A Record of Getting Things Done.
For more than a decade in the Colorado legislature, Tony Exum has worked on issues that affect families every day—from the cost of housing and quality of public education to clean water, public safety, and support for veterans and first responders. Tony believes government works best when it focuses on practical problems and delivers results for the people it serves.
Education
Every Student Deserves a Chance to Succeed.
Tony served for eight years on the House Education Committee, working on legislation affecting Colorado's K–12 schools and higher education.
He has supported efforts to improve school safety, strengthen reading instruction, expand access to higher education, and make sure students have access to healthy meals at school.
Breakfast After the Bell
Tony sponsored legislation extending the breakfast-after-the-bell program so students arriving after the first bell could still receive breakfast.
School Safety and Mental Health
He sponsored legislation creating funding for school security, youth mental health services, and behavioral health professionals.
Supporting Students
Tony has supported legislation helping ninth-grade students stay on track to graduate and providing higher-education financial assistance to students who participate in youth mentorship programs.
Safe Schools
He supported legislation providing funding for lead testing in public school drinking water and improving background-check procedures for school employees.
Building More Affordable Housing
Tony supported legislation extending and expanding the Affordable Housing Tax Credit.
Helping Communities Build
He supported programs investing hundreds of millions of dollars into infrastructure & affordable housing development.
Protecting Renters
Tony has supported protections involving security deposits, eviction proceedings, rental agreements, and housing discrimination.
Expanding Housing Options
He supported legislation allowing homeowners to build accessory dwelling units and helping streamline construction of affordable housing.
Affordable Housing
Everyone Deserves a Place to Call Home.
As Chair of the Senate's Local Government & Housing Committee, Tony has helped craft and support legislation designed to increase affordable housing opportunities throughout Colorado.
His record includes supporting investments in affordable housing development, protections for renters, and policies that give communities more tools to address housing needs.
Colorado Families
Strong Families Build Strong Communities.
Tony has sponsored legislation designed to help families manage the challenges of raising children, maintaining a home, and building financial security.
His work has included supporting childcare assistance, youth programs, housing stability, medical-debt protections, and services for children and families.
Supporting childcare tax credits for working families.
Expanding support for children placed with relatives.
Improving protections for youth participating in organized sports.
Protecting consumers from medical debt reporting.
Providing emergency housing assistance to families facing hardship.
Supporting programs designed to reduce youth crime and violence.
Environment and Clean Water
Protecting Colorado's Future.
Tony's experience as a firefighter gave him a firsthand understanding of the importance of protecting both public safety and the environment. He has worked on legislation addressing toxic PFAS chemicals, wildfire safety, air and water quality, environmental justice, and climate change.
Clean Water
In 2019, Tony introduced legislation prohibiting the use during training of certain firefighting foams containing toxic PFAS chemicals—chemicals that can contaminate water sources and pose health concerns.
Wildfire Safety
Tony has supported legislation addressing wildfire mitigation, wildfire-resilient building standards, and fire safety to lessen the damage and reduce the number of wildfires Colorado faces.
Environmental Justice
He has supported legislation addressing pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions, with particular attention to communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.
Veterans and Military Families
Serving Those Who Serve.
Colorado Springs is home to a large community of active-duty military personnel and veterans.
Tony has sponsored and supported legislation focused on improving services and protections for those who have served, ensuring they are financially, physically, and socially supported during and after service.
Increasing pay for Colorado National Guard members called into emergency service.
Expanding access to services for veterans and active-duty military members involved in court proceedings.
Helping veterans and reservists maintain professional licenses after active-duty service.
Creating programs to support the health and well-being of Colorado veterans.
First Responders & Public Safety
Experience Matters.
Before entering the legislature, Tony spent more than 35 years serving with the Colorado Springs Fire Department and rose to the rank of Battalion Chief.
He has brought that experience to the Capitol, working on legislation involving firefighter safety, law enforcement accountability, emergency response, and the mental health of first responders.
Protecting Firefighters
Legislation protecting firefighters' personal information and supporting firefighter safety.
Supporting Mental Health
Programs providing peer and professional assistance to EMS and other first responders dealing with the psychological stresses of their work.
Law Enforcement Accountability
Tony supported legislation requiring body-worn cameras, increasing transparency, limiting excessive use of force, and establishing accountability measures for law enforcement.
Firefighter Benefits
He supported legislation addressing retirement and benefits for firefighters and other high-risk public employees.
Jobs and the Economy
Building an Economy That Works for Everyone.
Tony believes Colorado's economy should create opportunities for workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. He has supported legislation focused on employment services, fair wages, small-business growth, and economic development.
Supporting Workers
Tony sponsored and supported legislation expanding employment services, job training, and job-retention programs to help Coloradans get and keep good-paying jobs.
Fair Pay
He was a sponsor of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, which strengthened protections against sex-based wage discrimination and created greater transparency around wages and promotions.
Helping Businesses Grow
Tony has supported startup loans, small-business development programs, Main Street investments, and programs helping existing businesses grow and recover.
Let's Keep Working Together
Whether you'd like to stay informed, volunteer, or support the campaign, your involvement helps build a stronger Colorado Springs.