Climate and Water Conservation
America as a Renewable Energy Leader: River is committed to making America a global leader in renewable energy. Her plan calls for a rapid transition to wind, solar, geothermal, and other emerging clean technologies. With a focus on research on renewable technology, we can ensure energy independence and address the urgent threat of climate change.
Water Conservation: With a strong background in environmental science, River is uniquely qualified to tackle water conservation issues. 85% of the water used in Colorado goes to farming irrigation. Investing in water-efficient technologies is a key step toward a more modernized water infrastructure.
Challenging Big Oil’s Influence: River points out the direct relationship between rising gas prices and the profits of big oil companies. She advocates for stricter regulations on price gouging and environmental protection. She opposes the influence big oil has over lawmakers and is committed to ensuring that control over environmental policies is in the hands of the people, not corporations.
Reproductive Freedom
Abortion is Healthcare: River believes that access to abortion is crucial for the health and lives of pregnant women. Restrictions endanger women actively considering pregnancy and those who face unintended pregnancies or life-threatening complications. Women should have the freedom to choose what is best for their bodies, their families, and their future.
Reproductive Healthcare: River advocates for comprehensive reproductive rights to help women better plan their futures. She believes that choosing to start a family is a personal decision that should not be in the hands of politicians. Access to things like contraception and IVF needs to be protected nationally.
Affordable Child Care
and Public Education
Importance of Early Childhood Development: River understands the critical role that early childhood development plays in shaping the future of our children. As a third-generation educator, she knows kids need safe, stimulating, and nurturing environments to grow. Unfortunately, the high price of preschool and childcare denies many families the opportunity to give their children the best chance to succeed. Parents across Colorado have the opportunity to send their child to preschool and parents around the nation should be able to do the same.
Rethinking Standardized Testing: The prevalent ‘teach to the test’ approach has proven detrimental effects on our students. River opposes the overemphasis on standardized testing, which she argues undermines genuine learning and widens the educational and economic gaps. She supports a more holistic approach to education that prepares students more effectively for higher education and beyond.
Supporting Teachers and Enhancing Public Education: With a nationwide shortage of teachers driven by low pay and poor working conditions, River champions better pay and support for our teachers. She also advocates for more substantial funding for public education to ensure teachers and students alike can succeed.
Promoting Concurrent Enrollment Programs: River believes in the value of concurrent enrollment programs that allow high school students to earn college credits. She supports expanding these programs to make them accessible to all students, helping them to advance their education efficiently and affordably.
Defending Democracy, Global Affairs
Upholding Our Democratic Values: River believes in our democracy and the integrity of the 2020 election results. Prominent GOP leaders in Colorado like Dave Williams have said they will not support the national election results following the lead of former President Donald Trump. River believes in our right to make our voices heard through fair elections and will stand up to the challenges brought against our democracy.
Defending Global Democracy: River believes that our nation’s role as a global leader includes supporting our allies while working to end hostilities. She is committed to helping Ukraine in its struggle to defend itself against its Russian aggressors. River also advocates for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to prevent the further unnecessary loss of innocent lives.
Affordable Housing
The Challenge of Affording a Home: River understands the critical issue of soaring housing costs, particularly in our district. Many families across Colorado are finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home. Soaring rent prices push families further away from their jobs and put homeownership out of reach. River wants to bring back the American Dream, where everyone can afford to own a home and thrive.
Creating Competitive Housing Markets: River aims to lower home prices and increase market competitiveness for young adults and families by making more housing available. We must incentivize first-time home buyers and combat businesses that purchase homes that should go to families. We must foster thriving communities where people can invest in their futures and build stable, fulfilling lives.
LGBTQ+ and Human Rights
Advocacy and Personal Commitment: As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a fierce advocate for inclusivity, River fights tirelessly for the rights of all people. She and her partner, who uses they/them pronouns, are vocal about challenging traditional gender norms and promoting a society where everyone can express their true selves without fear.
Inclusive Rights for All: River firmly believes in the right of every individual to live safely and happily, enjoying equal access to all public spaces and opportunities. Participating in sports and using the appropriate restroom facilities that correspond to your gender identity are things that we take for granted. River is committed to protecting the rights and safety of trans individuals, who often face significant harassment and discrimination. She advocates for their right to live freely and receive equal rights and resources. River envisions a world where people can focus on pursuing their passions, free from discrimination.
Technology Innovation and
Regulations for Privacy
Advancing AI and Quantum Technologies: River is at the forefront of integrating advanced technologies like AI and quantum computing into everyday life. She has a deep background in quantum physics and has worked extensively with AI applications. River understands the potential benefits as well as the risks associated with these technologies.
Promoting Innovation and Growth: River is dedicated to driving innovation and economic expansion across the country. Her plan includes expanding educational programs to prepare younger students for future leadership in technology and maintaining America’s role as a global tech leader.
Technology for Workers, Not Against Them: River believes that new technologies should empower workers, not undermine them. She is committed to policies that ensure technologies like AI are used to enhance worker productivity and job satisfaction rather than replacing jobs.
Protecting Privacy and Empowering Individuals: As technology evolves, the importance of protecting individual privacy grows. River advocates for strong protections against privacy breaches and ensures that the benefits of technology enhance, rather than compromise, personal freedom. She envisions a future where technological power rests in the hands of the people, not just a few corporations.
Support for Our Vets and Current
Military Members
Advocating for Veterans: River is a strong advocate for the well-being of our veterans and their families. Many veterans struggle with mental health issues, including high rates of suicide. River believes it’s crucial to simplify the VA process for accessing benefits so that no veteran or their family loses their entitlements due to bureaucratic hurdles. Though their service has ended, veterans still find themselves on the front lines when it comes to Republican lawmakers looking to strip away the benefits that they have earned.
Enhancing Housing for Military Families: Military families, whether they live in barracks or elsewhere, deserve high-quality housing. Current conditions reflect a neglect of our service members’ basic needs. We change this by advocating for better housing policies that support service members and their families.
River’s Commitment: River will work to improve the conditions and treatment of our service members, veterans, and their families. We honor their contributions and sacrifices for our nation by amplifying their voices in Congress.
Protecting and Caring for Our Seniors
Protecting Medicare: Medicare benefits are critical to so many seniors. They need to know that they can rely on this essential medical coverage. Medicare benefits should never be cut when we talk about our budget.
Strengthening Social Security: Our seniors have been hit the hardest during the pandemic by health complications from COVID and the inability to keep up with the rising costs on their fixed incomes. River sees the challenges that come with aging with her parents. River will defend social security and work to increase benefits to adjust for the rising costs.
Healthcare
Healthcare as a Human Right: Healthcare is not a luxury. It is a fundamental human right. Having personally benefited from the Affordable Care Act, River understands the profound impact that access to affordable healthcare can have on an individual’s life.
Expanding Care: River advocates for expanding the Affordable Care Act to cover retired first responders, growing families, and middle-class workers who currently see healthcare premiums deducted from their paychecks. The ultimate goal is to transition smoothly towards a single-payer system that ensures comprehensive coverage for all without increasing wait times.
Immigration
Embracing Immigrants and Their Contributions: River recognizes America as a beacon of hope and opportunity for individuals from across the globe. She highly values the dedication, passion, and dreams of those who migrate to the U.S. seeking a better life. Both legal and undocumented immigrants filled essential jobs that kept this country safe, healthy, and fed during COVID-19.
Path to Citizenship: Undocumented people pay over $9 billion in taxes annually, yet they cannot benefit from the programs those tax dollars pay for. The U.S. has already wasted billions building an ineffective wall and putting people in cages. It is time for compassionate immigration reform that gives all immigrants a swift and reasonable path to citizenship. River believes the strength of America is in its diversity. We must recognize that our nation was built by immigrants and should work to welcome them.
Student Debt and FAFSA
A Call for Comprehensive Financial Aid Reform: Every student should be able to graduate with a college degree without being saddled by a mountain of debt. Our state colleges should be affordable, the federal government should not make a profit on student loans, and predatory education lenders must be stopped.
Reforming FAFSA: Current FAFSA regulations make many students under 24 ineligible for financial independence. Regardless of whether or not the parents can contribute, the amount of financial aid the student receives is determined by the parent’s income. River will push for reforms to allow students who are financially independent to claim independent status on their FAFSA, making them eligible for more substantial financial aid and scholarships that ease the burden on both parent and student.
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