Editor’s note: Active voter registration numbers are current as of Sept. 25, 2024, according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. The candidates’ responses have been edited for clarity and brevity. 

Senate District 5

The boundaries in the Senate district include Carbondale and Parachute to the north, just north of Pagosa Springs to the south, and Montrose and Delta to the west.

Voter registration: Democrats: 22,753; Republican: 30,837; Unaffiliated: 55,444. Total active voters: 111,194

Cole Buerger

Party: Democrat

Bio: Cole Buerger is a rural small business owner who grew up on a ranch south of Silt. He earned a degree in international affairs from George Washington University and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago. He has worked as a policy consultant and human rights advocate. He currently serves as a member of the Garfield County Planning and Zoning Commission, and on the boards of the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership and Middle Colorado Watershed Council. 

If elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

My first priority in the legislature will be addressing the affordability crisis we are facing here in Colorado. I will work to get more accessible housing built, lower the costs of physical and mental healthcare, and expand childcare options. Second, I want to make sure West Slope communities can grow and diversify our economy. That means making sure we get the funds we need to rebuild and repair our roads and bridges and our water infrastructure — from treatment plants to irrigation systems — and to continue to expand broadband and public transit. It also means supporting our small businesses and communities to create good paying jobs. Finally, I am dedicated to protecting our water and our public lands. 

Please briefly describe your philosophy on working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

A former client of mine used to say, monopolies are bad in business, and they are bad in politics. I agree. In the legislature, we need to deemphasize party affiliation and prioritize effective representation of all of the diverse communities and voices in Colorado. That means talking less and listening more. It means making sure we are traveling outside of the districts we represent to gain perspective and context from other constituencies. I would like to see a legislator exchange program to bring more people to the West Slope and rural communities. I hope to visit districts on the Front Range and Eastern Plains to learn about the issues that are top of mind there. If we do that, we can find the common ground that will allow us to govern more effectively and respectfully.

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system?

I do support Proposition 131. I believe a ranked choice voting primary would offer voters more choices and dampen the influence of the political extremes. I would also like to see the clause in Senate Bill 210 that requires 12 Colorado municipalities in counties of a certain size and with a specific demographic makeup to conduct ranked choice elections before a ranked choice election could be used in a race for state or federal office repealed so that 131 to take effect on time.

Marc Catlin

Party: Republican

Bio: A native of Montrose County, Marc Catlin grew up on a farm that raised sugar beets and Coors barley, and, later, sweet corn and seed beans. He left farming and opened a real estate office, and then worked for United Banks of Colorado and A-B Lateral, a hydro electric project. He also managed and operated the Mesa County fairgrounds while he was living in Grand Junction. Later, he served as manager of The Uncompahgre Valley Water Users. More recently, he worked for Montrose County as a water rights development coordinator. 

If elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

When elected, my only priority is serving ALL the people of the district that sent me to do the job.

In terms of legislation, the state of Colorado is entering into a time when experience about the Colorado River and water issues in the west are needed. Colorado must remain the leader in water. There are currently funding mechanisms that are attached to this priority. In the case that Proposition JJ passes in November, the state of Colorado will have a dedicated funding source for water conservation efforts. There are other funding sources in the budget for water that are designed to protect supplies for our productive agriculture, protecting clean drinking water, and fighting to protect Colorado’s water.

The other issues that I will continue to work on are cost-of-living and healthcare. The cost of living in the 5th District is reaching a point where our children cannot afford to come back home and raise a family. Attainable housing is a must in the 5th District. Healthcare, while often overlooked in the equation of cost-of-living, must be addressed. Colorado must continue to develop the healthcare worker pipeline. 

Please briefly describe your philosophy on working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

The people’s business should not be for people playing disruptionist games with constituent’s livelihoods. During my time at the legislature, I have been bipartisan because most, if not all, of the pieces of legislation that I have run have come from constituents in my district. They have trusted me to help them in those cases. The only way that I can move forward is to try my best to get a solution to their problem and most of the time, the best solution comes from both sides working together.

This approach has shown to work in the legislature. I believe that when I approach other members of the body with a bill idea, they know that it is about helping my district, not to play some kind of “gotcha game.” I have been named the most bipartisan member. Colorado Politics named me one of 10 people who “Have the Juice” in the state of Colorado. I am the only member in Colorado’s history to be named to a leadership position in a standing committee that is not a member of the majority party. This honor was given by two separate speakers of the House. I believe it was given because the state’s work in agriculture, water, and natural resources is too important to play a partisan game.

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system?

I, personally, do not support Proposition 131. I believe that everyone should vote their conscience on the proposition and do what they believe is right for the section of the state that they live in.

Senate District 6

The boundaries for Senate District 6 include San Luis to the east to the southwestern border of Colorado, and just west of Montrose to the north.

Voter registration: Democrats: 27,819; Republicans: 33,225; Unaffiliated: 56,459. Total active voters: 119,759.

Cleave Simpson (incumbent)

Party: Republican

Bio: A graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, Cleave Simpson and his family lived in Texas and Australia during his career in engineering. He and his wife, Cathy, returned home to Alamosa and the San Luis Valley in 2014 to help his father operate the family farming and ranching operations. He has served as general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District since 2016. Simpson was first elected to the Colorado General Assembly in 2020.

If re-elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

1. Demand more fiscal responsibility from the general assembly and assure we abide by our constitutional funding requirements as well as our statutory requirements to maintain a 15% reserve. We FINALLY eliminated the budget stabilization factor and put forward a budget this year to fulfill our constitutional requirement on funding K-12 education. Current economic forecasts are putting some fiscal pressures on the General Assembly. We need to maintain the zero balance of the budget stabilization factor.

2. Work to make Colorado more affordable. Push back on any new Enterprise proposals and demand accountability on the existing ones. I will be seeking accountability during the SMART act hearings on the multitude of recently created Enterprise’s and their effectiveness.

3. Of course a focus on water security issues around Colorado as outlined in each Basin Implementation Plan included in the Colorado Water Plan. I support proposition JJ Retaining Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue and will work to make sure that additional infusion of funds is put to good use.

Please briefly describe your philosophy on working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

My approach remains the same, treat people professionally and with dignity and respect. I have built a reputation as a thoughtful and approachable legislator, always willing to engage in productive dialogue. Some of my colleagues from across the aisle have accepted invitations from me and have brought their families to stay with my wife and I and experience first hand life on a farm in rural Colorado. Wonderful experience for both of our families!

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system?

I am NOT supporting Proposition 131. I understand the process but don’t agree with the premise that we need this mechanism to reduce the partisanship in our political landscape. I think the last primary season here in Colorado largely reflected that voters are looking for and supporting candidates, from either party, that can demonstrate a willingness to work for their constituencies and not political parties. This is a significant and fundamental change in our election process and I don’t think it’s necessary.

Vivian Smotherman

Party: Democrat

Bio: Raised in metro Denver, Vivian Smotherman is a farmer and a veteran who has formally studied history and anthropology. After enlisting in the Navy, Smotherman lived in Albuquerque and Texas, where she worked in offshore drilling. Smotherman also ran a farm while in Texas. 

If elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

I’m focused on affordable housing, rural health care, and education. By focusing on affordable housing, helping find grants and funding for the myriad of great projects our county commissioners are working on around the state, I believe we can also help our rural healthcare needs. Currently, our biggest obstacles appear to be finding and keeping healthcare providers, notably because they can not afford to live in our communities. Along with this, I’m convinced we need to improve our schools, starting with funding, but going beyond that to raise their national standings so that young professionals are incentivized to come into our communities and stay. As far as funding goes, I’ll be working hard to address the limitations TABOR puts on our state economy. Many people do not realize how convoluted our tax system has become because of TABOR, how it’s turned into a regressive tax system that only benefits the rich, and how municipalities all over the state have had to nickel and dime the taxpayers of their communities to excess, in order to compensate for budget shortfalls.

Please briefly describe your approach to working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

Once I’m in office, party affiliation is secondary to progress. I’m a very pragmatic person who searches for solutions that work. Good legislation can come from anywhere and I’ll be evaluating proposals based on merit, not party ties. I’m also incredibly positive and easy to get along with.

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system? 

I do believe we need to look at election reform seriously. However, the proposal on the table, Proposition 131, is not the answer. Proposition 131 will make it easier for special interest groups with money to monopolize elections and we will all lose out on the ability to elect viable candidates that share our values. We need a better solution than Proposition 131 offers. I will be voting no on Proposition 131.

Senate District 12

Senate District 12 boundaries include southern Colorado Springs and Fort Carson to the south and Falcon to the north.

Voter registration: Democrats: 20,830; Republicans: 24,708; Unaffiliated: 52,134. Total active voters: 100,196

Marc Snyder

Party: Democrat

Snyder did not respond to the Colorado Politics questionnaire.

Stan VanderWerf

Party: Republican

Bio: Stan VanderWerf served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force and later launched several small businesses, including in the areas of aerospace defense consulting and computer-aided design and 3-D printing. He is the founding CEO of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Colorado, Advanced Capitol LLC and CEM-TEK USA, computer aided design and 3-D printing) and the Freedom Center of the Rockies. VanderWerf serves on the El Paso Board of County Commissioners. He is married to Betsy and has two children, Erik and Carolyn.

If elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

From district polling, the Top 3 issues are immigration (public safety), inflation, and economy. These are extrapolated to issues of fentanyl, human trafficking, and the cost of immigrant care. Economic challenges include increased energy, housing, and food costs, along with increased state regulatory burdens.

For all, substantial increases in state funding will not be needed. I support increased penalties for fentanyl and human trafficking. We need to remove or modify HB19-1124 to allow local law enforcement to work with ICE. The federal government must address border security and immigration reform. As a state senator, I will work with our federal delegation, all of whom I know well.

Current Colorado energy policy contributes to rising costs. Better would be an “all source” approach including natural gas, oil, wind, solar, nuclear and geothermal.

For affordable housing, we need construction defect reform and we need to extend the current law regarding senior homestead exemption.

Finally, we need to reduce the state’s regulatory burdens on citizens and businesses.

Please briefly describe your approach to working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

As an El Paso County commissioner, I have a demonstrated record of working with people from hard right to hard left. Democrats and Republicans respect my ability to work across the aisle. 

My race is very important to ensure balance and prevent any one party from achieving too much power. The Democrats are one seat from a supermajority in the Senate. To ensure that balance, it is important I win this race. Balance is also needed for healthy debate and better legislation. I have worked with many state legislators from both parties on a lot of legislation. Indeed Governor Polis himself appointed me to the State Board of Health to represent Congressional District 5.

My approach is simple, I will work with anyone who treats me with respect. Diplomacy and statesmanship is part of who I am. I learned this while a colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system? 

I do not support Proposition 131, commonly known as Rank Choice Voting. Where tried elsewhere, it has proven to be more expensive to administer, takes more time to complete voting tabulation, has been confusing for voters, creates new risks for corruption, and in a few cases has selected a candidate that did not have the highest number of votes. This bill, if passed, would cost local government a lot more without reimbursement from the state. This would be another unfunded mandate for local government.

John Angle

Party: Libertarian

John Angle did not respond to the Colorado Politics questionnaire.

Senate District 16

Senate District 16 encompasses Denver’s western suburbs, including parts of Centennial in the east to Littleton in the north and Ken Caryl to the west.

Voter registration: 30,086; Republican: 32,394; Unaffiliated: 58,867. Total active voters: 123,365

Chris Kolker (incumbent)

Party: Democrat

Bio: Chris Kolker grew up in rural Iowa on the family farm. He moved to Arapahoe County in 1999. Kolker taught high school social studies, was a certified financial planner and a small business owner. He first served as a state senator in 2021. He and his wife, a middle school counselor, have two daughters.

If re-elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

I have heard from my constituents a number of top issues.

1. Property tax increase and affordable housing. We have addressed property tax increases for both senior citizens and non-senior citizens with laws to permanently decrease the rate of assessment and allow portability for the homestead exemption for seniors.

2. Truly fund public education so that our schools are fully staffed with the best staff. We have started by ending the BS factor and the IOU that has been written for over a dozen years. Our next step is to fund based on the true cost of educating each child no matter where they live in this state.

3. Increase affordable housing. Affordable housing comes with an increase in inventory and increase in wages for all. We have instituted policies that incentivize multiple styles of construction, loan programs for middle income housing, and increasing wages and lowering costs on families with children through earned income tax credits and paid preschool.

Please briefly describe your philosophy on working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

I have been sought out by my colleagues across the aisle to run legislation with them because of my ability to find solutions and common ground. A majority of the bills that I’ve supported have been bi-partisan. I ran to be the adult in the room and I’m elected to represent everyone. That means having difficult conversations respectfully in order to get to the root of the issues, learn the facts and make informed choices.

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system?

No, I do not support Proposition 131. Colorado is the gold standard for election integrity and we do everything we can to make sure all qualified voters have the ability to vote. We keep striving for 100% participation and are doing so in an equitable manner for all. Proposition 131 will make voting more confusing because it would only apply to some races, forcing Colorado voters to use two different systems in both the primary and general elections. Federal and state races would follow the new rules, while U.S. president, local, and school board elections would stay the same. This confusion increases the chance of voter mistakes, making ballots 10 times more likely to be invalidated, and delays election results by up to two weeks. 

Robyn Carnes 

Party: Republican

Bio: Originally from Iowa, Robyn Carnes currently serves as a Centennial City councilmember and serves on several committees. She also serves as an officer of a national nonprofit that fights sex trafficking. Carnes is a business owner and consultant with More Than Funds. She is also a chaplain. Carnes and her husband have two boys.   

If elected, what are your Top 3 priorities and how will you fund them?

708 pieces of legislation introduced + 525 pieces of legislation passed last session = way too many. We can do better than this! Let’s focus on non-partisan issues that Coloradans can agree on such as:

Affordability & The High Cost of Living: Why’s everything so expensive? I’m committed to finding solutions to make Colorado more affordable for families and vulnerable residents. We can’t keep balancing our budgets on the backs of families. I will fight to cut taxes, fees, red tape and unnecessary regulation so that families and our most vulnerable residents can thrive. Incentivizing local farmers and getting tougher on crime will also help lower insurance.

Housing: The lack of affordable housing in Colorado is a major issue — young people can’t buy, and seasoned folks can’t downsize. It’s time to pass legislation and allow builders to create homes for everyone, including condos and townhomes. I will fight to make home ownership attainable.

Crime and Public Safety: These are major concerns for Colorado families, and it’s shocking that our state is considered one of the most dangerous places to live. Why? Because legislation keeps law enforcement from doing its job. I will fight to create common sense legislation that punishes criminals and protects victims.

Please briefly describe your philosophy on working with colleagues from across the political aisle.

I hope to work with both parties, finding those who are reasonable and love their district, state and country, to affect positive outcomes for our community. It starts by checking egos at the door, building relationships with individuals who share differing opinions, finding common ground, and then tackling issues that Coloradans care most about. Good governance admits that no single party has all the answers. Yet in our political landscape, one political party controls all the levers of government. As a result, life has become less affordable, less safe and less certain for Coloradans. Good governance encourages well-vetted, collaborative policies — which I’m committed to. While serving on the non-partisan Centennial City Council, I along with my colleagues checked our political parties at the door to debate ideas and policies that affect our residents directly. Good governance involves balance and working with those who may have differing opinions. Coloradans want and deserve this. It’s why I’m running a purple campaign. Take Red (representing Republicans) + Blue (representing Democrats) = Purple, the color of champions. I hope to be a champion for Coloradans, just like I’ve already done on Centennial City Council.

Do you support Proposition 131, which changes Colorado’s primary system to an open system? 

To be quite honest, I’m not 100% sure how I’ll vote on this issue. To be clear, I supported creating an open primary in Colorado that allows all voters to participate in their elections. Yet I’m not sure Proposition 131 is the solution based on the results in Alaska, Iowa and San Francisco. We need to ensure that the people’s voice is heard and part of the process. I would have preferred more case studies in Colorado’s elections before unveiling in a major election for our US Senate seat and all statewide offices in 2026 so we can ensure our elections officials have the equipment, training and resources they need to be successful. The last thing we want is to create mistrust or confusion in our election system