Jaylen Mosqueira
Republican Party
AGE
27
RESIDENCE
Littleton
PROFESSION
Small Family Owned Business – Construction and Real Estate Management
EDUCATION
Metropolitan University of Denver, earning a B.S. in Political Science with a Public Affairs minor
EXPERIENCE
I began my work on campaigns for many statewide and congressional candidates. I have spent the last three years working as an aide for several representatives and senators.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
I am committed to addressing education, crime, and the economy. Our education system must put students and parents first, and we need to make sure funding is going back into the classrooms to make sure our students have the tools they need to succeed. Crime has skyrocketed across the state, and we need to end policies that protect criminals. We should instead take care of the victims of crime. Our economy has taken a hit over the last few years, and burdensome government regulation does not help. We need to cut red tape and unnecessary government intervention so that our economy can thrive.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
Colorado must continue to improve our infrastructure. This is a bipartisan issue that both parties should be able to find common ground to produce balanced solutions. Proper funding for infrastructure is something we have seen both parties come together on in the past, and I see that as being a place for common ground in the future.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
It’s important that we have representation and perspectives that have a wide range of understandings and viewpoints. As a millennial who grew up in two small family-owned businesses, I have seen the impact of legislation negatively impacting my community. With my experience in small business and my ability to bring new ideas and representation from a millennial perspective will bring balance back to Colorado.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
As your next representative, I am committed to developing creative solutions to push more affordable housing options on the market. We must also look at existing laws and how they create a disincentive to build new and more affordable housing.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
We must do more to prosecute and keep this dangerous drug off our streets and out of the hands of our children. We must expand treatment and ensure our community has the resources they need to address this crisis.
David Ortiz
Democratic Party
AGE
40
RESIDENCE
Littleton
PROFESSION
Retired U.S. Army and Nonprofit Management
EDUCATION
Joint BA International Affairs and Business Administration from University of St. Thomas
EXPERIENCE
Case Management for Catholic Charities.
Combat Aviator.
Nonprofit management for Veteran Service Organizations.
Advocate/lobbyist for veterans.
Colorado State House for two years.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
My top three priorities for the next legislative session are to create an online platform for veterans and their families that is a personalized and efficient means to find resources in their local communities, to bring forward a bill that will make renewable energy options accessible and available for the average household, and to create a grant program for Colorado to spur innovation and expedite the lab-to-industry pipeline for spinal cord injury research.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I see common ground with my Republican counterparts on my commitment to support our veterans, supporting our small businesses, and increasing access to mental and physical health services.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
My intersectionality of experiences is unique. I am an American first, but also a bisexual, Latino who lives with a disabilty. I am the only legislator with a visible disability requiring the use of a mobility device. I have fundamentally different experiences than my able bodied counterparts and offer unique perspectives on accessibility and disability rights that most others do not consider when writing legislation. I have worked as a case manager for Catholic Charities, created educational and economic exchanges for 4th largest city in US (Houston), and one of a handful of post 9/11 combat veterans.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
I sponsored a bill creating a revolving loan fund that invests $150 million dollars in the construction of affordable and attainable housing. An issue I want to tackle is working with community, developers, and home builders to discuss possible solutions to the unintended consequences that the construction defect law has created. A reinsurance program for construction of more affordable units like condos, something the defect law makes expensive, could be a viable route and solution. This combined with the significant investment we have made over the past two years in affordable housing could ease housing costs.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
As with all legislation, there are areas of the bill that I think went too far and other parts that did not go far enough. We can not allow the perfect to be the enemy of acting and trying to tackle a crisis. I think that the legislation passed during this previous session struck a balance between providing law enforcement and DAs the tools they need to go after fentanyl manufacturers, distributors, and dealers, while supporting those with addiction by providing investment in mental health and addiction treatments and an educational campaign surrounding fentanyl overdoses.
Brandon McDowell has not returned the questionnaire.
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How candidate order was determined: A lot drawing was held at the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 3 to determine the general election ballot order for major and minor party candidates. Colorado law (1-5-404, C.R.S.) requires that candidates are ordered on the ballot in three tiers: major party candidates followed by minor party candidates followed by unaffiliated candidates. Within each tier, the candidates are ordered by a lot drawing with the exception of the office of Governor and Lt. Governor, which are ordered by the last name of the gubernatorial candidate.
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