Boulder Weekly sent candidate questionnaires to all candidates on Boulder County ballots. These are their written responses, edited for length and clarity. Read more Election 2024 content.
Donald “Don” Lewis
I was the Colorado – Wyoming Governor in 2001-2002.
Editor’s note: The candidate is referring to a previous role with Optimist International.
Priorities
Reduce the costs incurred for business startups. Reduce the number of building regulations that make no difference. Utilize specific income to solve problems that generate the income (i.e. road-related taxes). The county does have any money unless they take it from the people: Reduce taxes generally.
Editor’s note: Lewis was asked to clarify this response via email. He wrote, “Generally what you put money into you get more of. What you make more expensive you will get less of.”
When was the last time you paid rent? How much was it? And where?
Have not paid rent for over 25 years. Rent relates to mortgage, neither is free. It is just who you pay to.
What are the top three issues facing Boulder County, and what are your plans to address them?
The county must not copy California systems: Regulations should be “good enough.” Encourage the elimination of prairie rats. The homeless situation is a tough nut to crack. Adding more “homes” is not the solution but the homeless center is a good start. But more counseling with selected and united churches staff should be encouraged.
What do you believe the county’s role should be in addressing and/or leading the response to regional crises such as housing and homelessness? What, if anything, would you like to change about the current role the county plays?
Housing and homelessness are separate problems and should not try to fix them as one. Housing is a business problem worsened by general high taxes and regulations.
What is the ideal balance of local action on transportation vs. continued reliance on RTD? What should the county’s role be in providing local transit and/or transportation solutions?
Longmont has tried free transportation with RTD buses (large machines with some ridership). UBER systems use more efficient systems at higher personal cost. Busses try to collect people and disperse them in the places economical for the company but not convenient for the worker. Soon to be available are reliable driverless vehicles.
Given the realities of a changing climate and limited government resources, how do you plan on balancing mitigation and adaptation for already-impacted populations in Boulder County?
The reason we survived the U.S. ice age is because we adapt. If you give people a reasonable priced alternative, they will figure how to make it better for themselves.
Editor’s note: Boulder Weekly reached out for clarification on what the candidate means by “U.S. ice age.” Via email, Lewis wrote, “People find a way of adapting easier that other animals.”
How does JEDI factor into your policy making?
Who knows, I know I do not. Does truth and freedom fit in?
What efforts do you make in your daily life to consider and understand people with different lived experiences from your own?
I think that is why I am an optimist.
When’s the last time you changed your mind about something, and what was it?
I think it was something my wife told me was wrong. I cannot remember what it was.
What question would you ask a fellow candidate on the ballot?
“Now, do you think when you started it would be this hard?”
Why did you not respond to the primary questionnaire?
Too many emails, had to shed some.
How does this reflect on your willingness to engage with the press and/or public?
That was not the problem. The problem is lack of time. I went back and did find the initial questionnaire. I was getting so many emails at the time I went and deleted some batches. Then my son noted that I was missing in the press and should pay more attention.
Do you value a free and fair press, as it exists today? Why or why not?
We must have our free press. It is critical that the government does not mess with it.
How will you be held accountable by voters?
By paying attention to what is happening as it relates how the government should be making a good effort to make judgements well. Make your voices heard!
Lightning round
Do you support the state’s elimination of local occupancy limits? Yes
Do you support an end to the state prohibition on rent control? Yes
Do you support implementation of rent control locally? No
Do you support requiring more density in Boulder County as a way to address the affordable housing crisis? No
Do you support the Front Range train as the state’s highest priority for passenger rail? No
Do you support local efforts to increase the minimum wage? Candidate did not answer.
Do you support interventions for human-caused climate change? Candidate did not answer.
Do you support for SB24-157, which narrowed the definition of what constitutes a public meeting? Candidate did not answer.