frequently asked questions

Making sure educators have a seat at the table 

• My primary responsibility is to the people of Colorado, not to state agencies as a client. That means that, in my capacity representing the CO Department of Education, I will make sure that educators have a seat at the table. This means maintaining consistent and structured conversations with CEA and other teachers unions to inform key decisions made by the CDE on promulgating rules regarding discipline and standards, funding allocations, and licensing standards that affect educators and staff. 

• The same philosophy would guide my office’s relationship with the CO Department of Labor and Employment regarding the application of PROPWA. When an educator files a complaint with the CDLE and the state is respondent to the complaint, my goal would be to serve the people of Colorado and not just defend the agency reflexively. This includes recommending that the CDLE concede and help remedy violations of PROPWA. Further, even when the state is not the respondent, I would leverage my office’s representation of the CDLE on appeal to ensure educators are protected when their rights are violated, including conceding improper decisions from administrative law judges.
   

Using the AG’s “pattern or practice” authority to investigate and bring cases against school districts 

• This office has an affirmative duty to protect the civil and constitutional rights of educators, students, and communities. The AG is empowered to bring “pattern or practice” suits against school districts for violations of constitutional or statutory rights that protect workers and worker voice. This means school districts that violate teachers’ First Amendment rights or rights guaranteed under state statutes in order to keep educators from speaking out would be subject to litigation from my office. When I’m Attorney General, every employer in Colorado – including school districts – should know that if they fire or threaten teachers or higher education employees in violation of constitutional or state law, I will be knocking on their door and seeking the maximum penalties authorized.
   

Helping end TABOR’s chokehold on our state

• TABOR is the existential threat to Colorado’s public education system. It  hamstrings our state - it’s why we don’t pay our teachers a living wage, why our per-pupil investments lag peer states, why we don’t make the investments in healthcare and childcare that would make life easier for teachers and parents and kids. Eliminating or gutting TABOR is the most significant way that the next Attorney General can support Colorado’s public education system. As the state’s lawyer, the Attorney General would be expected to defend TABOR in court. I won’t do that. Rather, I’ll partner with CEA, legislators, and other groups to undermine, undo, and eliminate TABOR so that we can finally fund our public education system to the degree we deserve.