Eric Mulder is a Libertarian candidate running for Colorado governor in the Nov. 3 midterm election. The Summit Daily asked each candidate five questions about some of the key issues facing the Western Slope.

Question 1: Colorado’s High Country has a severe housing crisis that is pushing out working locals, yet much of the housing legislation that has been passed in recent years has been focused on Front Range communities. As governor, what efforts would you take to bring down costs and increase access to housing in the High Country? 

Mulder: I would encourage municipalities and counties (who have a greater say over zoning and housing than the governor’s office) to embrace housing diversity via the allowance of mobile home communities, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units, multifamily units, etc. This will allow more people of various income levels to have permanent shelter that they can afford.

Question 2: Rural resort areas navigate a delicate balance between the tourism industry and the need for long-term housing for locals. Do you support legislation to tax and/or limit vacant homes and short-term rentals? Please provide a “yes” or “no” answer to this question before expanding on your reasoning. 

Mulder: No, limiting vacant home and short-term rental ownership via state law would run into federal regulatory restrictions on such laws and likely be overturned by the Supreme Court. Housing diversity would do more to increase options and reduce costs naturally.

Question 3: The fight over the future of the Colorado River is likely to spill into the next governor’s administration. What do you believe is the best path forward for Colorado’s water security, and how will you work to protect residents’ critical water rights?

Mulder: Colorado has consistently upheld its end of the bargain regarding the usage of the Colorado River. Continuing with our reintroduction of beavers and river otters can help us naturally increase our water tables, wetlands and conserve even more water without harm to our livestock populations.

Question 4: Wolf reintroduction remains a contentious issue in Colorado with lawmakers bringing concerns about program cost, transparency, management and impacts on the Western Slope. What actions, if any, would you support to alter the wolf reintroduction program and why?

Mulder: I would support a reevaluation of the wolf reintroduction program. Wolves thrive when they have vast areas with minimal human or livestock contact, naturally culling elk and moose herds and thus improving wild herd health, whereas livestock herds don’t need wolf culling because ranchers already manage livestock health, and wolves can even induce herd stress in livestock that isn’t used to wolves. A reintroduction that focuses on vast state parks with a focus on wild herd management and fauna management zones might be more efficient. 

 Question 5: Colorado continues to face a structural deficit in its state budget, and this year the legislature was forced to cut spending on Medicaid, affordable housing and other key programs. As governor, how would you put the state on a more sustainable spending path while protecting programs and services that Coloradans rely on?

Mulder: I would prioritize Medicaid allocations during a budget shortfall so our most vulnerable people do not lose access to life-saving treatment and medicine. Long term, building a straightforward reporting and filing mechanism so businesses can spend more time on business and less time on compliance can help create a more robust economy where businesses want to move to Colorado versus moving away from Colorado. 

Ballots for the Nov. 3 Colorado midterm were mailed to voters starting Friday, Oct. 2. To check your voter registration status, visit GoVoteColorado.gov.