Rich Guggenheim

Rich Guggenheim earned a bachelor's degree from the Brigham Young University, Idaho in 2008, an M.D. from Colorado State University in 2011, and a Ph.D. from the University of Idaho in 2018. Guggenheim's career experience includes working in agriculture.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Dr. Rich Guggenheim, a Colorado native, peer-reviewed scientist, lifelong public servant, and pragmatic conservative running for Colorado State Senate District 25.

Born and raised in Colorado, I earned degrees from Brigham Young University Idaho, Colorado State University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Pathology from the University of Idaho. I served as a 4-H shooting sports instructor and Horticulture Extension Agent with CSU Extension, later directing the State Master Gardener Program and managing plant health programs for the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

What sets me apart is courage and integrity. As a whistleblower, I filed a complaint with the Department of Justice over alleged misuse of federal funds. I also successfully sued the Colorado legislature in federal court after being censored during public testimony.

As a gay man, I support equal rights for gays and lesbians, while strongly defending parental rights, sex-based protections for women and girls, and preserving childhood innocence.

District 25 has nearly 50 percent unaffiliated voters who want practical solutions: lowering the cost of living, protecting TABOR refunds, reducing regulations and fees, making housing more attainable, safe neighborhoods, and ensuring reliable, affordable energy that protects Colorado jobs.

I am a scientist who follows evidence and a whistleblower who demands accountability. If you are an independent or moderate voter, join me. Let’s make Colorado affordable again.

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?

Colorado families and small businesses are being squeezed by excessive government regulations and hidden fees that show up on every bill: delivery fees, registration fees, licensing fees, and skyrocketing property taxes. These costs drive up the price of housing, groceries, insurance, and daily life, making it harder for working families to get ahead and for small businesses to survive. Families are already tightening their belts. It is time for Denver to do the same. I will fight to slash unnecessary fees, cut red tape, protect the Tax Payer Bill of Rights, and reduce the regulatory burden so we can lower the cost of living and strengthen Colorado’s economy.Our children deserve schools that prepare them for success, not ideological experiments. We must refocus education on the fundamentals: reading, writing, math, and real history. I believe we should teach ideas, not ideology. Parents deserve real transparency and a meaningful voice in their children’s education. Our schools should protect childhood innocence and prioritize academic excellence so every child in District 25 has the opportunity to thrive.Our children deserve schools that focus on academic excellence, not ideological experiments. We must return to the fundamentals: rigorous instruction in reading, writing, math, and real history. I believe we should teach ideas, not ideology. Parents have the right to full transparency and a meaningful voice in their children’s education. We need to protect childhood innocence, keep divisive political topics out of classrooms, protect girls’ sex-segregated spaces, ensure equality on the field and court, and put parents back in the driver’s seat so every student receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in life and the workforce.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reliable and affordable energy is critical for Colorado families, businesses, and our economy. It does not matter if the power source is green or brown if the grid is black! It does no good to have wind-generated power if the power is turned off every time the wind blows. Consumers deserve reliable energy and real choice. I will work to repeal unrealistic clean energy mandates and encourage energy companies to build a strong, resilient grid that keeps the lights on consistently, even when the wind is not blowing or the sun is not shining. Forced outages should never be an option for working families or businesses in Colorado!