Chris Hansen (Colorado) (original) (raw)
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Chris Hansen
Colorado State Senate District 31
Tenure
2020 - Present
Term ends
2025
Years in position
4
Predecessor
Prior offices
Colorado House of Representatives District 6
Compensation
Elections and appointments
Education
Personal
Contact
Chris Hansen (Democratic Party) is a member of the Colorado State Senate, representing District 31. He assumed office on January 21, 2020. His current term ends on January 8, 2025.
Hansen (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Colorado State Senate to represent District 31. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Chris Hansen was born in Goodland, Kansas. He earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Kansas State University, a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in economic geography from Oxford University. He served as a research fellow with the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. His career experience includes working with renewable energy and electricity companies and teaching courses at the University of Colorado. He has served on the executive committee of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation Board, the executive committee of the Central City Opera Board, and the advisory board for the University of Colorado, Denver Business School.[1][2]
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Hansen was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Hansen was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Hansen was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Colorado committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources |
| • Appropriations |
| • Transportation and Energy |
| • Capital Development |
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2024
General election
Democratic primary election
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hansen in this election.
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2023)
General runoff election
General election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Sylvia Herring (Nonpartisan)
- Kwame Spearman (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)
- Anna Burrell (Nonpartisan)
- Alex Valdez (Nonpartisan)
- Sean Gallegos (Nonpartisan)
- Kenneth Simpson (Nonpartisan)
- Alex Cowans (Nonpartisan)
- David E. Stevens (Nonpartisan)
2020
See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020
General election
Democratic primary election
Republican primary election
2018
See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2018
General election
Democratic primary election
2016
See also: Colorado House of Representatives elections, 2016
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016. Incumbent Lois Court (D) did not seek re-election.
Chris Hansen ran unopposed in the Colorado House of Representatives District 6 general election.[3][4]
Chris Hansen defeated Jeff Hart in the Colorado House of Representatives District 6 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Colorado House of Representatives, District 6 Democratic Primary, 2016 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Democratic |  Chris Hansen |
58.27% | |
| Democratic | Jeff Hart | 41.73% | |
| Total Votes | 9,494 |
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Chris Hansen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2023
Chris Hansen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hansen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a state senator and engineer with public and private sector experience. I've been delivering results for Denver in the legislature for seven years. I know we need to build a city that works, which means a safer, more affordable, and greener Denver. As Mayor, I will prioritize public safety and will recruit, retain, and highly-train public safety officers so we have a Department that is accountable and works for everyone. I will audit the homelessness programs and ensure we're investing in programs that show results and cutting ones that don't. I will enforce the camping ban because we need to get folks into housing with wrap-around services, like substance use and mental health treatment, as well as job training, in order to help the unhoused get back on their feet. As Mayor, I will also help Denver make the transition to clean energy by electrifying city buildings and fleets, adding EV charging infrastructure, and reducing transportation emissions. I envision Denver as a connected, dynamic, thriving city and I have the skill set to help Denver become a city that works.
- As Mayor, my top priority will be public safety. Denverites and visitors deserve to feel safe in our neighborhoods, parks, and streets and I will commit to rebuilding and improving our Public Safety Department. We will invest in training, hiring, and retaining officers, as well as funding the STAR program so that co-responders can address issues related to mental health and substance use, which will allow our police to perform their core functions: preventing, responding to, and solving crimes. A safer Denver is possible with targeted gun crime prevention, increased patrol of hot-spots, and robust accountability.
- With regard to the homelessness crisis, the status quo is not working. It is clear that Denver needs a new leader to make real progress on addressing homelessness and ensuring our streets, sidewalks and public areas are open for all Denverites to utilize. As Mayor, I will reevaluate Denver’s failing approach to homelessness, reimagine systems to disrupt the cycles perpetuating the problem, and reinforce the existing laws and regulations to ensure that everyone in Denver, housed or unhoused, stays safe. A key part of my homelessness plan is to audit existing programs because we are spending enormous amounts of money without getting results we all deserve.
- I envision Denver as a connected, thriving, dynamic city, with strong neighborhoods, a vibrant downtown and a world-class airport. We can dramatically improve air quality and reduce emissions if we focus on adding population density in areas with high-quality public transit that is electrified. We must enable residents to meet all of their needs by using a combination of highly efficient public transit, connected bike lanes, EV charging infrastructure, and making our streets safer for pedestrians. My systems engineering background combined with my extensive legislative experience will enable me to deliver this vision of a connected, green, dynamic city.
My energy and climate legislation have made Colorado a national climate policy leader. I’ll do the same at the local level as Denver’s next Mayor. I plan to add EV chargers, renegotiate with Xcel to protect customers, electrify our transit and heating and cooling systems. I’ll collaborate with Denver Water to promote water efficiency programs and reduce water waste. Through the lens of environmental justice, I’ll address disproportionate pollution in low-income areas.
-Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer
-Former U.S. Congressman David Skaggs
-Mayor of Fort Collins Jeni Arndt
-Former State Senator Lois Court
-Former State Senator Joyce Foster
-Former State Rep. Joe Miklosi
-Former President of Denver Public Schools Board of Education Mary Seawell
-Teamsters 17
-Teamster 455
-Colorado Cleantech Industries Association
-314 Action
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2020
Chris Hansen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hansen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Chris Hansen is the current State Senator for Colorado Senate District 31. He specializes in energy sector economics and data analytics, with 20 years of experience in the global energy industry. He was formerly the Representative for House District 6 from 2017-2019, representing the east-central neighborhoods of Denver. He currently serves on the Senate Finance, and Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committees. Throughout his tenure in the Colorado House of Representatives, Hansen served on the Capital Development, House Transportation & Energy, Appropriations, Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources, and Joint Budget committees, and as Chair on the House Appropriations Committee.
In 2012, he was selected as a Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund and in 2017 was selected as a Public Leadership Fellow at Harvard University by the Gates Family Foundation. In 2019, he was selected as one of fifteen leaders from across the country to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of rising state and local elected officials.
In addition to his current role in the state senate, Hansen serves as the Co-Founder and Director of Programming at the Colorado Energy & Water Institute, and as Co-Founder of the Colorado Science and Engineering Policy Fellowship.
- Carbon-Free Colorado: Carbon pollution is having a real and serious impact on Colorado families and livelihoods. We must work together to reduce our carbon emissions and stave off catastrophic climate change, and I will strive to foster collaboration towards this goal within our state and with our neighbors.
- Funding Education: Since 2008 nearly $1 billion has been taken out of Colorado classrooms every year. I believe that we must reinvest in public education, rethink the way we evaluate our students, and honor the incredibly important work of being a teacher. I support amending TABOR to reverse the massive budget cuts in our education system.
- Ending TABOR: Our government has been handcuffed by the effects of TABOR since 1992, forcing drastic cuts to vital services. This is why I joined the lawsuit to repeal TABOR on my first day in office. CO families have felt the negative consequences of TABOR for far too long. It's time we get our government and our state back on track.
Chris has been the State Representative for House District 6 for the past three years, serving on the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) and as head of the House Appropriations committee. Chris Hansen is an ardent environmentalist and supports reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and encouraging the increased application of renewables to help reduce carbon pollution and combat climate change. With more than 20 years of professional experience in the energy sector, Chris isn't just passionate about fighting climate change - he's an expert.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Hansen's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ | Education: I believe that we must reinvest in public education, rethink the way we evaluate our students, and once again honor the incredibly important work of being a teacher. That’s why I support amending TABOR to reverse the massive budget cuts in our education system. Environment and energy: Carbon pollution is having a real and serious impact on Colorado families and livelihoods. Every day we witness the harmful effects of the changing climate that have a direct impact on tourism, jobs, and the immense natural beauty of our state. We must work together to reduce our carbon emissions and I will strive to foster collaboration both within our state and with our neighbors. We must also assertively protect Colorado’s water, air and land for future generations. End TABOR and protect our Constitution: I have pledged to join the lawsuit to repeal TABOR on my first day in office. All of our families have felt the negative consequences of TABOR for far too long. It’s time we get our government and our state back on track. Women's rights: Colorado is one of only eight states that do not guarantee protection from harassment and discrimination in the workplace, regardless of the size of the employee’s company. I support amending the Anti-Discrimination Act to ensure that all Coloradan’s are treated equally in the workplace. I will also support legislation to increase access to supportive services for women who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. We must act now to address and end violence against women, protect access to safe and affordable healthcare, and ensure equal pay for equal work. Gun violence prevention: As your representative, I will partner with groups like Ceasefire Colorado to advance sensible gun control measures. We owe it to our children, and to the victims of gun violence, to fight to create safe communities for all Coloradans.[7] | ” |
|---|---|---|
| —Chris Hansen[8] |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Colorado
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Colorado scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2023, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 8. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. |
2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2022, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 11. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Cobalt Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. Colorado AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBTQ+ issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. |
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2021, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 8. Centennial Institute Legislators are scored on their votes on issues relevant to the mission of the Centennial Institute and the strategic priorities of Colorado Christian University. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills about Colorado's climate, land, water, and communities. Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. CoPIRG Legislators are scored on their votes on "bills that will protect consumers, strengthen our democracy, and safeguard public health." Colorado Education Association: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes related to education reflection and on how well legislators worked with educators to advance the CEA's priorities. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Liberty Scorecard Legislators are scored on votes related to "the principles of individual rights, free markets and limited government." Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. The Arc of Colorado Legislators are scored on votes related to intellectual and developmental disability legislation. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues. |
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2020, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 15. Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are usually scored on their votes on bills that the organizations supports or opposes. However, in 2020 the organization released this more detailed overview of the legislative session. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals: U.S. Congress and General Assembly Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Healthier Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to public health issues. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues. |
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2019, the Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 4 through May 3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues. |
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2018, the 72nd Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 10 through May 9. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Health Initiative Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that are supported or opposed by the organization. Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislation is scored on its "reduction of taxes, regulation, and spending accountability." Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. |
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
| In 2017, the 71st Colorado State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 10. There was also a special session from October 2-3. ACLU of Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills the ACLU of Colorado "felt were the best representations of the civil liberties issues facing Colorado today." Colorado Senior Lobby, Inc. Legislators are scored on their votes related to senior issues. Colorado Union of Taxpayers Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to fiscal policy. Colorado Voters for Animals Legislators are scored on their stances on animal issues. Conservation Colorado: House and Senate Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental conservation. Mental Health Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes related to mental health issues. NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues. One Colorado Legislators are scored based on their votes on LGBT issues. Principles of Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to "core principles of liberty," which the organization defines as "Free People," "Free Markets," and "Good Government." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Women's Lobby of Colorado Legislators are scored on their stances on women's issues. |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ HanseforColorado.com, "Biography," accessed June 28, 2017
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 11, 2020
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "General election candidates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2016 Primary Election Candidate List," accessed May 3, 2016
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "June 28, 2016 Primary Election," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Chris Hansen, "Issues," accessed June 20, 2016
Leadership
Majority Leader:Robert Rodriguez
Minority Leader:Paul Lundeen
Senators
Democratic Party (23)
Republican Party (12)
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- 2018 general election (winner)
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- Colorado
- Colorado House of Representatives candidate, 2016
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- Current member, Colorado State Senate
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