Candidate Q&A: Colorado Senate District 5

Boxes of stickers stating “I voted” are seen at the Adams County Government Center in Brighton, Nov. 7, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

All 65 seats in the Colorado House of Representatives are up for election this year. Democrats currently hold a 56-19 supermajority and will likely retain the majority next year.

Republican Sen. Perry Will was appointed in 2023 to Senate District 5 after former Sen. Bob Rankin’s retirement. Will did not seek reelection. Current state Rep. Marc Catlin is facing Democrat Cole Buerger for the seat. The district leans about 3 percentage points to the right, according to an analysis of recent election results.

The Western Slope district includes Glenwood Springs and Aspen and extends south to include Delta, Montrose and Lake City.

Registered voters in Colorado should soon receive their ballots in the mail for the Nov. 5 general election, which includes races for president, Congress, the state Legislature, the University of Colorado Board of Regents and other local positions, as well as a handful of statewide ballot measures.

Voters can contact their county clerk if they have not received their ballot or check the online BallotTrax system. They can also visit the secretary of state’s website to make a plan to vote in person ahead of or on Election Day. Ballots need to be received by the county clerk by 7 p.m. on that day, so voters should make a plan to mail their ballot at least eight days ahead of time or drop it off in person.

Voters can find their state legislative districts at the General Assembly’s website.

Catlin did not return survey responses.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities during the 2025 legislative session?

BUERGER: 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 health care, and expand child care 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, 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.

What unique perspective and life experiences would you bring to the General Assembly? 

BUERGER: I am a fifth generation Western Sloper, a small business owner, and a community leader. My first memory is of irrigating with my mom on our family ranch. For the first part of my career, I worked for the International Republican Institute when it was chaired by Sen. John McCain. There I worked with freedom fighters and activists in Asia who were working to bring about democratic reforms in their countries. I run a one-man consulting business focused on policy development and communication, and my partner and I just opened another small riverside event space and food and drink pop-up on the banks of the Colorado River in my hometown of Silt. I believe my background and experience will make me an effective legislator able to represent the diverse needs of Senate District 5.

Coloradans told us through the Voter Voices survey that rising cost of living is a top issue for them this election year. How do you feel the Legislature can most effectively address the cost-of-living for Coloradans across all backgrounds? 

BUERGER: First, the Legislature has made progress in recent sessions, including the recent special session that lowered the property tax burden for Coloradans. Going forward, I hope we can work to reduce regulatory burdens on homebuilders and other businesses to incentivize the construction of more accessible entry level housing units rather than higher end homes. We also have to move the needle on health care and prescription drug costs. On this front, I would like help more small business owners be able to offer health care to more employees and expand access to health care services, especially in rural communities, through services like telehealth. Finally, we need to find ways the state can support greater access to affordable child care for working families.

Democrats are expected to hold onto a wide majority next year. What does good governance look like in that political environment? 

BUERGER: 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.

Residents across the state are concerned with air quality, from wildfire effects in the northwest to pollution along the Front Range. How can the Legislature work to ensure clean air for all Coloradans? 

BUERGER: Certainly for Senate District 5 and across the West Slope, making sure we are laser focused on forest and watershed health and wildfire mitigation efforts is crucial. There is significant potential for addressing methane leaks from abandoned wells and shuttered mines. The transition to lower and zero carbon energy generation should continue to move us in the right direction as well. Finally, continuing to expand public transit options and electric vehicle adoption throughout the state will have benefits as well.