Unveils Policies to Bring Collaboration, Innovation and Efficiency to State Government
Contact:
Katie Farnan
(720) 383-7269
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver, CO – NOV 20, 2025 – Attorney General and candidate for governor Phil Weiser today outlined his approach to build a collaborative, innovative, and efficient state government that strengthens partnerships with Tribal Nations, local communities, and the state workforce.
“Too often, government – without the encouragement to think and do things differently – is fueled by inertia – not innovation,” Weiser said. “As governor, I will elevate and promote collaboration and efficiency. I will leverage my experience as the state’s chief legal officer as well as a leader in Colorado’s startup community to bring an innovative mindset to state government.”
“Having partnered with Phil Weiser on efforts to modernize government, I’ve seen firsthand how he brings innovation and accountability together to actually make public services work better for people. His vision reflects that same bias for action—harnessing Colorado’s entrepreneurial spirit to lead a government that delivers results that matter. Colorado would be well served by a governor with Phil’s vision and commitment to effective, people-centered government,” said Aneesh Chopra, the first Chief Technology Officer of the United States appointed in 2009 by President Barack Obama.
Drive innovation in state government by:
- Establishing a Colorado Innovation Team, led by a Chief Innovation Officer, to develop data-driven solutions to major statewide challenges
- Prioritizing early work on housing affordability in partnership with the Chief Housing Officer
- Promoting collaborative, creative approaches that break through bureaucratic inertia and deliver visible results across the state
Make Colorado’s government responsive and people-focused by:
- Establishing a 48-hour response requirement for state agencies to return calls and emails from residents who contact them
- Creating a state operations and performance team inside the Governor’s Office to improve service quality and response times
- Restoring regular regulatory reviews to eliminate outdated rules and reduce unnecessary burdens
- Maintaining a nonpartisan, professional workforce by prioritizing merit-based hiring and committing to a strong partnership with Colorado WINS to improve recruitment, training, and retention
Strengthen partnerships with local governments by:
- Signing an executive order on day one in office requiring state agencies to consult early and meaningfully with local elected leaders before taking actions
- Expanding support to help smaller and rural communities secure federal funding they lack the resources to pursue
- Standing against unfunded mandates that shift new costs onto cities and counties without adequate funding
- Backing community investments such as public safety resources, walkable streets, local transit options, and downtown revitalization
- Working with communities to launch policies that help teachers, nurses, first responders, police, and firefighters live where they serve, supported through ColoradoCorps talent pipelines
Partner with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes by:
- Issuing a Day One executive order directing all agencies to respect and honor the Tribes as the sovereign governments they are in each and every interaction
- Elevating the director of the Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs to a Cabinet-level role to ensure issues of importance to the Tribes and their are considered in decision-making
- Requiring each agency that interacts with the Tribes to maintain a trained Tribal liaison
- Supporting implementation of S.B. 22-150 and expanding efforts to reduce violence against Indigenous people
- Ensuring state legislation is clear in its application and fully respects Tribal sovereignty
Ensure fiscal discipline and better use of taxpayer dollars by:
- Respecting the voters’ right to approve new taxes, leading a statewide effort to update Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), and modernizing outdated budget structures, so the state can responsibly and sustainably fund schools, protect health care and other essential services, ensure a more resilient Colorado, and plan for the future in a fast-growing state
- Modernizing procurement and contracting processes to secure better deals for taxpayers through stronger competitive bidding
- Directing agencies to identify under-performing or under-used programs and redirecting funds to higher-impact services
- Protecting taxpayer dollars by strengthening fraud prevention using the Colorado False Claims Act and the State Auditor’s Fraud Hotline
- Protecting the state’s rainy-day reserve fund so it is only used during true economic recessions when people rely on government support the most
Uphold the rule of law by:
- Holding state agencies to the same legal standards expected of everyone else, as he has done as attorney general
- Continuing to challenge federal or state actors—regardless of party—when they break the law or harm Colorado
“Coloradans deserve a government that funds our schools fairly, responds quickly to needs, partners with local communities and Tribal Nations, and uses taxpayer dollars wisely,” said Weiser.
“As our next governor, Phil will lift-up the voices of local communities to help shape effective solutions for housing affordability, public education, good jobs for all Coloradans, and safe communities,” said Lesley Dahlkemper, chair of the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners. “My work with Phil on the opioid crisis shows what real partnership looks like between the state and local partners. Phil brought together county commissioners and mayors to ensure settlement funds save lives and are used with transparency and accountability. Thanks to that collaborative and innovative spirit, Colorado’s approach is now nationally recognized and making a difference right here at home.”
Weiser’s full plans can be found here:
- Reimagining State Government: https://philforcolorado.com/reimagining-state-government-partnering-with-local-governments-supporting-community-development/
- Tribal Relations: https://philforcolorado.com/tribal-relations-partnering-with-the-ute-mountain-and-southern-ute-tribes/
- Serving People: https://philforcolorado.com/serving-people-a-government-that-works-for-coloradans/
Last month, Weiser released a summary of his comprehensive vision for Colorado’s future in The Colorado Blueprint, available on the campaign website at philforcolorado.com/the-colorado-blueprint. This release is one of several the campaign has shared over the past month to provide a comprehensive vision for Colorado’s future. The full Colorado Blueprint is now available: www.philforcolorado.com/coloradoblueprint.
Weiser launched his campaign in January 2025. Since then, he has earned endorsements from over 185 Colorado leaders, including Colorado trailblazers former Denver Mayor Federico Peña and former Governor Roy Romer, and from national elected leaders like Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Governor Maura Healey (D-MA), Governor Josh Stein (D-NC), and Governor Bob Ferguson (D-WA). For more information, please visit https://philforcolorado.com/.
###