Colorado is holding elections, including for municipal offices, on April 4, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of March 26. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.
Noah Kaplan (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council District 10 and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Kaplan responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“We need to improve public health and safety outcomes and build stronger relationships and trust with law enforcement. Denver must create better coordination and data sharing between behavioral and mental health service providers and law enforcement, acknowledging the complexity and necessity of their service, and the need to mitigate harm in our communities. If we invest in training, create transparency, and hold each other accountable, we will create better mental health services for residents and officers, and have stronger recruitment.”
Click here to read the rest of Kaplan’s answers.
Andy Rougeot (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of Denver and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Rougeot responded to the question: Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
“Add four hundred police officers, increase funding for police training, and ensure 911 system is responsive to make Denver safer. Enforce the camping ban, to get the homeless into the mental health and drug addiction services they need. Fix Denver’s broken permitting department and eliminate regulations that increase the cost of housing for blue collar workers, first time homebuyers, and young families.”
Click here to read the rest of Rougeot’s answers.
Ean Thomas Tafoya (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of Denver and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Tafoya responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“I believe the problems affecting Denver don’t stop at the edge of the city and neither will I. We need regional cooperation to address our biggest challenges, and I have experience bringing together our cities, states and country together on those issues.”
Click here to read the rest of Tafoya’s answers.
James Walsh (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of Denver and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Walsh responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Immigrant Rights, Worker Rights, Harm Reduction, Reparations to address the racial wealth gap, an expanded network of protected bicycle lanes in our city.”
Click here to read the rest of Walsh’s answers.
If you’re a Colorado candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
Additional reading: