| I'm a fifth-generation Coloradan living in Capitol Hill, the same neighborhood where my grandfather used to deliver groceries. My wife Giselle and I are proud to be raising our three young children here and sending them to Denver Public Schools. I currently serve as Director of Policy for the City and County of Denver. I'm writing to you today to introduce myself and ask for your support in the upcoming vacancy election to replace Senator Chris Hansen.
I've spent my career serving my country and community to make a difference in people's lives. After college, I turned down a job on Wall Street to join the Army. I served in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, deployed overseas four times, received two Bronze Stars, and continue to serve in the Army Reserves. After attending Stanford Law School on the GI Bill, I joined a firm in Denver and was named one of three "Up & Coming Lawyers" statewide by Law Week Colorado.
Last year, I left my legal career to work on the toughest problems facing our city. As the Director of Policy, I have focused on one of the city's most important challenges- mental illness and substance use. I have worked closely with City Council to create Roads to Recovery, an innovative program that connects people struggling with severe addiction and mental illness to services. In less than a year, this program has connected more than a hundred of our unhoused neighbors to the help they need and moved them off the streets. I have also had the chance to shape the city's approach to other issues I'm passionate about, including housing, climate, and transportation.
Now I'm running for State Senate because there's so much more progress we can make together. This month, we woke up to the grim reality that Donald Trump will be our next President. Colorado is still a blue state, which means it is all the more important that our elected officials protect our most vulnerable neighbors, as I've done throughout my career. Working for the city, I've seen how much there is to do on housing affordability, climate policy and mental health. We need leaders in the State Senate who can craft policies that make a difference in Denver and the rest of Colorado. |