Submitted Biography
Founder & VP Operations – First Crop, Inc. a unique startup company focused on regenerative agriculture, hemp products and farm community revitalization. Dave's activities are focused on providing operational strategic direction, organizational development and operations leadership. First Crop’s launch is 1year old and focused on growing hemp, production of hemp based products and rural community growth. The company has grown hemp in the Southern Colorado/Northern NM area, built a state of the art production facility, produced CBD based products and established national distribution. Dave has demonstrated strong leadership and performance at the operational & executive levels; with superior commercial success in a variety of industry sectors: hemp based supplements, organic food products, specialty chemicals, plastics (manufacturing and distribution), composites, inorganic chemicals and fuel additives. His consulting activities include business startups and technology development for
Campaign Phone
(719)239-1511
County challenges are driven by growth. The key areas are housing, workforce development, water management, senior living, child care/education, and sustaining the environment. Addressing these issues requires community/local government collaboration, focused projects/processes on key priorities. If elected commissioner I will focus on improving organizational performance and building community connections to implement an updated land use code to facilitate increases in housing types and supply. Concurrent with housing will be continued workforce development, increased childcare capacity programs, and Envision (environmental sustainability) projects. Current intergovernmental agreements will be built upon or revised to support and integrate the policies, projects needed to address these issues in a financially responsible and timely manner
Successful county growth looks like growing profitable businesses, employment opportunities that provide a living wage and career opportunities. Tourism will continue to be a major economic driver augmented by business diversity delivering year round jobs and business sustainability. Housing supply across all compensation levels will be available to support individuals and families to work and live in a beautiful rural Colorado environment. Senior living options, child care, broad band capacity, public health services and options will be available and can grow with the County.
Important policy areas are: Affordable housing, employment opportunities enabling career and compensation growth, public health/social welfare, recycling, safe and secure communities, broadband capacity, environmental health: forests, water, air, and educational equity.
Submitted Biography
My history in the valley began in 1972, rafting the Arkansas from Granite to the Royal Gorge over three days. This summer adventures grew into motorcycle trips, stints at Frontier Ranch, skiing and finally permanent residency and teaching math at BV high. My experience in real estate equips me with a practical problem solving approach to our affordable housing issues. My experience in the school principal’s office has prepared me to work among the diverse groups of stakeholders and financial perspective akin to our county budget. Finally, the classroom honed a spontaneous and creative skill in problem solving and organization. I have multiple post graduate degrees in mathematics, teaching, school administration and superintendency with 25 years in the public school environment. I have also sold hundreds of houses for Re/Max Realtors.
Campaign Phone
7193983187
One of the biggest challenges we’ll face over the next few years is ensuring that people who work here can also afford to live here. Chaffee County’s beauty and public lands make it an incredible place, but they also limit how much land is available for development. Add to that the strain on our water supply, and it’s easy to see how housing—especially affordable housing for our workforce—becomes a real issue.
When our teachers, healthcare workers, and local business employees can’t find affordable places to live, it hurts our whole community. We need to step up cooperation between public and private partners to tackle this problem together. That means reducing the red tape that slows down development, using resources like Proposition 123, and thinking creatively about financing options that bring in private investment.
We need to track our progress with clear goals, like building 1,100 workforce housing units, but we also have to make sure we're growing in a sustainable fashion.
For me, successful growth in Chaffee County is about keeping this place livable for everyone—whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved in. That means making sure we have enough housing for our workforce without losing the natural beauty and tight-knit community that makes this such a wonderful place to live.
We know the challenges of housing aren’t new—other mountain towns have struggled with it for decades. Boulder, for example, has been dealing with high housing costs since the 1960s, and we can learn from their experience. We have a chance to do things differently by working together—combining market-driven solutions with community-led efforts.
To me, growth is successful when it’s thoughtful and balanced. It’s not just about hitting numbers, like the 1,100 workforce housing units we need. It’s about making sure businesses can hire the staff they need, that young families can stay, and that we’re taking care of the retirees and long-term residents.
I’m passionate about making sure Chaffee County remains a place where people from all walks of life can thrive. My background in real estate has given me insight into how policies around housing and development affect everyday people. And my years in education taught me the importance of collaboration and listening—skills I use every day when working with different community members.
Housing is definitely a big focus for me. I’ve seen firsthand how hard it can be for people to find affordable homes, and I know how that impacts not just individuals, but businesses and the community as a whole. But I’m also passionate about problem-solving more generally. Good policy, to me, is about finding practical solutions to real-world problems—whether that’s making sure businesses can hire the workers they need, or ensuring retirees aren’t priced out of the communities they love.
At the end of the day, I’m driven by a desire to serve—whether that’s through housing, education, or public service.