Issues

Why I'm Running

Growing up in a working class family and attending public school here in Colorado, I was able to not only become the first college graduate in my family, but also a successful attorney and active community member.  Every one of us deserves that same chance.  I want to be your next state representative because I have the experience, the passion, and the courage to get what we need done.  You deserve to know where I stand on the issues and where my bottom line is as your representative.

My Bottom Line

  • Northwest Denver and West Denver are a family and our family members deserve respect and dignity.  No one in our family will be marginalized, dehumanized or allowed to needlessly suffer on my watch.  Our community's safety and your needs are my top priority.
  • Across the board, I will fight the privatization of essential government functions, whether in education, public transportation, or correctional facilities. I will fight the sale of our public assets for short-term gain.
  • Colorado can and must work for everyone.  That means good clean jobs, everyone paying their fair share, and an end to discriminatory, unsafe and unfair practices.
  • After two years in a wheel chair during law school, I'll never sell out to the insurance companies.
  • As a military wife and daughter, I'm 100% committed to our veterans and military families.

My Platform and Ideas

Jobs and the Economy

  • I will bring good paying, sustainable jobs back by supporting bills like the film tax credit, local hire bills, and bills to support green jobs and local manufacturing and production.
  • As the economy recovers, small and medium businesses need access to capital to be able to hire new workers and meet the needs of their customers.  I will support measures to get Colorado businesses back on track.
  • I will continue to fight for all workers, whether in the public or private sector to have enforceable worker protections and the ability to organize and bargain collectively.
  • I will continue to support efforts to reduce foreclosures, eliminate predatory lending practices, and encourage local businesses including an affordable grocery store and a locally owned coffee shop in every neighborhood.
  • I support an appropriately regulated, free market economy that thrives on innovation and will run legislation that supports continued innovation in renewable energy technologies.

Education

  • We must untie the Amendment 23/Gallagher Amendment/TABOR Amendment knot that threatens adequate funding for public schools and universities.
  • Public schools must remain public.  I will fight to make sure our schools are equitably funded and that neither our K-12 or higher education systems are privatized.
  • As a public school graduate, I will continue to work with Denver Public Schools, teachers, parents, and our community to ensure we have quality schools from elementary through high school in our quadrant.
  • I'm fighting to increase graduation rates and to make sure all children who graduate from a Colorado high school or alternative diploma program have the academic readiness and needed financial support to attend college.

Health Care

  • Access to high quality, affordable health care for all Colorado residents is a right and not a privilege.  I'll fight to make sure you have access to quality medical care.
  • I support full maternity coverage and equal rates for men and women in health care coverage.
  • I'll fight for affordable medication, reasonable provider rates, and in-home care for seniors and the disabled.
  • My rheumatoid arthritis is a pre-existing condition. I'm committed to making sure your pre-existing condition doesn't impact your ability to get affordable health insurance coverage.
  • Health care solutions need to treat the whole person including dental, vision, mental health, reproductive health and developmental delays.  I support increased access to high quality alternative medicine and treatments including acupuncture, yoga, and nutrition counseling.

State Government and the Budget

  • I will fight for a fair tax structure where we all share responsibility including corporations.
  • I will work for a sensible budget that includes appropriate reserves and capital investment.
  • Efficiency and effectiveness are my priority. I'm committed to smart solutions like managed care, pooling of resources, and making sure we are fully utilizing federal matching funds.
  • I do not support unfunded mandates. I'll find a way to fund solutions or find another idea.

Criminal Justice

  • I will not compromise on community safety.
  • As a legislator, I'll continue my work as an attorney and advocate eliminating domestic and sexual violence in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
  • We need effective alternatives to incarceration, especially concerning non-violent drug offenders.
  • I'll fight to keep reintegration services for people leaving prison, and evidence based recidivism reduction programs.
  • I'll reintroduce the graffiti tools legislation that failed this session.

Environment & Energy Reform

  • I'll introduce legislation to continue implementation of diversified renewable methods of producing power and to increase the availability of locally generated power.
  • In 2008, I was an outreach volunteer on the ballot initiative for a reasonable severance tax increase for oil and natural gas extracted from our state.  I will continue to work for a reasonable and fair severance tax of 8%, which will still be one of the lowest in the nation.
  • I'll fight to protect our open spaces, native species, and natural resources.
  • Colorado needs to increase the viability of local agriculture including organic farming, especially in low income urban neighborhoods. I intend to introduce legislation to support increased access to local food for low income neighborhoods.
  • I'm committed to making sure that a green Colorado includes clean energy and green jobs that are accessible to everyone in our community regardless of income or other barriers.
  • As a Colorado native who's proud of our state's natural beauty, I will fight to keep our water clean and protected.

Campaign Literature

Click on links below to download and view our great campaign pieces!

Contact Amber directly with your questions or concerns at 720-371-7496.
Paid for by Tafoya for Colorado  •  PO Box 12643  •  Denver, CO 80212