A background you can bank on
A plan is just a dream without the expertise to get it done.
I don’t care for platitudes about fiscal responsibility that don't result in a better life for the people of our state. I care about results.
I’m running for Treasurer to make sure your dollars work as hard as you do. It’s what I’ve done for a decade.
The Receipts
Tested Leadership
Colleagues from both parties have repeatedly trusted me to lead in the rooms where Colorado’s toughest fiscal and policy decisions get made.
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Fiscal & Budget Leadership: Chaired the Joint Budget Committee, Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Education Committee, overseeing Colorado’s budget and the policies that drive our economy and our schools.
Bicameral Majority Whip: One of the few legislators in Colorado history to serve as Majority Whip in both the House and the Senate, trusted to count votes and deliver results in both chambers.
Caucus & Policy Leadership: Chair of the Aerospace & Defense Caucus and Colorado Sportsmen’s Caucus, and former chair of the Sales and Use Tax Simplification Task Force and Joint Technology Committee.
Making the Math Work for Families
For Colorado families, the budget that matters most isn’t the state’s—it’s their own. These bills focused on lowering everyday costs and helping households build financial stability.
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Financial Literacy Expansion (HB21-1200, HB25-1192): Ensured students graduate with the "real world" skills to manage credit, debt, and budgeting.
Paid Sick Leave (SB20-205): Authored the policy ensuring no Coloradan has to choose between a paycheck and their health.
Full-Day Kindergarten & Imagination Library (HB19-1262, SB20-185): Delivered historic funding for early education and free books for every child under five.
Healthcare Access Protection (SB25B-002): Stabilized Planned Parenthood funding for non-abortion services for 10,000+ patients when federal reimbursements were threatened.
Housing Affordability & Infrastructure Finance
Better financing can help address Colorado’s affordability crisis. These bills focused on unlocking capital and lowering costs.
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Middle Income Housing Authority & Tax Credit (SB22-232, HB24-1316): Pioneered "first-in-the-nation" financing and tax credits for the "missing middle"—teachers, nurses, and first responders.
The BUILD Authority (SB25-081): Partnered with the current Treasurer to keep Colorado tax dollars working in Colorado to finance local infrastructure.
Modular Housing Reform (SB25-002): Cut red tape for factory-built housing to lower construction costs.
Infrastructure Funding Mechanisms (SB23-283): Built the state-level tools to maximize federal "draw down" dollars for roads and broadband.
Workforce Development & Education ROI
A strong economy starts with a workforce that’s ready for it. These bills focused on making education and training pay off for students, employers, and Colorado’s future.
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Higher Education ROI Report (HB18-1226): Forced transparency on degree costs vs. earnings, treating tuition like the major investment it is.
Opportunity Now Colorado (HB22-1350, HB24-1365): Invested tens of millions into employer-community college partnerships for construction and building trades.
K-12 Funding Reform (HB25-1320): Fully funded Amendment 23 for the first time in a decade and modernized the state's funding formula.
Career-to-Apprenticeship Pipeline (SB21-119): Bridged the gap between high school and paid trades, making credentials more accessible.
Economic Growth & Small Business Resilience
A Treasurer should understand how capital actually reaches businesses and workers. These bills focused on building those pipelines.
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Quantum Tax Credit (HB24-1325): Secured Colorado's spot as a national quantum hub, leveraging private investment for high-tech job growth.
Restaurant & Small Business Recovery (SB20-213, SB20-222): Delivered $20M in emergency grants and relief to keep local main streets alive during the pandemic.
Accelerated Growth Program (SB21-241): Created targeted lending for businesses with under 20 employees in rural and underserved areas.
Employee Ownership (HB24-1157): Created the Employee Ownership Office and tax credits to help local business owners transition to employee-owned models, keeping profits, wealth, and jobs right here in Colorado communities.
Legislator of the Year or Equivalent
Beyond Legislation
Protecting military lives
While working for U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, I received a letter from a Colorado soldier whose friend was killed by an IED while in a Humvee gunner's seat. He asked about automated turrets (CROWS) that would have saved his friend's life.
I discovered Congress was about to eliminate this program despite field commanders praising its effectiveness. Working across party lines, I helped save and expand the program. Today, thousands of these systems protect our military personnel overseas.
Advancing equality with faith communities
When President Obama prepared to sign an executive order banning LGBTQ+ discrimination by federal contractors, he faced pressure to include a religious exemption that would have weakened the protections.
As Associate Vice President at Union Theological Seminary, I brought together diverse faith leaders—Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish—who opposed the exemption. Our coalition argued that people of faith should be exemplary, not exempted. Our work helped ensure the order protected LGBTQ+ Americans without loopholes.