Walker Stapleton, a Republican running for governor, hopes to draw on his eight years of experience as Colorado’s treasurer to improve state’s economy.
The candidate hopes the state will be filled with abundant economic activity and is concerned that other candidates may not be able to make that happen.
Stapleton spoke with The Durango Herald editorial board by phone Friday about his campaign issues.
He suggested broad cuts to state budgets to fund things such as infrastructure and Medicaid.
Because the Public Employees Retirement Association has too many unfunded liabilities, Stapleton said he would stop taxpayer funding and reform it to be more fiscally conservative.
State infrastructure could be fixed by requiring the Colorado Department of Transportation to disclose its line-item budget information, he said. Stapleton has also criticized CDOT for spending too much on administration buildings rather than on roads.
Stapleton called the current medical marijuana system “fraud” and “abuse,” because he feels that medical marijuana does not bring in enough tax revenue. He also said that it is too easy for people who are younger than 21 to get a medical marijuana card.
Affordable housing in Colorado is a supply and demand problem, he said. Stapleton’s plan is to incentivize developers who would like to include affordable housing in their developments. He also said working with the private sector could work, such as turning old hospitals into affordable housing units.
A supporter of the Second Amendment, Stapleton says that he thinks school safety can be found with armed staff at schools and in having a single entrance to schools. He said he would support red flag legislation that would make it easier for law enforcement to seize weapons from people who are considered a threat, however, he said it would need to not violate due process.
He said that the mental health system is underfunded but did not give details on a possible funding solution.
Stapleton is also against sanctuary cities for undocumented immigrants, according to his campaign website.
Stapleton will face Greg Lopez, Victor Mitchell and Doug Robinson in the Republican primary June 26.
rsimonovich@durangoherald.com