Committee to Elect Stan VanderWerf
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![Stan VanderWerf for State Senate district 12 Colorado Springs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6726b8_e02de18ca6c148b2ad99afbd37004c0b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_447,h_241,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_auto/6726b8_e02de18ca6c148b2ad99afbd37004c0b~mv2.png)
Experience Matters!
Executive Leadership Delivered!
PUBLIC SAFETY
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Helped create Regional Office of Emergency Management
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Over 100,000 acres of forest fire risk reduction
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Fully funded Sheriff's Office every year
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Fighting to stop child abuse and human trafficking
INFRASTRUCTURE
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Multi-million dollar increased budget for roads
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Delivered repaving of Highway 24 through UTE Pass
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Broadband internet into Manitou Springs
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Replaced over 200 old vehicles with new to increase efficiencies (snow plows, road pavers, salt trucks, graders, etc)
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Accomplished all this and more without raising taxes
ECONOMY
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Helped over 30,000 citizens find jobs as Chair of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center
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Aided in securing re-location of companies to El Paso County
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Improved housing development process to control housing costs
COVID RESPONSE
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Authored variances to help re-open businesses safely in El Paso County
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Created team to coordinate community response
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Voted to distribute over $40 million to local cities and towns
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Ensured County services remained open to help citizens in need
More achievements below......
National Achievements
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Appointed to the National Association of Counties (NACO) Community, Economic Development, and Workforce Board (CEWD)
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Established El Paso County as a national leader in tiny home legislation (e.g. affordable housing)
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Established County designed Opportunity Zone Policy Change as National Position for NACO
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Met with Secretary of HUD, Ben Carson, to discuss affordable housing
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Briefed Pikes Peak Workforce Center's achievements at National Governor's Association Symposium
State Achievements
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Co-Chair, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) legislative affairs committee - succeeded in influencing several pieces of legislation on behalf of the citizens of the Pikes Peak region
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Established legislative committee in the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to improve local understanding of state initiatives related to criminal justice
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Provided testimony on selected State transportation bills
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Conducted extensive meetings with State legislators in a wide variety of proposed bills
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Continued efforts to stop State unfunded mandates to Colorado counties
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Appointed to and participated in Colorado Counties Incorporated (CCI) legislative development meetings
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Participated in policy development for state-wide affordable housing legislation
Regional Achievements
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Leader on team to create Regional Office of Emergency Management - combined City and County operations - saved taxpayer dollars and improved operations
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Improved regional cooperation by improving relationships with other public agencies like Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Monument, etc.
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Speaker at numerous regional events
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Voting member on the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) - focus on transportation, aging, joint land use, environmental, and more
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Co-Chair PPACG Legislative Committee - led the review of dozens of state legislative proposals leading to PPACG endorsed positions - several pieces of legislation were improved as a result
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Voting member of Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) - 2017-2018
Infrastructure Improvements
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Liaison to the County's Highway Advisory Commission
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Supported Tabor relief ballot to increase infrastructure funding - the ballot passed with almost 70% citizen support. 95% of the funds are going into roads and bridges
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Key member of team to accelerate I-25 widening
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Approved budgets providing millions of dollars in County road equipment re-capitalization - Essential improvements for efficient road maintenance/construction
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Snow plows, salt trucks, graders, Bomag (gravel road repaver), truck wash, more
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Completed West Colorado Avenue revitalization
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Led effort to deliver design improvements at intersection of Chipita Park and Highway 24 - construction to start 2020
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Initiated and completed South Academy repaving
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Supported over 40 additional road improvements in 2018 across the County
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Established "unmanned aircraft service" contract for the County to improve reviews of infrastructure projects
Increased Public Safety
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Chair, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)
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Established CJCC legislative committee to improve local understanding of state initiatives related to criminal justice
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Voted to place Public Safety Sales Tax extension on ballot - approved by over 70% of voters - essential to continue current levels of service from the Sheriff's office
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Approved funding additional body armor for sworn County law enforcement officers
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Closed down/fined marijuana stores violating permits - reduced illegal distribution risk
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Cleaned out dozens of homeless camps which are public safety and public health risks - established a more efficient process now used County-wide
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Improved cooperation with numerous public and private agencies to improve operations for criminally justice involved persons with mental health issues
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Voted for retirement pay for Deputy Sheriff Micah Flick's family after he was killed in the line of duty
Parks Improvements
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Commissioner liaison to El Paso County Parks Board
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Completed development of Rainbow Falls, one of El Paso County's newest parks (near Manitou Springs) - 300 people now use the park daily
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Voted to fund numerous park projects including
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New dog parks
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Gazebo repair at Fox run Regional Park
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New youth bike park in Fountain Creek Park
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Enhanced exhibits at Bear Creek Nature Center
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Pineries open space trails and restoration
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Jones Park trail re-location
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New Elephant Rock open space in northern El Paso County
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Establishment of Kane Ranch open space
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More Efficient and Transparent Land Use Planning
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Recommended improved master planning - we now have a county-wide master plan in review and just finished a county-wide water master plan
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Voted for and implemented nation-leading Tiny Home legislation
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Voted for the Electronic Development And Review Program (EDARP) - program is less expensive for citizens and developers - offers better property information for all
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Voted for and implemented several development projects to increase housing supply and better manage rising housing costs
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Voted for large downtown development that will add 4,500 apartments over 20 years
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Provided extensive advocacy for construction defect reform which should increase market incentives to build apartments and town homes in El Paso County
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Recommended creation of unbiased review process for Tax Increment Finance projects - process approved and now in operation
Improved Disaster Preparedness
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Negotiated Regional Office of Emergency Management - combined City and County operations - Saves money, improves performance on critical life saving operations
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Restructured fire risk mitigation public/private collaboration board
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Established County "Supertanker" contract to increase local airborne firefighting water delivery
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Voting member of Emergency Services Authority - removed government set rate controls to ensure county-wide ambulance services
Enhanced Higher Quality Economic Development
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Advisory Board Member - Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - established better programs and relationships between the SBDC, the County, and the Community
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Commissioner Liaison - Airport Advisory Committee - key member of team that has expanded commercial and general aviation operations at the Colorado Springs airport
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Chair - Pikes Peak Workforce Center Board - provided 15,000 job placements last year among many other achievements
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Successfully supported growth in numerous selected industries - including sports economy, cyber security, manufacturing, military base mission growth, aerospace, more
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Led efforts to improve rural broadband - assisted in building broadband fiber optic capabilities up UTE Pass - endorsed County-wide Broadband Strategic Plan
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Enhanced regional outdoor athletics - established bike ride/race in Fountain
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Supported several arts economy efforts - extensive work with COPPR and Public Art Commission to grow our creative community and businesses
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Working with community leaders to create a university affiliated research and development center
Improved Job Opportunities - Workforce Development
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Chair of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC) Board
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Provided leadership for an vastly improved regional workforce center that has been noticed by the state and nationally
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Hired new Executive Director for PPWFC
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PPWFC is now an award winning enterprise, the best in Colorado with record breaking job fairs, 15,000 job placements in 2018, award winning personnel, more
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Enhanced programs for job seekers, employers, young adults, veterans, and citizens from disadvantaged backgrounds
Improved Homeless Policies
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Cleaned out more than 12 homeless camps on the west side in last two years - increased public safety and reduced health risks for both residents AND the homeless
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Recommended and now support Colorado Springs homeless outreach court as well as increased citations for illegal camping to encourage higher use of the outreach court
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Assisted with finding new living arrangements for residents of Emerald Towers
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Converted CSBG Program from emergency funding to self-sufficiency investments
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Created combined Dept of Human Services / Workforce Center pilot program to help those in need get both counseling and job training
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Voted for and established an illegal camping ordinance
Increased Department of Human Services Citizen Support
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Raised awareness for child abuse and human trafficking in El Paso County
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Supported divestiture from intoxication center (not a gov't task, huge medical liability) - moved to Crossroads non-profit which also provides addiction prevention support in high schools
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Supported processes to fix non-performing services contracts at DHS - saved millions of dollars and increased performance
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Supported an improved state child welfare allocation formula resulting in more funds for El Paso County
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Voting member of Child Alternative Placement Commission (Foster Care) - have improved public/private partnerships
Increased County Openness, Transparency, and Efficiency
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Initiated and encouraged increases in strategic planning not done for a long time:
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Parks Plan, Broadband Plan, Housing Development Plan, Water Plan, County facilities plan, more
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Delivered whistle blower protections in the County personnel manual
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Created citizen-based Science and Technology Commission to improve County technology adoption
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Supported and voted to fund new County, Clerk and Recorder and Assessor websites - provides easier citizen access and much more information
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Published in searchable format all county ordinances, land use and park regulations, etc.
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Voted for several efforts to clean up and update planning code (bee keeping, ADA compliance, etc)
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Voted for the Electronic Development and Review Program (EDARP) - a process to save citizen and developer time and money for development project reviews
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Implemented a strategy to increase citizen awareness of county services
Improved Environmental Services
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Improved environmental services delivered by the County - collected over 500 tons of recyclable materials, over 100,000 gallons of household paint, and more in 2018
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Created ordinance to stop dumping of tires in El Paso County - reduced fire risk and environmental damage
Honoring Veterans and Supporting our Military Bases
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Formed Pikes Peak Heroes Legacy Committee - focuses on honoring local heroes
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Created museum exhibit now on display at the Colorado Springs airport telling the story of Mr. Don Stratton, survivor of the USS Arizona attack at Pearl Harbor - Stratton is a local El Paso County resident
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Named the Fillmore Bridge after Mr. Don Stratton
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Speaker at numerous Veteran's Day, VFW, American Legion, and VA events
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Voting member of the Military Affairs Committee - enhanced community to base relationships
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Voting member of the Defense Mission Task Force - helped capture more military missions and protect current missions
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Contributor to growing our defense public and private business base
Demonstrated Community Leadership
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Helped several citizens get their utilities re-established with CSU in Cascade
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Member Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO) Advisory Committee
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Volunteer for Saint Arnold Beer Festival which raises about $25,000 per year for Westside Cares
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Voting member of the Community Services Development Board - achieved a re-emphasis of their funding recommendations from emergency services to sustainable services for people in need
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Helps 2 to 3 citizens per week on wide ranging issues
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Supports hundreds of non-profits in their missions to help people
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Guest climber with the AdAMan Club - I help launch fireworks from the top of Pikes Peak on New Year's eve
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Speaker at Tri-Lakes Annual State of the Region Luncheon
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Supporter of Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance
Supported Improved Public Health Efforts
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Supported additional $200K more in 2019 budget for Public Health efforts
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Key leader to improve community based mental health services
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Working on initiatives to improve family health
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Extensive work with Public Health on COVID response
Key Member 2020 Census Preparation Team
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Voting member of the Pikes Peak Complete Count Committee
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Co-Chair of the Government Sub-Committee
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Supporting increased County marketing development for the Census - it's important that everyone gets counted