Cole Wist, candidate for state House District 37

(Incumbent)

Party: Republican

City of residence: Centennial

Profession: Attorney

Campaign website: colewist.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

In this era of division and partisan bickering, we need leaders who are willing to tackle tough issues and work in a bipartisan fashion. In my first two terms in the Colorado House, I have demonstrated exactly that kind of leadership and track record. During the 2018 session, I sponsored 28 bills, each with bipartisan co-sponsors. Twenty-two of those bills have now been signed into law. I listen, I work hard and I get results.

What can the Legislature do to ease the strain of rising housing prices on Colorado residents?

We need more home-ownership options across the price spectrum. When I ran for re-election in 2016, I pledged to work on expanding the condominium market by reforming our construction-litigation laws. I fulfilled that promise by sponsoring and passing HB17-1279. Condominium construction is on the rise. However, construction costs remain too high. I am exploring various legislative options to further reduce litigation risk, increase the construction labor pool and to reduce insurance rates for builders.

What can be done to ensure the state's transportation system will be able to accommodate continued population growth?

Colorado has a spending problem, which is unsustainable. While government spending on social programs has increased dramatically over the last 10 years, transportation and infrastructure spending has remained relatively flat. Our budget process is not working. Simply, more general-fund dollars need to be allocated to roads and bridges. I will also continue to support long-term bonding solutions for these projects. Families prioritize their budgets every day. Government must learn to do the same.

What two issues demand more attention in the upcoming legislative session than they received in the previous one, and why?

We need to do more work on criminal justice reform. Public safety must come first. However, our state corrections system (a nearly $1 billion line item in our budget) needs structural changes to improve efficiency and outcomes. Our mental health system is failing to help citizens in crisis, placing law enforcement and our communities at risk. We need to expand resources in this area and more effectively coordinate state and local mental health initiatives.

If elected, what must you accomplish in order for you to consider your term a success?

Budget-process reform remains a top priority for me. Currently, Colorado utilizes a six-member Joint Budget Committee to prepare our state's budget. Despite the JBC's best efforts, most of the substantive work is performed by unelected staff. This process does not hold elected officials accountable for budget priorities. I have proposed several measures that would broaden legislative oversight of state departments during the figure-setting process. We must continue to implement systemic changes to our budget process.