Cole for Colorado

Cole Buerger for Colorado State Senate

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"I am not a typical politician. I grew up on a ranch in the heart of Garfield County, and I’m a small business owner with deep roots in the community."

"I am not a typical politician. I grew up on a ranch in the heart of Garfield County, and I’m a small business owner with deep roots in the community."

<h2>An Independent Leader with Deep Western Colorado Roots</h2>It’s time for the Western Slope to send a fresh voice to the State Senate who understands what rural Coloradans face, instead of another Denver politician who will be a rubber stamp for special interests.&nbsp;Cole Buerger is a different kind of leader. A fifth generation Coloradan who grew up on a local ranch, Cole is a rural small business owner, community leader, and local policy expert, not a politician. He will bring the independent mindset that’s desperately needed in Denver.

Cole is a different kind of leader. His family has lived and ranched in this region for five generations, and he understands the challenges rural communities face.A small business owner and policy expert, he'll bring an innovative mindset that’s lacking in Denver.Cole lives in Glenwood Springs with his partner Mitchell and their pup, Ellie Mae.

Democrat Cole Buerger for State Senate

Cole understands the issues facing rural communities and working families in District 5, from strengthening our local economy and ensuring the Western Slope remains affordable for families, to defending fundamental freedoms like abortion rights and the right to vote.

<h3>Fighting for Our Community</h3>These are some of the top issues our campaign is focused on. Learn more about our issues <a href="/issues" target="" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.

Democrat Cole Buerger for State Senate (D5)

A fifth generation rural Coloradan, Cole understands that rural communities are the heart of our state. As our senator, he'll work for policies that support local businesses, farms, and ranches, bring back West Slope tax dollars to fix our roads and modernize infrastructure, and protect local decision making from one-size-fits-all laws in Denver.Cole's plan:Support West Slope businessesAs a small business owner, Cole understands that small businesses are the lifeblood of our rural economy, and we can do more to help them grow and thrive, like reducing licensing and regulatory burdens, expanding and streamlining state loan and grant programs, and improving local infrastructure and transit.By making the Western Slope an even more attractive place to do business, we can keep Colorado affordable and create good-paying jobs.Fight for family farms &amp; ranchesCole grew up on a ranch south of Silt and cares deeply about family farms and ranches. He will fight to protect water rights and oppose harmful legislation that makes it impossible for the families who produce our food to pass on their farms to the next generation.Secure our fair share of fundingRural towns and cities deserve our fair share of funding, but too many West Slope communities lack the resources to apply for millions of dollars in available grants and loans. Cole's plan would increase support for rural towns and cities to win state/federal grants and loans, focusing on transit, schools, and healthcare dollars.Rebuild and expand rural Colorado's infrastructure &amp; transitWhen a road shuts down in Denver, it can cause a mild inconvenience, but out here it can cut off access to critical services like schools and hospitals.Cole will fight for expanded funding for rural Colorado’s roads and bridges, water treatment and delivery, and airport facilities, and create a rural critical infrastructure fund to ensure we can respond quickly to damaging closures like those that have occurred on Highways 133 and 50.He'll support the expansion of rural public transit systems like RFTA. And he'll work to incentivize utilities and private providers to continue expanding broadband access and mobile phone coverage on critical transportation corridors.

A fifth-generation rural Coloradan, Cole understands that rural communities are the heart of our state. As our state senator, he'll work to support local businesses, farms, and ranches, bring back West Slope tax dollars to fix our roads and modernize our infrastructure, and protect local decision making from one-size-fits-all laws in Denver.

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Prioritizing Rural Communities

Colorado working families need a state senator who will fight for them, not corporate donors and special interests. Families and local businesses in Colorado support Cole because of his commitment to fully funding our school system and paying our teachers, strengthening the social safety net, fixing a broken healthcare system, and driving down the cost of housing in our state.Cole's plan:Boost affordable housing development and accessEveryone deserves an affordable place to call home. Cole's will work to carve out a dedicated revenue source for accessible housing that would support private-public partnerships and eliminate the uncertainty of funding to help communities build the housing they need.As our state senator, Cole will support legislation that incentivizes cities and builders to work together and streamlines the process for building affordable housing.Rebuild, reform, and adequately fund our K-12 and post-secondary education systemsCole would fight for a school system that supports students, parents, and teachers, increasing funding for our K-12 and post-secondary education systems, while addressing cost and access issues for rural students.Build economic innovation hubs at community colleges and universitiesA four year degree doesn't have to be the only path to success. We can grow our local workforce and support increased economic mobility by partnering with trade schools, universities, and apprenticeship programs to expand trade school options and develop more degree equivalency programs.Expand access to health care and mental health care for childrenCole's opponent voted against school-based mental healthcare for rural schools, playing politics instead of prioritizing our communities. Cole would support the expansion of mental health care and primary health care access for rural children.Ease the burden of securing health care for small businessesWe can expand health care access on the Western Slope by making it easier for small businesses to pool costs and share risk. Cole's plan would create a program that provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with the option to participate in a shared, small-risk pool to get healthcare for their workers—helping both businesses and workers.Support working families by addressing the childcare crisisAccess to affordable, reliable childcare is vital for families across Colorado and especially in rural communities like ours. Cole would address the childcare crisis by working to increase the number of service providers and expanding programs to help smaller communities access grants and loans for childcare services.Cole would also support statewide paid family and medical leave, as well as child tax credits for working Colorado families.Strengthen the safety net for our seniorsCole's plan would support seniors across Colorado by expanding at-home healthcare and nutrition services, particularly in rural areas. He would also support increased outreach in rural communities to identify potentially isolated, homebound seniors and ensure they get support.

Working Coloradans need a state senator who will fight for them, not special interests. Families and local businesses in Colorado support Cole because of his commitment to fully funding our school system and paying our teachers, strengthening the social safety net, fixing a broken healthcare system, and driving down the cost of housing in our state.

Support Working Coloradans

The Western Slope is the most breathtaking natural region in the world, and Cole understands the importance of protecting it and our water, our air, and our soil. As our state senator, he would prioritize investing in water basin health and conservation, expanding clean energy generation, and protecting common sense clean air and water standards.Cole's plan:Protect our water and keep it in its home basinWater is essential, and Cole's plan will protect and conserve water by putting decision making back in the hands of home basin communities.&nbsp;He'll defend private water rights and invest in water-based health and conservation across our district.From updating nonfunctional turf that consumes huge quantities of water, to incentivizing groundwater conservation easements, to providing resources for our agriculture producers and our municipalities to be as efficient as possible, Cole will work every day to upgrade our water infrastructure for the 21st century to ensure reliability into the future.Ensure our public lands are protected, funded, and accessibleOur public lands are precious. Cole will preserve the parks and open spaces we treasure on the Western Slope by ensuring our public lands are protected, adequately funded, and accessible for future generations.He'll also dedicate more resources to removing invasive species and keeping our ecosystems healthy, and support wildfire resiliency and watershed health initiatives to assist conservation efforts.Support strong clean air and water standardsSecuring clean air and water is vital to our future and the health of our rural communities. While Cole's opponent opposed the bipartisan Clean Water in Schools and Childcare Centers Act, Cole supports clean air and water standards that protect all our residents, ensuring that people have access to clean water and air in their homes, schools and workplaces.Cole will support legislation that will help fosters Colorado's energy transition while creating good-paying jobs for working-class Coloradans.Expand reliable low- and zero-emissions energy generation in collaboration with community inputCole believes in cheap, clean, and reliable energy for all. His vision calls for a transition to low and zero emissions energy generation, putting the health and future of our communities first. He'll focus on building grid reliability through a mixed energy portfolio while collaborating with communities and prioritizing their input.

The Western Slope is the most beautiful place in the world, and Cole understands the importance of protecting it and our water, our air, and our soil. As our state senator, he would invest in water basin health and conservation, expanding clean energy generation, and protecting common sense clean air and water standards.

Protect Our Water &amp; Environment

Today, some extremists are working to undermine our fundamental rights, from the right to choose to the right to vote. Our next state senator must come prepared to defend freedom from those who want to strip it away. There is no room for equivocation, and Cole is ready to lead the fight to protect our rights and make government work for you.Cole's plan:Protect and expand voting rightsThe right to vote is sacred. Cole will protect voting rights in Colorado and make voting easier than ever by expanding access to election information, ballot drop boxes, and providing prepaid postage for all mail-in ballots. He'll push for more inclusive and representative election options, like ranked choice voting, to give voters more options and promote a healthy and vibrant democracy.Unequivocally support reproductive freedomEveryone deserves the right to choose their future. That's why Cole supports Proposition 89, enshrining the reproductive freedom amendment in our state constitution and further protecting healthcare professionals who create accessible services to patients from in and out of state.He'll work with providers to expand family planning and other services and bring safe, effective care to reproductive healthcare deserts.Protect our election processes from partisan interferenceDemocracy works when legislators are elected by the people, not political insiders or special interest groups. Cole's plan will end vacancy appointments, giving voters the only say in who their legislators are. He'll also support political anti-corruption legislation to keep legislators honest, and policies that lower the barrier to running for office by creating a public election fund.

Today, some extremists are working to undermine our fundamental rights, from the right to choose to the right to vote. Our next state senator must come prepared to defend freedom from those who want to strip it away. There is no room for equivocation, and Cole is ready to lead the fight to protect our rights and make government work for you.

Defend Democracy and Freedom

Cole and Mitchell live in Glenwood Springs with their pup Ellie Mae.

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<h3>Strengthening Democracy, Championing Freedom, and Fighting Corruption Abroad&nbsp;</h3>After college, Cole worked to help strengthen democracies, reduce corruption, and improve government transparency in Asia and around the globe. He knows that America is a beacon to those in other countries with fewer liberties who yearn to be free. In the State Senate, he will work to protect all of our essential freedoms and fight for a more transparent government that delivers for working people.&nbsp;

Leaders we trust endorse Cole Buerger for State Senate because he'll be an independent voice for rural communities.

Support Cole for State Senate

Sean Strode Mayor of Rifle

Ingrid WussowMayor of Glenwood Springs

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/95668365-ed5a-4a23-a3f7-c2782d3ea0d6/e96f522a-76b0-4f1c-8198-d91e98b78f23/e96f522a-76b0-4f1c-8198-d91e98b78f23.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3468%2C2388&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="A young Cole (right) with his prize steer" align="right" alignwidth="42" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed">A young Cole (right) with his prize steer<h3>A Fifth Generation Rural Coloradan Who Grew Up on a Ranch in the Heart of Garfield County </h3>Cole Buerger has a deep understanding of the challenges facing rural communities because his family has been living on the Western Slope for five generations. Cole grew up on a ranch south of Silt. As a kid, he showed steers, lambs, and pigs in the Garfield County fair, and he and his siblings helped their parents in the hay fields.At times, it was tough to keep the ranch afloat. Cole’s folks still live on the place, where they have cattle, horses, and chickens.It’s time to send a leader to Denver who will work tirelessly to create a rural economy where our ranching and farming families don’t just survive, but thrive.

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<h3>A Local Policy Expert, Nonprofit Board Member, and Community Volunteer Focused on Strengthening our Rural Economy and Protecting our Water</h3>A local policy expert, Cole serves the community as a nonprofit and government board member and community volunteer.&nbsp; As a Garfield County Planning and Zoning Board member, Cole is dedicated to making sure local land use decisions put the interests of our rural communities, ranches, and farming families first. As a Middle Colorado Watershed Council board member, he is committed to protecting our watersheds. Cole also serves on the board of the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership, where he works alongside other stakeholders to diversify and strengthen the economy of the Colorado River Valley. Cole is a volunteer with the nonprofits Lift Up and Literacy Outreach, serving at the local soup kitchen and working as English language tutor. As our State Senator, we can count on Cole Buerger to work to diversify and strengthen our rural economy with good paying jobs that don’t require long commutes, protect our land and water, fund a world-class school system, fix our broken healthcare system, drive down the cost of housing, and update our infrastructure–including our roads, telecommunications, and rural broadband services–for the 21st century. Cole Buerger is ready to make sure the voices of the Western Slope are heard loud and clear in Denver.&nbsp; Cole lives in Glenwood Springs with his partner, Mitchell and their dog, Ellie Mae. When he is not building his small businesses or traveling the campaign trail, you can find Cole enjoying history podcasts, fishing, and taking in the beauty of the West Slope with his family.

<h3>A Small Business Owner Who is Ready to be a Voice for Small Business in Denver</h3>Today, Cole owns several small businesses, including a local food truck and gathering space along the Colorado River and a one-man consulting shop. His small firm has worked with local, state, and national organizations on issues like educational funding equity, voting rights protections, and financial literacy.&nbsp;Cole is ready to go to the Senate to fight for an economy that works for Western Colorado’s small businesses and the people they employ.

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Rural communities deserve a fresh voice and real, independent leadership in the State Senate. I am not a typical politician. I grew up on a ranch in the heart of Garfield County, and I’m a small business owner with deep roots in the community. From our ranches to our resorts, Western Colorado is the most beautiful region in the world, and I’m running for State Senate in district 5 to keep it affordable for working families like mine and preserve it for future generations.

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Updates from the Trail

This Labor Day, unions representing industrial workers, teachers, public employees, and more have endorsed Cole Buerger for State Senate.These organizations, which include AFSCME, AFT Colorado, Colorado AFL-CIO, and Colorado WINS, know that Cole will be a champion for middle class working families across the Western Slope.

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Labor Unions Endorse Cole

Senator Michael Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper have endorsed Cole for State Senate!Both senators have accomplished so much for the state of Colorado, from protecting public lands to cutting middle class taxes.

Colorado's Senators Endorse Cole

Cole recently spoke with Jeremy Morrison of the Montrose Press.Coloradans have an opportunity to elect a senator who can actually go on offense and get things done for our rural communities.

Cole Buerger Campaigns in Montrose

Rural Coloradans want government out of our bedrooms and doctor's offices.While Cole's opponent voted to make abortion a class one felony, Cole will be a champion for reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood Endorses Cole

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and State Treasurer Dave Young have endorsed Cole Buerger for State Senate.

Statewide Leaders Endorse Cole

KVNF's Lisa Young spoke with Cole, where he discussed the issues that matter most to Western Slope residents across Senate District 5.

Cole Champions Regional Issues &amp; Personal Rights

More local leaders including Pitkin County Commissioner Francie Jacober, Gunnison County Commissioner Liz Smith, and Rifle Mayor Sean Strode have endorsed Cole. Our campaign is picking up steam.

More Local Leaders Endorse Cole

Thanks to voters across District 5, Cole is officially the Democratic nominee to be our next State Senator.Our work is just beginning. Western Slope voters have a choice between the same old politics, or independent leadership and real results for rural communities.Help us keep up the momentum with a donation today.

Coles Wins the Primary!

Did you catch Cole on the radio? He was recently interviewed on <a href="https://www.kdnk.org/podcast/andy-zanca-youth-empowerment-program/2024-03-28/environmental-discussions-with-esmeralda-cole-buerger" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">KDNK</a> (Roaring Fork) and <a href="https://www.kvnf.org/kvnf-stories/2024-02-19/cole-buerger-is-running-in-democratic-colorado-senate-district-5-primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">KVNF</a> (Delta County).

Cole Buerger: LIVE

Today, Barbara Bynum withdrew her name from the primary and endorsed Cole, paving the way for him to be the Democratic nominee.“I want to thank Barbara and appreciate all her years of public service, both for Montrose and our state. She is a thoughtful advocate for rural communities.” - Cole

Thank you, Mayor Bynum

Thanks to supporters across the district, Cole won the Colorado caucus with 58% of the vote!It's not over yet, the primary is coming up in June.

Cole Wins the Caucus!

Mayors from across the Western Slope have endorsed Cole Buerger for State Senate, including Ingrid Wussow (Glenwood Springs), Bill Kane (Basalt), Diego Plata (Gunnison), Mary Bachran (Paonia), and Ian Billick (Crested Butte).

Mayors ❤️ Cole

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Support Cole Buerger for State Senate

Local elected leaders in district 5 support Cole because they know he'll be an effective fighter for working families.

"Cole has the background, experience, and ideas to get things done for the people of Senate District 5. Like me, he grew up here in Western Colorado."

Mayor, Glenwood Springs

Ingrid Wussow

"Cole will be a strong, energetic voice for our rural communities, not special interests and politicians in Denver."

Mayor, Rifle

Sean Strode

"It is time for a new generation of leaders to pick up the torch and take the concerns of rural communities to the State Capitol. Cole will do just that."

Mayor, Gunnison

Diego Plata

Local mayors across Senate District 5 support Cole because he'll be an independent leader who puts our communities first.

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LEADERS WE TRUST

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ACROSS DISTRICT 5

Local Leaders We Trust Support Cole Buerger

Francie Jacober

Pitkin COunty COmmissioner

Liz Smith

Gunnison COunty COmmissioner

Ian Billick

Mayor, Crested Butte

Dave Knight

Mayor, Basalt

Diego Plata

Mayor, Gunnison

Sean Strode

Mayor, RIFLE

Ingrid Wussow

Mayor, Glenwood Springs

Marco Dehm

Mayor Pro Tem, Glenwood Springs

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