I support enhancing police compensation to meet the average in Colorado and the Front Range, as it’s crucial for retaining our talented officers. Having spent two years as a recruiter, I witnessed that competitive compensation is the top priority for candidates. In comparing Colorado Springs with similarly-sized cities, we must focus on police staffing levels, and response times. The City Council can assist CSPD by increasing funding for recruitment and training, ensuring we have adequate resources to reduce crime effectively and respond promptly to emergencies, thereby safeguarding our citizens’ safety and well-being.

The City Council must prioritize reasonable growth, focusing on sustainable development that reflects the desires of our residents. Instead of rushing into backfilling and infilling projects that compromise our city’s unique spaciousness, we should encourage businesses that enhance our community’s character. Before approving zoning changes or annexation, I would consider the impact on current neighborhoods, the types of jobs being generated, and the demands of our citizens. Meaningful input from residents should guide our decisions, ensuring that we cultivate a thriving, diverse economy while maintaining the integrity and openness that make Colorado Springs truly special.

As Colorado Springs experiences significant population growth, it is imperative that we adopt a proactive approach to housing. First, we must prioritize affordable housing initiatives while ensuring that new developments align with our city’s unique character. Engaging community stakeholders in the planning process will foster transparency and inclusivity. Moreover, preserving green spaces and our natural environment through smart zoning regulations is essential. By incentivizing sustainable building practices and promoting custom small builders and smaller developments, we can create diverse housing options that meet demand without sacrificing our cherished local identity.

Colorado Springs has increasingly faced challenges regarding homelessness, which often intertwines with issues such as illegal drug use and business concerns. The City Council must adopt a comprehensive, compassionate approach to address these issues effectively. Initiatives will continue to include expanding affordable housing options not monopolized by big builders, enhancing mental health and substance abuse services, and fostering partnerships with local nonprofits to provide job training and education. Additionally, implementing creative waste management policies and community clean-up efforts can mitigate environmental hazards. By prioritizing the well-being of all residents, the City Council can promote a safer, more inclusive community that meets the needs of vulnerable populations.

The recent legalization of recreational marijuana and the decriminalization of psilocybin in Colorado represents a significant shift in drug policy. While these measures offer potential benefits, the City Council’s attempts to limit their use within Colorado Springs reflect a deeper understanding of our community’s needs. It is crucial to address the ongoing opioid and fentanyl crisis by implementing comprehensive education and prevention programs aimed at youth. Encouraging responsible use while curbing abuse is essential. As we explore progressive treatments, let’s maintain a balanced approach that prioritizes the health and safety of our residents, especially our young people.

Colorado Springs boasts a vibrant and varied religious landscape, and as a City Councilperson, I am committed to representing all constituents. My upbringing in the Christian conservative tradition aligns with a significant demographic in my district. However, I actively seek to engage with diverse faith groups, including the Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, as well as various church denominations. When I moved here I began at Woodmen Valley Chapel and continued at New Life Downtown. As I explore churches throughout District 6, I remain eager to learn from the wisdom and perspectives of all community members.

We must stop comparing ourselves to other “similarly-sized cities” and focus on our growing crime rates. There are cities that are okay with ‘acceptable crime numbers”, but we, as Colorado Springs, should never accept ‘satisfactory crimes’ in the state eyes. We need to assist CSPD by ensuring the Public Safety Tax used to fund public safety remains in place, while enhancing the Emergency Operations Center. This enhancement needs to focus on criminal information sharing across multiple agencies. Lastly, we need to increase Law Enforcement pay so we can attract and maintain the best talent.

With the guidance and leadership of the Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Council, City Council should support and advocate retaining businesses in our community and provide resources to help them expand, while securing new investments. Preparing residents for new careers and connecting them to businesses in need of strong skilled workers is vital for businesses to thrive in our city.

While the number of homeless people is increasing, to include homeless camps, we need to re- examine how homelessness is addressed in our city. Far too often, we count on and expect our undermanned Police Department to eradicate homelessness through enforcement. As citizens, we have witnessed this does not have the effect we desire…homeless citizens just move to another location in the city. I would like to see a City-Wide Task-Force Effort consisting of multiple agencies that can explore various solutions to address homelessness by examining successful programs from around the globe (i.e. London’s Buses4Homeless Program) that Colorado Springs may be able to take tips from.

Let me be clear, I DO NOT support the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado Springs! I also believe we need to examine the distance of these dispensaries from local parks and schools. We must protect our children from the onslaught of legalized drugs.

As a value-based conservative, engaging in our local faith community is important to me. Establishing, focusing, and rebuilding families through faith is a key element to reestablishing sound households across America. Lack of faith and spirituality has been identified as one of the causes leading to broken homes.

Public Safety is the primary responsibility of government. Average response time of 24 minutes for emergencies is unacceptable. Violent and property crimes are on the rise in our community, including drug and human trafficking. State legislation mandating less jail time for criminals is not helping.

Recruiting, retaining, and supporting our police officers through competitive compensation and benefits is critical. Partnering with education institutions, criminal justice career pathways should be expanded so a steady pipeline of new recruits available. Serving on the D11 School Board, I advocated for eliminating central administrative inefficiencies while increasing starting teacher salaries by over 20%. On council, I will prioritize the budget to support law enforcement. First responders should be valued and treated with respect.

As cost-of-living soars, residents are worried about “kitchen table” issues – jobs, bills, housing, groceries, and quality of life. By promoting business-friendly practices, the city can attract diverse industries that offer high paying jobs and economic stability.  Limiting costly regulations and government overreach will allow businesses to grow and invest in the workforce.

Every development project should be carefully reviewed and thoroughly vetted to determine impact on surrounding neighborhoods.  Strategic planning will help ensure that growth does not overburden the city’s current resources and infrastructure. Established city codes and plans should provide the framework when considering future growth.

By putting Colorado Springs First, I believe we can manage growth responsibly while driving the economic vitality of our city.

In the past 30 years, Colorado Springs has nearly doubled its population, bringing inevitable growth and development. City policies should promote sensible and strategic growth to respond to market demands. To help make housing affordable, it is necessary to streamline and minimize regulatory hurdles.  Providing multiple housing options that appeal to a broad spectrum of residents will help alleviate housing shortages.

It is critical to balance sensible growth with the desire to preserve the history, character and identity of our community. Every decision that city council considers should be viewed with this balance in mind. Transparent community engagement is critical to alleviate concerns of existing residents and generate solutions which maintain the “small town” feel of our city.

Homelessness has devastating impact not only on the people experiencing it but also places an increased burden on community resources, thereby straining the local economy.  Solutions should address root causes such as economic hardships, substance abuse disorders, and mental health issues.  Working with community partners like the Springs Rescue Mission, emphasis should be placed on job training, housing assistance, life skills development, and rehabilitation supports. The goal should be to provide a hand-up to the impacted individuals so that they can get back on their feet and become self-sufficient rather than growing dependent on handouts.  I am supportive of the “sit-lie” ordinance. While it is important to be compassionate, public safety should always be the primary focus of city government. 

Serving on the D11 school board, I see the deadly and addictive impact of drugs on students. With those alarming concerns and as father of a teenager, I advocated against legalizing recreational marijuana and other psychedelic drugs before last November elections. I recorded a public campaign message with other regional leaders. Partnering with law enforcement, D11 hosted fentanyl awareness programs to educate our youth and prevent overdose deaths. Lax drug policies contribute to a decline in quality of life, increase in the homeless population, and higher costs for the city. Though I am worried about the harmful effects of legalizing recreational marijuana, the majority in the community voted to support the measure and the issue has been resolved in courts.

Serving on the D11 School Board, the District regularly partners with faith-based organizations to support our schools and staff. I have regularly volunteered on CityServe Day with the non-profit COSILoveYou to clean up and restore school grounds and classrooms. Collaborating with non-profit organizations and faith community, I have initiated “coat drives” to provide warm winter clothing for students in need. In my personal life, my family and I are active at our home church.