Six candidates are running in the Democratic primary to represent the City of Boulder at the Colorado legislature. The primary election is on June 25, 2024.
The seats include Senate District 18, which covers the City of Boulder, Superior, Louisville, Gunbarrel and Niwot; House District 10, which encompasses the City of Boulder east of Broadway; and House District 49, which includes the City of Boulder west of Broadway as well as Estes Park, Lyons, Idaho Springs and Nederland. Republican candidates are running for these House seats, but they are unlikely to win given the political leanings of the districts.
Several incumbents representing Boulder County this year are running for reelection in uncontested Democratic primaries: Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis of Boulder County representing Senate District 17, Rep. Kyle Brown of Louisville representing House District 12 and Rep. Karen McCormick of Longmont representing House District 11. Republican candidates for these seats are unlikely to win given the political leanings of the districts.
The only seat in Boulder County likely to be contested in the November election is House District 19, which includes an eastern sliver of Boulder County and much of Weld County. About 50% of voters in this district are registered as unaffiliated and the rest are about evenly split between registered Republicans and Democrats, according to state voter registration data. Rep. Jennifer Parenti, a Democrat from Erie, is running uncontested in the primary. Challenging her in the general election is former state Rep. Dan Woog, a Republican from Erie.
Click on the candidates’ profiles below to learn more about them. You’ll also find their answers to our six-question candidate questionnaire, covering topics ranging from homelessness and renter protections to ranked-choice voting and the future of oil and gas drilling, as well as why they’re running and what distinguishes them from their opponents:
- Addressing homelessness: The issue of homelessness played a central role in Boulder’s municipal election in 2023. Yet, homelessness is influenced by factors outside a city’s control, such as the high cost of living and lack of mental health treatment capacity. What would you do at the state level to address homelessness in cities like Boulder?
- Implementing ranked-choice voting broadly: In the 2023 city election, Boulder elected its mayor using a form of ranked-choice voting. Proponents of this voting method want to extend it to elect candidates for the Boulder City Council. They argue that to do this, state lawmakers must mandate the Colorado Secretary of State to establish new regulations enabling the city and county to conduct elections using a multi-winner form of ranked-choice voting. Would you support such legislation? Why or why not?
- Capping rent increases: Earlier this year, lawmakers passed the “just cause” eviction bill, marking a significant legal change in renters’ rights. Some lawmakers want to further these protections by repealing a Colorado law that prohibits cities like Boulder from capping rent increases, a measure they believe would improve housing affordability. What are your thoughts on repealing this law?
- Curbing oil and gas drilling: Last session, lawmakers introduced a bill that would have required state regulators to stop issuing new oil and gas drilling permits by 2030, in line with global commitments to zero out fossil fuel emissions responsible for global warming by midcentury. Gov. Jared Polis and many Democratic legislators were skeptical of the bill, and it was ultimately voted down in committee. What are your thoughts on restricting oil and gas drilling in Colorado for climate and public health reasons?
I will not vote this year for Karen McCormick from Longmont. Our HOA had set up a committee to examine how to save water in our lawn common areas and were looking at various options. I personally sent Karen McCormick 2 emails asking if there were any state programs/offices that we could contact to seek assistance and any advice. Not one single reply. She does not deserve my or other constituents votes for re-election.