President of the Institute

Michael is the President of the Advance Colorado Institute. Prior to that he served as the Executive Director of Colorado Rising Action and the State Director of Americans for Prosperity - Colorado. He brings years of nonprofit, educational, and legislative experience. He has served as a policy aide at the Colorado State House and also as a press aide for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. He taught both elementary and middle school at a charter school in Aurora – later serving as the governing board president of that school. He is a FOX31 Denver political analyst, as well as an adjunct professor of American Politics. Michael graduated from Valparaiso University and earned his J.D. from University of Colorado – Boulder. He and his wife, Mele, and their four children live in Parker.

Senior Policy Analyst

Kristi is the Senior Policy Advisor at the Advance Colorado Institute. She is the former Chairwoman of the Colorado Republican Party -- the first woman to be elected in 40 years and the youngest Chair in Colorado Republican history. Kristi is a constitutional attorney, focusing on First Amendment and Equal Protection issues and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. She is a former Associate Scholar with the Charlotte Lozier Institute and a current board member of the Boy Scouts' Greater Colorado Council and the Colorado Family Life Center. As the former managing editor of a news site, Kristi tutors 4th-6th graders in grammar and writing and is a guest host for the Dan Caplis Show on 630 KHOW. She lives with her family in Douglas County.

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Colorado is a special place with special people. For too long, leaders have stood by while liberal special interest groups and politicians have turned Colorado into a testing ground for some of the most liberal policies and plans in the nation.


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Institute

“One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results.”
Milton Friedman
Learn More About Proposition HH

Advance Colorado Institute is a think tank that advances principles and ideas that a majority of Coloradans care about. It focuses on policies that provide more opportunity for more Coloradans. We know that policy battles never end, and in order to create a freer and more prosperous Colorado, we need to promote limited government, free enterprise, low taxes, public safety, and the Colorado values that have made our state a great place to live.

Affordability

Colorado is becoming less and less affordable. Housing, energy, groceries, and childcare costs are all up. Overall, inflation has increased 9.1% in the Denver Metro area over the previous year. On top of that, legislators raised the gas fee and property taxes last year. Colorado needs thoughtful leaders to address these critical issues.

Affordability

Proposition HH

Residential assessments are set to go up by 30% statewide. The total statewide increase in property tax revenue is projected to be almost $4 billion next year. The legislature can provide property tax relief without going to voters. The only reason Prop HH is going to voters is so the state can take away TABOR refunds. At any point this year, the Governor can call a special session to fix the property tax crisis.

Proposition HH Overview

Education

Colorado must adopt an “all of the above” approach to educational options. Whether parents choose to send their kids to district schools, public charter schools, private schools, or decide to homeschool them, everyone should have access to quality options. Colorado also needs more accountability. Only 58% of education dollars are actually going towards instruction. We must address this now. Our children don’t have the luxury of time.

Education

Income Tax

Amid high inflation and high gas prices, Coloradans want to lower the state income tax. Our state government is seeing record growth, and we need to put more money back into people's pockets. With inflation well over 8% and far outpacing wage growth, Colorado should continue to make modest cuts to our income tax to remain competitive with other states.

Income Tax

Public Safety

Colorado is in the midst of a crime tsunami. According to a recent study by the Common Sense Institute, crime is 28% higher than it was in 2011. Property crime rates and auto thefts are among the highest in the entire country. And violent crime is at a 25-year high. We must do better!

Public Safety

Let's keep this momentum going

We're grateful for your continued support and have big plans for 2023. Help spread the word and stay engaged as we work to return Colorado to the special place we know it to be and love.