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Delivering for Colorado
Justin Brooks is a proven leader who delivers results. As the former Mayor of Erie, he drove economic growth, strengthened public safety, and championed investments in infrastructure, education, and environmental sustainability—without raising taxes. With nearly 25 years of experience in the aerospace industry and a lifelong commitment to community service, Justin understands the challenges Coloradans face and the opportunities we must seize. In the State Senate, he will fight for working families, expand career opportunities, invest in public safety and mental health resources, and ensure every community has a voice. Justin is ready to bring bold leadership and real solutions to the State Senate—because Colorado deserves a future where everyone can thrive.
Housing Affordability
During his tenure as Mayor of Erie, Justin championed the development of diverse housing options to meet the needs of all residents. Under his leadership, Erie saw the approval of thousands of new housing opportunities, including the town’s first permanently affordable housing units in over 25 years. This initiative significantly increased the availability of affordable homes, ensuring that seniors, young families, and the local workforce could find suitable housing within the community.
As your Senator, Justin will advocate for statewide policies that promote affordable housing development, support first-time homebuyers, and protect residents from housing instability.
Bolstering Education
Justin’s commitment to education is deeply personal. A graduate of Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in Detroit, he credits his teachers with instilling in him a passion for learning and community service. As Mayor, he collaborated with local schools to enhance educational opportunities and resources for students.
In the state legislature, Justin will work to increase funding for public schools, support teacher development programs, and expand access to early childhood education, ensuring that every child in Colorado has the opportunity to succeed.
Fiscal Responsibility
With over two decades of experience in the aerospace and defense industry as a senior program manager, Justin has a proven track record of managing multi-million dollar budgets effectively. His tenure as Mayor was marked by prudent financial decisions, including significant investments in infrastructure such as roads and drainage, while maintaining a balanced budget.
As your Senator, Justin will prioritize responsible budgeting, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and transparently on programs that directly benefit the community.
Job Training for Tradespeople
Recognizing the vital role that skilled tradespeople play in a thriving economy, Justin has been a strong advocate for vocational training. As Mayor, he supported initiatives that provided job training and placement services, contributing to the town’s economic growth and diversification. Under his leadership, Erie welcomed an average of 35 new brick-and-mortar businesses each year, creating a robust job market for residents.
In the legislature, Justin will champion policies that expand vocational and technical education programs, ensuring that individuals seeking careers in the trades have access to the necessary training and resources to succeed.
Justin Brooks’ platform is built on a foundation of proven leadership, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of all residents in Colorado Senate District 17.
MEET AUON'TAI
Auon’tai Anderson is a nationally recognized educator, activist, and community organizer dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for all students.
In 2021, Anderson launched the Black Santa Project, a grassroots; initiative that began with a simple request from the community and has since grown into a celebrated annual tradition. Now in its sixth year, the project provides thousands of kids with toys, school supplies, shoes, haircuts, and holiday joy throughout the state of Colorado.
A trailblazer in public education, Anderson was elected to the Denver School Board at just 21 years old, becoming the youngest African American elected official in Colorado’s history. He went on to serve as Vice President of the Denver School Board, where he co-authored the district’s Gun Safety Resolution, LGBTQIA + Inclusion Resolution, and several other transformative policies that reshaped the landscape of Denver Public Schools for generations to come.
Beyond public service, Anderson is a dedicated educator, working directly in Denver Public Schools to support middle school students and teachers. He is widely respected for his ability to connect with young people, advocate for families, and challenge systems to do better.
His life’s work reflects a simple truth: lasting change happens when communities organize, tell their stories, and refuse to accept anything less than justice.
It Is Time to Put Denver’s Children First Again
Public education across our country is under attack, and Donald Trump and his extremist allies have made Denver Public Schools ground zero for their culture wars.
At the exact moment DPS needs steady, focused leadership, the Board of Education is in disarray. Instead of concentrating on student achievement, supporting educators, and protecting our schools from outside attacks, board members are distracted by internal power struggles, consumed with efforts to undermine the superintendent, and trapped in dysfunction that has caused them to lose focus on the children they were elected to serve.
Our students cannot afford a distracted board. Our educators cannot thrive under constant instability. And Denver families should not have to watch adult political drama take priority over the education and well-being of their children.
This moment demands leadership. I have been hearing from educators, parents, and community members asking where we go from here. As a current DPS educator and former Vice President of the Denver School Board, I am committed to using my experience to fight back against extremism, demand accountability from our elected leaders, and ensure our children are once again the central focus of every decision.
Over the next several months, I will be in conversations with neighbors across Denver about the challenges facing our schools and our city, where we go from here, and what this moment requires from our leaders. By the end of the year, I plan to share what I have learned and what may come next.
Our children deserve leadership that is focused, courageous, and prepared to fight for them.
Change Can't Wait
© 2026 Auon'tai Anderson