By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
State Rep. Dusty Johnson, who represents seven mostly sparsely populated counties on the Northeastern Plains of Colorado in House District 63, entered the 75th General Assembly ready to champion rural communities, agriculture and water rights.
Representing the state’s leading agricultural area, she understands constituents’ challenges firsthand and brings practical insights to the table.
House District 63 spans Phillips, Sedgwick and Yuma counties at the eastern edge of the state, across Logan and Washington counties, to Morgan and into a rural portion of Weld County, making it the second-largest landmass district in the state.
As Johnson puts it, “My district is the top ag-producing house district in the state.”
This includes everything from cattle and winter wheat to unique exports like pork. “Our products, like Colorado pork, even appear on menus in Europe. It’s something to be proud of.”
While the district shares a unified reliance on agriculture, its communities have distinct needs. Johnson explains, “Even my counties and communities that are only 5 to 15 minutes away from each other can be day and night in the issues they face.”
From small towns to larger hubs, places like New Raymer and Fort Morgan work together, united by their shared reliance on water and agriculture.
“If you don’t understand it, ask, but please don’t overregulate us,” she said. “Agriculture out here promotes a good environment — we want clean soil, healthy water and sustainable practices.”
The counties Johnson represents collectively contribute $5.4 billion in market value from agricultural products, with six of the state’s top 10 ag-producing counties within the district. They lead Colorado in producing cattle, winter wheat and proso millet.
Water reuse is a cornerstone of agricultural sustainability in District 63. Johnson points out that farmers and ranchers in her district reuse water as many as seven times, a testament to their resourcefulness. Johnson describes the process in simple terms: “Imagine you’re reusing bathwater. It’s not something you’d want to drink, but it’s perfect for watering your garden.”
Her priorities are reflected in her mantra: “Cows, Cops and Coffee.” Johnson explains, “Cows represent agriculture and water. Cops represent first responders and public safety. Coffee symbolizes having a meeting and being at the table to discuss issues — big or small.”
Johnson’s agricultural roots and public service shaped her journey to the state legislature. “I was probably 8 or 9 years old when I first started helping with real chores,” she recalls. Those chores weren’t limited to simple tasks. Johnson vividly remembers waking up at 3 a.m. in the middle of blizzards to assist during kidding season. “The goats always seemed to go into labor at the worst times, like during a blizzard or right before school,” she explains. “I’d be out in the barn making sure the kids were delivered safely, and then I’d head straight to school smelling like the barn, because there wasn’t time to change.”
This experience taught her resilience and responsibility from a young age.
“When you have livestock, you’re always on their schedule, not yours,” Johnson reflects. “The biggest lesson I learned is to just get it done. If you delay, the anxiety and buildup make it worse. As soon as you get it done, it’s over, and you move on.”
This no-nonsense approach has helped her transition from legislative aide to elected representative. Johnson’s nearly eight years of experience as a legislative aide — split between federal and state levels — has significantly influenced her perspective and approach to lawmaking.
“Relationships are everything,” she notes. “It’s not just about knowing policies and procedures. It’s about fostering trust and collaboration across the aisle.”
Johnson reflects on the importance of learning collaboratively with her colleagues: “The biggest thing we have in any sector of life is what we know. We forget other people don’t know,” she says. “We need to reteach ourselves in ways that allow us to educate others, whether it’s our fellow legislators or constituents.”
As a headwater state, Colorado’s water policy is critical. Johnson emphasizes proactive solutions to water challenges.
“We must define what happens when water leaves the state. If another state owns the water rights, does it still count toward our compact? We need to get ahead of these questions instead of always defending in court,” she asserts.
Her collaborative mindset is a key part of her strategy to bridge Colorado’s urban-rural divide: “We need to reteach ourselves to be better educators for our constituents and colleagues, making politics simple and accessible,” she says.
One of the first bills Johnson is sponsoring in the legislature, HB25-1014, reflects her commitment to creating efficient solutions for Coloradans. The bill, which streamlines water permitting processes for non-Denver Basin bedrock aquifer wells, divides permit renewal cycles into two staggered groups to ease administrative burdens and reduce wait times for water users.
“We’re looking at making things more efficient,” Johnson explains. “This bill not only helps water right holders avoid delays, but also alleviates strain on the water court system.”
Johnson emphasized that the bill introduces efficiency without controversy, serving as a starting point for more complex discussions on water policy. “It’s a way to show my colleagues how we can improve systems without compromising accountability,” she adds.
Outside of politics, Johnson finds joy in baking — a hobby she uses to build connections with colleagues: “Baking is my mental health outlet. I like seeing people smile when I hand out what I’ve baked. It’s also a way to bring people together for conversations under the Capitol dome,” she shares.
Johnson indicates baking can serve a bigger purpose beyond just camaraderie.
“When I bring cookies or pies to a meeting, it’s not just a treat — it’s a way to connect agriculture to our everyday lives,” she explains.
“I’ll use ingredients like sugar from the sugar beet farmers in my district or wheat grown on local farms. By doing this, I can start conversations about where our food comes from and why supporting agriculture matters.”
Johnson envisions using baking as an educational tool as well, helping urban colleagues understand the importance of farming practices.
“It’s a chance to bridge that urban-rural divide one bite at a time,” she says.
Johnson also finds joy in spending time with her beloved dog, Peaches: “Peaches is my little Shih Tzu with a big personality,” she shares. “She has a very Western Slope name for an Eastern Plains dog.” Peaches has quickly become a familiar presence under the Capitol dome. “She’s probably more popular than I am, and honestly, I’m okay with that.”
At meetings or at home, Peaches provides much-needed comfort and a break from the political grind. Johnson says, “She reminds me to take a deep breath and appreciate the little things in life.”
Johnson encourages everyone in Colorado to make their voices heard by connecting with their elected officials.
“This is the people’s house,” she emphasizes. “Your member of the legislature works for you, so tell them how to do the job better. The louder you are and the more collective you are, the more directive we have.”
Johnson welcomes feedback and is eager to hear from residents throughout the 75th legislative session. She encourages residents to reach out via email at [email protected] or at her personal cell phone at 970-370-1154.