I am Scott Bottoms, a native Coloradan, U.S. Navy veteran, lead pastor of Church at Briargate in Colorado Springs, and current State Representative for House District 15. For over 30 years, I’ve served communities through ministry, military duty and now public office — always guided by faith, family, and a commitment to constitutional principles. 

I’m running for governor because Colorado is at a crossroads. Decades of one-party rule have brought reckless spending, failing schools, rising crime, unaffordable energy and housing, and government overreach that erodes our freedoms. It’s time to reclaim Colorado for all Coloradans — rural and urban, working families, small business owners and future generations.

Why I’m running

Coloradans deserve better than skyrocketing costs, soft-on-crime policies and bureaucrats who prioritize ideology over results. Our state ranks among the worst for car thefts, drug use, property crime and overall cost of living. Homelessness is up, families are struggling and too many feel their government no longer listens. As a pastor and legislator, I’ve fought for life, parental rights, religious liberty and fiscal sanity. In the state House, I’ve sponsored measures to protect minors, promote school choice and push back against mandates. Now, as governor, I will deliver bold, practical solutions rooted in transparency, accountability and limited government.

My goals if elected

Fiscal responsibility and transparency: Colorado’s budget has ballooned with waste, fraud and backroom deals. I will implement a Colorado D.O.G.E. (Department of Government Efficiency) and Open Ledger Act for real-time, public dashboards showing every tax dollar spent. No more accounting gimmicks — balanced budgets only. We will audit agencies, sunset ineffective programs, eliminate taxpayer-funded lobbying, and cut unnecessary regulations, permits and fees. Property taxes will be slashed to make homeownership affordable again. This isn’t rhetoric; it’s stewardship of your hard-earned money. 

Education reform and parental rights: Parents, not the state, know what’s best for their children. I will expand school choice, including vouchers and charter options, codify parental authority over education, healthcare, and moral upbringing, and ensure curriculum transparency. We must reject politicized content, protect biological reality in sports and facilities, and prioritize basics like reading, math and workforce skills. Tax relief for stay-at-home parents will strengthen families. Local control returns to school boards — no more state-imposed ideologies.

Law and order and public safety: Soft-on-crime policies have fueled chaos. I will repeal them, restore meaningful sentencing for violent offenders, child predators and drug traffickers, and fully fund and train law enforcement. A task force will target the drug crisis, cartel activity and border-related threats through coordinated federal, state and local action. Mental health services, especially faith-based recovery, will expand alongside strong self-defense rights. Colorado families deserve safe communities.

Energy affordability and economic growth: All-of-the-above energy policy via a Colorado Energy Freedom Act will unleash oil, gas, coal, nuclear, geothermal and hydropower. We’ll eliminate ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) mandates harming farmers and businesses, cut red tape and support apprenticeships in skilled trades for high-wage jobs. This will lower gas, electricity and food prices while protecting our natural resources and rural economies. Small businesses and innovation, including AI with strong privacy protections, will thrive across all 64 counties.

Healthcare and additional priorities: Market-driven reforms include Medicaid audits for fraud, price transparency, Health Savings Accounts and telehealth expansion — especially for rural areas. We protect medical freedom and limit emergency powers. Additional focuses: election integrity, judicial accountability, support for veterans and defending the unborn and conscience rights.

Colorado’s challenges are serious, but so is our potential. With common-sense leadership, meritocracy and a return to constitutional governance, we can lower costs, restore safety, empower families and rebuild prosperity. I’m not a career politician — I’m a servant leader with conviction who will fight for you every day. 

Join me to Reclaim Colorado. Together, we will restore liberty, opportunity and the Colorado we love. 

State Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-Colorado Springs, is a candidate in the Colorado Republican primary for governor.