By Dan Karpiel

The Surveyor

The Surveyor reached out to all 10 of the major-party candidates for Weld County Commissioner and all nine candidates for the open County Commissioner seats in Larimer County and prefaced four questions, outlined below. Due to space limitations in print and a desire to provide as much detailed information as possible to readers, the candidates’ responses to the questions will be posted verbatim here.

1. Can you please provide a brief history of your background, i.e. career/occupation, family, history in Colorado/Larimer County, etc., just some basic get-to-know-you information for our readers.

I am a Colorado native, raised in an agricultural community in southeastern Colorado. My family stressed the importance of service and being a good steward to the land in this great state that we are fortunate to call home. I moved to Larimer County to study at Colorado State University over 20 years ago. I have had the opportunity to work on Agricultural, Natural Resource and Energy issues on a federal level. I currently work in healthcare in hospital administration. I married a Larimer County native and we have two daughters – ages 9 and 11. I live in the southern part of Larimer County served by Tom Donnelly, who has endorsed me to be his successor. I am on the board of my children’s school and have worked for a multitude of candidates and initiatives in Larimer County for 20 plus years. I have been an active volunteer for 4-H, senior health issues, Vice Chair of the Poudre Fire Authority and much more. For more information please visit my website at www.AislinnforLarimer.com

2. What prompted you to run for Larimer County Commissioner District 3?

Larimer County has seen tremendous growth in the past few years and we are projected to continue to grow. We are fortunate to live in this beautiful county. We have been blessed with strong leadership in our current Larimer County Commissioners, they have done an outstanding job protecting our resources over the years. I am deeply invested in ensuring that we continue to protect our land, water and resources. I understand the importance of community safety for all who live here and the need to plan for future growth. I have been very active in my community as evident in my tenure as a Fort Collins City Councilmember, work with the Poudre Fire Authority, and FC Police Department. I have extensive experience working in healthcare which directly translates to our current state and the role of county commissioners in the public health of the community. Being a volunteer for numerous and diverse organizations within Larimer County has provided a deep understanding of the unique issues that are important to many individuals within our community. My experience on the Fort Collins City Council during the last economic downturn provided the skill set to prioritize, innovate, and make the tough decisions to recover the economic health of our county. I have worked with a $300 million budget which I feel has prepared me to work with an even larger budget of the County. My understanding and experience with policy making experience will be crucial more than ever. We need to make sure to have a voice at the state level and having worked with the state legislature on numerous issues has given me the knowledge needed to leverage the interest of the county. The next few months will see us continue to recover and grow from the COVID shut down. I am ready to lead and feel that my past experiences and connections have more than prepared me for this role. 

3. Can you please provide a brief outline of your political/ideological philosophy?

We are in an interesting time where views on the role of politics, government and leadership are all over the spectrum. This is not the time for divisiveness, we must work together to find solutions to help our citizens today. My philosophy stems back to the way I was raised, my agricultural background. Growing up in a family that worked hard on the land, I was raised to take personal responsibility and make the decisions that are best for myself and my family. I believe that elected officials have a responsibility to be accessible, transparent and accountable. They cannot forget the people they serve, or the resources and land that they protect. I believe that people are innately good and strive for the basic needs of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Leadership means to engage with citizens and listen. It is about asking the hard questions, reaching out to stakeholders and experts in our county and making decisions that consider the long-term effects on our community. Government’s role is not to tell you how to live, but to ensure that your safety and health is protected by access to clean water, safe roads and quality jobs. 

4. What are the major issue(s) on which you want to focus your campaign and potential service as Larimer County Commissioner District 3?

Amidst my campaign, priorities have somewhat changed in the last months. The economic impact of the current health crisis will be a significant challenge to overcome for individuals and the county’s ability to provide services to the residents of Larimer County. This will only be addressed by the health and support of businesses and jobs in the county.  There will likely need to be serious evaluation and prioritization by the Larimer County Commissioners in collaboration with other elected officials in the county. Another significant impact will likely be the draining of reserves or inability to supplement these. These two issues will have an impact on most other aspects of county government. Prior to the crisis, economy was a priority, but in a different light. Water and transportation funding are of utmost importance within the county and will require creativity, innovation, and regional cooperation. These are skills and experience that I possess to continue to keep Larimer County the best of Colorado.