Sen. Cleave Simpson is asking voters to send him back for another four-year term under the gold dome at the state Capitol.
Although he was elected in 2020 to serve Senate District 35, which covered the San Luis Valley east to the state line, redistricting left him representing and running in Senate District 6, which spans Southwest Colorado, from the San Luis Valley west to the Utah border, and from the New Mexico border north to Saguache County and parts of Montrose County.
The Alamosa Republican is pitching himself to voters as measured moderate and one of only a handful of legacy Republicans who advocate for the issues impacting rural Colorado. Unlike the state party, Simpson has kept himself above the fray of culture war talking points.
An engineer by trade, Simpson is the general manager of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and a farmer.
His opponent is Durango Democrat Vivian Smotherman, a Denver-born farmer and Navy veteran who spent 20 years in the oil and gas industry.
Democrats are focusing on the race as they hope to pick up a 24-seat supermajority in the Senate chamber. The district’s voters do not strongly favor either party, according to a 2021 nonpartisan analysis.
Get to know Cleave
What is your primary vehicle?
Toyota Venza hybrid
What was the last vacation you took?
My wife and I went to Maine
What book are you reading right now?
Some history books and a biography of John Adams
Other than the Herald, where is the first place you go for news in the morning?
The Colorado Sun
If you had to live in a town outside Senate District 6, where would you live?
Craig
DH: What would be the first bill you introduce if reelected?
Simpson: I have asked for two bill titles to be pulled to start the drafting process. One will incentivize regenerative agriculture and one in support of the Southern Ute Tribe.
DH: Property taxes and assessment valuations have been a hot topic in Denver the last few years. Home values are up, as are living expenses and the cost of labor materials for local governments. Cutting taxes is good for homeowners but bad for government budgets. What, if anything, should lawmakers do next year to address the conundrum?
Simpson: Stay out of the property tax conversation. I expect the general assembly to leave these property tax conversations up to the local communities and taxing entities. I manage the Rio Grande Water Conservation District that relies on property taxes to fund our operations. I am well aware of the challenges around providing services and keeping property taxes as low as possible.
About this Q+A
The Durango Herald met with opposing candidates running in contested races across Southwest Colorado. Candidates were asked similar questions on the same issues. Their answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
DH: You’ve said you believe life starts at conception but that you’ve struggled to find balance on how to represent the community at-large on the issue of abortion. Where is the line for you if a bill came through the chamber? Would you support a total ban? Only in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother? A ban at six weeks? 12? 18? 24 weeks or viability?
Simpson: I think this is mostly a settled issue in Colorado, depending finally on the constitutional ballot proposal next month and I respect the outcome of the vote. I would not support a total ban and agree that if there ever was even a limited prohibition there needs to be exceptions.
DH: You often talk about the importance of deferring to local control. Aside from what is constitutionally mandated, what are one or two key issues where the state should play a hand in regulation or otherwise involve itself in local issues?
Simpson: As an agricultural producer, I think statewide preemption for pesticide use is still appropriate. Although, I think we can find ways to support the Department of Agriculture to assure compliance with applicators, particularly in densely populated areas.
DH: You’ve been criticized for not supporting SB21-172, the Educator Pay Raise Fund. You did vote in favor of HB24-1448, New Public School Finance Formula. How would you propose increasing K-12 funding?
Simpson: Follow the constitution. Start by eliminating the budget stabilization factor. While multiple general assemblies did not fully fund K-12 education since 2009, they did create over 170 new programs and offices since then. There has been a lack of prioritization. Note that SB21-172 set up a place to hold money for raises, but didn’t appropriate any money and created yet another task force to study the issue, which seems like the cart before the horse.
DH: What would you propose cutting?
Simpson: It’s time for a review of those 170-plus new programs and offices, their level of funding and their effectiveness. We demonstrated this year, finally, that there is a path forward to fully fund K-12 education as prescribed in the constitution.
The state bought a Firehawk helicopter for firefighting that cost $30 million. I would not have prioritized that over education funding. Where are our federal partners there?
DH: Did the state do an adequate job of consulting with the industry when it rewrote regulations in 2020?
Simpson: I can’t say for sure what the consultation looked like leading up to the rewrite of regulations, but it does seem that today the industry has managed to adapt.
DH: What role should the Legislature play in a transition to renewable energy?
Simpson: I would expect the Legislature to be engaged with the renewable energy industry and look for barriers and obstacles to be removed where practical, that limit the advancement of newer technologies. I have a particular interest in reviewing these issues as it pertains to the geothermal industry. Burning less fossil fuels has got to be a next benefit.
DH: You’ve voted against most legislation regulating firearms. Are there bills you would like to see passed with the intent of reducing gun violence?
Simpson: I’d like to see more focus on the criminal element with stronger consequences for firearm related convictions. Responsible gun-owners should not be punished.
DH: Will you vote for your party’s nominee for president?
Simpson: I will.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
