CU Regent At-Large
“I’m Elliott Hood, running for CU Regent At-Large. This role represents the swing seat on the board, overseeing the governance of the four-campus CU system, the largest higher education institution and third-largest employer in our state.
With a background as a former public school teacher, education non-profit leader, and current attorney representing Colorado’s school districts, I bring a diverse perspective to the table. I have fought for students with disabilities, defended anti-racism and gender-inclusion policies, and stood up for masking and other health protocols during the pandemic.
As a working parent alongside my wife Caroline, who works full-time for an education non-profit, we have a personal stake in the success of CU. My decision to run for University of Colorado Regent At-Large is driven by this personal connection and a deep commitment to championing accessible and affordable education.
My priorities as CU Regent include ensuring affordability and accessibility, protecting academic freedom, addressing climate change and water conservation, supporting collective bargaining for all CU workers, and fostering diversity, inclusion, and civil discourse on campus. I am eager to contribute to the Board of Regents, and confront CU’s most pressing challenges head-on.”
Candidate Responses
1: Strongly Disagree
2: Somewhat Disagree
3: Does Not Apply to the Position
4: Somewhat Agree
5: Strongly Agree
Yes, entirely.
Yes, entirely.
- Education
- Energy, Environment, and Climate
- Affordability and Gun Control
Do you believe that healthcare is a human right?
I believe healthcare is a fundamental human right, and I am committed to advocating for equitable and affordable healthcare access for everyone in our community.
Will you support the expansion of Medicaid and the Colorado Health Care Option to cover more uninsured and underinsured Coloradans?
I strongly support the the expansion of Medicaid and the Colorado Health Care Option to cover more uninsured and underinsured Coloradans.
Will you create/support policy to address the rising costs of prescription drugs and medical services?
Yes. Prescription drug prices are too high, and I would support any policy to address the rising costs of prescription drugs and medical services.
Do you support access to comprehensive health care that includes reproductive freedom for people with uteruses?
Yes, I fully support comprehensive healthcare that includes reproductive freedom for individuals with uteruses. It’s essential to foster an inclusive and supportive campus environment that addresses the diverse healthcare needs of our community.
Will you ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, health care, and social services in Colorado?
Yes, I am dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to education at CU. I will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to advocate for broader inclusivity in employment, healthcare, and social services at CU and beyond. My commitment is to foster an environment at CU that promotes accessibility and supports the diverse needs of all students and staff, including those with disabilities.
Do you support the separation of church and state and the protection of religious freedom for all faiths and beliefs?
Yes, I strongly support these values and have fought to protect these values as an attorney for our public schools.
Will you fight to address and correct the systemic racism and discrimination that affects communities of color in Colorado?
Yes, I will commit to fighting systemic racism and discrimination at CU, and I have done so repeatedly as an attorney for our state’s public schools. I have stood up in court to defend anti-racism policies and believe we need to do more to directly address systemic racism through our curriculum and programming in schools (including at CU). I strongly support DEI efforts at CU and will fight to enable those programs to continue and ensure that all students, regardless of race, feel welcome on our campuses.
Will you ensure that LGBTQ+ Coloradans are treated with dignity and respect in all aspects of society?
Yes, I strongly agree with this goal and have stood up for gender-inclusion policies as an attorney for our public schools, fending off attempts by right-wing extremists to force districts to stop instructional events that help our transgender students feel welcome in school. At CU, we must build a welcoming environment for everyone to share perspectives and learn from differences. It’s crucial that the University of Colorado reflects the principles of equality and nondiscrimination, promoting a space where all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can thrive academically, personally, and professionally.
How will you protect and expand the civil rights and liberties of all Coloradans?
As CU Regent, I will work hard to ensure that our university protects the civil liberties of everyone in our university community and serves as an example of that promise to all institutions in our state. As Regent, I will advocate for expanded civil liberties for all Coloradans using my voice as a statewide elected official and encourage other elected officials and community leaders to do the same. I believe that CU, as Colorado’s largest higher-education institution, has an obligation to ensure that we are teaching and promoting the values of civil rights and liberties and that enabling students across our state to pursue a college degree serves our community’s interests in having an educated and informed body of citizens who will fight for civil rights.
Cost of living, housing costs, and homelessness were the top issues in a recent Colorado Polling Institute Poll. What would you propose to remedy and address these issues?
As a CU Regent, one of my biggest goals is to address the housing crisis through university policy, including by expanding access to affordable, reliable housing for our students and staff. One of the biggest costs of attending CU is housing, mostly paying rent in Boulder, Denver, or in Colorado Springs where we have campuses, and my goal is to ensure that all students have university housing for multiple years of college, not just their first year. For staff, I support providing university housing for them, as well, and I know that the university is already taking steps to address that issue, which I fully support. Given the size of CU and its impact on Colorado’s economy, steps we take to address the housing crisis in our state will meaningfully impact that issue statewide.
Do you support workers’ rights to organize, bargain collectively, and earn a living wage?
Yes, and as a candidate for CU Regent I have been very vocal about my support for collective bargaining rights for workers at CU. As a former union member myself, I understand personally the benefits of collective bargaining for employees and will do what I can to ensure that all workers at CU have a voice in the workplace.
Will you work to reform the tax system to make it more progressive and fair?
Yes. I strongly support a more fair and progressive tax system in this state, and as part of that I will advocate to get rid of TABOR so we can meaningfully fund our public services–especially our public schools.
Will you fight to fully fund public schools?
Yes, yes, and yes! As a lawyer serving our K-12 schools, I am all too familiar with how a lack of funding for our schools impacts our ability to pay our teachers a fair wage and provide the educational opportunities our kids deserve. Many school districts in Colorado can’t even afford to stay open five days a week. We are at the bottom of the country in per-pupil revenue for K-12, and we are near the bottom for higher-education spending per full-time student. This must change, and I am and will continue to be a strong advocate for fully funding our public schools. We must continue to advocate for more funding from the state, but we must also work to get rid of TABOR so we can fully fund our public schools.
Will you fight to ensure that every child has access to early childhood education, universal pre-K, and full-day kindergarten?
Yes. I have dedicated my life to public education and believe strongly that providing early education opportunities for our children is one of the greatest benefits we can provide as a community. The return on investment is clear. Kids who receive early childhood education opportunities are better prepared for school, live healthier and more productive lives, and generally avoid the criminal justice system. My wife works full-time in the early childhood field and we have a young child, so we as a family live this issue personally every day.
Will you advocate for the expansion of public higher education opportunities and affordability?
Yes. This is the number one priority for me as a candidate for CU Regent and will be my number one priority when I am elected. Every qualified scholar across this state deserves to pursue a college degree or other post-secondary option should they choose to, and it is our job as state leaders to ensure that those scholars can afford those opportunities and can get their degree or credential without being burdened with debt for their working lives. I will work to keep tuition in check, expand financial aid, and provide affordable housing options for all students for their first two years of college. Additionally, I will promote programs that help students bridge to college and persist to graduation, especially for first-generation college students and students from low-income backgrounds.
How will you support the implementation of high academic standards and assessments that measure critical thinking and problem-solving skills?
We need to ensure that our schools, both K-12 and higher-education, are preparing our students to be successful in the 21st century economy, but also to become active, informed, and engaged citizens in our communities. The most important skills we can build are critical thinking and problem-solving, as those skills are applicable across all sectors and careers and can help people navigate difficult and complex problems and policy questions in career and in life. As CU Regent, I will promote high academic standards that measure these core skills by working with our administrators, at the system and campus level, to ensure that we are teaching our students what they need to learn to be successful, but also to ensure that our students have real-life, applicable experiences in their fields of interest so they can learn “on the job,” not just in the classroom.
Will you combat the climate crisis and advocate for renewable energy?
Yes. One of my highest priorities is to push the CU system to adopt firm targets for becoming carbon neutral so we can meaningfully address the climate crisis. Currently, the CU system does not have a system wide goal to become carbon neutral. We cannot achieve this goal without adopting more renewable energy use and divesting from fossil fuels, and I intend to advocate for both. Further, as a major research university, and one where lots of important research on renewables and sustainability occurs, CU should also be the engine that drives our transition to a green economy, and I will advocate strongly for CU to lead in that effort.
Will you protect Colorado’s water quality and quantity, especially in the face of drought and population growth?
Yes. I am deeply about addressing our water shortage and crisis in the West and, as CU Regent, will push for sustainable water management policies at CU and beyond, supporting research and innovation within the university system, educating the community on water conservation, and promoting adequate funding for water infrastructure projects.
Will you fight to preserve and enhance Colorado’s public lands, wildlife, and biodiversity?
Yes. As Regent, I will push for our university to protect our environment and will be a strong advocate for preserving our public lands, wildlife, and biodiversity. As a university, we must also drive to be a more sustainable enterprise more broadly, including by eliminating our climate footprint, reducing waste, and reducing water usage, all of which will contribute to protecting our environment.
Will you promote environmental justice and ensure that all communities have a healthy and safe environment?
Yes. I will support initiatives that address environmental inequities, ensure fair distribution of resources, and mitigate the impact of environmental hazards on marginalized populations. Additionally, I will encourage the integration of environmental justice principles into university programs, research, and community engagement efforts. This should be part of our drive to become a more sustainable enterprise.
What is your position on the current immigration policies and practices of the United States?
Our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform. We must prioritize legal immigration channels while advocating for a more accessible and efficient process to become a citizen. I support extending citizenship rights to Dreamers, recognizing their contributions to our society, and I am proud that CU and other higher education institutions in Colorado provide in-state tuition for undocumented students who graduate from Colorado high schools.
How will you ensure that the state of Colorado is ready and robust to face the threats of natural disasters, cyberattacks, terrorism, and foreign aggression?
As a CU Regent, I would advocate for strategic investments in education, research, and partnerships that enhance the state of Colorado’s readiness to respond to various threats. I would advocate that CU provides educational programing and research towards creating a more prepared and resilient community.
How will you ensure that Colorado is a state with social and economic safeguards to maintain a decent standard of living and adequate nutrition for our aging population?
As a CU Regent, I would prioritize ensuring that we are taking care of our workers and students so they are empowered to live healthy and productive lives and can live with decency and security into retirement. More broadly, I would use my platform as CU Regent to promote policies that ensure this outcome for people across our state in both the private and public sector. And I would advocate to get rid of TABOR so we can ensure that our retirement systems are fully funded.
