root, it’s important to work within the city’s purview to ensure that our co-responder teams (mental health professionals + first responders) are able to handle addiction-related calls with care, champion for affordable housing to reduce homelessness caused by addiction, and provide Narcan training and distribution to prevent overdose.

My faith is central to my life, and church and Bible study are part of my self-care. Faith-based organizations are vital community partners, and I am committed to engaging with them to better understand and address the needs of our city.

Public Safety is my number one priority as it will allow my district to thrive. Colorado Springs is similar to Aurora, CO in terms of crime rates, police size and in some cases response time. In order to cut down on response times in Colorado Springs I believe the City Council should prioritize deep diving into CSPD in order to fully support the police as well as ensure our community is getting the care it needs to keep each resident safe in moments of emergency. That means looking at operating systems, budget, dispatch protocols, how the police bureau has categorized districts as well as analyzing the crime and the sources of crime in our city.

Yes, growing properly and having a strong economy should always be at the forefront of city councils’ minds. When considering zoning changes and annexation I’ll alway push for a fair standard for all involved and the facts that ensure we are growing responsibly. In order to have a strong economy we need to have jobs with growth potential and more businesses. We begin by asking what needs to be produced, how will it be produced, and how will the output produced be distributed? We build a strong economy through a strong workforce, and we do this by making sure we have a diverse workforce all over the city that have the tools and support to build wealth.

As a city councilperson it will be my responsibility to keep a pulse on the actual growth numbers of our city as well as the projected numbers. I believe development of various housing options is inevitable however we must be mindful about what types of builds are needed when and where. We must also utilize all of our tools in our city council tool box as well as innovation to create the best possible communities that preserve our city’s character, culture and accomplish its intended purpose.

I believe homelessness has become a topic that has been overgeneralized and under explored. In order for us to really solve the issue of homelessness, just like with many of our major issues in the city, we must take a deeper look at what are the root causes behind the homeless we have in our city. We cannot shy away from the work it takes to fix these major issues. By taking a closer look, we can begin to fix the problem that is steadily becoming a crisis in our city. In this way we can also identify true solutions like sit-lie ordinances.

I believe our community again needs to take up a hard stance against all recreational drugs. By becoming a city that embraces recreational drug use and even allowing those drug sales to fund our schools we are sending the wrong message to a very smart and observant generation, that drugs are okay as long as a profit is made. I understand the medical need for some of these drugs and I believe that the acceptance of these drugs in that capacity should be clearly defined. In order to keep our community safe we need clear standards on what is good and beneficial to one’s pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Currently I am active in my church, and believe strongly in prayer. Each Saturday, I go out into the community with my church to pray over various places in the city of Colorado Springs. I believe the church is more than just a place for us to gather and be equipped and it’s more than just a place for the community to come in times of material need. The church is the key to our city’s success. I plan to interact with constituents by continuously praying for the city. Engaging with the faith community, becoming very proactive in meeting with community leaders, and community members to bring unity and collaboration.