Clear vision needed for our future, including on water

I am Scott W. Renfroe, the Republican candidate for Colorado Senate District 13.

Faith, family and hard work have been the cornerstone of my life. I am an Eaton High School and Colorado State University graduate. I served eight years on the Eaton Re-2 School Board. I am also a past-president of Weld County Builders Association and have served many years in the leadership of the Evangelical Free Church of Eaton.

I have been married 16 years to my high school sweetheart, Pamela. We have five wonderful children: Olivia, Sylvia, Vivian and twins, Derek and Spencer.

For the past 14 years I have been an owner of a small concrete company in Greeley with about 65 employees. I have experienced first hand, the day-to-day challenges our businesses face from surviving government regulations and red tape to managing insurance issues and employment decisions.

This election is a clear choice between a common-sense Republican and an extremely liberal Democrat. While I will let my opponent define himself, Solomon Little Owl should address his organizing the Fighting Whitie mascot campaign against the Eaton schools and for urging the University of Northern Colorado students to study Ward Churchill's books. These aren't values I believe most Weld County residents share.

Our legislature must look at ways to reduce the growing list of hoops and hurdles we force business owners to jump through. We must have a vision for the future of our great state and clearly define the role government.

We must create new water storage to accommodate growth and maintain our rich agricultural heritage. Transportation must become a priority to ensure economic development and preserve the quality of life we enjoy in Colorado.

I am pro-life and believe that protecting the life of the citizens -- both born and unborn -- is a core purpose of government.

I believe we must take a hard stance on illegal immigration, enforce our laws, and we must not make citizen taxpayers shoulder the burden for those in our country illegally.

I would be honored to serve you in the senate. I need your vote next Tuesday. Together we can stand for our core Weld County values.

Scott W. Renfroe, a Republican, is seeking the seat in state Senate District 13.