Rob Rogers

What counties do you represent? If this is a statewide office, please put statewide.

El Paso

Have you or someone you loved ever experienced a mental health and/or substance use condition?

Yes

Question #1: Colorado, like the rest of the nation, is facing a youth mental health crisis. Do you support school policies and funding that increase the availability of mental health services and supports in schools and early childhood settings?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #1?

One of my primary focus areas will be changing the way that public education funding is prioritized and returning the central metric to “total program funding”, as opposed to the current “per pupil funding” reference point. This would make more funding available for mental health services and supports in schools. I also spend a significant amount of energy resisting attempts by school board and parents groups to equate social emotional learning principles to the manufactured critical race theory outrage.

Question #2: Do you believe mental health and substance use are serious issues your constituents are experiencing that deserve legislative attention and action? Please explain.

Yes, primarily due to the availability of treatment options, the expense associated with real, effective treatment, and the societal stigma that can discourage people from seeking help.

Question #3: Extreme risk protection orders, also known as red flag laws, allow law enforcement to temporarily remove weapons from individuals at significant risk to themselves or others. Colorado has a red flag law. Do you support extreme risk protection orders?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #3?

Extreme risk protection orders are just sensible approaches to protecting family members and the public.

Question #4: Overdose deaths are at an all-time high nationally and in Colorado. Many believe increasing criminal penalties for people who use drugs is the answer. Do you support increased criminal penalties for people who use drugs? *
(Please note that we are asking about personal use, not distribution)*

Would you like to explain your response to question #4?

As a recovering alcoholic (almost 11 years sober), I know that an addict cannot be prosecuted out of addiction. Increasing the availability of treatment options and harm reduction policies will be much more effective than punitive measures.

Question # 5: As a follow up question, did you support legislation in the 2022 session that drastically increased the criminal penalty for possession of any substance over 1g if that substance contains any amount of fentanyl?

Would you like to explain your response to question #5?

I was not an elected official at that time, but I would not have supported this legislation and I would have voted in opposition to many of my fellow Democrats.

Question #6: Do you believe the State should invest more funding for mental health and substance use? If yes, please explain where you would want additional funding to be directed. If no, please explain why.

Yes much more. I would want to see funding first directed towards the establishment of many more science and evidence-based treatment programs, followed by harm reduction programs.

Question #7: People needing care, supports, and services for their mental health and substance use often experience discrimination as a result of their health condition. Would you support legislation that would protect people needing care, supports, and services for their mental health and substance use conditions from discriminatory practices?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #7?

Yes, absolutely. People suffering from mental heath and addiction aren’t any different than any other person suffering from any other health condition, disease, or illness.

Question #8: For too long the state’s criminal justice system has acted as a substitute for a comprehensive mental health care system. Would you support policies that would disentangle mental health from the criminal justice system and promote the expansion of programs like Denver’s STAR program?

Yes

Would you like to explain your response to question #8?

The STAR program should be expanded statewide and the correction system and law enforcement agencies should use it as a model for protecting and serving those with mental health and addiction issues.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

As a person in recovery, I have a personal goal to reduce the stigma associated with addiction and mental health issues. I share my story openly and honestly specifically to reduce the stigma that can prevent so many from getting the help they need. I sincerely appreciate being given the opportunity to answer these questions.