Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in America. From the ranches and farms that feed our communities to the mountains, rivers and small towns that define the Western Slope, our state is worth fighting for.
Yet too many Coloradans feel like they are being left behind.
Families are struggling to keep up with rising costs, as Colorado now ranks 47th in affordability. Housing costs rank 48th, with home prices doubling in less than eight years. Many people are asking a simple question: Why does it feel harder to live and succeed in Colorado than it did just a few years ago?
That question is one of the reasons I am running for governor.
Businesses face growing regulatory burdens, and rural communities often feel ignored by decision-makers on the Front Range. I know how rising prices and red tape affect small businesses, having owned both a dairy farm and a flower shop.
I am not running because I want a title. I am running because Colorado needs a governor who understands how government works, respects taxpayers and focuses on solving problems instead of chasing headlines.
As a state senator and Weld County Commissioner, I’ve balanced budgets, built highways, advocated for more water storage, fought for better law enforcement pay and benefits, and boosted economic development. I’ve built relationships across political lines and delivered results.
I believe Colorado’s future depends on getting back to the fundamentals: getting government out of the way of business and agriculture while leading on infrastructure and public safety.
First, we must make Colorado more affordable. State government must live within its means, reduce unnecessary spending, and create an environment where businesses can grow and families can keep more of what they earn. I will reduce burdensome regulations that raise the cost of housing, groceries, insurance and energy.
Second, we must support rural Colorado. The Western Slope should not be an afterthought. It is a vital part of our economy and identity. That means protecting agriculture, expanding infrastructure, improving transportation corridors and ensuring rural communities have a strong voice in state government. I’ve proposed a transportation plan that doubles road funding without raising taxes, totaling $6 billion over four years, while returning transportation planning to regional leaders instead of Denver bureaucrats.
Water will remain one of the defining issues of Colorado’s future. We must continue investing in water storage to protect agricultural producers and water users. Colorado’s water policies should be driven by science, practicality and collaboration, not political ideology.
We must also pursue a best-of-the-above energy strategy that balances environmental stewardship with reliability and affordability. Energy policy should strengthen our economy, not make life more expensive for working families.
Third, public safety must remain a top priority. Every Coloradan deserves to feel safe in their home and community. We should support law enforcement, hold criminals accountable, address the fentanyl crisis, and ensure our justice system works for victims and communities alike. As a state senator, I passed laws that allocated an additional $350 million toward law enforcement recruiting and benefits and expanded eligibility for mortgage down payment assistance so officers can live in the communities they serve.
Most importantly, Colorado needs leadership that brings people together to solve problems. Real leadership is not about winning arguments. It is about delivering results.
Colorado faces serious challenges, but I remain optimistic because I believe in the people of this state. We have always been innovators, builders, ranchers, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.
That is the vision I am running on: a safer, more affordable and more prosperous Colorado where every community, from the Western Slope to the Eastern Plains, has the opportunity to thrive.
I am asking for your support because it is time for a governor who knows how to govern.
Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer, a fourth-generation Coloradan, dairy farmer and small business owner, is a Republican candidate for governor. She has served as a Weld County commissioner, state senator and Joint Budget Committee member.
