I’m running for Montrose City Council because I love living in Montrose. It deserves our careful attention. My wife and I chose to make our home here, on the north side of downtown, because we value strong communities, access to the outdoors, and the sense that people still look out for one another. I believe Montrose can continue to grow in a way that is welcoming, livable, and economically resilient, but only if we make deliberate, practical choices rooted in the realities people face every day.

I’m a Democratic-leaning independent because I believe local government works best when it stays focused on outcomes, not labels. City Council is thankfully nonpartisan, and I hope it stays that way. What matters is whether decisions make life more affordable, neighborhoods safer, and the future more secure for the people who already call Montrose home.

Affordability is the issue I hear about most, and the data backs that up. Montrose’s median household income sits in the low-to-mid $60,000 range, while housing, utilities, and food costs continue to rise. Nearly 13 percent of residents live below the poverty line, and many more are working full-time but still struggling to keep up. We have a sizable renter population and many seniors on fixed incomes. For too many people, the math simply doesn’t work anymore.

That’s why protecting existing modest housing—including mobile home parks—from displacement has to be a priority. We also need to allow more “missing middle” housing like accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and small multifamily buildings near jobs and services. These are practical tools that help stabilize neighborhoods and give working families real options. When the city raises new revenue—such as the lodging tax already supporting housing, childcare, streets, and transit—we owe residents transparency, efficiency, and measurable results.

Strong communities also depend on good jobs and healthy local businesses. Montrose’s economy is growing, with employment in construction, healthcare, government, retail, and hospitality, but many of these jobs are vulnerable to rising living costs. I’m pro-working-class and pro-small-business because those interests rise or fall together. My dad spent over 30 years in a union as an aircraft mechanic, and that experience shaped my understanding of dignity in work.

City government can help by simplifying permits and fees for local trades, food businesses, and creative or tech entrepreneurs. We should partner with CMU and our schools to build training pipelines into healthcare, the trades, and clean-energy work. And when public dollars fund major projects—streets, facilities, housing—we should do everything legally possible to ensure those projects create local jobs.

Livability shows up in the small, daily things. Montrose has many residential streets that function as cut-throughs, and traffic safety is a growing concern. Lower speeds, basic traffic calming near schools, and filling gaps in sidewalks and bike networks are proven ways to reduce serious crashes, lower noise, and make neighborhoods feel calmer and safer. Parks, trails, and recreational facilities aren’t luxuries—they’re investments in youth retention, public health, and community connection.

We also need to talk honestly about climate, water, and air—without culture-war framing. Western Colorado is already experiencing hotter summers, more intense wildfire seasons, and smoke that affects our kids’ lungs and our outdoor economy. Practical solutions matter: expanding tree canopy in hotter, lower-income neighborhoods; improving building efficiency to lower utility bills; protecting watersheds; planning for drought; and supporting fire-smart land use. These are about stewardship, not slogans.

Fairness and representation must guide how we invest. Montrose is majority White, but has a significant Hispanic and Latino population, along with a real divide between long-time locals and newer arrivals. Every neighborhood deserves its fair share of street repairs, sidewalks, parks, trees, and code enforcement. Outreach needs to be real, inclusive, and accessible—including language access for Spanish-speaking residents. Transparency matters too: clear budgets, plain explanations, and open data on outcomes are how trust is earned.

My background informs how I approach this work. I’m a documentary filmmaker now, but I’ve also built homes in Durango and worked as a commercial river guide on the Middle Fork of the Salmon. I grew up in Chicago and have lived in Vermont, Minnesota, Montana, and across the Mountain West. I hold a Humanities degree from Fort Lewis College, and I currently serve on the board of Friends of the River Uncompahgre, advocating for public access, safety, and long-term river health. The Uncompahgre is one of Montrose’s greatest assets, and we must develop responsibly while preserving it whenever possible.

As a filmmaker, I’ve spent years listening—to ranchers, tradespeople, and people experiencing homelessness. Listening carefully is what I see as my greatest strength, and it’s what I would bring to City Council.

I’m also a hunter, a gun owner, and a hands-on problem solver. I installed the solar panels on our home myself, drive an electric car, and plan to install more panels this year. You’ll often find me at the dog park in winter or on the surf wave in summer.

Montrose needs steady leadership, respect for facts, and a council that remembers who it works for. That’s why I’m running.

To learn more about my film work, please visit