I’m here today because I believe that Colorado deserves a governor who will always show up and listen – and today, I am here to listen. 

Before I welcome our first speaker, Majority Leader Monica Duran, I want to share a few brief words highlighting my commitment to this issue. 

First, I want all survivors of domestic violence to know that as governor, I’ll always do everything in my power to support and protect you.

Second, I want to acknowledge the stakes in this race. I’ve shared this at two of the debates that my Republican opponent was invited to, but he refused to show up. If he had shown up, I would’ve asked him about his previous remarks regarding survivors of domestic violence. In both debates, I shared his quote, which is the following: “More girls and women would not be abused by men if they were content with who they are and where God has them.”

To survivors of domestic violence, my message is clear: It’s not your fault. And as your next governor, I will always support and protect you.  And the stakes are high—close to 20% of all murders in Colorado relate to domestic violence. Moreover, domestic violence incidents are a threat to law enforcement, which is why we have worked to develop lethality assessment as a tool that law enforcement officers can use to best approach DV cases.

Finally, just this morning, my office reminded Colorado landlords of expanded housing protections for victim-survivors of domestic violence, domestic abuse, stalking, and unlawful sexual behavior. Colorado strengthened its laws last year to make clear that no one should lose their home because they experienced domestic violence or abuse. Domestic violence is never the victim’s fault, and survivors should not face the added trauma of losing their housing because of an abuser’s actions. Landlords have a responsibility to follow the law, and we want to hear from tenants when they don’t.

To all Coloradans – know that as governor, I will always show up, listen, and support and protect survivors and treat domestic violence with the seriousness it demands.