Early Days
Steve grew up in a small rural town in Michigan, the son of a pharmacist and small business owner. Mom was a nurse, and taught nursing at Kellogg’s College in Battle Creek. After graduating from Colon High School in 1977, he attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction. Graduating with an Associates Degree in 1980, Steve earned his law enforcement certification at the Training Academy in Golden, Colorado. He later earned his Bachelors Degree from Mesa State College with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Political Science and Criminology.
To Serve and Protect
Steve’s professional life has been focused on public safety and law enforcement, driven by a passion for service to his community.
He served as a patrolman and detective for the Grand Junction Police Department from 1980 through 1987. He worked as an investment broker in 1987 and 1988 while completing his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Mesa State.
Steve returned to the Grand Junction Police Department in 1988 as a Field Training Officer, and in 1990 received the Department’s Medal of Honor for Life Saving. From 1991 to 1993, he served as President of Grand Junction’s Police Officer’s Association.
In 1999, Steve served Mesa County Sheriff’s Office as an Investigator for the Complex Crimes Unit. This unit was responsible for the investigation of homicides, sexual assaults, and other serious assaults. During Steve’s time at MCSO, he was the lead investigator on the Blagg murder case, and was instrumental in helping convict Michael Blagg. This included 5 days on the witness stand and 54 hot summer days searching the landfill.
Joint Efforts
In 1991, Steve married Daun, a Colorado native and Grand Junction resident for 33 years. Together, they are raising 3 sons, ages 15, 13, and 10.
Together, Steve and Daun founded American National Protective Services. ANPS provides a range of services which enhance the security of small and large businesses in Colorado. These services include:
- Safety and security policies and procedures
- Financial institution critical incident and robbery survival training
- Employee personal safety and critical incident management
- Institutional security and site safety audits
- Discrete internal corporate investigations
- Special event dignitary protection
- NIMS Critical Incident Management and Incident Command Process
- Family Member, Student, Employee Personal Safety Training
As a small business owner, Steve understands what it takes to run a business in Colorado, and how State Government is burdening small businesses with unnecessary taxes, fees and regulations.
Steve continues to work part-time for the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office investigating cold cases when he is not in Denver for the Legislative session.
On to the Legislature
Steve was first elected to the Colorado State Legislature in 2006, winning in a landslide victory with 62 percent of the popular vote. He was re-elected as a popular and unopposed candidate in 2008. He is currently the only former law enforcement officer serving in the Colorado State House.
During his first legislative session in 2007, Steve served on the House Business Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. In his first session, he was the primary sponsor of ten House bills. His major focus was in health and safety, and in opposing legislation that would have ended Colorado’s death penalty. Key legislation he sponsored included:
· HB07 1343 required all convicted felons to submit to and pay for DNA testing, providing an effective tool in cold case investigations.
· HB07 1350 permits victims of crimes to obtain a driver’s license or identification card using a substitute address to maintain confidentiality. Victims of domestic violence, a sexual offense or stalking may participate a broader program that provides a substitute address at no cost to the victim.
· SB07 118 provided supplementary funding for courthouse security funded by a $5 surcharge on court-related fees. Prior to this legislation, many of Colorado’s smaller and more rural courthouses had little or no security.
· SB07 128 rescinded legislation that precluded the use of general funds in support of homeless youth shelters.
Steve continued his service on the House Judiciary Committee in the 2008 session, and was also appointed to the House Local Government Committee. He continued to lead successful legislative efforts in health and safety, and began to focus on fiscal stewardship. He was primary sponsor of 15 bills, including:
· HB08 1002 granted the Board of Trustees of Mesa State College the authority to manage assets granted to the College.
· HB08 1077 would have returned money to the Veterans trust fund that was taken in hard economic times, and had not been repaid.
· HCR08 1003 would have provided a property tax exemption for seniors on fixed incomes to retain their exemption if moving to a smaller property or to be closer to family support.
In 2009, Steve continued his active engagement in the legislature, serving as primary sponsor for 13 bills. Significant work included legislation to protect the vulnerable, and an emerging focus increasing government accountability and transparency.
· SB09 241 (Katie’s Law) requires DNA sampling upon arrest for felony offenses, to be expunged if no conviction is obtained. Steve received national recognition when he was awarded the “Katie’s Heroes” award, for his work in passing this life-saving legislation.
· HB09 1180 would have provided more 2nd Amendment personal safety options for Colorado concealed carry permit holders.
· HB09 1288 provides for a free, searchable web-based system providing easy access to information about the state’s revenues and expenditures.
In 2010, Steve’s focus will be on returning a strong business and economic environment to bring jobs back to Colorado. As in the past, Steve will also continue to use his law enforcement expertise to champion health and safety issues for the citizens of Colorado.
