Running for re-election to her House seat representing west and central Aurora, challenged by Republican Stephanie Hancock.
One challenge facing all of Colorado and especially the urbanized Denver metro area is housing affordability — Hancock and Jodeh both identified the development of affordable housing as a priority, with Jodeh suggesting that Colorado’s General Assembly take legislative action to let cities introduce inclusionary zoning laws.
Under current Colorado case law, specifically a Colorado Supreme Court ruling known as the “Telluride decision,” inclusionary zoning, which requires homebuilders to incorporate affordable housing into their developments, is considered rent control and is not permitted.
“I support loosening the constraints on the options local governments have to address affordability,” Jodeh’s website states. “Let’s get serious about affordability & override the Telluride decision with legislative action.”
She also supports protections against evictions without notice, bills and fines for renters.
Hancock said she supports cutting the costs of housing by reducing and eliminating construction fees, incentivizing income-based housing “with caveats” and promoting alternative housing units such as tiny homes.
On the topic of crime, Hancock blamed “pro-crime policies of defunding police and the reduction of penalties for breaking laws” for neighborhoods becoming less safe. She said she plans to work with prosecutors and police to train, fund and equip law enforcement; organize neighborhood watch programs and strengthen laws to discourage violence and drug sales.
“Illegal drug use and distribution, notably fentanyl, is devastating our youth,” her website reads. “The problem is growing and our legislature’s lack of leadership is making matters worse. Our living and work environments must be safe.”
Jodeh’s public safety platform focuses on reducing incarceration through investments in restorative justice, fee-free diversion and probation programs, and reductions in felony sentences. She also denounced private prisons and said she supported expunging misdemeanors related to marijuana.
Jodeh said she would also like to explore creating an independent unit within the Attorney General’s Office that would have exclusive jurisdiction over use-of-force cases
“While some find justice in our criminal justice system, for too many it unjustly ruins lives. Our justice system must be focused on rehabilitation, equity, & accountability,” her website states.
Regarding education, Jodeh said she was supportive of state-funded pre-K services and efforts to help reduce the cost-of-living for teachers in addition to better wages such as subsidized housing for teachers, loan repayment programs and recruitment programs that “increase diversity and employ teachers from the school’s neighborhood.”
Hancock described the district’s education system as “failing” and said she is supportive of school choice; trimming administrative costs so more money goes toward teachers; centering education on grammar, logic, rhetoric, arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy; and promoting vocational programs in middle and high school.
“Our current education system is failing. All kids are not college-bound but should have the opportunity to learn vital skills that provide them the opportunity to contribute as full-fledged citizens,” her campaign website states.
Meet Iman Jodeh
Iman Jodeh
Since 2020, Iman Jodeh has represented House District 41, including part of Aurora in Arapahoe County. The Democrat defeated Republican Bob Andrews in a landslide, earning 66% of the total vote. A child of Palestinian immigrants who started their own small business, Jodeh grew up in Aurora and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in public policy, public administration from CU Denver. She previously worked in the nonprofit sector and founded Meet the Middle East, a nonprofit that facilitates cultural exchange between America and the Middle East through travel, classes and cultural programs. She is also the community advocate and liaison for the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and a spokesperson and member of the Colorado Muslim Society’s executive committee.
Iman Jodeh Q&A
No, I think these positions should be decided by the people through direct elections. The change in administration could mean the change in the people that hold positions, regardless of the track record, simply because of their party affiliation. The people hold the power with their vote. They have the right to exercise that vote to elect people they feel best align with their values or vote out the people that don’t.
Colorado recently enacted far-reaching reforms affecting police agencies across the state. Mandating truly independent review of police-related deaths and injuries wasn’t among the new requirements created by Senate Bill 20-217. Should every police agency be required to create some type of independent oversight mechanism?
As a resident of Aurora, I am familiar with the increase in police-involved killings and brutality. This has left many people in Aurora questioning and redefining what it truly means to “serve and protect.” I also believe the people of Aurora want to hold the Aurora Police Department accountable and would like to have their voices uplifted. Therefore, I want to make sure that any independent oversight committee has the effective authority it needs to apply true and consequential oversight that goes beyond the appearance of oversight to simply check a box. This approach is beneficial for the integrity of the police force and the people they are sworn to serve and protect.
Despite many lauded changes in Obamacare, the cost of health care in Colorado and across the nation has continued to climb steadily, outpacing almost every other nation. What can the Legislature do to not just halt regular increases, but push down health care costs?
I’ve made health care a policy priority during my tenure at the legislature. Along with Rep. Dylan Roberts, I passed the Colorado Option, which was the largest health care bill in Colorado history and our answer for Medicaid for All until something can be done on the federal level. It ensures that people have access to quality, affordable, sustainable health care plans. I also passed HB21-1198, which is centered around medical debt forgiveness. We know that crippling medical debt has left Coloradans having to answer to creditors and ultimately leaving them with medical bills they are unable to pay. This bill puts a finer point on what hospitals must do to screen all people regardless of if they have or do not have health insurance, and regardless of the residency status. Hospitals are now required to tell patients if they qualify for public health programs or hospital discounts and payment plans, cap payments at 36 months, and ensure that the payment amounts are based on a percentage of their income, up to 250% of the fed poverty level. After 36 months, hospitals must forgive the debt and consider it paid in full which avoids debt collectors. The Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing (HCPF) will have oversight to collect data to ensure hospitals comply, and fine hospitals that are not in line with HB21-1198.
Many argue that the generally poor condition of Colorado roads and underfunded schools is due in large part because of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, which prevents legislators from raising taxes and caps tax revenues, returning “excesses” to residents. Why is this true, and what’s the solution, or why is this untrue, and how can Colorado better fund roads and schools?
I do think TABOR has a lot to do with it. The reality is that we do need taxes to fund public schools, public programs and infrastructure. TABOR can be complicated, but ultimately pro-TABOR groups distill it down to simply “do you want to raise taxes?” As a result, when any ballot measure attempts to repeal TABOR, most folks would choose to not raise taxes, unintentionally unaware of the negative impacts a lack of funding has on our basic needs. To me, the answer remains the same: we must repeal TABOR. I realize this is the cliché answer, but the reality is TABOR continues to put a choke hold on Colorado, and after 30 years, we are living in the wake of conservative, antiquated policies, and Coloradans are the victims caught in the crossfire. The legislature has had to get creative with funding public programs, like lottery proceeds, but we can only get so creative before we go back to the voters and try to repeal TABOR — again.
Some local city lawmakers were elected on a platform that they would lobby the state to repeal SB20-217, the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity bill. Has this legislation positively or negatively impacted policing in Colorado? Would you propose any changes?
Keeping in line with my previous answer to 217, I do believe we should add an independent oversight committee.
Would you vote for a ban on so-called assault-style weapons? Why?
Yes. Uvalde, Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, Columbine, Aurora Theater, the list goes on and on. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, “since 2009, there have been 281 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in 1,584 people shot and killed and 1,046 people shot and wounded.” The United States is far behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to gun safety, and we need to act with bold common sense gun violence prevention laws.
Having legalized and regulated recreational marijuana, should Colorado pursue legalization of recreational psilocybin, also known as hallucinogenic mushrooms?
Editor’s note: In her initial response, Jodeh said she supported legalizing hallucinogenic mushrooms and supported the regulatory framework that would be introduced by Prop. 122, which she said would “ensure the legalization of mushrooms will be safe.” After her response was published, Jodeh sent the following statement:_
After further review of Prop. 122, I want to clarify my position as my previous answer does not fully reflect my policy perspective. While I am in favor of increasing access to natural medicines, increasing access to mental health resources and believe that decriminalization of drugs is an important step in criminal justice reform, Prop. 122 is not how we should go about those aims. Prop. 122 does not do enough to ensure we do not repeat the mistakes of cannabis legalization while also not including some of the policy measures that made cannabis legalization in Colorado a positive step for Colorado. Under Prop. 122, we will see — once again — corporate interests profiting off the work and traditional practices and knowledge of non-white communities — in this instance — our native and indigenous communities. Further, Prop. 122, which allows unlimited home grows, does not do enough to prevent our teens from having easy access to powerful psychedelic drugs. Yes, we must do more to address our mental health crisis in Colorado, but Prop. 122 is not the way. Any effort to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize the use of mushrooms for medical use should be led by the native and indigenous peoples who have developed these remedies, not out-of-state corporate interests.
Max Levy [11:54AM]
not the most important thing today, but pretty funny. a Twitter account dedicated to trolling 9News is also maybe run by the Ganahl campaign.
Would you support legislation imposing restrictions on abortions, or should Colorado stay the course in preventing the government from making those decisions for women and their health care providers?
No. Access to abortion care is health care. Colorado has passed landmark legislation that will protect all people in need of reproductive health in the state and beyond. I am committed to upholding the fact that health care is a human right.
If you could unilaterally write and impose any law you wanted, what would it be?
Universal health care.
If you could unilaterally sunset any existing Colorado law, which would it be?
Understanding that TABOR is a constitutional amendment, and it could not sunset, I would still choose to repeal TABOR.
Should the state seek to prevent growth in communities that cannot prove sustainable water sources?
No, we should not prevent growth, but rather be intentional about forward-looking policies that demonstrate thoughtfulness towards water usage and financially incentivize good water practices. Since Colorado uses a prior appropriation system where most of our water is considered tributary, at the state level we cannot go back and reappropriate water. We can, however, encourage sustainable usage at the state and municipal level by setting guidelines for water that combat our impending water crisis. Examples could include things like implementing tax incentives for water efficient appliances in new home builds and public buildings. We also need to keep in mind that preventing growth would have a disproportionate impact on rural areas, but instead can explore pushing for regenerative agriculture to improve water sustainability.
Colorado cannot pave its way out of highway and road congestion and the air-quality problems it creates. Should the state make a concerted effort to reduce overburdened roads and highways some other way? How?
Yes. Aurora’s City Council has been taking steps to make a shift toward making Aurora streets more accessible, pedestrian-friendly and centering public transit. While this work will take a huge shift in not only infrastructure but also the culture of transportation in Aurora, this could be a model of what Colorado should be doing statewide.
Do you trust the election process in Colorado? And will you accept the outcome of this election as announced?
Yes. Colorado has one of the most secure election processes in the country. I trust the safeguards in place that protect our votes and the election outcome.
Do you believe the 2020 Presidential Election was absent of widespread fraud and fairly won by Joe Biden?
Yes.
Get to know Iman Jodeh
Geeked out on a tour of Mile High Stadium (Empower Field).
What is the last concert you attended?
Arabic concert at the Taste of the Middle East.
What restaurant do you frequent most?
As of late, it’s been French Press in HD41.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Time travel.
What was the last book you read?
Blue Book.
What is your least favorite household chore?
Mopping.
If you had to pick one television show to watch forever, what would it be?
Anything home decorating or food shows.
Did you have any New Year’s resolutions? What were they?
Nope! I try to just do better and set goals for myself in general.
What were you most excited to do after pandemic restrictions eased?
Be with friends and family around good food.
What fun fact about you would most surprise people who know you?
I love to fly fish the beautiful rivers of Colorado with my husband!
Meet Stephanie Hancock
Stephanie Hancock
Stephanie Hancock, a Republican, is running for a seat in Colorado’s House of Representatives serving parts of west and central Aurora. Hancock is the co-founder and owner of 5280 Artist Co-Op, and current president of the Aurora Cultural Arts District. She is also a graduate of Texas Southern University and a U.S. Air Force veteran. She and her husband have lived in House District 41 for the past 25 years.