Issues

Lindsay's stance on criminal justice reform is rooted in a profound commitment to community safety and well-being. This approach seeks to enhance accountability and transparency and promote a more equitable system, breaking the cycle of crime by offering essential services for rehabilitation and fresh starts. Lindsay envisions quality-driven measures that rebuild trust within the community, emphasizing the importance of law enforcement's role as protectors and supporters. Lindsay has worked on criminal justice reform issues for several years supporting newly elected prosecutors around the country to move beyond antiquated incarceration-driven approaches to new policies that promote compassion, equity and prevention responses in the criminal justice system. Central to her vision is addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior such as housing instability and economic insecurity. Policies should focus on diverting individuals to alternative solutions, providing accountability and enabling people to lead productive lives and contribute to their community. She advocates for policies that divert young people from the criminal justice system and help youth gain access to trauma-informed mental health services and substance use treatment programs. She also supports more collaborative approaches to working with schools and the child welfare system on productive solutions for students who are experiencing challenges. Ultimately, Lindsay's goal is to champion policies that will shape a state where all communities exude the peace and safety every resident deserves, driven by a belief in transformation and individual potential.

Lindsay is passionately committed to improving Colorado’s child welfare system, and her campaign is driven by firsthand experience as a foster and adoptive parent, personally witnessing the urgent need for reform. The goal of the system is to ensure children can remain safely with their families, but when that is not possible we need high quality family-based settings for kids who are entering into care. In Colorado, we are facing a crisis with children in foster care often stuck in emergency rooms or inadequate accommodations due to a lack of suitable placement options. Lindsay recognizes that meaningful change in part hinges on prioritizing the recruitment and retention of high quality family-based settings for kids in foster care. Taking action, in May 2020, she launched CHAMPS Colorado, an initiative aimed at bolstering support for foster and kinship families throughout the State. Child welfare is at the forefront of her legislative agenda because of the critical importance of safeguarding kids in foster care, ensuring they have the opportunity to heal and thrive.

Equally paramount is ensuring that every child in foster care has access to essential mental health services, especially during times of crisis. The present lack of residential treatment spaces and mental health professionals creates a void in our continuum of care, a challenge Lindsay is committed to addressing head-on. It's crucial to provide proper mental health support for these children to ensure their well-being and recovery. As an advocate and parent driven by compassion, Lindsay is unyielding in her dedication to reshaping child welfare and crafting a more hopeful future for Colorado's youth in foster care.

As an East High School alum and deeply connected to that community, Lindsay understands the devastating impact of gun violence. The aftermath of two school shootings at East underscored the urgent need for stronger policies to protect our community. Significant progress was made last year in the State Legislature, in large part due to the courageous East High students who marched to the capitol to advocate for stricter gun safety policies, but there is still so much more to do. The destructive force of gun violence shatters lives in mere moments, affecting families through mass shootings, domestic incidents, and suicides. To address this crisis, Lindsay believes in supporting community-driven prevention initiatives that curb youth violence, pursuing avenues to reduce firearm accessibility and banning assault weapons. Our collective efforts will create an environment of safety for every Colorado resident, sparing others from the anguish and heartache inflicted by gun-related tragedies.

Addressing the pressing housing challenges throughout the State is not only essential but imperative, necessitating a proactive approach to enhance affordable and stable housing options for all Coloradans. In pursuit of this goal, Lindsay firmly supports collaborative efforts with the Denver Mayor's office and City Council, aimed at overcoming state-level obstacles that impede effective housing solutions. Lindsay draws from her experience on the Board of Directors at Step Up, a nationally recognized organization committed to supporting people experiencing serious mental health conditions and chronic homelessness to help them recover, stabilize and integrate into the community. Lindsay recognizes the significance of well-structured programs and policies like permanent supportive housing to provide a foundation for the unhoused populations most at risk.

With housing costs skyrocketing, affordability has emerged as a significant hurdle, particularly for young individuals striving to enter the housing market. Lindsay is keenly aware that addressing this challenge is pivotal to retaining the diverse and innovative population of our State. Demonstrating her commitment, she supports safeguarding renters' rights and striving to make the aspiration of homeownership an attainable reality for every Coloradan. Lindsay believes that this path not only leads to financial stability but also fosters robust community involvement. Regardless of one's housing status – renting or owning – Lindsay firmly believes that every resident should have the opportunity to live in a safe and affordable home, ensuring a brighter and more secure future for all Coloradans.

Lindsay believes that justice, equity and inclusion should be used as the lens through which we develop every policy solution at the State Legislature. Our climate crisis disproportionately impacts areas of the State where our black and brown neighbors live. Our health care system doesn’t adequately support our communities of color. Our criminal justice system still does not treat all Coloradans equally. Lindsay will have a multifaceted approach that will encompass advocating for equity in all areas of public policy. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Lindsay has experienced discrimination and is driven by her hope for our communities, cities and State to be places where no person ever experiences discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Lindsay will work to fiercely defend and protect trans youth rights throughout the State. An ardent supporter of the cultivation of respectful interactions between law enforcement and communities of color, Lindsay holds a firm commitment to upholding civil rights and reestablishing trust in the legal system. Guided by active community engagement, Lindsay will seek the valuable input of constituents to shape comprehensive solutions for these urgent challenges. Lindsay's aim will be to create an inclusive and just society, where the rights and well-being of all are safeguarded.

Lindsay is committed to championing education as a core aspect of her campaign. With personal experience as a parent to three young children, she understands the intricacies of Colorado’s education system and the dedication required to ensure every child's success. To achieve that, Lindsay believes in fostering an inclusive classroom environment that nurtures learning and growth for all students. Her vision for Colorado’s schools encompasses a robust public education system valuing creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning, while also prioritizing equitable compensation and professional growth opportunities for educators. To achieve these goals, Lindsay believes in a collaborative approach, involving parents, teachers, and the community to create policies aligned with everyone's needs. Lindsay is committed to uplifting Colorado's educational landscape, establishing exceptional benchmarks, empowering students for the modern era, and providing steadfast support to devoted teachers.

Lindsay's commitment to economic opportunities rests on the belief that every Coloradan should have access to a thriving economy that benefits the many, not just a privileged few. Her vision encompasses a dynamic economic landscape built upon growth, equitable opportunities, and robust support for small businesses. Lindsay believes we should ensure that State breaks down barriers to accessing capital for minority-owned businesses. Lindsay supports fair wages and workers' rights, including the pursuit of a living wage and the right to unionize. She places a strong emphasis on workplace diversity, pay equity and inclusivity. Lindsay also prioritizes fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industries to ensure that Colorado's graduates are well-equipped for the demands of the job market. Lindsay will strive to cultivate a vibrant, all-encompassing economy that empowers each and every Coloradan to flourish.

Lindsay’s vision for healthcare centers on quality care as a fundamental right, independent of socioeconomic status. Lindsay’s wife works in the emergency department at Denver Health, and her work has enabled Lindsay to see how critical our premier safety net hospital is to the health and wellbeing of those they serve. She is dedicated to ensuring affordability, accessibility, and fairness for all Coloradans. Embracing the potential of telehealth and investing in community health centers, she aims to ensure convenient healthcare access throughout the State. Lindsay also recognizes that addressing disparities in housing, nutrition and transportation is pivotal for overall health and well-being. Lindsay is also determined to bolster mental health and substance use support services throughout the State. With a steadfast commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and communities, Lindsay aims to craft comprehensive policies that revolutionize Colorado's healthcare landscape. Together, we can realize a healthier and more equitable future for all Coloradans.

Lindsay believes that we must focus on reducing the harmful impacts of climate change on our families, communities and the State in order to secure a sustainable future for Colorado. Her vision entails a state where the precious natural resources are safeguarded, sustainability flourishes and progress is powered by clean, renewable energy. Collaboratively, Lindsay aspires to shape a greener, healthier and more resilient Colorado that stands as an inspirational model for generations to come. To effectively attain these goals, the approach should revolve around giving precedence to investments in renewable energy. Lindsay will advocate for the improvement of public transit, the promotion of electric vehicles, and the endorsement of active mobility. Through our unified endeavors, Lindsay’s campaign envisions a greener Colorado, illuminating the path toward a brighter tomorrow and leaving behind a legacy of environmental stewardship.

Lindsay holds the firm belief that refugees and immigrants form an integral part of our society, embracing the core essence of our nation as a land of immigrants. She strongly supports establishing a comprehensive immigration plan and federal refugee resettlement framework. However, in the absence of these broader measures, Lindsay recognizes our duty to provide unwavering support for immigrants and refugees within our State, especially in times of increased migration like the recent influx witnessed in cities like Denver. Lindsay will advocate for bolstering state and local policies to augment resources for undocumented students and ensure that no state or local funds contribute to immigration enforcement. Drawing from her firsthand experience collaborating with African Community Center of Denver through Gilchrist & Company, Lindsay witnessed the transformative power refugees bring to our society. She places paramount importance on cultivating avenues for employment and continuous education. Lindsay's vision for immigration is grounded in the shared aspiration to create a nation that not only celebrates its immigrant roots but also stands as a beacon of compassion, inclusivity and opportunity for all who seek to contribute to the rich and diverse tapestry of our American identity.