Jeff Bridges, candidate for state House District 3

(Incumbent)

Party: Democratic

City of residence: Greenwood Village

Profession: Consultant

Campaign website: bridgesforcolorado.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

As a homegrown Coloradan, I believe in that frontier spirit of standing your ground and finding common ground. As your state representative, I stood up for our schools by bringing in more than $1 billion of new funding. I found common ground in a $3.5 billion bipartisan transportation plan — without raising taxes. I've fought and won for our community, and I would deeply appreciate your support in this next election. Let's continue what we've started.

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

Anyone willing to work hard at a full-time job should be able to pay for housing and put food on the table. I sponsored legislation to create a tax credit for the development of affordable housing for home ownership and another to increase the development of multi-family for-sale units by reducing frivolous lawsuits. Colorado is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, and we must ensure that our strong economy works for everyone.

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

Interstate 25 shouldn't be Colorado's largest parking lot. Our transportation infrastructure is woefully inadequate for today's population, and that's true across our entire state. Earlier this year, I co-sponsored a major bipartisan transportation plan to invest $3.5 billion in our roads, bridges and transit — without raising taxes. We must continue to prioritize transportation funding so families don't have to sit in traffic and goods and services can move freely across our state.

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

Colorado has one of the strongest economies in the nation, yet too many families feel like no matter how hard they work, they just can't get ahead. We need to bring down the cost of health care, housing and higher education. We need to create more innovative public schools that give every kid a fair shot no matter where they come from. And we need to do even more to fight traffic.

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

We live in the greatest state with the best people — the kind who'll smile and wave at a complete stranger. We believe in the frontier values of opportunity, independence and responsibility. We want courage in our leaders and results from our elected officials. Over the last two years I've had major wins on education, transportation and health care. Over the next two years, I look forward to continuing the fight to protect the Colorado we love.