Michael DiManna

Michael DiManna was born in Denver, Colorado. DiManna's career experience includes working as an attorney. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1969 and a law degree from the University of Denver in 1971. DiManna has been affiliated with the Colorado Bar Assocation.[1]

Michael DiManna did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a fourth generation Denver resident. I went to Saint Dominic‘s Catholic grade school, Cathedral Catholic high school, University of Colorado Boulder, for my undergraduate degree and

The University of Denver College of law for my law degree.

I have a private law practice for 51 years and my Law partner, and myself were the first minority owned law firm in the city and county of Denver.

My wife, Sara and I have been married for 35 years, we have two wonderful grandchildren, Coby age 10 and Scarlett age 8. My daughter and son-in-law reside with our grandchildren in Saint Simons Island, Georgia, where my son-in-law is a United States Marshall, teaching at the Marshall Academy in Brunswick Georgia.

Our son works for a major classic soft drink brewing company near Seattle Washington.

My wife, Sara is currently retired, having work for almost 20 years for a privately funded charitable foundation with a major emphasis in education.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Crime in the state of Colorado is out of control. Colorado is listed as as the third largest crime state in the nation. Denver, has the reputation of the first largest city in the United States in auto theft. The citizens of our state feel unsafe, and in fact, they are unsafe. Our state legislature has continued time and time again to reduce penalties for criminals, refused to support our police department and police agencies in general and has reduced sentences for possession and or sale of fentanyl, one of the most deadliest drugs, being imported into our nation over our open southern border.Illegal immigration into the United States must be ended, and specifically, Colorado must make itself known as a non-sanctuary city. Power must be given to our police agencies to work with federal agencies in arresting and deporting aliens convicted of crime.The cost of living in our state is way too high. Businesses are discouraged from doing business and starting businesses in Colorado as a result of high regulation and the continued imposition of fees and regulations on business.

Our young people are not able to afford homes as a result of the legislative elimination of the condominium industry, due to the draconian regulation and imposition of liability by the state and governor, has gone out of business.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Control of crime and the support of our police and law-enforcement agencies in controlling it.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I very much look up to my parents as examples that I wish to follow. My father had to drop out of school before he could complete high school and my mother was a high school graduate. She wanted to go onto earn a teaching certificate and become a school teacher, but due to the financial circumstances of her family at the time she was prohibited from doing so. Both my parents worked hard and diligently to provide me with my education,

While I was in Lasco, I looked up to some of the best trial lawyers of our time, who were not only aggressive advocates for their clients, but decent, honorable and honest people.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The movie Braveheart

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and transparency.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

In 51 years of law practice, I have listened to many problems from my clients. I believe that I am empathetic to the problems of other individuals and that I aggressively pursue solutions. I have lived over five decades in the courtrooms of this state representing both poor and wealthy. I value the concept of equal justice for all.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Honesty and transparency with the constituents I represent and to listen to their desires and attempt to work for them and fulfill what they want for Colorado.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of responsible government. And effort to see wrongs that have been committed and to try to correct them. I would like to be seen as having been fair to all people, regardless of race, creed or economic circumstance.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy was the first major event that occurred in my life. I was a sophomore in high school at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was at age 13 as the janitor of our church. I held that job for every summer until I entered high school. I then became a busboy in a restaurant where I worked throughout my high school career and worked my way through college and law school selling life insurance insurance to college and post graduate students.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I like to read books on American history.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

King Arthur or Don Quijote, The man of La Mancha

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Lee Greenwood song “I’m proud to be an American “

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Receiving my graduate education as well as starting a business and working in that business for over five decades. Of course there were times of great success. But there were other times when I didn’t receive a paycheck for many months. This is why real life experience is so important to a person who wants to represent others in the state legislator or government.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

I believe that the state legislature should be cooperative where it is able, but an absolute bar to any policies promulgated by the governor, which are not in the best interest of the people of the state. The effort of the state legislator, which I believe has been back by the governor, to eliminate all fossil fuel development, and use Needs to be stopped.

When the governor fails to represent the needs of the people, the state legislature needs to be there to ensure that they are met and fulfilled.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The states biggest challenges over the next decade will be to preserve and administer water for its citizens. Water is a very important issue to Colorado and needs to be watched carefully.

Additionally, costs need to be significantly reduced as due taxes. The governor and state legislature need to keep their hands off of the peoples Tabor refunds and stop spending that money on projects that the people have spoken against.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do not believe that previous experience in government or politics is necessary. The experience, I believe that is necessary, is running a business and understanding how the operation of business works so that actions of the legislature which make running a business harder for the business owner, can be spoken about with a level of experience and expertise.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

I do believe that Building relationships with others is important in order to govern. However, relationships cannot be built by violating one’s core principles. Building of relationships to benefit the citizens of Colorado should be the primary goal of anyone elected to state government.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Senator Bill Owens

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

The stories that I have heard about the impact of crime and the high cost of living on the citizens of this state are indeed moving. Something needs to be done about it and the person currently in office doesn’t seem to have any inclination to take any action regarding same.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

If emergency powers are granted to the governor, the grant needs to be limited and for a defined purpose. If the grant of power exceeds the limit imposed, it cannot be extended without the authorization of the legislator. No emergency powers should be granted to any state agencies that are unaccountable to the people through election. Only the governor with the approval of the state legislature, can have such authority and again for a limited period of time and to accomplish a specific purpose.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would look at the criminal code and determine what crimes require the imposition of a mandatory sentence to affection, await reduction, and hopefully elimination. For example, anyone who commits a crime with the use of a deadly weapon, should receive a mandatory term of imprisonment. This term should not be subject to suspension, parole, or reduction for good time. The sentence would be the sentence and it must be served completely.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Since I am a first time candidate for any elective office, I have not received any public endorsements. My campaign is working on same, and I hope to have numerous endorsements in the near future.

What committees interest you?

The judiciary committee

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Government needs to be fully transparent and completely accountable to the people when spending the peoples money.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

The state ballot initiative process is an effective control over the legislature. If laws are passed that are against the will of the people of the state. I do not have a specific set of rules to consider when supporting or opposing ballad initiatives.