PRIORITIES
Broomfield ranks as one of the best and healthiest places to live in Colorado for good reason – natural beauty, safe neighborhoods (lowest per capita crime rate in the Denver metro), good schools, extensive open spaces and trails, quality city services, plentiful shopping and a solid retail-to-corporate business community. Our finances are strong with ample reserves, a low debt ratio and stellar credit ratings.
But we cannot be complacent. Let’s commit to moving forward. Let’s be vigilant and visionary to ensure Broomfield maintains its superior quality of living for decades to come. Let’s continue to build Broomfield together.
BUSINESS RECOVERY, RETENTION,
AND GROWTH
A diversified business base that provides good jobs close to home – and revenue so the tax burden does not fall unfairly on homeowners – is vital. I endorse efforts to support existing business owners, attract new quality developers and maintain existing business districts, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
I have supported our careful investment in the Town Square project, designed to make Broomfield a regional destination for locally owned businesses and restaurants, like those in historic downtown Louisville. COVID and the current economic chaos caused by the Trump regime have slowed progress, but we will get it done. In the meantime, Cherry Cricket has opened only its third venue in 80 years in Broomfield.
We also must responsibly embrace the new sustainability economy and support innovative new businesses. For example, we are excited to welcome Raven Space Systems, which will bring 400 jobs to Broomfield.
Want to learn more about city budget? Read the responses to the Broomfield Taxpayer Matters' questions.
Or view this fact check chart.
ATTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE
HOUSING FOR ALL
Like many families, my wife and I could not purchase our current home at today’s prices. And while our kids have grown up, downsizing today would mean paying a lot more for less – or leaving Broomfield. Home values have risen dramatically due to market forces beyond the city’s control, and the result puts families at all ages in a squeeze.
On council, I have supported new development, which is necessary to moderate home prices and reduce rents. I also supported assistance programs to especially help those on fixed incomes weather the spike in assessed values. I also supported construction of new housing for our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) adult population.
Land prices and building costs can make it economically impossible for builders to construct affordable or attainable housing in Broomfield on their own. To address this, I supported creation of our housing authority, which is now on track to create more than 1,000 affordable homes. While I voted against requiring sprinklers in new single-family homes (a significant added cost and lifelong maintenance concern while the odds of a house fire is a fraction of a percent) I supported cost-efficient EV-ready outlets in new builds (which eliminates a common barrier to EV car purchases) and new water-conservation regulations for new builds to responsibly plan for our drier, hotter future.
PUBLIC SERVICES, HEALTH, AND SAFETY
Broomfield stands up for its citizens’ health and safety rights. The city helped effect statewide changes to oil and gas regulations that empower communities to protect their citizens, schools and outdoor recreation areas from air, water and noise pollution. More work remains. I proudly voted for the 2,000-foot reverse setbacks to further protect homes from future oil and gas development and supported the air quality monitoring which helps keep the oil companies diligent about their safety practices.
We must take a similar stand to ensure continued high-quality city services that support overall community health. These range from mental health programs and senior services to parks and public safety.
I also supported our universal waste collection program for the ~9,000 household (out of 30,000+) that did not have access. This program cut rates, reduced truck traffic and greenhouse gases (GHG) that traffic produces, cuts wear and tear on our streets, and is expected to increase recycling, which also reduces GHG.
Thanks to our increased investment in public safety, Broomfield now has the lowest per capita crime rate in the Denver metro. As the son-in-law of a retired police officer, I deeply appreciate the commitment of all law enforcement and other first responders and mental health professionals called to serve. We owe them a proper facility as we have outgrown the current station, and that new building is now in design and construction will start soon. Next we will provide a proper facility for our excellent municipal courts. All our citizens and diverse communities deserve to feel safe and secure – and treated with equal respect and dignity.
OPEN SPACES AND CONNECTED TRAILS
Broomfield’s open spaces and trails enhance the quality of life here by providing room to breathe, natural land to support wildlife, inspiring views of the mountains and plentiful opportunities to walk, hike, bike and play outdoors. We are proud to have more miles of trails than roads.
With less than 20% of Broomfield remaining undeveloped, most of which is in Ward 5, we must never waver on reaching the city’s 40% open lands goals. Open space is finite and should be within reach from every corner of our community. We also must ensure Broomfield’s trail system has safe routes, connections to recreational venues and access throughout the community. The new Water Runs Back Open Space in Ward 5 will open in a few years and more open space land is coming.