Matthew Martinez, Carol Riggenbach seek to represent east Pueblo and Bessemer in House District 62

Democrat Matthew Martinez and Republican Carol Riggenbach are competing to represent the San Luis Valley and several of Pueblo's historic neighborhoods in Colorado House District 62.

Currently represented by Democrat Donald Valdez, House District 62 includes Pueblo's East Side, Grove, Eilers, Bessemer and Minnequa Heights neighborhoods. Portions of the Beulah Heights and Highland Park neighborhoods on Pueblo's South Side are included in the district as well. Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache and northwestern Huerfano counties also are represented by the district.

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Martinez is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and public servant from Monte Vista. He was a founding member of the Adams State University Veterans Club and Center, served a term on Monte Vista City Council and is the current director of the Prison College program at Adams State. He said he is running to ensure that rural and Southern Coloradans are "at the forefront" of legislation passed in Denver.

"I am a seventh-generation Colorado native," Martinez said. "I was born to a single mother. I've had to earn everything I've had in life the hard way and I know a lot of people in Pueblo have similar stories. I want to be able to take those stories and those experiences into Denver, being able to able to be a good advocate and know that I have been in the same boat, same position, and know that I will fight for Pueblo every day of the week."

Riggenbach, also from Monte Vista, is an assisted living and nursing home health administrator. She has farmed in the San Luis Valley, worked in land development and has worked with several nonprofits, including the Colorado Gerontological Society. She is running to address legislation that she said has put Colorado families in a "state of chaos."

"The legislators have put us in a state of chaos with the crime on the streets, the lack of respect for parents' wishes and their rights as a parent in the classrooms, and then all of our institutions where grandma and grandpa are at when that lockdown happened — it's still vibrating within the long-term care industry ... the seniors are trying to live their life, families are trying to live their lives and the government has created chaos."

Water rights are among the most important issues for both candidates. Riggenbach and Martinez both oppose the Renewable Water Resources Project that looks to transport 22,000-acre feet of water from a San Luis Valley aquifer to service Douglas County. Several organizations in the San Luis Valley also oppose the project.

Carol Riggenbach campaign places emphasis on 'parents' rights' and reducing crime

Riggenbach has expressed support for the "Parent's Bill of Rights," a proposed 2022 Colorado Senate resolution sponsored by Republican Sen. Bob Gardner and Republican Rep. Tonya Van Beber.

The resolution, which was postponed indefinitely by the Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs in April, would have established 11 "rights" for parents of school children, including the right to "know what their child is being taught in school" and "the right to know about situations affecting the safety of their child at school."

Riggenbach opposes transgender students using restrooms aligned with their preferred gender identity, believing it to be a threat to the safety of other children.

"Whatever kind of lifestyle somebody believes in, that's cool, live and let live," Riggenbach said. "That's my mode of operation. However, you don't put your lifestyle on somebody else's lifestyle and you certainly don't put children at risk."

On crime, Riggenbach opposes the Misdemeanor Reform bill passed by the Colorado General Assembly in 2021 and opposes defunding police. She has plans to draft legislation that incentivizes neighborhood watch programs.

"Maybe it's a grant, maybe it's tax deductions," Riggenbach said. "As we pull together as families and neighborhoods in our community, we can reward those that are really guarding their community and are telling criminals, 'You can't get away with that. We're watching.' "

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Matthew Martinez prioritizes Southern Colorado economic development and veterans' mental health

If elected, Martinez said he wants to draft a "rural Colorado economic incentive package" to establish economic development funds for cities, counties and other organizations.

Communities would be able to use funds for various purposes, including renovating vacant buildings, adding curbs or gutters and assisting small businesses. Through establishing these funds, Martinez said each community would be able to decide what's "best for their own" and what will "grow their community in the best way possible."

"I feel like the state needs to invest in rural Colorado and Southern Colorado, specifically post-COVID, to make sure that we are all taken care of as well," Martinez said. "That way, we can see the same kind of rebound that Denver and Colorado Springs did."

Martinez also looks to draft legislation providing additional funding for community health center networks like Pueblo Community Health Center and Valley-Wide Health Systems. Such legislation would put emphasis on expanding telehealth services, Martinez said. Establishment of a "veteran's mental health initiative" is also a priority for Martinez.

"Right now, the VA is only allowing four mental health visits a year unless you're in a crisis situation," Martinez said. "I think that Colorado, with our large veteran population, can really step up to the plate and take care of our veterans, making sure that they have their mental health needs met."

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Martinez, Riggenbach race to represent Colorado House District 62