Faith Winter, candidate for Senate District 24

Party: Democrat

City: Westminster, CO 80031

Profession: Colorado State Representative, District 35, and National Training Director for VoteRunLead

Contact: 303 594-5594, faithwinter@gmail.com: Facebook: www.facebook.com/FaithWinterCO/; Twitter: @FaithWinterCO; Instagram: repfaithwinter; LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/faithwinterco/.

www.faithwinter.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

As a mom, small business owner and current elected official, I know how to bring people together to get things done. I am running for Colorado Senate because whether we are talking about protecting our environment, strengthening our public schools or addressing our affordable housing crisis, we need leadership in the Senate that represents Coloradan's values. I will continue to work hard for Coloradans, standing up for our values and Colorado way of life.

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

The legislature has a significant role to play in managing Colorado's growth. We are in a housing crisis and a priority must be ensuring everyone can afford to live here. That starts with creating an affordable housing trust fund. Affordable housing issues are not limited to the Front Range. We need to ensure that our affordable housing programs are flexible in design to meet the needs of urban, suburban, and rural Colorado.

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

As a prime sponsor for Senate Bill 1, I overcame partisan gridlock to pass the largest transportation funding in recent history, which includes an ongoing commitment of general fund money that must be kept intact.

Moving forward, I will continue to listen and bring people together, finding a path forward for creative solutions. It's now up to voters to decide what level of investment they want to make in transportation at the ballot this fall.

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

Even though affordable housing received a lot of attention in the last session, nothing was done or passed and we are in a housing crisis.

Climate change is real and impacting our state. We are in our fourth worst drought in our state's recorded history. For our farmers and ranchers, for our tourism industry, for our economy, for our children - the time to act is now.

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

1. Passing paid family leave.

2. New, affordable housing being built for families.

3. Having the state be a leader in tackling climate change.