Q&A with George Brauchler, candidate for state attorney general

Party: Republican

Town of residence: Parker

Profession: District attorney for the 18th Judicial District

Campaign website: george2018.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

Experience and commitment to Colorado. I am a Colorado kid from middle-class Lakewood who has practiced Colorado law for nearly one quarter-century as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, plaintiff's and civil defense counsel, military prosecutor and defense attorney, Chief of Military Justice (northern Iraq), and I've tried cases in municipal, state, federal and military courts. I handled the felony cases from the Columbine massacre and led the successful prosecution of the Aurora theater shooter.

What are the most important duties of the attorney general?

The attorney general represents all of Colorado government, except for the Legislature. A good AG works vigorously to keep our communities safe. The AG is a defender of Coloradans by enforcing our laws without regard to ideology or political agenda. The AG is a protector of Colorado, its natural resources, environment and its precious water. The AG is a guardian of our constitutional rights and the rule of law. That has been my entire career.

What policy changes would you implement?

I will be an attorney general for all of Colorado. I intend to decentralize the AG's office by creating regional offices in the parts of Colorado with fewer resources to tackle some of the biggest issues affecting community safety, such as the opioid crisis, burgeoning meth epidemic, environmental crimes and the expanding black-market marijuana grows throughout Colorado. I will expand statewide the attack on human trafficking I have led as DA in our community.

Would you defend Colorado's marijuana-legalization law against federal challenges?

Yes. Defending Colorado from federal overreach, regardless of who occupies the White House, is an obligation of the AG. Coloradans know best how to govern ourselves, not bureaucrats 1,500 miles away. I will defend our constitution and laws, whether I agree with them or not. As a father of four great kids in public schools, I'm committed to continuing the fight against violators of our marijuana laws who put our children and communities at risk.

If elected, what will your top priority be in January?

I will protect our families and defend our state by enforcing our laws and actively serving as a check against an overreaching federal government and a state government that exceeds its lawful authority in governing Colorado. Whatever partisan path there is to election, as AG, I will not be an AG for any party or ideology. I will be an AG for all of Colorado and all Coloradans. More Colorado, less Washington, D.C.