Neal Walia

Economy We need to make small business ownership attainable again and protect the pathway of American entrepreneurship. My vision focuses on reducing administrative burden by streamlining taxes, licensing, and paperwork so owners can spend their time running their businesses - not navigating bureaucracy. Immigration Protecting immigrant rights means ensuring that Colorado remains a place where everyone, regardless of birthplace, can live and work without fear. It means creating secure pathways to citizenship, defending refugees and asylum seekers, and guaranteeing due process and civil rights for all. It also means standing firmly against hate, holding accountable those who commit acts of discrimination or violence, and investing in education and prevention that keep our communities safe. Education We must reinvest in Colorado's public schools so every child has access to a safe, well-resourced neighborhood school. That means smaller class sizes, fair pay for educators, and modern facilities that meet students' needs. Immigration Colorado has the opportunity to lead by example - by refusing to participate in mass deportations, by protecting mixed-status families, and by rejecting policies rooted in fear. Being American has always meant embracing our roots - not erasing them. When we honor the immigrant story, we honor the story of America itself. Education To truly fund our schools at the level our educators and students deserve, we must also address TABOR. Long-term reform of Colorado's budget constraints is essential if we want to sustainably invest in education. When we invest in public schools, we invest in every child's potential - and in the strength of our democracy. Economy We must expand access to capital by partnering with community lenders and credit unions to make small-dollar loans available for early-stage entrepreneurs, especially in under-resourced communities. Healthcare Primary Care for All is a practical first step toward universal health care. It means expanding Medicaid and Medicare access, protecting community clinics, stopping corporate consolidation that drives up prices, and investing in the family doctors, nurses, and behavioral-health providers who keep our communities well. Achieving this vision in full will ultimately require long-term reform of TABOR, so Colorado can responsibly invest in the health of its people. Economy We need to level the playing field by enforcing antitrust and competition laws to protect local businesses from corporate consolidation and private equity roll-ups that threaten neighborhood economies. When we invest in small businesses, we invest in Colorado's working families and the future of our local economy. Housing Colorado must take bold steps to build and preserve homes working families can actually afford through public funding, partnerships with mission-driven developers, and diverse housing options like co-ops, multi-family units, and accessory dwellings. Education Families across Denver and Colorado make different choices when it comes to schooling, and I respect every parent's desire to find the best opportunity for their child. But our public dollars must serve the public good. That means ensuring transparency, accountability, and equity in how all publicly funded schools operate - and making sure resources aren't siphoned away from the classrooms that need them most.