Dear Editor,

The 2024 election is upon us. The people of Colorado have many issues and people to consider. At times national issues overshadow state concerns. While it is true there are multiple wars, global economic issues, and a contentious presidential race, we, as residents of Colorado, must look deeper into the issues we are dealing with as a state.

I am Steve Ferrante, and I am running for District 49 in the Colorado House. I am not a politician, I am a concerned husband, father, and grandfather. I served as a police officer for 20 years. I have been a pastor for 20 years and a property manager (2 jobs) for 11. I have spent time observing at the capitol for the past 3 years. I have witnessed laws being passed that undermine our property rights, parental rights, 1st amendment rights, etc. I have enforced laws that have been passed and had to deal with laws and regulations that restrict and burden businesses. Laws passed have real world impacts on us, not all of them good.

I see our state headed down a path that is dangerous; we are more divided than ever. We refuse to respect others we may disagree with. It is time we stop letting “politicians” direct our destiny. Here is an objective assessment of our state and a possible way out of the morass.

The tension in our state is tangible. Many people are afraid to express their thoughts on an issue for fear of the seismic backlash they would face in a given crowd. Culturally we have become predisposed to be offended if someone has a different stance on an issue. We see free speech vilified because someone may say something another disagrees with. Many have come to demand conformity to a given pattern of thought or belief system. The collective mindset is trampling individuality, familial culture, regional concerns, and a host of other variables. We also spend money as if there were an endless supply.

Why does any of this matter as we consider our ballot?

As a nation and, also as a state, “politics” has infiltrated every realm of our lives. We have sacrificed good governance for the sake of appeasing feelings and emotions. Those in power, and those who know how to play upon feelings and emotions, recognize the reality of what moves us. We all must recognize this reality. We are forgoing long term gains and stability for the sake of momentary satisfaction. We must demand more of those who want to be in positions of power. We must look towards the future we are turning over to the generations that follow us. Are we leaving them a state and nation that is better or worse than we were given?

Rather than voting as we always have, we must pause and look beneath the surface. Have we been led on the path of prosperity, freedom, opportunity, educational excellence, and a hopeful future. Have the people in power promoted a unified society where we all can succeed? Have they promoted healthy families, accountability from leaders, honesty in interactions with citizens, and respect for everyone? I would say the answer to these questions is a resounding no.

There is virtual single party rule in Colorado government. What has this done for us? Housing and energy costs are unbearably high. Schools undermine the rights, beliefs, and practices of parents with impunity. Property rights are fading, along with free speech, religious expression and practice, and the right to hold elected officials accountable for the state of our state. We have professional politicians and not servant leaders. We have an oppressive bureaucracy that makes many processes painfully difficult to navigate. Many schools are failing, especially in minority communities. Educationally, we are failing these precious children.

In the past decade or so we have vilified parents who want to raise their children in accordance with their beliefs and traditions. We have hypersexualized children. We have used the courts to persecute people who do not want to violate their conscience. We have made Colorado unaffordable and, in many places unsafe. We have seen crime rise, rights and freedoms diminish, as drugs, violence, and homelessness overtake portions of many cities. We have come to the place that when someone has a different opinion, they hate us. (No, the just have a different opinion.) We should never force people to agree with us.

We need sound leadership in the Capitol. We need people who are not afraid to confront the realities of our everyday lives and deal with the problems in a realistic manner. Crime must be dealt with. Spending must be reined in. Inflation, housing, and energy costs must be lowered for the sake of Coloradoans. We may need to say no to certain projects as budgets are strained. Responsible leadership means saying no when it is the prudent and possibly unpopular thing to do.

We need leadership that respects the rights of all people. We must ensure everyone receives dignity and respect, even when we disagree with them. We must let people respectfully confront leaders and hold them accountable.

I am running for office because I am concerned for our children and grandchildren. I want them to have a free, prosperous, safe, just, and prosperous future. Let’s start looking beyond tomorrow; what will Colorado be like in 10, 20, or 30 years. Let’s make the choice to leave a legacy we all will be proud of.

Big money has a big voice in the political realm. It is time the “average individual” puts pressure to change on the power structure in Denver. There is no better way to do that than to vote out failing leaders as we focus on making a brighter future for our posterity. We do not need another person who is part of the “in political crowd” in office. We need people who know what life is really like in Colorado.

I humbly request that you vote for me, Steve Ferrante for D49 representative.

Liberty Justice Compassion Dignity.

Steven Ferrante

Peak to Peak