On behalf of the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, I want to share our full support for state Rep. Barbara McLachlan’s reelection. McLachlan has been a partner with law enforcement at the state Capitol and has worked with us on legislation that will help keep officers safer, help fill the many shortages in police officers across Colorado and allow us to better protect our communities.

McLachlan provides an important voice on public safety at the state Capitol. She partnered with law enforcement to put victims and community members first when considering legislation that impacts public safety. She is committed to making sure that we have the tools necessary to hold criminals accountable. She is a strong voice for rural Colorado, offering a critical perspective that rural issues are different from those in the metro areas and require local solutions.

McLachlan was a key vote on legislation during the 2022 session to address Colorado’s deadly fentanyl crisis. Her efforts ensured that the bill became law.

In addition, she sponsored a bipartisan bill that will help short-staffed agencies across Colorado recruit officers, then help those officers live where they work.

And last year, McLachlan was instrumental in removing language from legislation that would have changed how officers could use force, an untested new standard that undoubtedly would have put officers’ and community members’ lives at risk.

The Colorado FOP stands firmly with McLachlan. We ask that voters do the same.

Stephen Schulz

Westminster