River Gassen

• Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
• Energy, Environment, and Climate
• State, Defense, and Homeland Security

Do you believe that healthcare is a human right?

Will you support 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?

Do you support access to comprehensive health care that includes reproductive freedom for people with uteruses?

Will you ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, health care, and social services in Colorado?

Do you support the separation of church and state and the protection of religious freedom for all faiths and beliefs?

Will you fight to address and correct the systemic racism and discrimination that affects communities of color in Colorado?

Will you ensure that LGBTQ+ Coloradans are treated with dignity and respect in all aspects of society?

How will you protect and expand the civil rights and liberties of all Coloradans?

I will champion policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of society. I will support programs and initiatives that foster diversity in hiring and leadership positions, as well as efforts to combat discrimination and promote cultural understanding.

By fostering open dialogue and collaboration, I aim to develop policies that reflect the diverse needs and experiences of our residents. As your representative, safeguarding and expanding the civil rights and liberties of all Coloradans, and all Americans, will be among my foremost priorities. Here’s how I plan to achieve this:

1. Legislative Advocacy: I will advocate for measures to address systemic inequalities, protect voting rights, and promote equality in education, employment, and housing. I will work tirelessly to support and pass legislation that reinforces civil rights protections for all individuals.

2. Legal Protections: I will support efforts to strengthen legal protections against discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and other protected characteristics. I will fight against policies added to bills that aim to discriminate.

3. Police Reform: I will be addressing racial profiling, excessive use of force, and other systemic issues within law enforcement agencies. I will advocate for meaningful police reform measures aimed at promoting accountability, transparency, and community trust.

In summary, I will fight to create a future for America where every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

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?

To comprehensively address the pressing issues of cost of living, housing costs, and homelessness, both in Colorado, and across our nation, we must alleviate financial burdens and expand access to affordable housing.

1. Affordable Housing Initiatives:
Implement policies to increase the supply of affordable housing, including incentivizing developers to build affordable units and streamlining the approval process for affordable housing projects.
Allocate funding for the construction of new affordable housing units in urban areas, close to where residents work.
Reserve a portion of homes built in urban areas for low-income families to ensure equitable access to housing opportunities.

2. Homelessness Prevention and Support:
Invest in homelessness prevention programs that provide rental assistance, and supportive services to individuals and families at risk of homelessness.
Expand access to affordable healthcare, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment to address the underlying causes of homelessness.
Increase funding for emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing to provide safe and stable housing options for individuals experiencing homelessness.

3. Student Loan Forgiveness:
Advocate for student loan forgiveness programs to alleviate the financial burden on young people and enable them to save for housing expenses. By reducing student debt, individuals can allocate more resources towards saving for down payments or rent payments, thereby increasing their ability to afford housing.

4. Economic Opportunity and Livable Wages:
Advocate for policies that promote economic opportunity and reduce income inequality, such as increasing the minimum wage, expanding access to affordable healthcare and childcare, and investing in workforce development programs.
Support small businesses and entrepreneurship initiatives to create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in underserved communities.

5. Local Government Collaboration with Environmental Protection:
Foster collaboration among local governments and environmental organizations to develop best practices in ensuring that city expansion does not increase the strain on our water supply or our natural resources.
Share best practices, resources, and data to inform decision-making and maximize the impact of efforts to address these critical issues.

In summary, by implementing these strategies, including student loan forgiveness and reserving housing for low-income families, in collaboration with stakeholders at all levels, we can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive America where all residents have access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to thrive.

Do you support workers’ rights to organize, bargain collectively, and earn a living wage?

Will you work to reform the tax system to make it more progressive and fair?

Will you fight to fully fund public schools?

Will you fight to ensure that every child has access to early childhood education, universal pre-K, and full-day kindergarten?

Will you advocate for the expansion of public higher education opportunities and affordability?

How will you support the implementation of high academic standards and assessments that measure critical thinking and problem-solving skills?

For childcare, preschool, and k-12:

1. Universal Preschool and Childcare:
We need to emphasize the importance of early childhood development and provide all residents with the opportunities to give their child the most fostering environment possible.
Investment into nationwide research on the stress-tolerance of children, and implement best practices for high quality and affordable childcare programs that provide the necessary nurturing children need.
Promote the development and adoption of instructional materials and resources that support the implementation of high academic standards and assessments, when appropriate, at early ages.

2.Teacher Professional Development:
Allocate resources for professional development programs that equip educators with the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate high academic standards and assessments into their teaching practices.
Support initiatives that provide educators with training on promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills across all subject areas. This includes increasing the necessary funding to do so.

3. Community Engagement:
Engage parents, community members, and employers in conversations about the importance of high academic standards and assessments.
Foster partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide students with real-world learning experiences and opportunities to apply their skills in authentic contexts.
Allocate resources for professional development programs that equip educators with the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate high academic standards and assessments into their teaching practices.
Support initiatives that provide educators with training on promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills across all subject areas.

For Higher-education and Universities:

1. Increased Funding for Research:
Support initiatives to expand research funding opportunities for students, educators, and institutions, fostering innovation and continuous improvement in education.
By allowing students the funding to explore their research ideas, under the guidance of professors, this will increase society’s knowledge and ability to cure diseases, combat cyber security threats, or simply expand our understanding of the human mind, as we invest in both our society and the innovation of our student population.

2. Reforming FAFSA Policies:
Work to overhaul the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process to make it more inclusive and accessible to all families, including independent students under the age of 24, families with more than one child going to school at the same time, and reasonable measures to improve the currently unrealistic expected family contribution (EFC) calculator.
Advocate for simplifying the FAFSA application process, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and increasing outreach efforts to ensure that eligible students and families are aware of available financial aid options.

3. Increasing Work-Study Awards:
Push for an increase in funding for work-study programs, which provide valuable opportunities for students to gain work experience while earning money to help finance their education.
Advocate for expanding eligibility criteria and increasing the number of work-study positions available to students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds or underrepresented groups.

Will you combat the climate crisis and advocate for renewable energy?

Will you protect Colorado’s water quality and quantity, especially in the face of drought and population growth?

Will you fight to preserve and enhance Colorado’s public lands, wildlife, and biodiversity?

Will you promote environmental justice and ensure that all communities have a healthy and safe environment?

What is your position on the current immigration policies and practices of the United States?

As an individual whose life has been improved by the immigrants who have come here, my stance on immigration policies and practices in the United States is rooted in principles of compassion, empathy, and pragmatism. I recognize the valuable contributions that immigrants make to our economy, workforce, and cultural fabric.

Here’s an overview of my position:

1. Comprehensive Immigration Reform:
I advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the various facets of our immigration system, including pathways to legal status for undocumented immigrants, border security measures, and reforms to the legal immigration process. Prioritize keeping families together, providing a pathway to citizenship, and streamlining the legal immigration process to reduce backlogs and wait times.

2. Dreamers and DACA:
I strongly support legislation to provide permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. These young people have grown up in the United States and contribute to our communities and economy, and they deserve certainty and stability in their immigration status.

3. Border Security:
While I recognize the importance of border security, I believe that enforcement measures should be humane, proportionate, and focused on targeting criminal activity rather than indiscriminately targeting immigrant communities. I support investing in technology, infrastructure, and personnel at ports of entry to enhance border security while facilitating lawful trade and travel.

In summary, my position on immigration policies and practices is guided by a commitment to fairness, compassion, and practical solutions that uphold America’s values as a nation of immigrants while ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of all Americans.

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?

Ensuring the readiness and resilience of our district to face a multitude of threats, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, terrorism, and foreign aggression, hinges on robust federal support.

As your Congresswoman, here’s how I will use federal aid can fortify our district:

Threats of Natural Disasters:
I am keenly aware of the threat of climate change and have researched it extensively. Securing federal funding is crucial to address the pressing challenges of forest fires, droughts, and the limited water supply in our region. With federal support, we can invest in proactive measures such as fire prevention, drought resilience, and water infrastructure upgrades. This funding enables us to enhance our readiness and response capabilities, implement innovative solutions, and safeguard our communities and natural resources against the increasingly severe impacts of these environmental threats.

Cyberattacks:
In an era dominated by technological advancements, knowledgeable leadership is paramount to fortifying our district’s cybersecurity defenses. Federal aid facilitates the enhancement of cyberinfrastructure, provision of specialized cybersecurity training, and the forging of strategic partnerships. These initiatives are critical in combating cyber threats, ensuring the protection of vital systems and sensitive data against evolving security risks.

Terrorism and Foreign Aggression:
Readiness and technological advancement are essential components in fortifying our district’s counterterrorism capabilities. Increased federal funding into research facilitates the development of cutting-edge technologies and strategies to effectively identify and mitigate terrorist threats. Moreover, through intelligence-sharing partnerships bolstered by federal support, we can enhance our ability to preemptively address security risks, ultimately safeguarding the safety and security of our communities.

In summary, I will be a fierce advocate for federal aid that is paramount to bolstering the readiness and resilience of our district in the face of evolving threats. With robust support, we can better protect our communities, enhance security measures, and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.

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?

I will fight to ensure that Colorado remains a state with robust social and economic safeguards for our aging population.

Here’s how I plan to prioritize the needs of our seniors:

1. Healthcare:
Advocate for policies that expand access to affordable healthcare services, including preventive care, prescription drugs, and long-term care options.
Support initiatives to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that seniors have access to comprehensive healthcare coverage that meets their needs.

2. Financial Security and Retirement Benefits:
Advocate for policies that protect and enhance retirement benefits for seniors, including Social Security, pensions, and retirement savings plans.
Support initiatives to address financial exploitation and elder abuse, including strengthening legal protections and increasing funding for elder abuse prevention programs.

3. Access to Transportation and Community Services:
Work to improve access to transportation services for seniors, including public transit options, paratransit services, and ridesharing programs.
Support funding for community-based services and programs that promote social engagement, mental health support, and recreational activities for seniors.

Prioritizing these initiatives involves working collaboratively with all residents to ensure that Colorado remains a state with strong social and economic safeguards to maintain a thriving standard of living for our aging population.