ISSUES
BORDER SECURITY
Our open border is a national security crisis and a massive political failure.
The United States is at a crisis point. Communities across the country are being overwhelmed by illegal immigration, crime, and drugs such as fentanyl.
Our country has always been a nation of immigrants. Jeff strongly supports legal immigration and expanding opportunities for legal immigrants. But a country that can’t control its border isn’t meeting its fundamental responsibilities toward its citizens—including national security, economic security, and upholding the rule of law.
We must secure the border immediately. Border Patrol and law enforcement must be given all resources necessary to enforce the law. The federal government must also do everything in its power to work with local law enforcement to crack down on drugs and crime flowing into our country.
BETTER JOBS FOR A BETTER ECONOMY
Better jobs and a better economy mean healthier families and stronger communities.
If elected, Jeff’s top priority will be creating opportunities so rural Colorado economies can thrive. This includes higher-paying jobs that allow working families to support themselves.
Government plays an important role in economic development. But government is best when focused on creating conditions that allow businesses themselves to thrive. Jeff will target unnecessary mandates and regulations. Jeff will also work hard to incentivize investments from any sized company, but his primary focus will be on helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed.
When it comes to writing laws, big businesses don’t need help. If rural Colorado doesn’t have a member of Congress who cares about and understands policy, then laws and regulations get written by big business, and for big business. Jeff will fight to make sure laws and regulations treat small businesses in rural Colorado on a level playing field.
EMPOWER WORKING FAMILIES
It should be easier for working parents to raise their families.
It’s getting harder for working families to afford rural Colorado. The cost of food, transportation, and utilities keeps rising. Businesses struggle to recruit employees because of housing and childcare costs. Inflation in rural Colorado can be hard to measure[1], but those who live in rural areas experience it every day.
Jeff is open to balanced and thoughtful solutions that enable parents to work and raise their children. Pushing for jobs that let working families support themselves is key. But Jeff will also explore ways to find savings for families across rural Colorado. This includes the Child Tax Credit as well as tax credits and investments that assist parents struggling with child care.
ENERGY AND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
Low cost, abundant energy is good for Colorado and good for national security.
Jeff supports the responsible development of all Colorado energy resources. This includes some of the cleanest oil and natural gas molecules in the world. It’s a win for Colorado when these resources are produced cleanly, safely, and efficiently.
Energy independence is most important. But it’s also a win for the United States when we export our energy resources: Colorado energy can substitute for higher-carbon fuels abroad, and exporting Colorado energy will protect our allies from energy blackmail from countries like Russia or China.
A believer in free markets, Jeff is open to competitively priced renewable energy and low-carbon resources. He will engage any company interested in bringing power plants, safe technologies, and well-paying jobs to southern and western Colorado.
Jeff knows permitting and regulatory reform are necessary to speed both traditional and low-carbon energy development. And with increasing demands for electricity, Colorado must do everything it can to support energy projects—particularly reliable generation that’s available on demand.
Responsible energy development means national security for America and economic security for Colorado families. It means lower gas and electric bills. It means tax and lease revenue to our communities. It means higher-paying blue-collar jobs, which in turn foster more stable families and stronger communities.
WATER
Protecting Colorado water requires thoughtful advocacy.
Politicians always talk about “fighting for” Colorado’s water. Yet, few are willing to work to understand how to shape the law, policy, and politics to protect Colorado’s upstream interests.
Rural Colorado has only one voice in the U.S. House of Representatives when it comes to water. Colorado needs a serious and credible leader to push water users in the lower Colorado River Basin to live within their water means. Jeff will be that voice. Separately, he’ll also push to eradicate water-guzzling and non-native plant species like the tamarisk. He’ll target specific changes to federal law permitting processes that allow development of critical Colorado water projects that benefit rural Colorado.
Most importantly, Jeff will always work closely with Colorado’s agriculture community. In making water policy decisions, Jeff will listen first—and last—to the water users who make a living from irrigating and the water providers who serve Coloradans in the 3rd Congressional District.
AGRICULTURE
Fighting for economic, social, and environmental contributions that can’t be replaced.
Jeff grew up in western Colorado and appreciates what farming and ranching mean to Colorado’s economy, its environment, and its culture. Agriculture produces the food we eat, contributes billions to our economy every year, is critical to conservation and land management, and preserves and protects our natural resources. When rural Colorado loses ranching and farmland—particularly that of legacy ranchers and farmers—it loses a core part of its identity.
The Farm Bill, along with policies relating to trade, labor, federal regulations, grazing, land use, water and wolves all impact agriculture. Jeff will work hard to protect the livelihood of farmers and ranchers throughout rural Colorado—no matter the size, and whether they’re first-generation or legacy producers.
