Strengthening Public Safety Through Compassion, Collaboration, and Common Sense

Throughout my life, I’ve had a range of experiences with the Fort Collins Police Department—especially in my younger years. Most of those interactions were fair and respectful, even when I didn’t deserve it. I know that’s not true for everyone, and I don’t take that privilege lightly.

Today, as a victims’ advocate, I work alongside law enforcement agencies across our region. I see the reality of public safety up close—both the complexity of the work and the human toll it takes. I’ve also seen what’s possible when we lead with compassion, focus on prevention, and support people—not just systems.

Fort Collins PD stands out. Their commitment to community-focused, relationship-based policing matters. It builds trust, diffuses tension, and keeps people safer. But as our city grows, so do the challenges—mental health crises, housing instability, addiction, and trauma are all on the rise. If we want to stay one of the safest cities in the country, we have to keep evolving our approach.

We’ve already started. Programs like the Mental Health Co-Responder Team (MHRT), the HOPE Team, and the Victim Response Team show what it looks like when we prioritize smart, people-first public safety. As mayor, I’ll build on that momentum—with urgency, clarity, and resolve.

Expand the Mental Health Response Team (MHRT)

Right now, we have just four licensed clinicians covering the entire city. That’s not sustainable. Mental health doesn’t clock out on weekends, and our response system shouldn’t either.

As mayor, I’ll fight for:

Full 24/7/365 coverage with more trained clinicians;

Sustainable funding and staffing to match demand;

Stronger partnerships with county and state behavioral health agencies;

Public education so people know what resources exist;

And long-term investment in prevention, recovery, and wraparound support.

I’ve seen MHRT in action. These aren’t just officers responding with flashing lights—these are skilled professionals who bring calm to crisis, connect people to real help, and prevent tragedies. This work saves lives. It deserves our full support.

Grow the HOPE (Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement) Team: Human-Centered Public Safety

The HOPE Team is one of the city’s most forward-thinking programs. It’s a model of what compassionate outreach can look like. Instead of reacting to crises, HOPE builds relationships—meeting people where they are and helping them find their next step forward.

I’ve seen the impact of that work firsthand. It lowers emergency call volumes, reduces conflict in public spaces, and helps people reconnect with dignity and stability. That’s the kind of public safety Fort Collins deserves.

As mayor, I’ll champion expanded HOPE funding, deeper nonprofit collaboration, and more pathways to housing and treatment. This isn’t just about homelessness—it’s about rebuilding lives.

Strengthen Victim Advocacy and Recovery Services

For the past three years, I’ve served as a victim advocate. It’s one of the most humbling, important roles I’ve ever held. I’ve stood beside survivors in the aftermath of trauma, helping them find safety, support, and a path forward.

But today, victim services across Colorado are facing devastating funding cuts—at a time when trauma is rising and our systems are already stretched thin.

Advocacy is not a luxury. It’s essential. These teams help people move from crisis to recovery. They offer counseling, legal aid, housing support, and—above all—hope. Often, they do it on shoestring budgets or as volunteers.

As mayor, I’ll fight for:

Full funding for victim advocacy programs;

Stronger regional coordination;

A citywide commitment to a true continuum of care—from crisis response to long-term recovery.

We owe that to survivors. We owe it to our community. And I’ll continue serving as a volunteer advocate, even if elected.

Public Safety That Reflects Our Values

I’m fiscally responsible—I don’t believe in spending just to say we did. But when it comes to public safety, the smartest investment we can make is in people.

That means backing programs that reduce harm, prevent crises, and build trust. It means recognizing that policing alone can’t solve systemic problems—but partnerships, innovation, and community engagement can.

We have an opportunity to lead—not just in Colorado, but nationally. Fort Collins can be the model for what happens when a city invests in public safety that is smart, compassionate, and grounded in real results.

Let’s keep building a safer future—together.