By Heidi Ganahl | Rocky Mountain Voice
In the race for Colorado’s Senate District 16, which represents Denver’s western suburbs, residents have a choice between incumbent Democratic Sen. Chris Kolker or Republican challenger Robyn Carnes.
Each candidate brings a unique perspective, but they differ sharply in approach and priorities. Carnes, a Centennial City Council member and business leader, aims to tackle affordability, housing and public safety with a fresh and service-oriented mindset. Kolker, elected in 2021, seeks to continue his legislative work, but may face scrutiny over his effectiveness on core issues like cost of living, housing and his approach to public safety.
Carnes brings a wealth of community-oriented experience, serving as a Centennial City Council member and as a leader at Rescue America, a national nonprofit fighting human trafficking. She has lived in Centennial for more than 20 years, raising her family alongside her husband, a law enforcement officer, and is deeply connected to the community. Robyn’s career as a business consultant and local liaison has honed her skills in collaboration, and she’s known for building consensus on local boards to improve her community.
Chris Kolker, originally from rural Iowa, moved to Colorado over two decades ago. His background includes teaching high school social studies and working as a financial planner. Elected in 2021, he has focused on property tax issues and education funding, though his impact on these areas has met mixed reviews. While Kolker often speaks about bipartisan work, some constituents feel his legislative accomplishments have been limited in addressing the district’s growing concerns, particularly around affordability and housing.
Following a glance at the candidates’ position on a variety of priority issues.
Affordability and Cost of Living
Carnes: She is determined to alleviate Colorado’s high cost of living, especially for families and vulnerable residents. Carnes advocates for reducing taxes, fees and unnecessary regulation that burden residents. Her focus on affordability also includes supporting local agriculture and a tougher stance on crime to bring down costs like insurance, with the ultimate goal of making Colorado more livable and accessible for all.
Kolker: He lists affordability as a priority, focusing specifically on property tax relief. While Kolker points to legislation aimed at lowering property tax rates for seniors and creating portable exemptions, many residents feel these efforts haven’t addressed the broader cost-of-living challenges. Kolker’s approach remains focused on incremental property tax changes, which some see as falling short of the larger affordability crisis facing the state.
Housing Accessibility
Carnes: Robyn is keenly aware of Colorado’s housing shortage and advocates for empowering builders to create diverse, affordable housing options like condos and townhomes. She believes that removing restrictive policies can help young people afford homes, while allowing older residents to downsize. Robyn’s proactive approach aims to expand housing access for all.
Kolker: He has supported policies to expand middle-income housing through loan programs and construction incentives. However, critics argue that his policies have not substantially moved the needle on affordability and are too slow to address the urgent needs of Colorado’s housing market. His approach has faced criticism for focusing more on top-down solutions rather than encouraging market-driven changes that many believe would be more effective in meeting demand.
Public Safety
Carnes: Public safety is a core issue for Robyn, who believes that recent legislative decisions have weakened law enforcement’s ability to keep Colorado communities safe. As a member of the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, she’s committed to advocating for policies that empower law enforcement, protect victims, and create safer neighborhoods. Her stance is that common-sense legislation is needed to address Colorado’s rising crime rates.
Kolker: His campaign does not make public safety a primary focus, which some see as a disconnect from a top concern among district residents. While he has supported bipartisan legislation in the past, he lacks a clear platform on crime prevention, a gap that may leave constituents concerned about Colorado’s high crime rates under-addressed in his policies.
Bipartisanship and Collaboration
Both candidates emphasize the importance of bipartisanship, but their records reveal distinct approaches.
Carnes: Experience on the Centennial City Council is evidence of her commitment to nonpartisan problem-solving. Her “purple campaign” aims to blend Republican and Democratic values to serve her community’s best interests. She has proven her collaborative style in local government, working across party lines on various committees to prioritize resident needs over political agendas.
Kolker: Highlights his bipartisan approach as a feature of his tenure. However, some argue that while he frequently speaks of collaboration, his effectiveness in advancing impactful bipartisan legislation has been limited. Many constituents are looking for a fresh approach that goes beyond talk to produce tangible, bipartisan results.
Prop. 131: Perspectives on election changes
Carnes: Supports open primaries in principle, but remains cautious about Prop. 131, favoring further research to ensure any changes don’t create confusion or mistrust in the election system. Her measured approach shows her dedication to transparency and the voter experience.
Kolker: Opposes Prop. 131, asserting that Colorado’s current system is a “gold standard” of election integrity. However, his stance has raised questions from voters who feel the election system could benefit from modernization and increased accessibility. Kolker’s firm opposition to the measure may appear out of step with voters eager for open and accessible primaries.
Community Engagement and Personal Background
Carnes: Deeply invested in her community, Carnes’ life in Centennial has been shaped by service on numerous local boards and commissions. Her roles in the Centennial Youth Commission, Faith Council, and Senior Commission reflect her commitment to diverse community needs. She balances her professional commitments with her family, enjoying time with her sons and her rescue dog, Samson. Carnes’ active and approachable lifestyle reflects her dedication to making her community better.
Kolker: Background as a teacher and financial planner, along with his family ties to the Centennial area, inform his legislative priorities. However, some constituents feel that Kolker’s experience hasn’t translated effectively into the kind of community engagement and on-the-ground involvement that Robyn brings. His record, while respectable, may lack the hands-on community impact that voters are seeking in this election.
The Decision for Senate District 16
Robyn Carnes and Chris Kolker represent two distinct paths forward for Senate District 16. Carnes brings a proactive, hands-on approach, focused on reducing costs, expanding housing, and enhancing public safety with proven local leadership experience. Kolker’s record, while highlighting experience in state government, may leave some voters questioning whether his policies have adequately addressed the pressing issues facing the district.
Ultimately, voters in District 16 will weigh the value of experience against the potential for fresh ideas and energetic advocacy, with a choice between Kolker’s steady, traditional approach and Carnes’s community-focused, solution-driven vision for Colorado’s future.