We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey Daugherty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsey, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

Every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to an excellent education that empowers them to reach their full potential. In Colorado, our education system faces numerous challenges, from racial inequities to students’ unmet mental health needs. But if we truly want to set up our youth for fulfilling futures, we must prioritize better support for our teachers.

In the Colorado legislature, we’ve made progress by implementing loan forgiveness programs, offering stipends for new educators, and pushing for more competitive salaries. However, we still have a long way to go to truly elevate this essential, invaluable profession. To attract and retain talented educators, we need to offer competitive salaries that honor the complexity of their work. We also must cap class sizes at reasonable levels, provide ample classroom resources so teachers aren’t paying out of pocket, and respect their expertise by seeking teacher input on education policies.

Teachers are the lifeblood of our school system; their dedication, compassion, and creativity can make or break a child’s experience. When we deeply invest in the people who are educating the next generation, students become more engaged, graduation rates rise, and communities grow stronger. Our shared future depends on teachers’ ability to unlock the potential in every child, and that’s why supporting our educators must remain a priority.

Lindsey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My path to public office began through my work as a Guardian ad Litem. In this role, I serve as a legal advocate and representative for abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings. Witnessing the harmful impacts of our systemic inequities played a significant role in my decision to run for public office to enact change on a broader scale.

As a legislator, I’m proud to have found bipartisan compromise on issues like healthcare affordability, economic opportunity, and modernizing our justice system. My background in law taught me how to find common ground without sacrificing my principles. At the end of the day, this work is not about party lines or political rhetoric; it’s about the people of Colorado and our shared dreams for a brighter, more prosperous future.

I firmly believe that transformative change starts at the community level. Our polarized politics have left many feeling jaded, but we can’t let cynicism overshadow the immense potential of local action. It’s often within our towns, school boards, and state chambers where we can make the most immediate impact. I encourage anyone reading this to visit wherecanirun.org and think seriously about running for local office. A better future doesn’t just happen—it’s built by those who show up.

Note: After three productive years in the State House, I am now running to represent Colorado State Senate District 19, a position that will amplify my ability to shape policy and create meaningful change. I invite you to visit LindseyForColorado.com to learn more about my campaign, priorities, and legislative accomplishments. To follow my story, please follow me on Instagram at instagram.com/LindseyForColorado!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Earlier in my career, I falsely equated productivity with purpose, filling every moment with work due to an outsized sense of duty. Work always came first, often at the cost of hobbies, self-care, and socializing. Over time, this started to wear me down – I felt depleted, disconnected and unsatisfied.

Fortunately, I eventually realized that my relentless work ethic was actually hampering my effectiveness. Taking breaks helps me feel inspired, focused and energized. Time with family and friends gave me a new sense of fulfillment. Making time for rest, joy, and connection didn’t diminish my impact – it gave me balance, which is critical for my well being as well as my work.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe I’ve built a reputation as a pragmatic, thoughtful leader who focuses on workable solutions over partisan rhetoric. I try to critically analyze each issue based on facts and local impacts, not on party talking points. My background as an attorney taught me how to interrogate issues thoroughly; I dig into data, weigh tradeoffs, and consider nuance carefully before staking out positions.

I’m not here to just tell voters what they want to hear or bask in quick political wins. I’m here to do the homework and make informed choices that help our community over the long haul. Even when it may be politically inexpedient, I always default to reason over passion. Because of this, my constituents and colleagues know that when I speak, it comes after careful deliberation aimed at progress, not partisanship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lindseyforcolorado.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LindseyForColorado/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindseyforcolorado
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindseyForCO