Committee to Elect Stan VanderWerf

Stan continues to serve as YOUR El Paso County Commissioner for District 3 in El Paso County. He has a well regarded record of achievement. In Janurary 2017 he was sworn in and will continue to serve until January 2024. He was the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners for two years from January 2021 to January 2023 and Chair of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments from from January 2021 to January 2023. 

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Candidate for Colorado State Senate District 12

Commissioner VanderWerf is a declared Candidate for State Senate District 12. The District covers Fountain, Fort Carson, the Broadmoor, Skyway, Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, and Old North End. If you choose Stan to be your Senator, he will start serving January 2024.

 

Service on National Boards

Commissioner VanderWerf serves on the Community, Economic Development, and Workforce Board for the National Association of Counties. With this national board, Stan has been able to carry legislative and policy recommendations to a national stage including policies on affordable housing and opportunity zones. His efforts have helped shape a deeper engagement with this board on national economic. Stan also served on a White House Committee regarding affordable housing and met with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, several times to work on national and local housing issues. 

 

Service on State Boards

Commissioner VanderWerf serves on the Colorado Board of Health and the Colorado Homeland Security Advisory Committee. On the State Board of Health, he has helped reduce regulatory burdens on companies and citizens impacted by State healthcare legislation. 

 

Service on Local Boards 

Stan serves on over a dozen local boards either as a voting member or advisor. In addition to his own Board of County Commissioners, Stan serves on the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, the El Paso County Parks Board, the Airport Advisory Committee, Defense Mission Task Force, El Paso County Retirement Board, Fountain Creek Watershed District, and more. He served on the Colorado "Complete Count" Census Committee and also serves on several private boards including the Pikes Peak Heroes Legacy Committee, Space Infrastructure Board, and more. Commissioner VanderWerf is the former chair of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, a team of government agencies and private companies dedicated to creating improved cooperation among the many local organizations involved with Criminal Justice issues. 

development issues. His work on these boards have contributed greatly to improved cooperation and better outcomes for our communities. 

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Federal Legislative Experience

As an Air Force Colonel, VanderWerf gained extensive legislative experience at both the national and state level. He worked with Congress while on active duty dealing with federal Department of Defense budgets and participated in testimony to Congress for a Special Operations project. 

As a County Commissioner, Stan has been involved in both federal and state legislative efforts. He has carried extensive advocacy of positions to the US Congress on behalf of El Paso County citizens and met with 30 Federal Senators and Congressmen to keep Space Command right here in Colorado Springs. 

 

State Legislative Experience

Before becoming a County Commissioner, Mr. VanderWerf testified for growth of the unmanned aircraft industry as the former founding CEO of UAS Colorado. 

As a County Commissioner, Stan has been extensively involved in state legislative activity, building consensus to support or oppose proposed legislation, working with legislators from both parties to introduce amendments, and helping to write legislation. As the former Chair of PPACG and BOCC, he increased their interaction with the legislature, using lobbyists to address legislation on behalf of almost 1 million Colorado citizens.  

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Business Owner

Stan VanderWerf is President and Owner of two companies in Colorado Springs. In 2011, Stan founded Advanced Capitol LLC, an aerospace defense consulting firm which helps companies and municipalities win defense/aerospace business and grow aerospace economies. In 2014, Stan created Colorado Springs' first dedicated 3D printing company called CEM-Tek USA. CEM-Tek helps companies and inventors develop products for use in industries and the consumer markets. To continue his work as County Commissioner, Stan has downsized his consulting firm and placed his 3D printing company on hold to serve his community in his public duties.

 

Over 40 Years of Public Service

Commissioner VanderWerf is a disabled combat Veteran with over 40 years of public service in both national and local roles. He served in the Air Force for 28 years and held scientific, program management, engineering, contracting officer, and Commander positions, some with billion dollar public budgets. He served in combat in Iraq, ran DCMA contract operations for all of Korea, and served in Europe during the cold war. Commissioner VanderWerf was assigned twice to Colorado Springs, once at Schriever AFB as the CSOC System Test Director, and once at Peterson AFB in NORAD/NORTHOM as the Chief of the Analysis Division responsible for analyzing NORAD's combat mission planning.

 

Community Leader

Stan is deeply involved with many community issues providing both his time and financial support for many causes. He founded the Colorado Springs Chamber's Aerospace Defense Team and serves on several local non-profit boards. He has contributed thousands of hours of his time volunteering locally since he moved to Colorado Springs in 2011 including volunteer work with his church, the St. Arnold Beer Festival which raises money for Westside Cares, several professional organizations, Habitat for Humanity, and more. 

 

Degrees and Education

Stan VanderWerf is a Distinguished Graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and holds Industrial Engineering, International Relations, and National Resource Strategy Degrees. Stan received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq and has been published on numerous community, county, manufacturing, cyber, and unmanned aircraft topics. Stan is also an expert on energy production and policy.

 

Hobbies

Stan is an experienced expedition mountain climber and has climbed famous peak worldwide as well as over 200 peaks in Colorado. He is a skier and private pilot with instrument and commercial ratings.

 

Family

Stan lives in the southwest part of Colorado Springs and is married to his lovely wife, Betsy. They have two children, Erik and Carolyn.