Editor’s note: The Herald Editorial Board invited Democratic and Republican candidates for Colorado governor to submit guest columns for publication. Columns are published as submitted, subject to editing for length, clarity and style. Republican candidates’ columns are scheduled to appear next week.
In my first run for elected office to be your state attorney general, I asked former Gov. Roy Romer for advice. He told me to “travel our whole state and go to every county. It will not only make you a better candidate,” he said, “but it will make you a better attorney general.”
He was right.
Getting to know people in every corner of our state – their hopes and challenges – both helped me know what to fight for and to know who I am fighting for.
After taking on big fights as your attorney general, I am prepared and ready to serve as your governor. My experience is current, significant and relevant.
I have focused on Colorado for the past eight years, not Washington.
I have led the attorney general’s office of more than 700 people (more than 400 of whom are lawyers) and overseen a $150 million budget, recruiting hundreds of the best and brightest into public service. I have represented every state agency. I collaborate with them, the state Legislature, the governor, and local county, municipal and community leaders every day.
And that’s why, in every category you can name – from county commissioner to school board member to state legislator – more current and former elected officials support me than my opponent.
Those supporting me know that I fight for them – against a mega-grocery merger, for our water, and for our kids’ mental health. I am not afraid to take on anyone who harms Coloradans, whether Big Pharma, Big Tech or the Trump administration.
I have fought back against the federal government when it broke the law and harmed Coloradans. That’s why I have sued the Trump administration 65 times and counting. I will do what’s best for Colorado and will not bend a knee or accommodate lawlessness.
As attorney general, I am standing up for all of us and fighting for what’s right – and that’s why we’re winning. We have protected firefighters who lost their jobs right before fire season. We have defended $1.2 billion in federal funding that was rightfully due to Colorado and that this administration illegally threatened. And I have protected food assistance for 600,000 Coloradans.
As governor, I will continue to take on big fights – to build more housing Coloradans can afford, launch “Primary Care for All” to fix our broken healthcare system (especially in rural Colorado), improve education and workforce training, make it easier to start and grow a business here, and protect our land, air and water.
My commitment to public service is grounded in my family’s story. My mom was born in a Nazi concentration camp on April 13, 1945. Five days later, she and my grandmother were liberated by U.S. Army soldiers.
My family immigrated to America, believing that our nation is committed to freedom and opportunity for all. I have benefited from that commitment as a first-generation American who had the opportunity to work at the U.S. Supreme Court for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in the White House for President Barack Obama, as your attorney general and, with your support, as your next governor.
I believe in Colorado, and I know that, together, we can solve the challenges before us. Our campaign is powered by the people of Colorado, and I am proud that 90% of my donations have come from Colorado, whereas my opponent is backed by out-of-state billionaires and corporations.
As your next governor, I will always fight for the people of Colorado, for housing, food and healthcare they can afford; opportunities to build a good life and career for our kids; and safe and thriving communities. I would be honored to have your vote to continue this important work.
Phil Weiser has served as Colorado’s attorney general since 2019 and is a Democratic candidate for governor.