Phil has defended the Affordable Care Act and the rights of 700,000 Coloradans who have pre-existing health conditions, the 400,000 covered through the Medicaid expansion, and those under 26 years old who are on their parents’ plans. When these rights were challenged by the federal government, Phil defended the Affordable Care Act and Coloradans’ healthcare rights.
When it comes to defending Coloradans against those who would violate our rights—whether as citizens or consumers—Phil is on our side. Phil protected access to affordable healthcare, defended our voting rights, fought for fair treatment for consumers, and stood up against powerful and irresponsible companies that took advantage of people, including students with debt, older Coloradans, veterans, and those harmed by the opioid epidemic.
Accomplishments
Protected election integrity in the unanimous victory of Colorado Department of State vs Baca. In that case, Phil argued before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend Colorado’s laws that presidential electors must follow state law when they cast their Electoral College ballots in presidential elections and not act as free agents.
Defended the Affordable Care Act and the rights of 700,000 Coloradans who have pre-existing health conditions, the 400,000 covered through the Medicaid expansion, and young adults on their parents’ plans. When these rights were challenged by the federal government, Phil defended the Act and Coloradans’ rights to healthcare.
Accomplishments (continued)
Stood up for Colorado’s DREAMers—who make valuable contributions to our economy and society— and their right to live in the only country they have ever known as home. He joined a successful multi-state lawsuit challenging the federal government’s decision to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Protected consumers harmed by deceptive companies, including securing an $8.4 million settlement for Coloradans harmed by CenturyLink’s deceptive conduct, consisting of unfair and hidden fees, false advertising, and failure to provide discounts and refunds it promised to consumers.
More to Do
Pursue cases against Google and Facebook. Phil led a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Google for maintaining its monopoly power over general search engines and related general search advertising markets through a series of anticompetitive contracts and conduct. Phil also challenged Facebook for abusing its status in the marketplace, challenging its dominance in the marketplace and its harmful impact on consumers and innovation on account of its abuse of its monopoly power in the social networking market.
Help lead the effort in cracking down on unemployment insurance fraud. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts, criminals have increasingly used identity theft to file fraudulent unemployment claims. With the creation of the Colorado Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force, those who have committed identity theft will be investigated and prosecuted for stealing others’ identities, and Phil will fight to ensure legitimate claimants receive their due benefits.
As we work to improve our criminal justice system, we must protect victims, increase public safety, and ensure that people in the criminal justice system are treated fairly. This means moving from a system of cash bail that penalizes persons in poverty to ending the school-to-prison pipeline to improving our re-entry system so those leaving prison don’t commit more crimes. It means holding those accountable who harm people—whether drug cartels, human traffickers, or faith leaders who prey on children. And it means adopting appropriate and common-sense gun safety measures.
Accomplishments
Led efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, including a $573 million settlement with McKinsey Company for its role in helping opioid companies sell their drugs. Phil also expanded the multi-state lawsuit against Purdue Pharma fighting to hold the Sackler family accountable and force them to pay a fair share as part of any settlement. He is ensuring that all funds obtained are directed to drug treatment and recovery or education and prevention programs.
Oversaw the investigation and reporting on a 70-year history of Catholic clergy child sexual abuse in Colorado, which resulted in restitution to victims and reform within the Colorado dioceses to prevent and respond to any sexual misconduct and abuse of children.
Accomplishments (continued)
Supported youth by tackling the school-to-prison pipeline and supporting Safe2Tell. Phil rolled out School Justice Partnership Innovation Grants, supporting innovative programs to help students avoid the criminal justice system, which disproportionately impacts youth of color. Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own, and others’ safety, and keep our schools safe.
Implemented and defended the constitutionality of Colorado’s extreme risk protection order law, also known as the “red flag” law, which comports with due process and respects Second Amendment rights as well as gives law enforcement, victims, and concerned family members a valuable tool to use in a targeted way to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people or the mentally ill who may be a risk to themselves.
Pushed for a new law to decertify police officers who testify untruthfully and implemented it as part of an overall effort to raise the level of confidence in law enforcement.
More to Do
Continue to advocate for overhauling our flawed cash bail system and replacing it with a fairer system for communities, defendants, and their families.
As the overseer of the State’s Peace Officer Standards and Training program, Phil is working to elevate the effectiveness of police training and accountability, including offering improved guidance to approach the range of challenging situations police officers encounter, as well as supporting officers and providing resources, including for mental health services, to enable them to serve effectively.
Colorado’s land, air, and water are essential to our way of life, to Colorado’s rural communities, and to our outdoor economy. Yet climate change and criminal polluters pose real challenges to our natural resources. As Attorney General, Phil will continue to preserve and protect these valuable resources, partnering with other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and defend our state.
Accomplishments
Took action against automobile companies for undermining auto emissions regulations with illegal devices and software that misled Colorado consumers, harmed the environment, and created unfair advantages over those automakers who followed the law.
Proactively collaborated with other states to address water supply issues in the Colorado River Basin regarding Utah’s proposed Lake Powell Pipeline Project. This work is ongoing and Phil remains focused on reaching a seven-state solution.
Accomplishments (continued)
Defended the national clean car standards along with our state’s fuel emission standards--which are stronger than the federal level--when the EPA sought to roll back these standards.
Pushed for legislation to increase penalties and enforcement against irresponsible companies that deliberately pollute Colorado’s water and air resources.
Challenged the illegal rollback of the methane rule that violated the federal Clean Air Act. When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinded standards that limit emissions of methane, volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous pollutants from new, reconstructed, and modified facilities in the oil and gas industry, Phil joined other attorneys generals in a multi-state lawsuit to push back against the EPA.
Established a new environmental crimes unit within the Attorney General’s Office, charged with prioritizing the protection of Colorado’s natural resources and investigating those who illegally pollute our resources.
More to Do
Develop strategies for protecting Colorado’s water during a time of climate change. With the required development of guidelines to govern compliance with the Colorado River Compact, Phil’s leadership on water is only just beginning, including critical work to ensure that Colorado communities can maintain access to this critical resource.
Consumers and good businesses thrive where there’s fair play. We must be prepared to protect our consumers when the federal government is turning its back on consumer protection, privacy, and antitrust enforcement. We need a state Attorney General who can fight for us and act as a national leader on these issues.
We can’t rely on the federal government to do this important work for us. Today, debt, predatory scams, and a lack of opportunity have undermined many people’s faith that a better future lies ahead. With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau eviscerated by President Trump, we must act together with other states1 to protect Coloradans from the forces that exploit the vulnerable every day.
The American Dream is personal to me—both my parents were the first in their families to go to college and were able to graduate without debt, thanks to scholarships, hard work, and public support for higher education. Those same support mechanisms should be available for everyone. That’s the American Dream and the Colorado promise.
The issue of criminal justice impacts the life of every Coloradan. It is essential for the Colorado Attorney General to prioritize the humane and just treatment of all citizens. We need a smarter and more effective criminal justice policy that keeps us safe, responds effectively to violent crimes, and serves every citizen.
We in Colorado are innovative and pride ourselves on fairness. In criminal justice policy, we have considerable room for more innovation and a system that is both tough on crime when appropriate and smart about how best to keep our communities safe. When we allow our criminal justice system to be stripped of empathy—and become divorced from humane solutions—we are not doing justice to the affected individuals or for our society. Colorado can lead the nation in reforming our criminal justice system so that it serves its intended purpose—keeping people safe—without needlessly destroying lives. Together, we can work together to make Colorado a model for our nation in criminal justice improvement
Benjamin Franklin said “You have a republic, as long as you can keep it.” Today, we face an extraordinary fight to keep our republic alive. Our democracy is under attack from numerous sources, the most sinister of which is dark money. A democracy only works when citizens are educated, and elections are decided by voters who use their voices to elect representatives and make decisions — not when undisclosed special interests groups can influence elections for their own economic gain.
This election serves as a microcosm of what’s happening with dark money nationally. The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) has already invested $500,000 against me in this election1, and has threatened to spend up to five million dollars total in order to secure a Republican victory. RAGA’s money comes from generally undisclosed special interest groups and large corporations— including the NRA, pharmaceutical companies, those who deny climate change, and Koch Industries2. These groups do not represent the voices or interests of Colorado, and we should not allow them to influence our elections. Our government must be “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” not “of the dark money, by the dark money, and for the dark money.”
Voter suppression and unconstitutional gerrymanders also pose a significant threat to democracy. Manipulating our elections and preventing voters–often younger voters or people of color–from accessing the ballot box is unacceptable.
We need to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. A strong, 21st century economy is essential to Colorado’s future successes. When powered by competition, the US economy is at its best, providing innovative products at low prices for consumers, good-paying jobs for workers, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to create new and exciting businesses.
It’s essential that we stand up against the troubling wave of mergers and industry consolidation that have led to higher prices and lower quality offerings in many sectors. Consumers are facing price-fixing at the hands of companies who do not participate in a competitive market. Attorneys General play an important role1 in standing up to such deception. Entrepreneurs and consumers alike thrive when startups are supported, but increasing mergers have made it more difficult2 for small businesses and entrepreneurs to get off the ground.
The Internet has the potential to open up new opportunities for consumers and businesses alike. But fair competition requires the protection of net neutrality, an issue I have long championed. As Colorado’s Attorney General, I will fight for net neutrality. I will also stand up to irresponsible companies to fight for consumers and ensure that trustworthy business owners are not at an unfair disadvantage
I have had the distinct privilege to serve both as a professor and dean at the University of Colorado School of Law during my career. Of all the many opportunities I’ve been given, this one stands out as a unique opportunity to engage with and help develop young minds. My experience in the world of education has instilled in me a commitment to ensuring that all those who seek an education have an opportunity to receive it safely and affordably.
During this campaign, I’ve heard the stories of countless students who are frustrated by the state of education. Students in rural Colorado who don’t have access to reliable broadband suffer a significant disadvantage where the simple act of doing homework becomes an insurmountable challenge. As the recent tragedy of Parkland looms over our schools, students I speak to across the state worry about their safety in classrooms, and parents I speak to express the extreme anxiety they feel when dropping their children off for school. Finally, Coloradans who’ve found themselves mounted with large student debt after their university education are often victimized by predatory debt companies who make getting on one’s feet almost impossible.
I am passionate about ensuring accessible education for everyone. This was a priority when I was Dean at the CU Law School. At the time, law school enrollment was down nationally by 40%; at our institution, it was up 10% I also decreased average indebtedness of law school graduates by $16,000 through increased scholarships and by holding tuition constant. Finally, I worked hard to increase employment opportunities so students could pay back their debts. One such initiative was to create a multi-million-dollar loan repayment program for students who took low-paying jobs in public service or in underserved parts of our state
As the state’s top law enforcement officer, the Colorado Attorney General is sworn to uphold the United States and Colorado Constitutions. As your next Attorney General, it will be my job to advance the principles of justice, freedom, equality, and fairness for all. I take this commitment very seriously.
Our nation’s vision of equal opportunities for all is a core part of my life’s work. To translate that vision into reality, our country needs dedicated leaders committed to equality for all Americans. Across the nation, State Attorneys General have stood up for equal rights when our freedoms are under assault. When one of us is subject to illegal discrimination or the possibility of targeted hate crimes1, we are all at risk. We must call out hate and injustice when it emerges2.
In the almost twenty years since Columbine, Coloradans have gone from asking, “How could this happen?” to “When will this happen again?” When I speak with high schoolers and other young people, their number one concern1 is gun safety and protection from the threat of another tragedy.
Coloradans have a right to gun ownership, but just like any right, we can develop reasonable protections2 that keep weapons away from those who pose a threat to society while continuing to allow responsible citizens to own and use guns for hunting, sporting, and self-defense. A fundamental responsibility of our Attorney General is to keep Coloradans safe. That means we need our Attorney General to defend, enforce, and build on our existing gun safety rules.
My opponent has opposed Colorado’s gun safety measures and wants to roll back common-sense laws like background checks and magazine limits. He will support the NRA’s opposition to banning bump stocks and has tuned out the calls of Moms Demand Action and Colorado Ceasefire, organizations I am proud to stand with.
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the United States made important strides in creating a just and equitable health care system. But we still have a long way to go, and efforts to set back the law’s protections are taking us backwards.Quality, affordable healthcare should not be negotiable, and access should not be reliant upon one’s financial status or location. I am committed to ensuring this right to all Coloradans.1
Coloradans pay 17% more for healthcare2 than citizens in similar states. On the Western Slope, the situation is even more dire, with citizens now paying over $100 more per month on health care than the statewide median. Consequently, too many Coloradans are buried in medical debt or are one medical hardship away from financial disaster.
While traveling the state, I’ve heard people share their anxieties about health care, and their stories fuel my passion to fight for better health care for all Coloradans.
The story of immigration is personal to me1. My mother was born in a concentration camp on April 13th, 1945, the day before Buchenwald was liberated by the American army. My grandparents and mother — both Holocaust survivors — came to the United States as refugees, and were welcomed to a country where they could build a better life. Our nation’s greatness owes a lot to our welcoming attitude toward immigrants from around the world who come here to share their talent and hard work and to benefit from our freedoms and economic opportunity. My family has lived this experience.
Our tradition of welcoming immigrants is under attack from the federal government. The separation of families at the border is inhumane and illegal2. DACA recipients live in fear that information they gave under the promise of protection will now be used against them3. Jeff Sessions has imposed an unconstitutional travel ban against Muslims that discriminates against individuals based only on their religion. All around our state and country, immigrants are afraid.
To protect our immigrants and develop a sound immigration policy at this time in our history, we need engaged citizens and responsible leaders to step forward. Colorado has a proud history of standing up for justice. Governor Ralph Carr opposed Japanese internment camps during World War II. Today, we must condemn hateful and xenophobic attitudes before they have a chance to take root
No issue is more important to my children1 than protecting our land, air, and water. In Colorado, we value our natural resources and the great beauty of our state. Today, we are witnessing the devastating effects of climate change. We have a moral commitment to our next generation to defend their health, safety, and environment. We deserve an Attorney General committed to protecting our land, air, and water, not one who joins the Scott Pruitt agenda and denies climate change is happening.
As our next Attorney General2, I am committed to protecting our land, air, and water, addressing the reality of climate change, and standing out against efforts by our federal government to undermine protections of clean air, clean water, and public lands. Conservation Colorado3 has endorsed me to do just that
The ratification of Amendment 64 — which legalized cannabis in Colorado — once again showed that our state is a national leader when it comes to innovative, progressive solutions. Legalizing marijuana allows the state to tax the drug, producing revenue that can be directed to remarkable programs, including a mental health initiative in Eagle County1. In Pueblo, 563 students were given scholarships of up to 2000 dollars from revenue created by an excise tax on marijuana2 in the county.
Furthermore, at a time when our prisons are overcrowded and drug treatment options are lacking — an issue I will work on once elected — the legalization of marijuana allows us to treat cannabis possession as the public health and welfare issue it is, rather than as a criminal justice issue. Jeff Sessions’ attempted crackdown3 on marijuana legalization challenges the authority of states to make individual decisions on what’s right for them, and threatens Colorado’s sovereignty.
Few policies involve the trauma and raw emotion of the opioid crisis. This epidemic knows no boundaries1; it’s rural and urban, male and female, people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds, and young and old. It is impacting our friends, families, health care organizations, the criminal justice system, and entire communities.
One Coloradan dies of an opioid overdose every 17 hours. In Alamosa county, 90% of prisoners in the jail2 are opioid users. In Colorado, we saw a 100 percent increase in the number of opioid prescriptions between 1999 and 2016. And during that time, the number of overdoses also went up drastically: over 200 percent from 1999 to 2014. As Colorado’s next AG, I will lead on this issue and have a plan3 for treating this epidemic as a public health issue rather than as a criminal justice issue.
When I visited Garfield County, I spoke to Matt who saw firsthand the effects of addiction in his community. Matt explained, “when somebody has any other kind of disease we don’t throw them in jail, we throw them in a hospital.” Similarly, Jason Chippeaux, the COO of a health care provider in Pueblo, described the epidemic as “a wildfire with zero containment — growing, but lacking unified command. In the meantime, people are dying.” Another provider, JC in Crowley County, echoed the sentiment that “people are dying” and expressed frustration that his attempts to open a treatment clinic were repeatedly impeded by bureaucratic obstacles.
The sovereignty of our state depends on an Attorney General who is committed to fighting for Coloradans’ best interests and preventing the federal government from damaging our civil liberties, environmental health, and economic interests. The current Administration’s actions on issues ranging from immigration to environmental protections prove that we need an Attorney General who will be strong in defending Colorado.
Water is the lifeblood of our state. Our agricultural economy, tourism industry, and quality of life in this beautiful state depend on it. Colorado faces a simple math challenge—our population is increasing and natural storage and flows of water are decreasing on account of climate change. We can meet this challenge, but only with the innovative and collaborative leadership that Colorado is known for.
In 2018, we are, once again, experiencing drought-like conditions. This year, our snowpack level is far below average1, with some areas of the state hovering around only 50% of normal2. These areas are unlikely to return to the norm, which is a painful consequence of climate change. As a headwater state, Colorado’s water flows to eighteen states and Mexico and is subject to nine different formal agreements3. And the projected growth of Colorado’s population—which could see a 50% increase by 2050 from 2015 levels4—means that we cannot be complacent in how we manage our water.
My mentor, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg1, spent her career fighting to ensure that women receive equal protection under the law. Here in Colorado, we’ve led the fight for women’s rights, becoming the first state to enact women’s suffrage by popular vote and liberalizing our abortion laws before Roe v. Wade. Equal rights for women are non-negotiable. I will continue to fight for equal justice for all as your next Attorney General.
At a time when the Supreme Court is posed to undermine reproductive rights, we cannot elect an Attorney General who opposes Roe v. Wade; my opponent has called for this decision to be overruled2. If women do not have autonomy over their bodies and healthcare decisions, then they do not receive the equal protection our Constitution guarantees. As your next Attorney General, I will fight tirelessly to ensure that women are treated equally and fairly.