Senate District 15
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Welcome to the Colorado Progressive Voters Guide! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
City Races
Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.
City of Boulder
Lauren Folkerts is running for reelection to Boulder City Council. She currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem and outside of council, works as an architect. Folkerts hopes to continue to work on Boulder’s most pressing issues such as climate change, inequity, and the housing crisis. She helped lead efforts to raise minimum wage, reform land use, and pass the nation’s first embodied carbon building code. Folkerts is an advocate for the people and nature that make Boulder so special. She is dedicated to supporting quality of life and economic prosperity for all. Also running are Matt Benjamin, Aaron Stone, Montserrat Palacios, Robert Smoke, Maxwell Lord, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Rob Kaplan, Mark Wallach, Nicole Speer, and Jennifer Robbins.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. Lauren Folkerts is a strong progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Lauren Folkerts is running for reelection to Boulder City Council. She currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem and outside of council, works as an architect. Folkerts hopes to continue to work on Boulder’s most pressing issues such as climate change, inequity, and the housing crisis. She helped lead efforts to raise minimum wage, reform land use, and pass the nation’s first embodied carbon building code. Folkerts is an advocate for the people and nature that make Boulder so special. She is dedicated to supporting quality of life and economic prosperity for all. Also running are Matt Benjamin, Aaron Stone, Montserrat Palacios, Robert Smoke, Maxwell Lord, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Rob Kaplan, Mark Wallach, Nicole Speer, and Jennifer Robbins.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. Lauren Folkerts is a strong progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party, New Era Colorado Action Fund
Lauren Folkerts is running for reelection to Boulder City Council. She currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem and outside of council, works as an architect. Folkerts hopes to continue to work on Boulder’s most pressing issues such as climate change, inequity, and the housing crisis. She helped lead efforts to raise minimum wage, reform land use, and pass the nation’s first embodied carbon building code. Folkerts is an advocate for the people and nature that make Boulder so special. She is dedicated to supporting quality of life and economic prosperity for all. Also running are Matt Benjamin, Aaron Stone, Montserrat Palacios, Robert Smoke, Maxwell Lord, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Rob Kaplan, Mark Wallach, Nicole Speer, and Jennifer Robbins.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. Lauren Folkerts is a strong progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party
,
New Era Colorado Action Fund
Nicole Speer is running for reelection to the Boulder City Council. She was originally elected in 2021. Speer is a scientist who, like many of us, is facing unemployment due to federal funding cuts to government science programs. As a council member and Mayor Pro-Tem, Speer worked on creating financial security in Boulder through renter protections and raising the city’s minimum wage. She is dedicated to expanding housing services and addressing barriers to stability to thwart homelessness. Speer hopes to create a budget that reflects what Boulderites care about including nature and the environment, public spaces, civil liberties, and pedestrian and bike infrastructure. Speer is an advocate for the community and the power of municipal government.
Also running are Matt Benjamin, Aaron Stone, Montserrat Palacios, Robert Smoke, Maxwell Lord, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Lauren Folkerts, Rob Kaplan, Mark Wallach, and Jennifer Robbins.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. Nicole Speer is a strong progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Nicole Speer is running for reelection to the Boulder City Council. She was originally elected in 2021. Speer is a scientist who, like many of us, is facing unemployment due to federal funding cuts to government science programs. As a council member and Mayor Pro-Tem, Speer worked on creating financial security in Boulder through renter protections and raising the city’s minimum wage. She is dedicated to expanding housing services and addressing barriers to stability to thwart homelessness. Speer hopes to create a budget that reflects what Boulderites care about including nature and the environment, public spaces, civil liberties, and pedestrian and bike infrastructure. Speer is an advocate for the community and the power of municipal government.
Also running are Matt Benjamin, Aaron Stone, Montserrat Palacios, Robert Smoke, Maxwell Lord, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Lauren Folkerts, Rob Kaplan, Mark Wallach, and Jennifer Robbins.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. Nicole Speer is a strong progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party, New Era Colorado Action Fund
Nicole Speer is running for reelection to the Boulder City Council. She was originally elected in 2021. Speer is a scientist who, like many of us, is facing unemployment due to federal funding cuts to government science programs. As a council member and Mayor Pro-Tem, Speer worked on creating financial security in Boulder through renter protections and raising the city’s minimum wage. She is dedicated to expanding housing services and addressing barriers to stability to thwart homelessness. Speer hopes to create a budget that reflects what Boulderites care about including nature and the environment, public spaces, civil liberties, and pedestrian and bike infrastructure. Speer is an advocate for the community and the power of municipal government.
Also running are Matt Benjamin, Aaron Stone, Montserrat Palacios, Robert Smoke, Maxwell Lord, Rachel Rose Isaacson, Lauren Folkerts, Rob Kaplan, Mark Wallach, and Jennifer Robbins.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. Nicole Speer is a strong progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party
,
New Era Colorado Action Fund
Rachel Rose Isaacson is running for Boulder City Council. With a a Bachelor’s in Political Economics and a Master’s in Public Administration and Leadership, Isaacson is prepared to handle the duties and responsibilities of a City Council Member. She is active in the local community as a Pollinator Ambassador with Cool Boulder and barista at South Side Walnut Cafe. Isaacson is dedicated to helping Boulder build resilience in the face of climate change. She will aim to help meet the needs of both people and the planet. Other important issues to Isaacson include addressing housing affordability, community empowerment, and public transportation.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. A keen and fresh-faced leader, Rachel Rose Isaacson is a progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Rachel Rose Isaacson is running for Boulder City Council. With a a Bachelor’s in Political Economics and a Master’s in Public Administration and Leadership, Isaacson is prepared to handle the duties and responsibilities of a City Council Member. She is active in the local community as a Pollinator Ambassador with Cool Boulder and barista at South Side Walnut Cafe. Isaacson is dedicated to helping Boulder build resilience in the face of climate change. She will aim to help meet the needs of both people and the planet. Other important issues to Isaacson include addressing housing affordability, community empowerment, and public transportation.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. A keen and fresh-faced leader, Rachel Rose Isaacson is a progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Endorsed By: New Era Colorado Action Fund
Rachel Rose Isaacson is running for Boulder City Council. With a a Bachelor’s in Political Economics and a Master’s in Public Administration and Leadership, Isaacson is prepared to handle the duties and responsibilities of a City Council Member. She is active in the local community as a Pollinator Ambassador with Cool Boulder and barista at South Side Walnut Cafe. Isaacson is dedicated to helping Boulder build resilience in the face of climate change. She will aim to help meet the needs of both people and the planet. Other important issues to Isaacson include addressing housing affordability, community empowerment, and public transportation.
Voters are asked to select up to 4 candidates for the City Council race. A keen and fresh-faced leader, Rachel Rose Isaacson is a progressive choice for Boulder City Council.
Endorsed By: New Era Colorado Action Fund
City of Longmont
Susie Hidalgo-Fahring is running for Mayor of Longmont. She is an involved and fierce advocate who began her experience in policy as an educator involved with the teachers union and the TBD Initiative. She has served as a delegate for the Colorado Education Association and on the Colorado Education Association Equity Council for Race and Culture. Hidalgo-Fahring previously served two successful terms as a member of the Longmont City Council. During her previous tenures she lobbied for expanded RTD access, accessible housing, and investment in mental health programs. Hidalgo-Fahring hopes to continue working on such projects as well as developing economic vitality, youth programming, and diverse decision making.
Hidalgo-Fahring is opposed by Diane Crist, Sarah Levinson, and Shakeel Dalal.
Hidalgo-Fahring is the progressive choice for Longmont Mayor. She has a powerful progressive platform and an existing resume of successful work for the city of Longmont.
Susie Hidalgo-Fahring is running for Mayor of Longmont. She is an involved and fierce advocate who began her experience in policy as an educator involved with the teachers union and the TBD Initiative. She has served as a delegate for the Colorado Education Association and on the Colorado Education Association Equity Council for Race and Culture. Hidalgo-Fahring previously served two successful terms as a member of the Longmont City Council. During her previous tenures she lobbied for expanded RTD access, accessible housing, and investment in mental health programs. Hidalgo-Fahring hopes to continue working on such projects as well as developing economic vitality, youth programming, and diverse decision making.
Hidalgo-Fahring is opposed by Diane Crist, Sarah Levinson, and Shakeel Dalal.
Hidalgo-Fahring is the progressive choice for Longmont Mayor. She has a powerful progressive platform and an existing resume of successful work for the city of Longmont.
Susie Hidalgo-Fahring is running for Mayor of Longmont. She is an involved and fierce advocate who began her experience in policy as an educator involved with the teachers union and the TBD Initiative. She has served as a delegate for the Colorado Education Association and on the Colorado Education Association Equity Council for Race and Culture. Hidalgo-Fahring previously served two successful terms as a member of the Longmont City Council. During her previous tenures she lobbied for expanded RTD access, accessible housing, and investment in mental health programs. Hidalgo-Fahring hopes to continue working on such projects as well as developing economic vitality, youth programming, and diverse decision making.
Hidalgo-Fahring is opposed by Diane Crist, Sarah Levinson, and Shakeel Dalal.
Hidalgo-Fahring is the progressive choice for Longmont Mayor. She has a powerful progressive platform and an existing resume of successful work for the city of Longmont.
Crystal Prieto is running for Longmont City Council At Large. Prieto has an extensive resume in public service having worked in non-profits, schools, and local government. She hopes to bring both her professional and lived experiences to the municipal level to better the lives of everyone in Longmont. Prieto will focus on increasing housing access, responsible spending, and supporting small businesses. She hopes to take a systemic approach to these issues in order to create long term solutions that strike at the heart of what needs fixing. Public safety, mental and physical health, transportation, and environmental protections are also concerns for Prieto’s campaign.
Also running are Jake Marsing, Alex, Kalkhofer, John Lembke, Reigan Sage, and Steven Altshuler. Voters are asked to vote for two candidates.
Dedicated to addressing systemic inequality and intersectional issues, Crystal Prieto is a strong progressive choice Longmont can feel confident in.
Crystal Prieto is running for Longmont City Council At Large. Prieto has an extensive resume in public service having worked in non-profits, schools, and local government. She hopes to bring both her professional and lived experiences to the municipal level to better the lives of everyone in Longmont. Prieto will focus on increasing housing access, responsible spending, and supporting small businesses. She hopes to take a systemic approach to these issues in order to create long term solutions that strike at the heart of what needs fixing. Public safety, mental and physical health, transportation, and environmental protections are also concerns for Prieto’s campaign.
Also running are Jake Marsing, Alex, Kalkhofer, John Lembke, Reigan Sage, and Steven Altshuler. Voters are asked to vote for two candidates.
Dedicated to addressing systemic inequality and intersectional issues, Crystal Prieto is a strong progressive choice Longmont can feel confident in.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party
Crystal Prieto is running for Longmont City Council At Large. Prieto has an extensive resume in public service having worked in non-profits, schools, and local government. She hopes to bring both her professional and lived experiences to the municipal level to better the lives of everyone in Longmont. Prieto will focus on increasing housing access, responsible spending, and supporting small businesses. She hopes to take a systemic approach to these issues in order to create long term solutions that strike at the heart of what needs fixing. Public safety, mental and physical health, transportation, and environmental protections are also concerns for Prieto’s campaign.
Also running are Jake Marsing, Alex, Kalkhofer, John Lembke, Reigan Sage, and Steven Altshuler. Voters are asked to vote for two candidates.
Dedicated to addressing systemic inequality and intersectional issues, Crystal Prieto is a strong progressive choice Longmont can feel confident in.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party
Jake Marsing is running for Longmont City Council. Jake is a fourth generation Longmont resident, advocate, and teacher. Marsing is running to be a voice for working class families. He hopes to find progressive solutions to early childhood education access and sustainable growth projects. Marsing is dedicated to defending the environment, supporting living wages, and protecting immigrant communities in Longmont. He believes in a “Longmont for everyone,” where public safety needs are met, diversity is welcome, and a high quality of life is ensured across the board.
Also running are Crystal Prieto, Alex, Kalkhofer, John Lembke, Reigan Sage, and Steven Altshuler.
Voters are asked to vote for no more than two candidates. Jake Marsing is a progressive choice for Longmont due to his experience in advocacy and policy and progressive positions on homelessness, immigration, and labor.
Jake Marsing is running for Longmont City Council. Jake is a fourth generation Longmont resident, advocate, and teacher. Marsing is running to be a voice for working class families. He hopes to find progressive solutions to early childhood education access and sustainable growth projects. Marsing is dedicated to defending the environment, supporting living wages, and protecting immigrant communities in Longmont. He believes in a “Longmont for everyone,” where public safety needs are met, diversity is welcome, and a high quality of life is ensured across the board.
Also running are Crystal Prieto, Alex, Kalkhofer, John Lembke, Reigan Sage, and Steven Altshuler.
Voters are asked to vote for no more than two candidates. Jake Marsing is a progressive choice for Longmont due to his experience in advocacy and policy and progressive positions on homelessness, immigration, and labor.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party
Jake Marsing is running for Longmont City Council. Jake is a fourth generation Longmont resident, advocate, and teacher. Marsing is running to be a voice for working class families. He hopes to find progressive solutions to early childhood education access and sustainable growth projects. Marsing is dedicated to defending the environment, supporting living wages, and protecting immigrant communities in Longmont. He believes in a “Longmont for everyone,” where public safety needs are met, diversity is welcome, and a high quality of life is ensured across the board.
Also running are Crystal Prieto, Alex, Kalkhofer, John Lembke, Reigan Sage, and Steven Altshuler.
Voters are asked to vote for no more than two candidates. Jake Marsing is a progressive choice for Longmont due to his experience in advocacy and policy and progressive positions on homelessness, immigration, and labor.
Endorsed By: Colorado Working Families Party
Statewide Ballot Measures
Proposition LL asks if the state should be allowed to keep and spend the revenue collected from Proposition FF. Prop FF established the Healthy School Meals for All Program and has accrued $12.4 million in revenue since its original voter approval in 2022. The Healthy School Meals for All Program is funded through state income taxes and supports free school meals for all students, regardless of family income. Due to the Tax Payers Bill of Rights, the state of Colorado must ask for approval in order to keep and spend tax revenue that has already been collected. If voters do not approve LL, households that paid the state income tax will have the tax revenue reimbursed to them. With the additional funds from LL, the Healthy School Meals for All Program would be able to further support the purchasing and use of Colorado grown products, increase wages for cafeteria employees, and offer training and technical assistance to schools.
Food is necessary for growing and learning brains. For any number of reasons, many children do not have access to quality nutrition. Free and nutritious meals can help support students from all economic and social backgrounds in becoming empowered learners and leaders.
Proposition LL asks if the state should be allowed to keep and spend the revenue collected from Proposition FF. Prop FF established the Healthy School Meals for All Program and has accrued $12.4 million in revenue since its original voter approval in 2022. The Healthy School Meals for All Program is funded through state income taxes and supports free school meals for all students, regardless of family income. Due to the Tax Payers Bill of Rights, the state of Colorado must ask for approval in order to keep and spend tax revenue that has already been collected. If voters do not approve LL, households that paid the state income tax will have the tax revenue reimbursed to them. With the additional funds from LL, the Healthy School Meals for All Program would be able to further support the purchasing and use of Colorado grown products, increase wages for cafeteria employees, and offer training and technical assistance to schools.
Food is necessary for growing and learning brains. For any number of reasons, many children do not have access to quality nutrition. Free and nutritious meals can help support students from all economic and social backgrounds in becoming empowered learners and leaders.
Proposition MM asks if the state income tax should be increased. The tax increase would go towards free school meals to all public school students and food assistance and education to low-income families through the Healthy School Meals for All and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP). In tandem with Proposition LL, MM will increase the state’s funding capacity for food and nutrition programming by building the funding reservoir for such programming. Ultimately, programs like this support countless children and families and do a great deal to curb hunger in Colorado. All children need and deserve access to quality nutrition. Proposition MM helps provide government support for pathways to success among school age children of all backgrounds and identities.
Proposition MM asks if the state income tax should be increased. The tax increase would go towards free school meals to all public school students and food assistance and education to low-income families through the Healthy School Meals for All and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP). In tandem with Proposition LL, MM will increase the state’s funding capacity for food and nutrition programming by building the funding reservoir for such programming. Ultimately, programs like this support countless children and families and do a great deal to curb hunger in Colorado. All children need and deserve access to quality nutrition. Proposition MM helps provide government support for pathways to success among school age children of all backgrounds and identities.
Boulder County Ballot Measures
Ballot Issue 1B proposes the extension of the existing Open Space Sales and Use Tax in perpetuity. The 0.15% tax was originally approved by the citizens of Boulder County in 2010 and is set to expire in 2030. By extending the tax, Boulder County will continue to be able to acquire, maintain, and improve public and agricultural open space.
Ballot Issue 1B proposes the extension of the existing Open Space Sales and Use Tax in perpetuity. The 0.15% tax was originally approved by the citizens of Boulder County in 2010 and is set to expire in 2030. By extending the tax, Boulder County will continue to be able to acquire, maintain, and improve public and agricultural open space.
Ballot Issue 1B requests the installation of a 0.15% sales and use tax to be put towards the mental health and substance abuse challenges present in Boulder County. The revenue would benefit all ages and economic backgrounds with increased access to services, programs, and intervention/recovery for mental health crisis, suicide risk, and substance use. This tax would allow for better implementation of Boulder County Behavioral Health’s Strategic Plan to address unmet behavioral and mental health needs. Locally funded and community centered approaches have been proven to be most successful in improving behavioral health at large as well as the efficiency of the workforce and economy. The tax would not apply to machinery, food, renewable energy development, or sales that benefit schools or parent/teacher associations.
Ballot Issue 1B requests the installation of a 0.15% sales and use tax to be put towards the mental health and substance abuse challenges present in Boulder County. The revenue would benefit all ages and economic backgrounds with increased access to services, programs, and intervention/recovery for mental health crisis, suicide risk, and substance use. This tax would allow for better implementation of Boulder County Behavioral Health’s Strategic Plan to address unmet behavioral and mental health needs. Locally funded and community centered approaches have been proven to be most successful in improving behavioral health at large as well as the efficiency of the workforce and economy. The tax would not apply to machinery, food, renewable energy development, or sales that benefit schools or parent/teacher associations.