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.
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