Relevant experience
My background consists of extensive experience in budget and finance working in State Government and the non-profit sector. Work includes:
- Senior Budget Analyst – Governors Budget Office (10 years);
- Budget Director – Colorado Department of Labor and Employment;
- Workforce Eastern Regional Director – Colorado Department of Labor and Employment;
- Longmont City Council Member – 5 years;
- Cofounder, Grant Writer, Board Member – Fort Morgan Humane Society;
- Served on RTD from 1992 through 2000, representing District M.
Top three four priorities if elected
- Build the NW Rail Line to Boulder and Broomfield Counties;
- Restore Bus Service;
- Resource/Budget Management;
- Creating new partnerships between CDOT and Front Range passenger rail.
Tell us about your daily commute: What does it look like?
I am now retired. When I was working, I took the LX to Denver from Longmont every day. This bus route has been severely cut back.
When was the last time you used public transportation? How often do you use public transportation?
I took the RTD train to the airport on my August vacation.
When was the last time you paid rent? How much was it?
Candidate did not respond.
Long-form questions
What are the top three transportation-related issues residents of District I face? What are your plans to address them if elected?
- Rail line to Longmont. My top priority is to build the NW rail line to Longmont as voted on by taxpayers in 2004. Boulder and Broomfield taxpayers are frustrated with RTD’s lack of interest in finishing FasTracks and they have not forgotten that our rail line has been scheduled for 2050. Communities along the line have paid RTD over half a billion dollars in FasTracks taxes for other Denver rail lines and now want our line completed in the next few years (per SB 24-184 and SB 24-230). I believe there now are funds to build the line. No more waiting.
- Restore service. Bus service was drastically cut due to COVID several years ago. It is time to restore service and build ridership back up (like what other transit agencies had been doing for the past 2 years). RTD is sitting on an enormous reserve.
- Resource management. I have extensive expertise in government and nonprofit financial management. I understand annual budgeting issues, revenue estimating, and general financial management techniques While it is imperative to maintain RTD’s AAA bond rating, it is also imperative that resources are used efficiently to provide the transit services needed by the community. A financial balance needs to be achieved between frugal spending, reasonable reserves, and providing service as mandated by state statute. Maintaining a $1 billion reserve needs to be reexamined. In addition, the state now has 2 new revenue sources for RTD to request and use.
- Creating new partnerships. The Governor and State Legislature have passed recent laws requiring RTD to work constructively with Front Range Passenger Rail and CDOT to build the NW rail line and rail along the entire Front Range of Colorado. We need to make these partnerships successful.
Please describe existing RTD services in District I today. Are you aware what, if any, services are on tap to be added, removed or altered during the next five years?
RTD does not prepare a five-year plan; however, they substantially cut service in District I during COVID and never restored the cut service. I will work to restore the cut service and work closely with Longmont, Broomfield, Lafayette and Erie to design the service that they need. Transit riders also need a voice and should be invited to provide their recommendations about their transit needs.
Longmont also needs Skyride to DIA service. We should also bring back RockiesRide and BroncosRide.
How should RTD balance providing services to dense, urban areas versus more suburban areas that are more car-dependent?
A balance needs to be achieved between taxpayers and RTD service.
Suburban taxpayers cannot be ignored and all service cannot go to just Denver and Boulder. Some bus and rail service needs to be spread across the RTD region since all taxpayers are supporting this transit agency. I understand that more dense regions need more transit, however, suburban taxpayers must also benefit from the taxes they pay.
It is also important for local governments to be partners in designing service. This includes Longmont, Broomfield, Lafayette and Erie.
Given current and projected resources, what should RTD prioritize: Improving services for existing users/service areas or attracting new users / expanding into new service areas?
RTD has extensive reserves. Due to the pandemic, cut services and issues with hiring employees, they have amassed a $1 billion in reserves.
What resources and tools at your disposal would you use to enhance experience for existing users and in existing service areas?
Using the annual budget resources and working with fellow board members and local government partners, we must restore service to pre-pandemic levels based on community need. In addition, he State Legislature passed two bills this session providing additional resources to RTD to build the NW rail line. RTD must start planning, designing and construction of the line as mandated by state statute and have the line complete by 2029.
What resources and tools at your disposal would you use to attract new users to RTD?
RTD must make buses and trains safe to ride. RTD must also maintain consistent and reliable bus service and keep to on time schedule. Once buses and trains are safe and reliable, then RTD needs to create a marketing campaign to advertise their services and encourage more people to try transit. They need to be transparent and open to change.
Where are the top three locations you would like to see RTD expand?
Rail to Boulder and Broomfield counties; service needs as identified by the cities; and services for large regional events such as Rockies and Bronco games.
Do you or anyone you know rely on paratransit services?
As our population ages, more senior citizens will benefit from easy-to-use transit services. RTD started Access-a-Ride in the 1990s when I previously served on the Board. I am familiar with many of the issues that they faced when it was started and some of the challenges they still fact today.
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