Angela Giron
District 3 - Democratic Party
How does your experience make you qualified to represent the people?
I’m a former Democratic state senator for Senate District 3. I was appointed to the position in 2010, won the election later that year, and served from 2011 until the 2013 recall election.
The recall was driven by a backlash to my gun safety votes (magazine limits, background checks, etc.), much needed in Colorado’s post–Aurora and the country’s post-Newtown eras. The recall election was a special election marked by very low turnout - only about 35% of votes were cast whereas turnout is more typically 85%+.
I was an early adopter and ahead of the curve on positions that are now fully mainstream in Democratic politics and broadly accepted in Colorado. More importantly, all of our gun safety legislation remains the law and our state has been touted as an example for national reform.
I have stayed active in Democratic politics and community work. On June 30th, I will retire as President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Pueblo County, a position I’ve held for the past 13 years. In that time, I grew our budget by 500%, expanded our number of Clubhouses, and achieved perfect and balanced budgets every year. Commissioners are de facto CEOs of the county and my combination of legislative and executive experience maps well onto the job.
What are your top policy priorities?
There are a number of issues that require the attention of Commissioners:
- Roads and infrastructure
- Land use / development
- Public safety coordination
- Property taxes and how the county actually spends money
- Economic diversification & small business support
But as I’ve talked to folks across the county, people really care about “Will you answer my call about roads, land use, youth services, water, and public safety?” I intend to restore both public trust and accountability to the office. You may agree or disagree with past votes, but no one will work harder than me to fix your roads, keep your kids safe, and bring money home to Pueblo.
What is one issue you think is being overlooked in this race, and how would you address it?
Pueblo County’s $10 million + budget deficit is not being adequately addressed. And if Chairman Swearingen is leading that work, there is a serious lack of communication in sharing what is being done. In April, after reviewing the staff survey and speaking to County employees, I released a document detailing a number of proposals that could be undertaken (see attached pdf). It is past time for the community to demand a revised, balanced 2026 budget. Delivering that plan is a core responsibility of the BOCC Chair and, right now, the county still doesn’t have a path forward that inspires confidence. Any process to fix this deficit must include meaningful engagement with the workforce. I’ve already heard from employees who are ready to share practical ideas that could help resolve this crisis, protect services, and reduce harm.
