Jillaire McMillan is the co-founder of Blue Trail Engineering, a marine robotics company she started with her husband. She previously served as the director of volunteers for Mormon Women for Ethical Government, a faith-based educational organization. McMillan holds a master’s degree in American History from Boston College. She has also held leadership roles in church congregations and on parent–teacher association boards. A mother of four, McMillan has spent much of the past two decades as a stay-at-home parent. Her top priorities include increasing the number of health care providers in Colorado, preventing gun violence and improving public transit access.
McMillan was selected by a Democratic vacancy committee in August after State Rep. Jennifer Parenti, a first-term Democrat from Erie, announced in July that she would not seek reelection, citing conflicts between the job and her values.
Her endorsements include the Colorado Education Association, Colorado AFL-CIO, Moms Demand Action, Planned Parenthood Votes Colorado, Congressman Joe Neguse, Senator Michael Bennet and other elected officials.
McMillan will face Republican Dan Woog, who narrowly lost his reelection bid in 2022, in the general election.
Why are you running for the state legislature?
I’ve always had a deep love for my community, and have thought about running for office for a long time. While I never anticipated running a campaign in 2024, stepping into this race in August when another candidate dropped out is a true reflection of my life as a dedicated citizen and community member. For almost a decade I’ve been a leader in a national nonpartisan political nonprofit. In my advocacy work I’ve engaged with people from across the political spectrum on diverse — and sometimes divisive — issues. I’ve learned to have respectful, solutions-based conversations that bring the kind of nuance to issues that I think most voters really want. In my position, I worked to ensure access to the ballot, went to federal offices to support expanding the child tax credit, and promoted civic engagement, among other things. Finally and importantly, I’m a mom of four children. Like others, I worry about the rising cost of living, safety in schools and the community, the environment and access to affordable healthcare. I want to bring my integrity, work ethic and problem-solving skills to the capitol to address these concerns in a way that brings positivity to politics.
What distinguishes you from your election opponent?
I’m a first-time candidate who is new to campaigning. I’ve come from behind to power my campaign with donations from hundreds of small donors and the local Colorado organizations that have endorsed me. I’ve also earned endorsements from voters on the other side of the aisle because they know my character and believe that protecting democracy and a willingness to collaborate are more important than partisan loyalty. I have nearly a decade of experience working in a nonpartisan advocacy organization, demonstrating my ability to build coalitions and get things done in a positive and peacemaking way that does not rely on negative attacks or misinformation. I believe in the integrity of our election systems, support reproductive rights, and am a champion for public education. I am the only candidate in this race that is on record affirmatively confirming that the 2020 election wasn’t stolen and supporting the constitutional right to an abortion that is on this year’s ballot.
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?
Housing affordability is a key concern across HD19. To address this complex problem, we will need a variety of solutions. We need to streamline permitting processes, support greater innovation in building, have more flexibility in zoning, and see more public-private partnerships to increase the supply of homes for people with a range of incomes. As a legislator I will be able to play a role in some of these solutions, but I also recognize that local governments have laws and ordinances that are paramount.
The mental health issues of homelessness also need to be addressed. We have a shortage of mental health providers in Colorado and many don’t take insurance, which makes it unaffordable for many patients. Insurance companies that make their coding systems intentionally convoluted force providers into spending time arguing over bills instead of providing care. I will explore insurance reforms that will free up mental health providers to spend more time with patients. I also want to expand the number of all healthcare providers in the state through exploring tuition assistance programs. Investment in medical providers would yield long-term cost savings and benefits to the health of Coloradans and the stability of our communities.
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?
I support electoral reform that will help moderate extremism and give voters the best choices. Ranked-choice voting may be one way to achieve that. I would consider supporting legislation that empowers cities and counties to implement electoral reforms for their local races as long as those reforms maintain Colorado’s exceptional ballot access for voters.
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?
Affordable housing is a top issue for Coloradans this year and will be a priority for me as a legislator. Any bill or law that limits the options that local governments can exercise to assist with housing costs should be re-evaluated to see how it can work better for communities and residents. Allowing municipalities the option to cap rent increases as one tool in their toolbox for addressing their local housing needs would allow for more tailored solutions for Colorado communities.
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?
We know we need to be transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Fossil fuels are finite, and they have a negative effect on our environment. However, we also heavily depend on oil and gas, and many HD19 residents work in this industry. We can’t look at this as a binary. It will take planning and cooperation to make the transition. Farmers, ranchers, insurance companies, people’s health, and the state’s economic stability, all depend on us acting on the best information to address the effects of our changing climate. Voters should be aware that Governor Polis brokered an agreement between environmental groups and the oil and gas industry that prohibits any new restrictions on oil and gas development until 2028. I’m committed to this agreement. It will give us time to see how current regulations are working and to then craft data-driven policy. That doesn’t mean I’m ignoring this issue entirely. I know people have concerns about the noise, light, and air pollution that can accompany oil and gas drilling. I support sensible oil and gas development that protects residents from the negative effects while crafting policy to reduce our reliance on these resources and to transition workers to new jobs.
