I’m Consuelo Redhorse, and I’m running for House District 13 so rural mountain communities like ours have a strong voice at the Capitol. Decisions that focus on the Front Range rarely reflect the lived realities of our rural mountain communities. Our communities deserve a candidate who’s courageous, bold and willing to listen to the needs of all constituents, not just those who voted for me.

Our collective voices have the power to create change, and our communities deserve to be strong and full of opportunity. I’m confident in the leadership, experience and integrity I have to offer our communities and Colorado. I’m running to provide the courageous leadership that many of us are looking for, not to maintain the status quo. 

I’m a proud member of the Navajo Nation, lifelong Coloradan, mother of a recent high school graduate, small business professional and president of the Summit School District Board of Education. I live in Silverthorne and have been involved in the Summit County community since my family moved here from Longmont in 2011. I value my family, learning, the outdoors, building community and making a difference.

I was elected to the school board in 2019, re-elected in 2023, and take my duty to serve students, families, community and taxpayers seriously. Coupled with my profession in the long-term rental housing industry and raising a family in Summit County, I have valuable first-hand experience in how policies affect working families and locals in the community, how difficult it can be for everyday people to navigate bureaucratic systems to advocate for themselves, and how effective leadership can help decrease barriers for community input and participation.

I’ll work to ensure that our communities remain vibrant and connected, and that the people who live here have access to safe, affordable housing, healthcare and childcare. The challenges we face in House District 13 are not unique from some other areas of Colorado, but how they show up in rural mountain communities is very different, and solutions at the state level do not always have the intended impact on our lives. Our way of life —, shaped by geography, infrastructure, different local economies, limited access to healthcare and other services and a higher cost of living —, should be considered by lawmakers and elevated by our own representatives in their work at the Capitol.

I believe locals deserve to live, work and thrive in the communities they love, and no one should have to make the impossible choice between paying bills, buying groceries, seeking medical care or having a roof over their heads.

I believe that public education is a cornerstone of democracy. It teaches critical thinking skills, encourages an understanding of diverse viewpoints and experiences, and provides tools that young people need to succeed in life. 

Protecting public lands and water, climate resilience and renewable energy are also important to me. We are stewards of the earth for generations to come, and our economies and communities rely on environmental sustainability.

The leadership I bring is grounded in relationships, listening and learning. I believe that strong leaders encourage co-creation, shared responsibility, mutual respect, empathy and gratitude. They build bridges and do what is right, not what is easy or convenient, listen with curiosity and a willingness to learn, and understand the importance of equitable systems. Serving on the school board, working in small business, raising a family, being involved in local organizations and working directly with young people in Summit County has challenged me to exercise these traits, evaluate my own actions in alignment with these values, and improve my leadership style for the benefit of others and for my own personal growth.

The best solutions come directly from the people most affected by a decision or practice, and I will seek to understand their perspectives so I can work with them towards solutions that make sense. I will also work to build trust within communities whose voices have been underrepresented and ignored, so they have a meaningful impact on decisions that affect their lives. Every voice matters, and we all deserve a seat at the table.

You can learn more at VoteRedhorse.com, and I would be honored to earn your vote!

Consuelo Redhorse is a candidate in the Democratic primary for Colorado House District 13, which spans Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park and Summit counties.