ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Melanie.

WHERE I COME FROM

I grew up in Grand Junction, but have been a Front Range gal since starting college at CSU in 1998. I also hold a graduate degree in school psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and have practiced in the public schools for the last 15 years. I currently live in Fort Collins with my husband, two young sons, and two cats. In my free time, I enjoy playing music, crossword puzzling, DIY, and taking advantage of our community's exceptional restaurants, outdoor spaces, trail system, and downtown shopping.  

A HEART FOR SERVICE

I pride myself on being a helper and a doer. In addition to being a public educator and mental health provider for many years, I am an avid volunteer at the local and state level. I am active in the Poudre Education Association, am the northern regional representative for the Colorado Society of School Psychologists, served on a city commission, and am a member of the Colorado Education Association's Mental Health Advisory Committee. On a more micro scale, I have worked hard to make my neighborhood in west Fort Collins a better place for my family and community, spearheading a project to replace damaged signage, building and maintaining a Little Free Library, and going on "garbage walks" in my free time (I own my own trash grabbers!).

POISED FOR A COMEBACK

I was selected by the Fort Collins City Council to fill the vacant District 4 seat in January of 2021 and was overjoyed to represent my constituents for three months. During my too-brief time in the seat, I demonstrated that I have the skills and personality for the job. I dived into the hard work of policy-making right away, built strong relationships with fellow councilors, and laid the groundwork for great relationships with residents of southwest Fort Collins. Although the math in a five-way race led to a slim defeat in the April 2021 election, I look forward to joining Council again in 2023 and reestablishing progressive representation for District 4. 

PRINCIPLES & VALUES

Strong Community. Sustainable Future.

• Neighborhood Livability and Social Health

  • Pursue and promote achievable, sustainable, thoughtful housing options that are strategically located for employment opportunities and access to needed community resources

  • Assure balance between development and impact upon environmental and recreational resources (e.g., parks, open spaces, natural areas)

  • Encourage planning and zoning decisions that protect neighborhood character and enhance resident relationships.

  • Increase focus upon equity and inclusion in access and opportunity. 

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• Culture and Recreation

  • Provide ample recreation space for neighborhood populations

  • Preserve the character of Old Town, including provision of appropriate support to small and locally-owned businesses

  • Provide appropriate support to small and locally-owned businesses outside the Old Town area.

  • Encourage safe, inclusive, accessible, and culturally-sensitive community events and celebrations

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• Economic Health

  • Sustain and encourage local and locally-owned businesses

  • Expand employment options and career training opportunities for all citizens, from skilled labor to high-level professional jobs

  • Prioritize wages suited to the area's cost of living

  • Collaborate with Larimer County and state leadership to support COVID recovery

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• Environmental Health

  • Explore and improve solid waste management options (e.g., large-scale composting, plastic minimization)

  • Preserve our high quality water supply and ensure clean air

  • Ensure resident safety and health in decisions about oil and gas development.

  • Promote energy efficient practices and alternative energy sources

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• Safe community

  • Expand resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability

  • Pair with Larimer County to enhance access to mental health options, including inpatient, outpatient, and substance abuse resources for all ages of clients and all income levels

  • Ensure positive policing practices through city/law enforcement partnerships, data review, and development/expansion of progressive programming decisions (e.g., Restorative Justice, co-responders)

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• Transportation

  • Expand public transportation options throughout the city (e.g., routes, hours), especially in underserved areas

  • Encourage continual shift toward carbon-neutral transit options

  • Focus on development choices that minimize commuting requirements.

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