I’m Meghan Lukens, and I am running for re-election to the Colorado House of Representatives.

I grew up on the Western Slope, attended our public schools and played hockey. I graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a Master’s Degree in Leadership in Educational Organizations and a Principal’s Licensure. I then returned to Steamboat Springs to teach social studies in the public schools that shaped me.

My experience as a teacher influenced my first two terms in the state house. I carry with me the ability to listen to everyone, learn from our community, and find practical solutions to the challenges people are facing. It’s why I am running for re-election, to continue working with the people of Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties to find common-sense solutions in a bipartisan manner. I don’t view this teamwork as a strategy; I view it as our Western Slope way. I plan to continue building on my work in funding and improving education, protecting our environment, and strengthening our economy so the people who call northwest Colorado home can stay here.

Tackling affordability

I want to see our home be somewhere families, young adults and retirees can afford to stay in. I am determined to keep building a diverse and thriving economy that benefits everyone in our community. 

To address housing affordability, I passed legislation to allow state-owned land to be used for affordable housing projects. I also passed legislation to prioritize homeownership opportunities for teachers in the communities where they work. We also expanded childcare capacity and helped bring down costs by providing financial and technical assistance to child care providers. That means more families can work, raise their kids, and continue building their lives here at home. 

To address the rising cost of healthcare, I sponsored legislation that preserved access to rural pharmacies and forced health insurance providers to be transparent about their costs.

I know these steps are just the beginning of addressing rising costs, and I am committed to continuing to advocate for affordable housing, childcare and healthcare to support our middle class and strengthen our local economies.

Supporting our schools and students

As a teacher, I understand the importance of funding quality education. In my second term, we secured groundbreaking funding for our schools a second time with the 2026 School Finance Act, which increased per-pupil funding by $449 and directed most of the $195 million year-over-year increase to schools serving students with the greatest needs. 

We are also asking you, the voters, to decide whether Colorado should retain and invest excess state revenue in our public schools. 

We’ve made it easier for out-of-state teachers to move to Colorado. This will ease the lack of educators, especially in rural school districts, and make it easier for teachers to teach. 

We’ve also focused on making sure the kids are getting the best education they can by limiting their cell phone use in schools. I know we can still do more to fund our schools and support our students. If re-elected, I am committed to improving the education our children receive and addressing the educator shortage our communities face.

Protecting the environment and supporting agriculture

I have worked to make sure the needs of our farmers and ranchers are represented at the State Capitol while protecting the water resources our communities depend on. When wolves were reintroduced to Colorado, I supported efforts to give ranchers more tools and resources to respond to livestock losses, including legislation to implement the 10(j) rule, which was unfortunately vetoed. I also helped establish the Agricultural Workforce Development Program, which provides financial incentives to help agricultural businesses bring new workers into the industry. 

Protecting our water supply is just as important. I supported legislation to strengthen Colorado’s drought protections and helped secure funding for conservation projects across the state. These investments matter because agriculture is a cornerstone of our economy, and protecting the land and water that sustain it is essential to preserving the character of northwest Colorado.

Serving in the Colorado House of Representatives is an incredible privilege, and I would be honored to receive your vote.

Democratic Rep. Meghan Lukens is the incumbent candidate in the Nov. 3 midterm election for Colorado House District 26, which spans Routt, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties as well as the majority of Eagle County.