Growing up in Colorado

I am the son of the son of a first generation American, and our family continues to live the American dream. I was lucky to have grown up in the foothills of Colorado, surrounded by my parents, brother, and sister. We all attended public schools and took jobs early in life to learn the work ethic that defined our parents’ generation. After two paper routes and a job at Wendy’s, I took my first job in law enforcement… Well, sorta’. I became a lifeguard at the local pool. Walk, please! No cheetos in the pool, please, or you’ll have to sit out for 15 minutes! Please don’t hold your friend under water! I was the police, prosecutor, and judge all at the same time.

Education

After graduating high school, I earned an Army ROTC scholarship, which I took to the most military-friendly campus in the country: the University of Colorado at Boulder. I’m kidding. I graduated as an Airborne-qualified, 2nd Lieutenant, Distinguished Military Graduate, with degrees in Economics and Political Science. I also attended law school at CU-Boulder, during which time I began an internship at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office. I was instantly hooked. Many times I cut class to go to trial on behalf of “the People.” By the time I graduated, I was offered a job as a Deputy District Attorney in Jeffco…for $12 an hour with no health or retirement benefits. It remains the best, most rewarding job I have ever had.

Career in Prosecution

For over a decade, I represented the People of the State of Colorado in cases ranging from simple traffic offenses to First Degree Murder, and everything in between. As a military prosecutor, I have pursued death penalty charges against a soldier who killed another soldier. Early in my career, I co-created a first of its kind block of training on DUI prosecution to be taught at “Baby D.A. School” by the Colorado District Attorneys Association. Ten years later, the course continues to be part of the standard training for new prosecutors in Colorado. The materials we developed are on Deputy D.A.’s desks all across this state.

Less than one month before my wedding, just down the road from the church in which I would be married, Klebold and Harris unleashed their evil at Columbine High School. I was assigned as one of two prosecutors to prosecute the only felony cases that grew out of that massacre. It was the biggest case our office—if not our State—had ever seen. Both felony cases resulted in prison sentences for the men we prosecuted.

Innovation in Prosecution

I was the first Deputy D.A. in Jefferson County to use Power Point in trial. Its effectiveness as a tool on behalf of the People was undeniable. I was asked to teach the use of technology in the courtroom and trial advocacy statewide and across the country.

Family

Of all that I have achieved in my life, nothing brings me more pride or joy than my family. I am married to a brilliant woman who is admittedly smarter than I am. We have three wonderful children, who daily remind me of what is important in life. My family and I live here in this jurisdiction. I want it to be the safest community possible.

My desire for my family to live in a safe community is no less than yours. It is what drives me to run for this office. I want to fix this broken District Attorney's office, so it works to protect our families and to protect our community.