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Welcome to "Back to Balance: With Robyn Carnes," your weekly dose of insightful discussions, balanced perspectives, and community voices from Arapahoe County. Hosted by Robyn Carnes, a candidate for Colorado State Senate District 16, this podcast is dedicated to addressing the high cost of living, enhancing public safety, ensuring affordable housing, and protecting home rule. Join Robyn as she navigates the challenges and opportunities facing the community, bridging the gap between conservative and liberal viewpoints to find common ground. Let's get back to balance, together.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:14:15
Unknown
Hello. My name is Robin Carnes, running for Senate District 16. And today we have with me on back to balance my new friend Andrea Peterson. I'm so delighted that she is willing to come onto the show.
00:00:14:29 - 00:00:33:42
Unknown
Andrea and I have a really unique, background. We have many, many people in common that we know. We think we know each other somehow. We're not sure how exactly we met for the very first time, but we happened to both be on city councils for different cities. We're both moms. We both are in real estate.
00:00:33:46 - 00:01:00:43
Unknown
And we actually were at a rugby game, together. Not together. We were at the same rugby game just a couple weeks ago. So lots of crossover. So I thought it wouldn't be great today to have somebody, another female in leadership, in local government. With so many commonalities on to just give perspective about sort of why she is doing what she's doing and how she got there and what really matters, especially as a mom, because it seems like there's so much happening right now impacting our kids.
00:01:00:45 - 00:01:20:00
Unknown
So, Andrew, welcome to the program. Thanks. Thanks for having me. You bet. So, Adrian, could you first just share with us a little bit about your background, how you came to Littleton City Council and just sort of your story, like what brought you to this place? Sure. I went to Heritage High School, so I was born and bred Littleton.
00:01:20:09 - 00:01:38:31
Unknown
Very boring. Didn't think I would end up back in Littleton, but we do love it. And actually, it was kind of my husband's fault because when we first moved from Centennial, actually, it would have been in your district. Okay. To Littleton. My husband was like, you know, the kids are old enough. We should get involved.
00:01:38:36 - 00:02:00:02
Unknown
And we started looking at boards and commissions. That we could get on. And then we realized only one of us probably had time to do that. We didn't actually have the time he thought we had. But, and I actually really wanted to run for, school board. Oh. And kind of pulled the thread on that talk to some people on school board to see the time commitment money you had to raise, stuff like that.
00:02:00:07 - 00:02:23:24
Unknown
Yeah. And then our oldest was in sixth grade and it was just not the best time for that. But I think dipping my toe in that water must have, I don't know, put me on the radar for this sort of thing because I don't know if you've probably heard, but I think women have to be asked to serve in this capacity because we're kind of like serving everyone else all the time.
00:02:23:29 - 00:02:45:07
Unknown
You know, you're you're so someone told me before that the mayor, I think, of Northland, I heard her first say, like I had to be asked three times to run for this. And then finally I was like, all right, maybe I can do it, maybe I can. Right. Because we're juggling so much. Yeah. Yeah. And so at the same sort of thing happened like multiple strange asks from different places kept coming for city council.
00:02:45:07 - 00:03:07:58
Unknown
And I was like, all right, I guess if everyone thinks I can do it. Yeah. Yeah. I love that you share, you know, your story that way. Because I too was really interested in running for school board, and it was right on the heels of Covid, where we saw schools go through massive transition rate. And as a mom and as a parent, we we all went through it was just a roller coaster.
00:03:07:58 - 00:03:25:15
Unknown
It was a roller coaster. Everybody. Teachers too, which we're so grateful for. But I, I too was asked. It was funny. I was at a barbecue, a 4th of July barbecue, and somebody said, you know, my seats up was Cathy Turley. She says, my seats up in two years, you should run for city council. You know, at the time it was like, okay, what does the city council even do?
00:03:25:17 - 00:03:44:49
Unknown
Like, you know, there's there was lots of learning, but, but it is, is important for moms especially to be in. And I love that you shared both you and your husband saw a need to get more involved in the community. So just breakdown for us. Tell us your kids is ages and are they? Where do they go to school right now?
00:03:44:54 - 00:04:07:38
Unknown
Our kids are all at private school at the moment. They got it. And they will. One will be at public the close public school next year, but for different reasons. Yeah. Yep, yep. We're at private, but they are 11, sixth grade and then 13 in eighth grade and then 15 in 10th grade. Okay. So very similar. Very similar for us to we've got the freshmen and we also have a seventh grader both at Littleton Public Schools.
00:04:07:38 - 00:04:28:00
Unknown
But we have done private as well. So really we're believers in finding the best fit for kids. So I think that when you have that abundance mentality, it's important. All education is value. And finding, you know, the best fit for your kids is, is really important. So indeed, what is it like? Let's just talk a little bit about work life balance because we talked about juggling a lot.
00:04:28:04 - 00:04:54:14
Unknown
How do you do it? I don't. Do you know barely. I fake it til I make it right. I've only been on council a year. It longer than I have, but. And also being a realtor. It's interesting because maybe Covid, the best thing that came out of it was like we all realized we could be more flexible with our work schedules, and a lot of people work from home, and a lot of people do, I don't know, different things.
00:04:54:14 - 00:05:16:04
Unknown
And so, yeah, at least in Littleton, our city council average age has come way down. Yeah. Which I think is better for the city, like it should represent who lives there. Yeah. Not just be people who are retired and have time. So we have. Yeah. A younger council and a pretty valid council and gender. That's great.
00:05:16:13 - 00:05:35:25
Unknown
I love that you bring that up. The fact of having balance. I didn't know this until just recently. But Colorado as a state has the largest number of women in local governments compared to other states. So it holds true with Littleton. And actually for Centennial as well. Yeah. We have to go about our field too. Yeah.
00:05:35:25 - 00:05:55:21
Unknown
The female dancers. Yes. Yeah, that's very true. Probably because we because we we want that flexibility, you know, with our kids and juggling everything else. So, what I was just curious is, was there any one thing that inspired you to run for city council, or was it more like you were asked? You were asked three times and kind of felt the nudge and but was I mean, you probably got this a lot too.
00:05:55:21 - 00:06:15:30
Unknown
That's what everybody asks, right? Yeah. Why did you decide to do. Yes. Yeah, yeah. I think it sounds kind of braggy, but I would guess you and I are both people who show up. Like, that's probably our mentality. We show up for ourselves, we show up for others. Yep. And if you do that consistently, that makes it possible for you to have the change that you care about.
00:06:15:32 - 00:06:37:13
Unknown
Yeah. Whether it's yeah, in your church or your community or your family or your school or, like, I think there are always those who show up and do the work. And there are probably people who show up and complain or. Yeah, do the other part of it. But there are people whose I mean even I was thinking about trying to do a lot of reflection as to why did I decide to do this.
00:06:37:21 - 00:07:13:48
Unknown
Because like you, I thought maybe at a local level they did roads, parks, you know, very basic other things that I've had to learn in the last year, zoning and sem twice. Yes. What a wonderful treatment plan that we did that we had it before that. Yeah. And policies and laws and. Yeah. Parks and and and and how one how one decision, you know, even though in the moment it's like you feel very passionate about how you really got to think through extended consequences like secondary and tertiary.
00:07:13:48 - 00:07:31:21
Unknown
Yeah. If I do this or if I choose this, then what happens? This, this, this and this. And I think even, you know, as I look at state government, as I'm running for state for Senate, that is missing. It's like we, we maybe focus on one really, really, really little issue that's affecting a very small group of people.
00:07:31:26 - 00:07:49:34
Unknown
And we'll, we'll, we'll make a decision. But we don't think about how is it going to affect everyone else. You know, and I think, it's important to be able to we see the big picture. Yeah. Yeah. Those unintended consequences. Yeah. I don't know if they can be avoided. Yeah. But hopefully to think through all the possible ways this could affect, residents and constituents.
00:07:49:37 - 00:08:10:18
Unknown
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think you're right. There is something that you've said about with with real estate, you know, it is for so much of what we're. Well, just tell us a little bit. Real estate journey. How long have you been in real estate and. Well, my whole family does real estate. Oh, okay. Different types. But me personally licensed about five years.
00:08:10:22 - 00:08:27:52
Unknown
Okay. Six years. Very good. Yeah. And you finding that that provided a great balance for flexibility with your family, and it's tough. I mean, when you when someone wants to see something or make an offer, like you got to drop things and do it, do it immediately. Yeah. But I do love I taught at public school before that.
00:08:27:52 - 00:08:49:46
Unknown
Like that was I was an English teacher right out of college, and then I actually got my masters in counseling. So that I think has it seems disconnected. But actually there is a lot of thread, I think, through it all. Yeah. To then I use counseling and education stuff all the time with. Really. Yes. Yeah. So I mean to yes people to explain things clearly hopefully mean at all.
00:08:49:57 - 00:09:13:50
Unknown
Yeah. Has a thread. So I see we have more in common than we think. I mean because I too went to school for music education and then also got a masters. Mine was in youth and family studies, but it's that people helping component, you know, of, of guiding and shepherding people along the way. So when they're making major decisions, you know, they're they, they have some counseling.
00:09:13:55 - 00:09:30:22
Unknown
So it's good it's really important to, to have that and to listen well. But I guess I'm just curious right now, it seems real estate market, all the interest rates have dropped. The real estate market seems to be just somewhat challenged and can you offer any insights as far as kind of what you're seeing and, why that is?
00:09:30:23 - 00:09:48:57
Unknown
I look at my own neighborhood and it's just seems like there's so many people there's for sale signs I over the place and I and why is it is it just because Caruso it's just hard to afford you know it's it's expensive or it is expensive. And I think buying here is tough. Like our insurance costs are tough and our purchasing costs are tough.
00:09:48:57 - 00:10:18:02
Unknown
But I think I mean, I don't we all live our own story. Right. Yeah. As a female, as a parent, as a teacher, as a counselor, all those things come in to kind of form your opinion on things. And so I only know local. But yeah, I think people are stressed about how expensive life is. Yeah. And so making the move to something bigger, even if it's just slight like that unknown is a little scary right now.
00:10:18:07 - 00:10:36:58
Unknown
At all experienced Covid like you said I don't think that hurt people as much as they thought it would probably, at least not here where we're pretty privileged to have you know, for us that meant we all schooled from home and we would for family walks at lunch. And, and and it was a house project and I just thought it it didn't wasn't terrible.
00:10:37:03 - 00:10:56:00
Unknown
Right, right. Yeah. So I think that the should the unknown and how much things could change on a dime and interest rates have come down at a national level, but that hasn't affected mortgage rates. They went up I think last week for a minute. So it's yeah it's tough. I mean I have people in my office with listings that haven't had a single showing.
00:10:56:09 - 00:11:11:52
Unknown
Wow. And if people approached me about listing like could we wait till spring? Yeah, that was going to be better for us. It's true. You know, I think next year will actually be really competitive again. Okay. And it would be great. My buyers I keep trying to tell them. And now let's not wait till we have competing offers.
00:11:12:01 - 00:11:27:34
Unknown
That's right. It's true. It trends. It's hard to avoid the trends. It's good. It's good to hear you say that because we did, a number of open houses, too. And it's like they would just trickle. We're lucky if we had anybody walk through. And so I, you know, I echo what you're what you're seeing experiencing. And it's just tough.
00:11:27:34 - 00:11:50:09
Unknown
And I think in general, you know, Colorado is such a desirable place to live in. We're beautiful. We're high desert. I used to work for visit Denver and our CEO said we have more sunshine, more days of sunshine than San Diego. And a lot of people. The secret's out. Most people think, you know, 20 years ago, when we first moved here from Iowa, it was, oh, well, Denver's buried in snow, right?
00:11:50:09 - 00:12:12:43
Unknown
So why would we move to Denver? But okay, we might get snow. It melts by noon. Not, you know, we could have four seasons in one day, practically. So that's been that's been really interesting. But, I'd love just to hear a little bit more about, you know, we talked about women in leadership and the number of, of women in Colorado that are in local government and, and how important it is.
00:12:12:44 - 00:12:30:03
Unknown
And you you shared before, you know, you just kind of show up and do it. And, and I feel the same like if, if my kids soccer team needs parents to bring dinner, like, I'm going to sign up, I'm going to do it because I was told to do it. And how do you get something done? You ask a busy person right to get it, are you?
00:12:30:03 - 00:12:57:00
Unknown
And it sounds like that's that's you and that makes you. And that's me too. And that makes us great candidates for, for local governments and and even higher office. And I think especially when we run for local office, that's where you really learn the ropes, like your school board and your city council. And, that's where you understand the mechanics of campaigning and then good parties, even though I think a lot of our parties are somewhat dysfunctional right now.
00:12:57:05 - 00:13:17:18
Unknown
That's where they're recruiting from for higher office. At least that's what happened to me. I got, you know, asked for a seat. That was something I wasn't even considering for Senate, you know, but it was like, okay, it does make sense. And even your background of of the variety of maybe it's Andrea DiGiorno of everything you've done, you know it.
00:13:17:18 - 00:13:40:42
Unknown
It's prepared you for what you're doing today, and it makes you an excellent council member because because our constituents come from all walks of life. And so you can relate. Yeah. And we both know about I don't know how many people listening know like we don't have a letter behind our name at a council level. Right. And I know you've heard like there's no Republican pothole or Democratic dead tree.
00:13:40:42 - 00:13:58:55
Unknown
So that's like the issues have to be solved. Feels hopeful because you're like, I can go drive down that street and see for myself what needs to happen. I can go ask a person at the city directly how they handle this. And Centennial is a lot bigger than Littleton, but it's it's very tangible and helpful, I think. I think so too.
00:13:59:07 - 00:14:17:26
Unknown
Well, because because we we leave our if we have a party affiliation, we leave it at the door. Right? We leave our titles aside and we are focused on what are the citizen needs, like what needs to get done. You know, who's calling us about the pothole or the tree or and, and I have to say, like in our state, that's what I want to see.
00:14:17:31 - 00:14:40:28
Unknown
I want to see less Partizan politics plaguing our Colorado way of life. Right. And I want to see more of like, let's get her done for the sake of our constituents. Kind of like what happens on city councils, right? We get stuff done, which makes me helpful if people are coming up from local levels. Yes, they're a little bit more used to talking across the dial.
00:14:40:28 - 00:15:00:10
Unknown
Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yep. Totally. With everyone. And yeah, I do think that's where it's headed. So hopefully I do too. How do you say you will in truth be told you are registered as mayor and switch registered as independent. You're an independent. Okay. And can you just help us understand kind of that journey? Were you always an independent or did you come from a different party?
00:15:00:10 - 00:15:23:48
Unknown
Don't even have to reveal which party I actually registered when I turned 18 as an independent. Okay, I would change my mind, but I wanted to figure it out for myself. Sure, because I had strong influence from my family. But I thought, I'm going to, you know, I'm at college now. I'm gonna figure it out myself. We had that free speech area in the middle and watching both sides kind of debate and push their agenda.
00:15:23:52 - 00:15:50:11
Unknown
I was like, I know I'm in the middle next election. I was like, I'm staying where I, yeah, am in the middle. And I just keep. And actually being on council as an independent has affirmed that more as people bring things, you know, you can kind of tell what side people are coming from. But I, I don't have an agenda really, and I really feel open to like learning about the issue and not yeah, yeah, bringing a Partizan politics into it.
00:15:50:11 - 00:16:07:06
Unknown
So true. Yeah. And it really, you know like we see we have that in Centennial too. And yet we see at the state we see Partizan politics as a major roadblock. You know. And I just had a coffee with somebody this morning and she works under the Golden Dome and she said, so there's just a stop gap.
00:16:07:06 - 00:16:31:33
Unknown
It's like things just don't get done, you know? Which is so frustrating for all of us. And so, for instance, you know, right now we're you probably know this, but in the Senate, we're facing a super minority. Yeah. Which basically puts one party in absolute control of absolutely everything, pulling every lever. Even removing veto power of the governor, which I always say, whether you love them or low them, like it's important to have a governor that can say, oh, we're not doing that.
00:16:31:48 - 00:16:55:39
Unknown
Yeah, it's crazy. Right? There's there's got to be a stopgap. Yeah. Checks and balances. Exactly. So, it's just something, you know, really important to consider. I'd love to just hear a little bit more about, like, the projects that you're working on in, in Littleton. What are some of the most rewarding or important projects that you personally have been part of as a council member?
00:16:55:44 - 00:17:21:07
Unknown
Oh man. Or maybe that impact your your, your family and your neighbors. And we have a lot going on. I feel like in Littleton it's a great time to be on council. We're all very got a lot of buildings aren't functional. Yeah. We're building we're doing a lot for housing. Yes. For development. And I don't think people thought that was even possible because we're kind of a landlocked city.
00:17:21:07 - 00:17:38:45
Unknown
We're tiny and we, you know, are built out, everyone thought. But then there's like a defunct factory or a defunct shopping center and you're like, yeah, it's great. And something else is going to happen. So, yeah, it is an exciting time. We're like looking at our main street and redoing that whole thing, because the water main going down the street, it's going to be replaced.
00:17:38:45 - 00:18:04:30
Unknown
So that kind of started. This whole conversation about our little gem is kind of that historic Main Street, which is four 100 years old. So that is one, I think, fun thing we'll have in the next couple of years completed. And I'm just constantly impressed with how many nonprofits we have and how well they work together. And then our arts and culture committee also does amazing stuff to support them.
00:18:04:30 - 00:18:22:24
Unknown
And, you know, we're only 50, not even 50,000 people. So we are a fraction the size of Centennial. And that feels intimate that feels really like, I can kind of have a pulse on multiple things happening in the city. So. Yeah. You know, we have a great business chamber, a great Downtown Development Authority, and they do a lot of events.
00:18:22:24 - 00:18:42:12
Unknown
And you people who are involved are super involved. I wish more of those people who weren't would jump in a little bit more often. But yeah, get involved. It's a fun time to. Yeah. Are they doing this? Is downtown Littleton doing things for Halloween. Like you can always do a trick or treat thing and then all the stores like on the corner do those kind of weird sculptures usually.
00:18:42:23 - 00:19:00:27
Unknown
But I think our best thing is the candlelight walk the day after Thanksgiving. Oh, so all down Main Street, and then we light. Yes. And the tree lighting. Yeah. Yes, yes, we participate in that. Yeah, I love it. We're going to do something similar. Well, in fact, this Saturday or this Friday I streets at South Plain, which is I think it's October.
00:19:00:27 - 00:19:15:25
Unknown
Let's see here. 14 I believe it is. No no no no. Today's the 15th 16th anyway this Friday, whatever that date is, they're having the spooktacular streets of South Glen. And so all the vendors are going to be putting out candy. And it's, it's just like a they're going to get a van. It's like a huge party for families.
00:19:15:30 - 00:19:44:54
Unknown
It's so much fun. So all the Halloween festivities, are taking place. So it's it's important, right. Because especially after Covid, I don't know if you're seeing this and in Littleton, but people were just hungry for community and hungry to get out and, and do something. And and so we like Centennial, for instance, we've, we've been really pushing our, our grants for neighborhood grants so they can, a neighborhood can apply, let's say they're going to put on like a party.
00:19:44:57 - 00:20:03:46
Unknown
It's really the whole thrust of it is to build community to a block party, like a block party. Exactly. So I was I actually attended one this past Saturday in my neighborhood. A neighbor had applied and he ended up, you know, getting some funding. And, I mean, they were probably anywhere between 50 to 75 people there. They had a band, and it was they just literally shut down the street.
00:20:03:46 - 00:20:24:32
Unknown
And it was it was a lot of fun, you know? And and it's great when you get out and you know, your neighbors and especially when you consider in my neighborhood, there's a lot of or seasoned folks who live by themselves and they need, they need that connection, that neighborly connection. And so it's a great extension. So but I, I think does little to do anything like that.
00:20:24:32 - 00:20:44:38
Unknown
Yeah. Okay. We do and we actually do you guys do national Night Out. Yes. Yes. Yeah. We we do a lot of grants around that. So. Okay. National Night Out is to support the police force and like. Yeah, cops show up at our parties. And the idea being, if you know your neighbors and everyone's kind of keeping an eye on everyone, then, you know, if someone's not supposed to be there.
00:20:44:45 - 00:21:03:07
Unknown
Yeah. But, yeah, we do have grants and we do a lot of events. I also think out of after Covid like people want community. And then all of a sudden I think we have so many things. Sometimes people are like, well, I don't have time today, I can't. So I took one of the three cool things happening.
00:21:03:07 - 00:21:19:46
Unknown
So yeah, yeah, a lot going on. I'm sure Centennial has more, but yeah. No. Well and it's, it's it's interesting because it used to always be like, we gotta go downtown, we gotta go downtown, we go. And now it's like, yeah, let's just bring let's just keep the party here right in our neighborhood, you know, which is.
00:21:19:51 - 00:21:39:10
Unknown
Which is awesome, too. And in fact, we're seeing that, I think with all the building and especially you guys have really, been a leader in developing affordable housing. Oh, right. Within your, within your cities and at least as it is Centennial, we've, we too are somewhat landlocked and we haven't always been able to, you know, develop something in Centennial.
00:21:39:10 - 00:21:59:10
Unknown
But we've looked regionally at our, our partners like Littleton and Lone Tree and, Inglewood. And it's like, okay, even if we can't do it right here in Centennial, let's partner well and see what they have to offer. You know, because we're so long and lean. So, we appreciate little to being a great partner. And, and you said, how large is your council?
00:21:59:15 - 00:22:17:58
Unknown
707 our mayor and. Yep. Yep. And we're nine. So just a few more. But that's how it is to and so I would say, what do you think when it comes to council, what do you think are some of the greatest challenges that you've seen as a city? I mean, change is always hard for people. Oh yeah.
00:22:18:09 - 00:22:44:31
Unknown
Yeah. And so especially I think those that are involved are very vocal about change being hard. So like you said, we are building we're doing a lot of developing, especially on our major transit corridors, probably from bills coming down above us, but we were ahead of it as well. Yeah. So along with Santa Fe, where we also have light rail and, you know, that's kind of the idea along the transit.
00:22:44:31 - 00:23:02:40
Unknown
So we don't need density throughout the whole city, but we need it in those spots. And yeah, that there's a lot of traffic that wasn't in Littleton before. But I think at our last census we went down 2%. And people are always surprised by that. Like schools actually have closed and moved and we needed new schools anyway. So that was inevitable.
00:23:02:40 - 00:23:18:34
Unknown
Perhaps we need to do technology. Some of those buildings were 60 years old, I think. Yeah. So change just has to happen. Yeah. And that's part of why I thought about school board. That's part of why I feel like maybe council is a good fix. Like, we got to take a step back and look for what's best for the city.
00:23:18:36 - 00:23:38:25
Unknown
Yeah. What is going to keep us competitive? Keep us thriving? I mean, you have to grow at a rate that works for everybody. If you're not growing your you're stagnating. Yeah. Yeah. Dying. Yes. Right. And I love the saying the only time we should stop be stop growing and changing is when we're six feet under. Right. You think about it.
00:23:38:25 - 00:23:56:43
Unknown
So yeah, it's great. But. And the only thing predictable in life is change. Right. And so. But you're right. Change is hard. I love what you talked. You mentioned about your desire to run for school board, and, you know, you're on city council. Do you ever think that you will, still run for school board because you found your place?
00:23:56:43 - 00:24:19:58
Unknown
Yeah, honestly, that seems way harder. I know I'm having a lot going on. Contentious issues. Yes, yes. But the beautiful part is when you have healthy schools and healthy cities working together, that is healthy community, right? And so because I always say you're, it's like your school impacts your neighborhood or vice versa, impacting your city and your county, your state and your, you know, nation, your world.
00:24:19:58 - 00:24:37:03
Unknown
So it's just kind of this this growth mindset. Yeah. Which you can and I don't know if you're this way, but Centennial, we work very closely with our school boards. Yeah. We in fact, I had the privilege of sitting on the little school board while I was a liaison to little symbolic school board for a couple of years.
00:24:37:03 - 00:24:51:46
Unknown
And now, my co-counsel, Amy Tharp, she actually does that because she's a former educator. So it's a great it's a great fit. So, it's good. We we want to stay connected to it, maybe a different ways. Do you have people so confused who've moved to Centennial? And they're like, why is my kid go to a little town?
00:24:51:47 - 00:25:07:48
Unknown
Yes it is. Yeah. I never realized how confusing that was for people to move in there. Like what? I know, I know well, especially because Centennial is so long and lean. You know, we're all like, that's the south part of the metro area. Yeah, it is very confusing. We've got a little bit of cherry, you know.
00:25:07:48 - 00:25:26:29
Unknown
Yeah, a few Cherry Creek schools and, you know, the near your Alps. Little small schools too. So, which, by the way, I'll do a shout out for them. They have a stride. Littleton strides coming up the end of this month. It's a wonderful, race to five K or ten K if you want to do so. It's been a huge tradition raising money for Littleton School Foundation.
00:25:26:29 - 00:25:42:37
Unknown
So, if you are ready to get out and run through, I think one of the most beautiful parts of Littleton, it's your neighborhood. It's hilly. It has my neighborhood. Okay. It is surprisingly hilly. It has been to me in the 10-K and my kids were doing the five K or I'm can volunteer. So yes. And you know what I tell my kids?
00:25:42:37 - 00:26:08:31
Unknown
It seems nice. I'll see you there. So I'll see you there. Exactly, exactly. So we'll I'm just curious, do you have you know the election is 20 days out, right? I got my did you get your ballot? Okay. That's right. And are there any, what are like the major issues in your mind or maybe for you personally, but then also for, for, for for the city of Littleton.
00:26:08:36 - 00:26:27:12
Unknown
Is there anything that's obviously we've got Arapahoe County, the, the big vote, which we share. Yeah. We should together. We're both part of that. Our whole county. Yeah. Depressing as well. Yeah. And then the only other thing Littleton has on the ballot is raising the taxes on marijuana. So, okay. And Santa does have anything this year. Yeah.
00:26:27:12 - 00:26:50:35
Unknown
So that's been interesting. Yeah. No worries. I know in the ballot I opened my ballot to yesterday and it was like, oh my word, this is so long. It we just we want people to vote, you know, use your voice and your vote is your voice. And just make sure you get all the way through. And there's a lot of different organizations putting, vocal, putting voter guides out.
00:26:50:40 - 00:27:10:36
Unknown
And so I would say it's interesting because some people right now are not sure they want to even vote. You know, there's been a lot of, folks that just struggle with the process. And I would say, let's just make sure, your again, your voice is your votes. And, we never want to stop voting.
00:27:10:40 - 00:27:30:55
Unknown
And so let's just make sure we get to the ballot box. It's really interesting in Colorado, where I remember growing up in Iowa, we had one day where we got to vote, and it was like everybody would go to the ballot box and they'd actually cast their vote. And now we've got mail in ballots, and it just seems like we're voting for over a month, which is kind of wild.
00:27:30:55 - 00:27:48:16
Unknown
Right? But, the whole point is we want to make sure it's accessible. And so I'll just put this plug in, if you need help, you know, and you're not sure where your, your ballot box is, you can go to I think it's Arapahoe votes. There's all sorts of information as far as where you can drop your ballot.
00:27:48:21 - 00:28:09:02
Unknown
We just want to make sure you have a chance to do so. Because it's an important election year. Regardless of, you know, what party are affiliated with and what side of the fence you're you're on, it's beautiful that we live in a country where we get to have a say right? And so, we want to make sure we take advantage of that.
00:28:09:07 - 00:28:32:33
Unknown
So I think, that does it. So we really appreciate Andrea coming on. She just said we for a little bit, but that's the entire what happens to the best of us. But we're so grateful just to have that perspective from Littleton and from another mom. Interestingly enough, 51% of the voter constituency is actually made up of women.
00:28:32:38 - 00:28:56:31
Unknown
And so I love that we have the largest number of women in local government in Colorado, and we've got to get the women out to vote, motivate the vote, get those women voting, because many of us are making the major decisions or we're making a lot of decisions in our households affecting our families and our kids. And so we want to make sure that women are heard.
00:28:56:45 - 00:29:19:10
Unknown
So if you're a woman, make sure you you vote, make sure you if you if your partner if you're married, make sure they are voting. Because so much is at stake. I personally would love to earn your vote. Again, Robin Carnes running for Colorado State Senate this year. I'm on the ballot. And my whole point is to just bring back balance to Colorado.
00:29:19:24 - 00:29:39:36
Unknown
And when we have too much of anything, it isn't good. So we want to see some balance for our state. A lot of us think have said, oh, Colorado's deep, deep blue. I don't think so. I think we're more purple. If you look at the 50% that are registered as unaffiliated, there's a reason for that. So let's bring back balance to Colorado.