House Republican Leader Mike May
House Republican leader Mike May, R-Parker, is a man dedicated to his state and his community.
As a result of this dedication, Mike has received several accolades, most recently the honor of being elected by his colleagues as the Republican Leader for the Colorado House of Representatives.
In addition to his duties as the republican Leader of the House, Mike performs legislative duties including his service in the General Assembly Legislative Council and the Executive Council.
In the past, Mike has served on several House committees, including Finance, Local Government, and State, Veterans, and Military Affairs.
During the 2006 legislative session, Mike garnered numerous recognitions for his dedication to Colorado. He was named "Legislator of the Year" by several organizations including: Southeast Business Partnership, American Lung Association, Colorado Tobacco Education and Prevention Alliance, and the American Heart Association. Moreover, for the past three years, Mike has received the Colorado Civil Justice League's "Order in the Court" award.
Prior to serving in the legislature, Mike served as a councilman on the Parker Town Council from 1998 to 2002. He continues to be an active member of his community and has received several several awards for his dedication to the Town of Parker, including the 1998 O'Brien Award as Parker's Citizen of the Year and the 2002 Cornerstone Award for promoting and supporting the economic development of Parker.
In his past, Mike has worked as a Certified Public Accountant and owned accounting firms in Colorado and Utah for more than 20 years. Additionally, Mike served in the U.S. Army, where he was on active duty during both the Berlin Brigade and the 101st Air Assault at Fort Campbell Kentucky.
Outside of his work at the statehouse, Mike builds and operates hotels in Colorado and Utah. He is also a member of the Colorado Society of CPAs, the Parker Chamber of Commerce, and the Parker Economic Development Council.
Asst. Republican Leader David Balmer
Representative Balmer, R-Centennial, was first elected to the Colorado house of Representatives in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. His House republican colleagues elected him to serve as Assistant House Minority Leader. Representative Balmer also serves on the House Business Affairs and legislative Council Committees.
Rep. Balmer is a consultant specializing in brownfield redevelopment. From 1993-2007, he worked as a Senior Manager with Cherokee Investment Partners, a brownfield redevelopment firm. Cherokee specializes in the acquisition and remediation of environmentally contaminated properties. Since 1990, Cherokee has purchased over 320 sites across North America and Europe including the former Gates Rubber manufacturing plant at Interstate 25 and Broadway.
Additionally, Rep. Balmer is a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and has served in deployments to Afghanistan and Bosnia. Since moving to Colorado in 1996, he has been active in various non-profit charities. From 1998 to 2006, Balmer served on the Board of Trustees of Warren Village, a non-profit community in central Denver, which houses 93 previously homeless single mothers. he also tutored an elementary school student for 2 years through the D.U. Bridge Project. Rep. Balmer served for 3 years on the Accountability Committee for Fox Hollow Elementary School, part of the Cherry Creek School System. In 1999, he was honored with the Denver Business Journal's Forty Under 40 award, which recognizes Denver's top 40 young business leaders. In 2007, Rep. Balmer joined the Board of the Colorado Council on Economic Education.
He earned a JD from Wake Forest law School and a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Beginning in 1989, Rep. Balmer also served 3 terms in the north Carolina House of Representatives. Balmer and his wife Karen have a 15-year old daughter, Laura.
Caucus Chair Amy Stephens
Amy Stephens is the founder and director of Fresh Ideas Communication & Consulting, helping non-profit and faith-based organizations build their capacity by providing innovative ideas, coaching, leadership, organization and program development as well as grant review and writing. For the last five years through Fresh Ideas Communication, Amy has served Health & Human Services as a panel expert on federal grant review committees. Amy’s work has contributed to Laura Bush’s Helping America’s Youth program, which assists at-risk youth through a variety of programs - many through the Compassion Capital Fund. Amy writes on youth and culture issues for magazines such as, In Touch and Focus on the Family and speaks nationally at conferences on family, youth and marriage issues.
From 1991 - 2001 Amy worked as a public policy and youth culture specialist for Focus on the Family. While working in Public Policy, Amy represented Focus on the Family in both California and Colorado monitoring legislative issues of concern to the organization. She led a policy team to Europe, researching approaches to sex education and youth development and spoke on behalf of Focus in Geneva, Switzerland at the World Conference on Families. While managing the Youth Culture Department at Focus, Amy produced the parent/teen event, “Life on the Edge” as well as the expansion of the youth culture publication Plugged In and Plugged In Online. Her successful restructure also included booklets and teen radio show Life on the Edge. Amy produced Focus’ first abstinence curriculum, Sex, Lies & the Truth, and followed up with Focus’ latest abstinence curriculum No Apologies, which is now used world-wide in over 33 countries in over 23 languages. Amy represented Focus on the Family during her ten-year tenure on television and radio and wrote articles and opinion editorials for state and national newspapers and magazines.
Amy’s leadership experience includes; being appointed by Colorado Governor Bill Owens to the Governor’s Task Force on the Welfare of Children, serving on the city’s former Human Relations Commission, being chosen as a future leader of Colorado Springs through the Pikes Peak Leadership, and she is currently listed in the Heritage Foundation’s “Policy Experts 2000” as a leader in youth and sex education policy issues. She has done interviews and opinion editorials in many of America’s major newspapers such as USA Today, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, Washington Post, Denver Post, The Rocky Mountain News as well as interviews on hundreds of secular and Christian radio stations across the nation.
Amy’s political experience extends to being a Colorado Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1996 and 2004. She has worked on state and local campaigns for Governor Owens, 4th Judicial District Attorney John Newsome, County Commissioner Wayne Williams, and has served four terms as an El Paso County Republican Bonus Member.
Amy resides in Colorado Springs with her two great loves – husband Ron and son, Nicholas.
Republican Whip Cory Gardner
Hailing from the eastern plains of Colorado, state Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, is a fifth generation Coloradan dedicated to improving Colorado’s future.
“For nearly a century, my family has lived in the great State of Colorado,” he says, “and my goal is to make it even better from my work at the legislature.”
After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Colorado State University in 1997, Cory enrolled in the University of Colorado School of Law.
Shortly after graduating from law school, he began working for the National Corn Growers Association, eventually serving as the organization’s director of Washington communications.
In 2002, Gardner joined the staff of U.S. Senator Wayne Allard as a legislative assistant for agriculture, energy, natural resources, water, transportation, judicial nominations and Indian affairs. The following year, he was named legislative director and general counsel. As legislative director, Cory had oversight of the senator’s entire policy and appropriations operation.
In June 2005, a vacancy committee appointed Cory to the Colorado House of Representatives.
Two years later, he is still at the capitol, speaking for his district – House District 63, which covers most of the Colorado Eastern High Plains.
At home, Gardner maintains a private law practice and remains active in the family farm equipment dealership, a business started by his great-grandfather in 1915.
Cory and his wife, Jaime, have a two-year-old daughter named Alyson Grace.
Rep. Cindy Acree, HD-40
Cindy Acree, State Representative from House District 40 is a small business owner and mother of three. She has lived in the District over 20 years and comes from a rural background. As the former chairman of the board of the largest neuroscience center in the rocky mountain region, Mrs. Acree has held numerous government appointments including: President of the Aurora City Budget Committee; Director, Cherry Creek School District Facility Planning Committee; and; an appointment by Governor Bill Owens to the Cardiovascular Health Coalition.
Acree has also served as the acting Program Coordinator of the Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention Program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and President of Cherry Creek Republican Women. Cindy Acree has a twenty plus year legal and business background with degrees from the Southern Methodist University and the University Of Denver College Of Law.
Acree’s personal story is one of overcoming adversity as she struggled for fifteen years with epilepsy, and then survived a paralyzing stroke to make a remarkable recovery, finding hope and creating an exceptional quality of life. Her goal is to bring common sense back to government.
The Colorado Neurological Institute Board of Directors elects Cindy Acree, a former patient in two of CNI's programs, as its chairperson. This election distinguishes CNI as the only neurological institute in the world being led by a patient.
Nominated for a national award given to a woman who overcame adversity to make a significant contribution to her community. Cindy accepted the award given by ABC Daytime Television and McNeil PPC in New York in December 2000.
“Cindy Acree is an inspiration to everyone connected with CNI -doctors, nurses, patients, staff, and volunteers. The Colorado Neurological Institute established the Cindy Acree Hope Award, given annually to patients who inspire others with their courage and strength.” The CNI Review 2002.
In 1998, (only 7 years post stroke) Cindy rode in her first 100-mile bike race at the age of 42. She continued to train hard, and in 1999 she amazed us all by completing the grueling 437-mile Colorado bike race called Ride the Rockies.
A founding member of the Spalding Community Foundation Board of Directors, Cindy has established a rehabilitative driving project designed to assist stroke and brain injury survivors in returning to driving safely. The author of a bill “Standards and Guidelines For Evaluating The At-Risk Driver” she works to help the disabled and elderly achieve greater degrees of independence through mobility.
Mrs. Acree is the founder and President of Protektmark LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in organizational effectiveness combining performance based strategies for growth through effective internal operations, value based community outreach and a practical application of good government relations.
An author and keynote speaker, Cindy speaks to the power of will and determination in making smooth transitions in life and illustrates basic tenants of success that will help anyone reach their goals in business and in their personal life. She is a community leader in healthcare and speaks about innovative strategies for bridging the disparities in healthcare and reversing upward trends in the incidents of major health concerns such as stroke and neurological disease.
She has held numerous government appointments including The Aurora City Budget Committee where she has been elected President for two terms, and Director, Cherry Creek School District Facility Planning Committee. She was appointed by Governor Owens to the Cardiovascular Health Coalition. She has also served as the acting Program Coordinator of the Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Prevention Program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and is assisting the State of Colorado with the implementation of a stroke registry and development of a strategy to address health disparities.
As a member of The Colorado Neurological Institute’s Board of Directors, Mrs. Acree is participating in the implementation of the second largest telemedicine program in the nation.
Mrs. Acree has a unique background and experience with stroke, epilepsy and rehabilitation. She is known for her work in promoting access for the disabled and is an expert on the American Disabilities Act. She is a known speaker on stroke prevention and recovery and has appeared on NRC radio and KCNC CBS TV.
Named Cottey College Most Distinguished Alumna 2007.
Rep. Randy Baumgardner, HD-57
State Rep. Randy L. Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs, House District 57
Born in Bedford, Indiana in 1956, Randy moved to Grand County in 1994. Not only has he been working for the Colorado State Department of Transportation for over a decade, he also successfully operates a ranch between Hot Sulphur Springs, and Granby.
Randy and wife, Lori Baumgardner, currently live in Hot Sulphur Springs with their three year old son Matthew.
Lori, a small business owner from Kremmling, was vice president of the Kremmling Chamber of Commerce for two years. Lori currently works for the Department of Transportation. Not only does she help run Baumgardner Cattle Company, but also plays a vital role in Randy's campaign. She has two older children, Elizabeth and Michael Gramm, both of whom attended Grand County Schools. Elizabeth went on to further her education in Europe, and now works in Denver for a recruiting firm. Michael is home for the summer, but plans to re-commence his career in seismic exploration this fall.
Randy has a passion for land and water rights, education reforms, and healthcare solutions, and has committed himself to these topics through his campaign. He is involved with the North American Water Conservancy, Denver Water Board, and works with the county commissioners on some of the water issues, he as a rancher has experienced. It is his vision to solve some of these problems, and get fellow District 57 citizens to participate in becoming aware of these issues so as to come together to find a solution.
Rep. Laura Bradford, HD-55
Having lived on the Western Slope for more than 25 years, my experience with local issues and concerns has been extensive. As a member of the Colorado Women’s Economic Development council from 1995 until 2000 I was able to contribute to the discussion of the needs of Colorado businesses to help grow our economy while maintaining our superior way of life. Governor Owens appointed me Chair of the committee in the Spring of 1999 which afforded me additional insight into the process of government.
As a small business owner, having founded ProSafe Products in 1987, I know the economics of running a business; e.g. meeting a payroll, maintaining a workforce, communicating with the customers as well as the vendors, applying for patents, copyrights and trademarks. In 1998 I was selected to join the Women’s Success Forum titled Leading in a Changing World at the Daniel’s College of Business, University of Denver. Small business is the backbone of our economy and it was never more evident than when I chaired the Mesa County Revolving Loan Fund Administration loan review committee. As matter of fact, I was chosen to represent Colorado in the book Women Who Mean Business published in February 1999. All of these experiences have enhanced my awareness of the business needs of this community and its citizens.
Communities cannot grow without individuals who are willing to step forward and lead. I know the responsibility of sharing my talents with the community and have been involved with the Republican Party for 15 years, serving as a Delegate and elected board positions as well as Chair of the House District 55 in 2002. My love of music prompted me to serve as treasure of the Messiah Choral Society and I assisted my church in raising the funds necessary for the English Hand Bell choir which I was the director of.
The life I have shared with my wonderful husband Linton Mathews and our children and grandchildren has been nothing short of remarkable. We began a tree farm together in 2006 on our land near Collbran. Our nursery is licensed, and has more than 2400 tress on it. We love the land and the trees and our picturesque, peaceful surroundings.
I am ready to give back to my community and represent the Western Slope’s interests in Denver. Utilizing the strong conservative values I share with many of you I will begin to restore some conservative sense to the Colorado Legislature.
However, I need your support! First, I need your vote. Additionally, I need you to share your time, talents and treasures to help assure the return of conservative representation in the Colorado Legislature.
Rep. Bob Gardner, HD-21
State Representative Bob Gardner was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives from House District 21 in 2006. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee and Appropriations Committee and on the Joint Committee on Legislative Legal Services.
In his first term in the House, Rep. Gardner was the sponsor or co-sponsor of bills across the issue spectrum—including legislation to assist fast growing school districts issue bonds for capital construction, increase the number of State trial court judges to address the backlog of commercial cases, simplify processes for businesses with the Secretary of State, extend the Arkansas River water bank program, assist our local RTA by limiting the amount of tax revenue the State may keep for its collection, and strengthened Colorado’s laws to protect victims of crime.
Representative Gardner has been a strong voice for business, spearheading the opposition to legislation that would damage business and our State economy. During the legislative interim of his first term, Representative Gardner served on the Committee on Long Term Services for the Developmentally Disabled and was the primary sponsor of successful legislation in the 2008 session that provides increased employment opportunities for the disabled and shortens the waiting list for services for the developmentally disabled. As an orator, Bob has earned the reputation as one who can bring the House to silence by the power of his words.
Bob has been recognized for his legislative leadership by the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce as Legislator of the Year for 2007 and recently as Legislator of the Year by Alliance, a statewide advocacy organization for the developmentally disabled.
Bob has practiced law in Colorado Springs since leaving Air Force active duty in 1989 and is a retired Air Force Reservist. During his Air Force career, Bob served as an ICBM missile launch officer and later as a judge advocate assigned to the United States Air Force Academy law faculty where he taught procurement and business law. From 1993 to 1997, he served as Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party and General Counsel of the Colorado Republican Party. While serving in the legislature, Bob continues to make his living practicing law.
Representative Gardner is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and earned his law degree with honors in 1981 from the University of Texas School of Law. In addition, he holds a Masters of Law in Government Procurement Law from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Bob is married to LeAnn, who is a nurse with Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care, and they have two children, Bob Jr. (26) and Laura (20).
Rep. Cheri Gerou, HD-25
Cheri Gerou, an Evergreen architect, has lived in the district for the last 25 years. Gerou was born and raised in a ranching family in Wyoming before moving to Colorado in 1975. She earned a BA in Fine Arts for the University of Colorado.
Cheri and her husband, Phil (also an architect) are small business owners having practiced architecture in the Evergreen area for 21 years. They have two grown children, Greg and Sara who both received their undergraduate degrees at CU Boulder. Sara is pursuing her masters out of state while Greg earned his masters degree at the Colorado School of Mines.
For more than 20 years, Cheri has been active in the community volunteering for children’s programs, professional organizations and Rockland Community Church. She is the past president of the Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), past president of the Denver Chapter of AIA and the current chair of Constructors and Designers Alliance (CDA, an organization of 23 member associations involved in the design and construction industry).
In 2006, she was appointed by Governor Owens to the State Licensing Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors where she currently serves as Secretary of the Board and Vice Chair of the Survey Quorum of Professional Land Surveyors.
She also serves as a current member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and past member of the Professional Development Committee.
Rep. Jim Kerr, HD-28
In his third year at the state legislature, State Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton, has been considered one of the state’s most effective legislators.
During the 2005 and 2006 legislative session, every bill sponsored by Jim was successfully passed.
Prior to his time in the legislature, Jim was a businessman, working as a garage owner, service manager, district and regional sales manager, and as a factory representative in the automotive industry.
Because of his long career in business, Jim understands the concerns of the business community –something he addresses at the state capitol through his pushes for limited government.
Additionally, as a man dedicated to an individual’s rights, Jim firmly opposes regulation and government interference in the lives of Colorado citizens.
During his time at the legislature thus far, Jim has sponsored seven new laws and co-sponsored numerous other measures to protect public safety, lower the cost of health care, protect private property rights, ensure accountability in elections, protect consumers, ensure school safety, find solutions to Colorado’s water challenges, and to address the problem of illegal immigration.
Jim’s legislative work has been recognized by several organizations, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, the Restaurant Association, the Colorado Senior Lobby, the American Association of Retired Persons, and the Colorado Humane Voters League.
In addition to playing a crucial role in the implementation of new law, Jim serves on several committees at the capitol – Health and Human Services, House Services, and Appropriations. Jim is also the vice-chair of the Legislative Audit Committee.
When not working for fair legislation in Denver, Jim spends time with his wife, Patsy, their four children, and seven grandchildren. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Warren Tech, an extension of Jefferson County high schools that provides career and technical training for students and recent graduates.
Rep. Steve King, HD-54
For 26 years, State Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, has served in the law enforcement field, helping others.
As a complex-crimes investigator for the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department, Mr. King has saved lives and brought justice to many Colorado citizens.
A graduate from Mesa State College, Mr. King holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Political Science and an Associates degree in Criminal Justice.
Rep. King and his wife Daun have three boys and own and operate a small business in Grand Junction, Colo., that teaches women personal safety classes.
From the capitol, Mr. King is an enforcer of family values and protecting communities. The representative also aims to fight for Colorado’s water resources and allocate energy resources efficiently, he says.
Rep. Kent Lambert, HD-14
Kent Lambert retired from the United States Air Force in 2004 as a Colonel. His varied career included tours as a B-52 instructor; a senior scientific analyst in the Pentagon; the air and defense attache in Jordan and Sweden; the Deputy Defense Intelligence Officer for Europe in the Defense Intelligence Agency; and the Deputy Director of the Air Force Space Command Space Analysis Division.
He demonstrated his leadership skills at the United States Air Force Academy by serving on the Cadet Wing Staff in one of only two positions elected by the cadets themselves, the Chairman of the Cadet Professional Ethics Committee. He was commissioned from the Academy in 1974, and has had a diverse career in Air Force operations, scientific analysis, and international affairs, receiving many awards and medals.
As an instructor pilot, he proved his leadership, management, teaching, and team building ability. He led other wing instructors to teach in-flight B-52 combat tactics. As a wing staff officer, he led wing planning, flight scheduling, and served as director of the battle staff for an entire B-52 wing.
His analytical talents were developed through eight years of highly successful work as a scientific analyst, branch chief, and division chief at the Air Force Studies and Analyses Agency, where he was recognized as their top field grade officer in 1995. He was instrumental in high profile studies that helped determine final government policies on major military systems, the structure of all U.S. bomber and ICBM forces, saved billions of taxpayer dollars, and reprioritized money for systems that directly affected our success in Afghanistan and Iraq - saving American lives.
As an attache and international security assistance officer, Colonel Lambert’s diplomatic skills were instrumental in re-establishing the professional military relationships between the United States and Jordan following Desert Storm. These actions contributed significantly to the political and military isolation of the Government of Iraq. He received special national citations three years in a row for his work in this position. In Sweden, he established the first office of defense cooperation on bilateral trade, and Baltic and Scandinavian regional security issues. He was assigned to Air Force Space Command in 2001, where he led the initial standup of the command’s Space Analysis Division and led many studies that examined all its mission areas, including support for the Space Shuttle Columbia accident investigation.
Following his retirement from the Air Force, he ran for Colorado state representative, and served as legislative aide to two state representatives. He also was instrumental in forming and organizing the Republican Study Committee of Colorado, where he served as the Executive Director until the end of the 2005 session. In that capacity, he provided direct support to a broad range of Republican legislative activities.
Kent Lambert is married to the former Gretchen Ann Simpich of Colorado Springs (daughter of Bob and Jan Simpich). They have three children, Christopher (27), Michael (26), and Melissa (11), and three grandsons.
Rep. Larry Liston, HD-16
For more than 30 years, State Rep. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, has lived in House District 16, actively involving himself in the Colorado Springs’ community.
For years, Larry has been crucial to the local Republican politics of the Colorado Springs area. Since 1997, Larry has served as Pct. Committee person and has been the Chairman of HD # 16. In 1998 and 2002, Larry served as a county chairman for Gov. Bill Owens. He also co-chaired the local campaign for President George Bush in 2002 and was elected as a delegate for President Bush to the Republican National Convention.
Larry’s leadership in the Republican Party has led him to receive various awards as well. For instance, in 2001, the representative was recognized as the Republican of the year by the leadership of El Paso County. Larry was also elected statewide as the Vice Chairman of the Colorado Republican Party and served from 2001 – 2003.
In 1975, Larry graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance and a minor in Political Science. Later, in 1989, he became a graduate of the inaugural class of the Republican Leadership Program. Ten years later, in 1999, Larry graduated from the Campaign Management School of Leadership Institute.
Since his college graduation, Larry has had a career in financial consulting. Since 1977, the representative has been an employee of the financial consultant firm, RBC Dain Dauscher, where he currently resides as vice president.
At the legislature, Larry serves on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee, and the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.
Larry is the husband to Mary Ann, and the father to Katarina. He is also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs. When not working hard for the State of Colorado or his consulting firm, Larry enjoys golf, hiking, and reading history books.
Rep. Marsha Looper, HD-19
A successful multi-career woman, State Rep. Marsha Looper, R-Calhan, has brought her experience and knowledge to the house this year.
Growing up on the Western Slope of Colorado, Marsha branched away briefly to earn her college degree at Mesa State College. However, she eventually returned to the slope, and she and her husband, Lynn, and their three children, Rachelle, Travis, and Justin, have been calling El Paso County home for the past 22 years.
Marsha’s many careers started with a long stint in engineering. As an IBM Network Engineer and a Novell Systems Engineer, she has been honored on numerous occasions. Twice, her peers at annual symposiums awarded her as “Systems Engineer of the Year.” In addition to working for others in the engineering field, Marsha started her own company, Computing Solutions Group, in 1993.
In 2004, Marsha became interested in real estate. She has already earned Associate Broker and Registered Appraiser credentials, is a partner in Big Sky Realty, and is the owner and operator of Phoenix & Associates, a small home building and remodeling company.
Additionally, Marsha is the current Executive Director of a statewide coalition she helped form, Colorado Citizens for Property Rights, and Chair of the Eastern Plains Citizens Coalition, which opposes the Front Range Toll Road. Something she is extremely passionate about, Marsha understands the great potential for the loss of value in property to citizens along the proposed Toll Road. She says she is committed to preventing such from occurring.
Along with all her career endeavors, Marsha is active in her community and with her family. In addition to being participating in her children's school, sports and other activities, Marsha has volunteered with her church, Saint Michaels, the Special Olympics, coached YMCA basketball, been a 4H leader, livestock judging coach, and served on the Falcon School District Accountability Committee. Marsha currently belongs to the local, state and national Associations of Realtors, the NRA, and Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition.
Whether it is engineering, real estate, or entrepreneurship, Marsha has excelled at all of her endeavors. For the 2007 legislature session, expect no less from this highly successful Colorado career woman.
Rep. Tom Massey, HD-60
State Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs, is devoted to helping the citizens of his rural district.
Tom promotes pertinent issues that currently face many rural Coloradans, including economic development for rural communities, limited government with an emphasis on local control, improving the quality of public education, and the preservation and conservation of water resources.
For years, Tom has been actively involved in public service. From 1994 – 2004, for example, he served as a Trustee of Poncha Springs and a member of the Salida R-32-J School District School Board.
Before serving in the state legislature, Tom busied himself in the real estate world. He was a broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Massey Real Estate Consultants in Salida, Montrose, South Fork, Alamosa and Forbes Park.
In 1999, the Chaffee County Board of Realtors elected Tom Realtor of the Year. Additionally, Tom served as vice president of government affairs for the Colorado Association of Realtors, and was a member of the CML Policy Committee in 2002 and 2003. His work in real estate also earned him awards such as the Political Service Award he received in 2003 by the Colorado Association of Realtors.
At the capitol, Tom is a member of the Education, Finance, and Business Affairs and Labor Committees.
The representative and his wife, Becky, live in Poncha Springs with their three children.
Rep. Frank McNulty, HD-43
Raised in the south metro area, Frank has seen the south metro area grow, prosper, and develop into one of the most vibrant and exciting communities in the country. Key to this are the families and businesses of Highlands Ranch.
The oldest of six children, Frank is the son of Frank and Denise McNulty. Educated at J.K. Mullen High School, Frank went on to undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Upon graduation from CU, Frank accepted a position in the Office of Congressman Wayne Allard. There, Frank had an opportunity to work on issues that were close to his heart, including veterans and civil service affairs.
Frank continued to work for Allard upon his election to the U.S. Senate. There, Frank worked with the Senator to fight for passage of the Balance Our Budget Act, a measure aimed at reducing the federal deficit and forcing the federal government to live within its means.
In 1998, Frank returned to Colorado to pursue his law degree at the University of Denver College of Law, where his studies emphasized natural resources and water law. During this time, Frank began his work at the state legislative level. His efforts -- supporting job growth, limiting governmental interference and red tape, and lowering taxes -- created a stronger business climate in Colorado.
Frank joined Governor Bill Owens’ administration in 2000, and currently serves as Assistant Director for Water with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. As Assistant Director, Frank is responsible for advising on, and the development of, statewide water policy. In 2005, Frank played a significant role in drafting and advocating for passage of legislation that the Denver Post called “the most significant step toward a rational statewide water policy in the last 50 years.”
Rep. Carole Murray, HD-45
Carole Murray grew up in southern Illinois, getting a firm grounding in family, faith, and the importance of education and community participation. Her mom and dad were active in civic groups, and her Republican dad instilled in her not only his analytical and free market values, but also his belief that goodness can always stand in the face of the darker side of humanity. Her mom stood strong with her devotion to family and church, and she had a creative side that Carole shadows with an interest in the arts and gardening. She grew up with a brother and sister, who both still live in Illinois.
Carole graduated with a degree in Education, but, after teaching for a short time, decided that the classroom was best handled by others more suited for the challenges! After staying at home with two daughters, Carole started working in the newspaper business, becoming the ad manager who brought state recognition to the department. She managed a small business, then became the President of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, where she dramatically increased memberships and volunteer participation.
After seven years at the Chamber, Carole was elected the County Clerk and Recorder of Douglas County. During her 8-year tenure, she managed her department as a fiscal conservative, with minimal staff additions during high growth in the county. She increased the use of technology in all divisions and left a department with a staff that is renowned for its customer service.
A customer service trainer for Fortune 500 companies uses the Douglas County Motor Vehicle Department as one of her “best practices” examples. She tells her corporate clients: “If a motor vehicle department can make a customer leave with a smile on their face, any other business can too!”
As County Clerk and Recorder, Carole became active with other clerks in the state, who elected her as their president. She also served as co-chair of their legislative committee, so she gained first-hand experience with policy development at the state capitol. Colorado is unique among all the states in the number of counties having electronic real estate recording capability as a result of Carole’s efforts to enable e-recording through a state law. This was accomplished through bringing together all the stakeholders interested in real estate recording, and crafting a bill which they all supported.
Carole is married to Lisle Gates, Principal of Castle View High School in Castle Rock. Between them, they have 5 children and 6 grandchildren.
Rep. B.J. Nikkel, HD-49
B.J. Nikkel has been a Republican political activist in Colorado for nearly twenty years.
Before being sworn into the Colorado General Assembly in January, 2009, she was Senior Development Director for the National Guard Association of Colorado and was also a Public Relations Consultant.
Prior to that, Mrs. Nikkel served for several years as a senior staffer for former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave as District Director and managed five offices in the eighteen counties of Colorado’s Fourth Congressional District. Nikkel was also elected as a delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York and was elected by her peers to serve as a leader on the Rules Committee.
Other past roles include service on several Judicial Commissions, most noteably the State Commission on Judicial Performance, which reviews the performance of Appellate and Supreme Court Justices. She also served on the Larimer County Youth Services Advisor Board for a time, and was a writer of a regular editorial column for the Fort Collins Coloradoan.
Rep. B.J. Nikkel lives with her husband Phil and their sons, Jonathan and Christopher, in unincoprorated Larimer County near Carter Lake. They have an English Setter dog named Spot and a Cheetoh cat named Anastasia.
Rep. Kevin Priola, HD-30
Kevin Priola was born and raised in Adams County, Colorado. He attended Brighton public schools. He attended High School at Regis Jesuit and Horizon High School. While a youth, Kevin enjoyed playing baseball, and football and is a hunter and fisherman. He also likes to run. He and his family are avid skiers and snowboarders.
Kevin attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated with a Business degree. While at C.U. he became involved with the Ralphie Handlers Program – the college students who train and tend to America’s most well loved mascot, Ralphie. He continues his involvement with the program as its Co-Director.
After college, Kevin joined the family businesses Priola Greenhouses, Inc. and CAP Land Company. The greenhouse specialized in cut flowers, and was the home of many beautiful lilies, tulips, and snapdragons.
In 1996, Kevin married his high school sweet heart, Michelle Osif. They have a son and a daughter and love to spend time teaching their children about the great outdoors. Camping and hiking, as well as skiing, are what you can find them doing together. Michelle is a teacher, who is a stay at home mother at the present time.
Kevin was active in politics at CU as a member of the College Republicans. He also hosted many caucuses through the years while many of his peers didn’t know what one was. He continues to give back to his local and global community by way of Rotary International, in which he’s been an active member for 9 years. Kevin and Michelle and their children attend Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Northglenn, Colorado.
Rep. Ellen Roberts, HD-59
State Rep. Ellen Roberts says her interest in politics has been lifelong.
While a new face to the House of Representatives this year, Ellen’s experience in law and environmental policies are sure to benefit the State of Colorado.
Ellen holds an undergraduate degree in environmental policy from Cornell University and a law degree from University of Colorado at Boulder.
The representative has been living and practicing law in Durango since 1989. She has received the Athena Award from the Durango Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as a Four Corners Leader by the Four Corners Business Journal. In addition, in 2001, she was awarded the Professionalism Award by the Southwest Colorado Bar Association.
Along with her law practice and accolades, Ellen has served and currently serves on several committees and boards. She has been on the board of Mercy Medical Center for five years, serving as board chair for two. She has also been a member of First National Bank of Durango, and a member and past chair of the Citizens Steering Committee for a New Library.
Currently, Ellen is a member of the Southwest Colorado Bar Association, the Citizens Health Advisory Council, Club 20, and High Noon Rotary.
Ellen, her husband Rick, and their two children, Caitlin and Ben, live in Durango, Colo. and attend First Presbyterian Church.
Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, HD-65
Jerry Sonnenberg is a Colorado native who has been farming and ranching since 1979. Because of his vast knowledge of Colorado’s land and water issues, Jerry has served on committees such as the Colorado Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the Republican River Conservation District Board of Directors and the Colorado Water Congress State Affairs Committee. Jerry holds the position of President for the Coloradans for Conservation and Development, and Precinct Chairperson for the Logan County Republican Party.
As a businessman, Jerry has held many positions in conjunction with operating his 3600 acre family farm. He has managed his family owned-and-operated trucking business, been supervisor of a technical support staff for a software company, photographer for local newspapers, funeral home assistant and truck driver.
As a father of four, Jerry is a strong advocate for youth programs and education. He has been a substitute teacher at Sterling schools for the past five years as well as a part time instructor in the Farm Business Management department at NJC for two years. Along with teaching, Jerry has demonstrated his support of youth education by judging numerous FFA contests and science fairs. Jerry has held the position of Chairman for the Colorado preschool pilot program and Board Member for the Sterling Baseball Organization. He was a member of FFA and 4-H, as well as the Sterling Schools Building Accountability Committee. Jerry supports youth athletics by umpiring Colorado high school and college baseball for over 30 years along with coaching various youth sports.
Jerry has proven his leadership abilities through positions such as President of Logan County Farm Bureau, Chairman of Logan County Right to Farm Committee, Director of music ministry at First Christian Church in Sterling and Choir Director at Berean Church in Sterling. Previous committees he has diligently worked on are numerous national Farm Bureau advisory boards, several political campaigns, Colorado Young Farmers and the Logan County Planning Commission. Organizations he is currently a member of are the National Rifle Association of America, the Colorado Farm Bureau and the Elks Club.
Jerry grew up in Sterling, Colorado graduating from Sterling High School. He attended Northeastern Junior College and graduated from the Colorado Agriculture and Rural Leadership Program offered through Colorado State University. He married Vonnie Constance, a fourth grade teacher at Campbell Elementary School, and together have four children; Ashley, 23, a graduate student at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO; Afton, 20, a student at Metro State College in Denver, CO; Joshua, 16, a sophomore at Sterling High School and Ryan, 12, a 6th grader at Sterling Middle School.
Rep. Ken Summers, HD-22
As a state native, State Rep. Ken Summers, R-Lakewood, says it’s a privilege to live in Colorado.
For the past thirty years, Ken has contributed to various communities throughout the state where he resided, including local school boards, nonprofit organization boards, and the Arapahoe Credit Union, among many others.
Ken received his undergraduate degree in Business Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1976. Following that he spent many years as a teacher and a pastor in his community.
In 2005, Summers’ went back to school and earned his Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University.
His deep interest in helping the children of prisoners led him to co-found the non-profit organization Jericho Road Mentoring – a nonprofit that recruits mentors to serve children of prisoners.
Ken is married Debbie, a registered nurse specializing in hospice care. They have been married for 30 years and have two adult children have two adult children, Christian and Stephanie, and one grandchild.
Rep. Spencer Swalm, HD-37
Spencer Swalm is the state representative for House District 37 in the City of Centennial.
Rep. Swalm was elected to the House in 2006 and serves on both the House Health and Human Services Committee and the House Transportation and Energy Committee.
A longtime champion for affordable health insurance, Spencer was recognized by the Colorado chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for his tireless work in providing affordable insurance to small businesses in Colorado.
In his first two years at the state legislature, Rep. Swalm fought hard to protect children and seniors, and worked to reform health care. He sponsored legislation to provide meaningful alternatives for some of Colorado’s most vulnerable kids — special-needs children — with tuition assistance at private providers so their parents can choose the kinds of programs that best address their unique challenges.
Taking on the issue of health care, Rep. Swalm sponsored legislation to provide a low-cost option for Colorado’s uninsured by creating a benefit plan with basic coverage for a low monthly premium.
In addition, Swalm passed legislation to keep our children safer as they surf the Internet. He successfully passed a law to require that sexual predators, especially those who lure children using the Internet, provide e-mail addresses, instant-messaging identities, and chat-room identities to local law enforcement agencies when registering as a sexual predator.
Rep. Swalm fought for Colorado’s seniors by passing legislation to allow those seniors who have long term care insurance policies to qualify for Medicaid when that policy is expended. He also was recognized for his work in health care by the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, which named him 2008 Legislator of the year.
When the legislature is not in session, Rep. Swalm assists small business owners in providing affordable health insurance benefits to their employees as a representative with The Wright Group. Before that, he practiced law for 10 years specializing in estate planning.
Rep. Swalm earned a bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder and his law degree from the University of Denver. He is married to Marleen Swalm, a registered nurse at Saint JosephHospital. They have three children in (or graduated from) Cherry Creek Schools.
Rep. Scott Tipton, HD-58
Scott Tipton was raised in Cortez, where he attended public schools with his brother Joe and graduated from Cortez High School. He went on to Ft. Lewis College in Durango where he studied Political Science, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college.
After Ft. Lewis, Scott returned to Cortez and founded Mesa Verde Indian Pottery. Mesa Verde Trading has developed a reputation worldwide for their craftsmanship and integrity.
It was at the pottery that Scott met his future wife, Jean. The Tipton’s have been married for 25 years and have two daughters, Liesl and Elizabeth.
Active in Our Community
Growing up, Scott’s parents instilled in him a deep sense of community through their involvement in many civic activities. Scott has continued his family’s tradition of giving back to Southwestern Colorado.
Scott currently sits on the board of Mesa Verde National Park and the Crow Canyon Archeological Center. Both groups strive to protect the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Four Corners region of Colorado.
In 2001, Scott worked hard to establish Montezuma County’s 100 Club, an organization dedicated to providing for the families of our first responders who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
In addition to being an active member of his church, Scott is also a past board member of the Pueblo Community College Advisory Board.
Scott remains active in his local church and community.
Political Involvement
Scott Tipton started his activism in Republican politics at the ripe age of 7, when his mother had him hold up a Goldwater for President sign in a local parade. In 1976, Scott became involved with the Reagan for President Campaign and was the youngest delegate to attend the Republican National Convention that year.
His commitment to Reagan continued and Scott went on to play major roles in both the 1980 and 1984 Reagan campaign in Western Colorado.
Over the years, he has served in various roles for the campaigns of Scott McInnis, Ben Campbell, Bill Owens and President Bush.
Rep. Glenn Vaad, HD-48
Rep. Glenn Vaad, R-Mead, is dedicated to Colorado’s public school system.
Rep. Vaad’s career before becoming a Weld County Commissioner for 8 years was with the Colorado Department of Transportation for 31 years. Within this capacity, Vaad worked as a highway engineer, a management consultant, an auditor, a legislative liaison at the legislature, and the Secretary of State Transportation Commission. A good deal of the responsibility of a County Commissioner is that of stewardship of county roads, thus adding an additional 8 years of transportation experience.
Vaad has also acted upon what he believes to be his deep commitment to public service for much of his adult life. He has served with a volunteer fire department as both a fire fighter and EMT. He was a member of the Mead Colorado Town Board and a board member of the St. Vrain Valley school district. He has also been actively involved in the leadership of his church for over 25 years.
Vaad has been married to Mollie, his sweetheart of 50 years and is a father of two adult children and proud grandfather of 3 grand children.
Glenn is a member of Move Colorado and a co-chair of the Legislative Transportation Caucus.
He is also a graduate of the Colorado Republican Leadership program, the class of 1999-2000.
Rep. Mark Waller, HD-15
Mark Waller was born in the rural town of Macomb, Illinois in 1969. He graduated from New Life Academy (High School), a church sponsored home school program in 1987. Mark received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1992. After completion of his undergraduate degree he received his commission in the United States Air Force. He received a Masters of Science Degree in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota in 1998 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver, College of Law in 2003.
As an Air Force officer he had assignments in Grand Forks AFB North Dakota, Vandenberg AFB California, and Beale AFB California. He left Active Duty in 2000 to go attend Law School. He and his family moved to Colorado Springs. He joined the United States Air Force Reserves in 2001 and was assigned as a Space Systems Operator at Schriever AFB. After admission to the Colorado Bar, Mark transitioned to the JAG Corp. As a reservist, he is currently attached to the Legal Office at the 21st Space Wing, Peterson AFB.
Candidate HD 15
In 2004, he became a Deputy District Attorney for the 10th Judicial District in Pueblo, Colorado. While there he prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony crimes. In 2006, he took a leave of absence from the District Attorney’s office to volunteer for a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq. While in Iraq, he prosecuted insurgent detainees in Iraqi courts. He rejoined the District Attorney’s office upon his return.
In September 2007, he began a private law practice in Colorado Springs.
Mark has been married to his wife, Jennifer, since 1994. He is a devoted father to their son, Truman (9), and daughter, Camille (5). They are looking forward to opportunity of making sure the needs and values of their community are heard within the government.
Rep. Brian DelGrosso, HD-51
Selected to serve in the state House of Representatives in August of 2009, Rep. Brian DelGrosso brings a wealth of small business experience to the legislature.
As the owner of three Dominoes’ Pizza Restaurants, DelGrosso knows firsthand the challenges of owning a small business in a struggling economy.
While in college, DelGrosso began working for Dominoes Pizza where he worked his way from being a delivery driver to the position of Operation Director of a 20 store franchise. In this role he oversaw 300 employees. Delgrosso now owns 3 of his own stores. Delgrosso attributes his success to a strong work ethic and conservative values.
Additionally, DelGrosso served in the Wyoming Air National Guard 1990 to 1996.
The 37 year old Delgrosso makes his home in Loveland with his wife Amber and their three children.
As the owner of three Dominoes’ Pizza Restaurants, DelGrosso knows firsthand the challenges of owning a small business in a struggling economy.
While in college, DelGrosso began working for Dominoes Pizza where he worked his way from being a delivery driver to the position of Operation Director of a 20 store franchise. In this role he oversaw 300 employees. Delgrosso now owns 3 of his own stores. Delgrosso attributes his success to a strong work ethic and conservative values.
Additionally, DelGrosso served in the Wyoming Air National Guard 1990 to 1996.
The 37 year old Delgrosso makes his home in Loveland with his wife Amber and their three children.