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Republican state Rep. Justin Everett timed his campaign launch for treasurer of Colorado to coincide with Tax Day.

Everett announced his candidacy Tuesday with a campaign video and website launch, in which he promises to “take our state back.”

“Why we’re announcing on Tax Day is because it’s the treasurer’s responsibility to protect taxpayers,” Everett told Colorado Politics during an interview on Monday. “The last five years in the legislature, I don’t think that anyone has the record that I do that’s put taxpayers first and foremost and made fiscally responsible decisions.”

As treasurer, Everett would be responsible for overseeing the state’s financial investments, as well as serving on the board that manages the retirement system for state employees.

The Public Employees’ Retirement Association faces about $30 billion in unfunded liabilities and saw only a 1.5 percent return on retirement investments in 2015. The treasurer sits on the PERA board as an ex officio member.

Everett sponsored several pieces of legislation this year to address PERA, including an effort to allow the treasurer to access all records kept by the retirement association. Another measure carried by Everett this year would have capped employer contribution rates for PERA. Both bills failed in the legislature over Democratic opposition.

Everett also supported an effort to shakeup the composition of the PERA board to include fewer PERA members representing the workforce, younger board members and more financial experts.

“It’s the fox watching the henhouse,” Everett said of the current board.

“We have to structurally move in the right direction and get the right people in there to move in the right direction.”

The 45-year-old third-term representative from Littleton highlighted his background in finance, investment management and entrepreneurship as qualifications for the position. He holds an a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a law degree from the Strum College of Law at the University of Denver. Everett does some small business and growth management consulting.

“I was the poor kid in private school, but I made it through, becoming the first person in my family to graduate from college,” Everett explains on his website.

Also announced in the treasurer’s race is Democrat Steve Lebsock, a state representative from Thornton. Several other candidates are considering getting into the race.

Everett could face a primary against Brian Watson, the founder and chief executive of Northstar Commercial Partners, a commercial real estate investment firm. Also considering a run on the Republican side is Routt County Treasurer Brita Horn, and unsuccessful 2nd Congressional District candidate George Leing.

The seat comes open after the race next year when Republican Treasurer Walker Stapleton’s term expires. Stapleton is considering running for governor.

“Competition is always good,” Everett said of the expected race. “I think it makes candidates better, but I don’t think you’re going to see anybody out there that has proven themselves, not only as being conservative, but also making tough decisions.”

He has gained a reputation in the legislature as a lawmaker who is more likely to vote “no” than “yes.” At least one fellow lawmaker nicknamed Everett, “Dr. No,” a play on the James Bond villain, as reported this week by Colorado Public Radio’s Vic Vela.

“It’s not just a straight, ‘no,’” Everett explained when asked by Colorado Politics. “I come up with ideas and solutions.

“Saying ‘no’ in some cases and having the political will to do that I think is going to be necessary … Somebody has got to be the adult.”