There is one political party Primary election for this race: Democratic. All Democratic affiliated and unaffiliated voters will be eligible to cast a vote in this race. Unaffiliated voters will receive both DEM and REP ballots. Unaffiliated voters must return only ONE ballot. The State House of Representatives is made up of 65 members who are elected by voters in their district for a two-year term. They are limited to serving four consecutive terms in office, but after a two-year break, they are eligible to run again. Every two years, all 65 seats are open for election. The legislative branch of the Colorado state government is composed of the State House and the State Senate. Their legislative authority and responsibilities include passing bills related to public policy matters, approving state budget spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold gubernatorial vetoes. Scroll for Spanish Translation.
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Submitted Biography
Neal Walia is the son of Indian immigrants and a lifelong Coloradan dedicated to public service. He began his career teaching English in Japan before returning home to work in Governor John Hickenlooper’s administration supporting Colorado’s unhoused community. He later spent five years in Washington, D.C. working in public affairs and healthcare policy, including at the National Governors Association. Most recently, Neal served as Director of Policy and Government Relations at the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, where he helped pass legislation ending physician non-compete agreements and protecting doctors seeking mental health treatment. Previously, as Deputy Director of the Asian Pacific Development Center, he supported immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through mental health services, adult education, and pathways to citizenship.
Campaign Phone
720-837-2075
Biografía Enviada
Neal is running for Colorado House District 9 on a platform focused on universal primary care, fully funded public education, affordable housing, immigrant justice, and lowering costs for working families. His campaign has earned endorsements from leaders including Senate President James Coleman, Senator Julie Gonzales, Denver City Councilwoman Sarah Parady, and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, alongside organizations such as COLOR Action Fund, Progressive Democrats of America, and dozens of others across Colorado. If elected, Neal would become the first South Asian Democrat and only Indian American serving in the Colorado State Legislature.
Trust is the most important quality an elected official can have-trust in experience, leadership, and community. At the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, alongside nearly 3000 family doctors, I helped pass legislation ending physician non-compete agreements to strengthen healthcare access. At the Asian Pacific Development Center, I worked alongside a broad coalition to help make Lunar New Year an official Colorado holiday. Earlier in my career, I worked in Washington, D.C. on Affordable Care Act policy at the National Governors Association.
As Co-Chair of Colorado South Asian Democrats, we mobilized tens of thousands of voters in 2020 and 2024. I also began as a precinct organizer in HD9, later became a Denver Democrats co-captain, and served as a Co-Chair on Mayor Johnston’s Transition Committee on Community Well-Being and Neighborhood Safety. As the son of Indian immigrants with deep Colorado roots, I believe trust is earned through service and delivering results.
I do not believe we should compromise on our values or our north stars. For me, that means continuing to fight for universal primary care and a government that puts people before corporate profits. Colorado has a proud history of pursuing bold ideas like universal preschool, paid family leave, and protecting reproductive rights.
At the same time, effective policymaking requires strong stakeholder engagement and coalition building. We must bring diverse voices to the table, listen carefully, and work collaboratively to maximize impact while minimizing unintended consequences. That approach helped us successfully pass legislation ending physician non-compete agreements in Colorado, and it is the same approach I would bring to the legislature.
I am passionate about building a universal primary care system in Colorado because preventive healthcare saves lives, lowers costs, and creates healthier communities. Our healthcare system too often prioritizes insurance companies and corporate profits over patients.
I am also committed to fully funding public education. As the son of public school educators, I want teachers to retire with dignity and students to have access to safe schools, mental health support, and the resources they need to succeed.
Finally, immigrant justice is deeply personal to me as the son of Indian immigrants. I believe Colorado must continue protecting immigrant families, defending civil liberties, and ensuring every community can live with dignity and opportunity.
I am also passionate about affordability policies around housing and the economy that empower working Coloradans from the bottom up.
Colorado has some of the strongest and most secure election systems in the nation, and I am proud of the standards our state has established to protect voting rights and election integrity. At a time when Donald Trump and Republicans continue spreading misinformation, undermining confidence in elections, and advancing efforts to restrict voting rights across the country, it is critical that Colorado remain vigilant in defending our democracy and protecting public trust in our elections.
Our legislature must continue supporting state and local officials in defending secure elections, protecting voting rights, and ensuring every eligible voter can safely and fairly participate in our democracy. Colorado must continue serving as a national model for accessible, fair, and secure elections.
