The Herald interviewed Kelloff via Zoom to discuss his background, policy priorities and why he believes he is best positioned to flip Colorado\u2019s 3rd Congressional District.<\/p>\n
Kelloff, who has never previously held elected office, described himself as a businessman with more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications and infrastructure development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I have something to contribute with respect to that business experience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said much of his work focused on expanding physical infrastructure into rural communities, including laying fiber-optic cable and improving internet access.<\/p>\n
Kelloff repeatedly returned to affordability as the defining issue facing voters in the district. He pointed to rising housing costs, utility bills, fuel prices and healthcare expenses as major burdens facing working families across rural Colorado.<\/p>\n
He argued that increasing infrastructure investment and encouraging small-business growth could help lower costs long term.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019m focused on is creating good jobs through small business formation,\u201d Kelloff said. \u201cA lot of that job creation can get back to building and maintaining our physical infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Healthcare was another major focus of Kelloff\u2019s campaign pitch. He criticized cuts to Medicaid and the expiration of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, arguing that rural communities have been disproportionately harmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need elected representatives in Washington that actually understand and represent our interests and values in rural America,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said protecting rural hospitals is especially important in a district spread across much of western and southern Colorado.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t have rural hospitals, then we\u2019re not going to have farmers and ranchers,\u201d Kelloff said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized public lands and water rights, arguing that outdoor recreation and agriculture remain central parts of the district\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
Kelloff entered the race nearly a year earlier than his primary opponent and said he has spent much of that time traveling throughout the district and speaking directly with voters. He said he visited all 27 counties in the district before the end of 2025.<\/p>\n
He contrasted his campaign with Romero\u2019s later entry into the race.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t show up late for work,\u201d Kelloff said.<\/p>\n
He argued that his campaign platform was shaped during months of conversations with constituents across the sprawling district.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe launched this campaign early so we could learn from and listen to the constituents of the district,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kelloff also highlighted his family\u2019s long history in southern Colorado. He said his great-grandfather immigrated to Trinidad in 1893 and that generations of his family operated grocery stores and other small businesses throughout the region.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that he did not grow up in the district itself, but said his family\u2019s history in southern Colorado shaped his connection to the area and informed many of the values he now campaigns on.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy whole upbringing was informed by the values that my parents grew up with in this district,\u201d Kelloff said.<\/p>\n
While he acknowledged the district\u2019s Republican lean, he argued that frustration with current leadership has created an opening for Democrats.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you feel better off today than you did 15 months ago?\u201d Kelloff said he often asks voters on the campaign trail. \u201cResoundingly, the answer is no.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said winning in CD3 requires candidates to engage with voters across the political spectrum, including independents and Republicans.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to go meet people where they\u2019re at,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n