About Mike
I’m Michael Pierson, and I’m running to represent House District 22 because our community deserves a voice in Denver that puts people ahead of politics. My wife and I have lived here since 2005, raising our kids at Jenkins Middle School and Doherty High, and I know the challenges families face—affording housing, keeping neighborhoods safe, and ensuring strong schools.
Service has been my life’s work. I spent 20 years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, 12 years as a federal civil servant, and today I volunteer with Care and Share Food Bank and the Space Foundation. I've worked closely with local, county, state and federal agencies on many issues including roads and infrastructure, public safety and protecting our environment. I've also helped develop and manage multi-million-dollar budgets, handled crisis situations and led teams in the harshest environments.
In the legislature, I’ll fight for real results for my district: improvements to Powers Boulevard, fully funded schools, and reforms to cut red tape. I’ll lead with a service-first mindset and take a practical progressive approach—moving Colorado forward without piling more costs onto working families.
If you're tired of politicians who use their office to score points and you want someone who will do the work for you and your family, I'm the candidate for you.
Mike as a unit commander in Germany in 2002.
Campaign Announcements and Blog Posts
Video
Candidate Forum
Mike answers questions at League of Women Voters HD-22 candidate forum
Podcast on HD22
Mike answers questions on a local podcast.
What 9-11 means to me
9-11 meant sacrifice for millions of Americans
Remembering Korean War Vets
My dad was a paratrooper. At 19, he was fighting in "The Forgotten War" to save South Korea from Communism
Veterans Podcast
As Colorado Springs evolves, Mike discusses the necessity of economic incentives for builders to create affordable homes for essential workers like teachers and truck drivers. He emphasizes the importance of efficient public transit systems and higher density in urban planning. We wrap up by reflecting on patriotism and public service, sharing Mike's military experiences and his vision for a safer, more inclusive world.
My Stances on the Issues that Matter
Education
Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
Investing in our educators is investing in Colorado’s future.
By supporting teachers and strengthening our public schools, we give every child—and our entire state—the tools to succeed.
As a parent of two Colorado high school and college graduates, I know how much our educators shape the future of our state. Teac
Investing in our educators is investing in Colorado’s future.
By supporting teachers and strengthening our public schools, we give every child—and our entire state—the tools to succeed.
As a parent of two Colorado high school and college graduates, I know how much our educators shape the future of our state. Teachers deserve respect, resources, and fair pay for the demanding, essential work they do. Strong public schools are the foundation of both a healthy democracy and a thriving economy, and every child deserves a well-rounded education delivered in a safe, supportive environment.
Choice and Higher Education
Every family deserves educational freedom, and every child deserves access to a strong public school system. Parents should have the right to choose the learning path that best fits their children—public, private, parochial, charter, or homeschooling—while also having a voice in shaping curriculum.
But choice cannot replace the foundation of a well-funded public school system that guarantees consistent, high-quality education for every child, regardless of income. At the state level, we must continue to strengthen Colorado’s community colleges, trade schools, and universities—pathways that expand opportunity, build skills, and keep our economy strong.
Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
Colorado thrives when innovation and fairness go hand in hand. Most businesses act responsibly and strengthen our communities, but when trust is broken—as we saw with Return to Nature Funeral Homes—government must step in. Oversight isn’t about red tape; it’s about protecting families, workers, and Colorado’s
Colorado thrives when innovation and fairness go hand in hand. Most businesses act responsibly and strengthen our communities, but when trust is broken—as we saw with Return to Nature Funeral Homes—government must step in. Oversight isn’t about red tape; it’s about protecting families, workers, and Colorado’s reputation.
At the same time, fairness must guide our growth. Colorado is rich in talent and resources, and we owe it to one another to ensure that strength benefits everyone—not just a few. Excellent schools, affordable healthcare, safe communities, good roads, and a clean environment depend on shared responsibility. When multi-billion-dollar corporations don’t pay their share, the burden falls on working families. Colorado’s future depends on growth that lifts us all.
Energy, Environment, and Climate
Economic Policy, Job Creation and Social Justice
Energy, Environment, and Climate
Listen to my take on the environment and public health
Colorado’s future depends on growth that is both responsible and fair. Most businesses in our state act responsibly and strengthen our communities, but when trust is broken—as in the case of Return to Nature Funeral Homes—government must step in to protect families, workers, and Col
Listen to my take on the environment and public health
Colorado’s future depends on growth that is both responsible and fair. Most businesses in our state act responsibly and strengthen our communities, but when trust is broken—as in the case of Return to Nature Funeral Homes—government must step in to protect families, workers, and Colorado’s reputation. Oversight isn’t about red tape; it’s about accountability.
Fairness means ensuring that our state’s talent and resources benefit everyone. Strong schools, affordable healthcare, safe neighborhoods, reliable roads, and a clean environment require shared responsibility. When multi-billion-dollar corporations don’t pay their fair share, the burden shifts to working families. Colorado thrives when innovation, opportunity, and responsibility work together for all of us.
Labor
Healthcare
Healthcare
Colorado’s working families deserve fairness, respect, and a voice at the table. I come from a union family and am proud to be a member of the IBEW myself. I’ve seen how unions protect workers—negotiating for fair pay, benefits, safety standards, and healthcare. Yet Colorado law still gives billion-dollar corpora
Colorado’s working families deserve fairness, respect, and a voice at the table. I come from a union family and am proud to be a member of the IBEW myself. I’ve seen how unions protect workers—negotiating for fair pay, benefits, safety standards, and healthcare. Yet Colorado law still gives billion-dollar corporations an unfair advantage, letting them stall or weaken union efforts. I will fight to change that, ensuring workers have one fair vote to secure the protections they deserve.
Fairness also means demanding responsible spending. Our district is made up of working-class families—veterans, service workers, tradespeople, and professionals—not billionaires with loopholes. Too often, we pay more while corporations and the wealthy pay less. As your Representative, I’ll scrutinize every tax dollar to ensure it delivers real value to our communities, not political theater.
Healthcare
Healthcare
Healthcare
Healthcare is a human right, and Colorado must treat both patients and healthcare workers with the respect they deserve.
No one should suffer or die because they can’t afford care, and government should never stand in the way of personal healthcare decisions. Women and men alike must have the freedom to make choices about their own health
Healthcare is a human right, and Colorado must treat both patients and healthcare workers with the respect they deserve.
No one should suffer or die because they can’t afford care, and government should never stand in the way of personal healthcare decisions. Women and men alike must have the freedom to make choices about their own health.
My family is part of Colorado’s healthcare community—my wife is a nurse, and my son is a chiropractor. I saw firsthand the toll COVID-19 took on them, and I know every healthcare worker is a hero. They stand with us from birth to death, and they deserve fair support, respect, and a system that keeps pace with our state’s growth.
Healthcare companies can be important partners, but patients must always come first. Colorado must build a system that is safe, affordable, and accessible—because life is precious.
Crime
Healthcare
Crime
Colorado deserves safe neighborhoods and a justice system that treats people fairly.
We can—and must—deliver both.
I support strong, well-trained, and accountable law enforcement. Officers need the resources to keep us safe, along with the standards and oversight that build trust with the communities they serve. Calls to “defund the poli
Colorado deserves safe neighborhoods and a justice system that treats people fairly.
We can—and must—deliver both.
I support strong, well-trained, and accountable law enforcement. Officers need the resources to keep us safe, along with the standards and oversight that build trust with the communities they serve. Calls to “defund the police” are the wrong approach—what we need is better policing, not less policing.
At the same time, our justice system must be smarter. Nonviolent offenders, especially those struggling with addiction, should have access to treatment and rehabilitation instead of prison sentences that do little to improve safety. For violent criminals, consequences must remain firm.
Gun violence requires commonsense action: background checks, red flag laws, and closing loopholes will help keep firearms away from dangerous individuals while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners.
And we can’t ignore root causes—safe streets come from strong schools, mental health care, addiction treatment, and economic opportunity. Finally, immigration enforcement must focus on serious offenders, not scapegoating families who strengthen our communities. Public safety depends on trust, not fear.
Immigration and State's Rights
State, Defense, and Homeland Security
Immigration and State's Rights
Colorado needs practical, fair, and effective immigration enforcement—while protecting individual rights and state sovereignty.
Our immigration system is overwhelmed and underfunded, and real solutions require cooperation at every level of government. I support local, county, and state law enforcement working with federal officials to hol
Colorado needs practical, fair, and effective immigration enforcement—while protecting individual rights and state sovereignty.
Our immigration system is overwhelmed and underfunded, and real solutions require cooperation at every level of government. I support local, county, and state law enforcement working with federal officials to hold accountable those in the country illegally, including individuals who overstay visas. When local governments are stretched too thin, grant programs should provide the resources needed to keep communities safe.
At the same time, Colorado law enforcement should not be tasked with enforcing laws from other states—especially those that restrict women’s access to healthcare. Protecting freedoms, ensuring fairness, and maintaining state authority are essential to building communities that remain safe and strong.
Senior Issues and Rights
State, Defense, and Homeland Security
Immigration and State's Rights
Colorado’s seniors deserve dignity, protection, and the chance to share their wisdom with future generations.
As a state, we must ensure that older adults and their caregivers are supported—through strong protections against abuse, fair treatment, and access to programs that keep them active and engaged.
This issue is personal for me. My m
Colorado’s seniors deserve dignity, protection, and the chance to share their wisdom with future generations.
As a state, we must ensure that older adults and their caregivers are supported—through strong protections against abuse, fair treatment, and access to programs that keep them active and engaged.
This issue is personal for me. My mom passed away from cancer just days after her diagnosis, and my dad spent his final years in the Ohio Veterans Home coping with dementia. These experiences remind me how precious time with our elders is—and how much they still have to offer our communities.
We should honor our seniors not only with care and protection, but by involving them in mentoring, teaching, and sharing their lifetime of experience. By valuing their contributions, we strengthen both families and our state.
State, Defense, and Homeland Security
State, Defense, and Homeland Security
State, Defense, and Homeland Security
Service has defined my life, and I will bring that same commitment to representing House District 22.
I served 20 years as an active-duty Air Force officer, deploying to Central America, the Middle East, and Africa. I witnessed the strength, competence, and compassion of America’s servicemembers—truly the finest in the world. After retiri
Service has defined my life, and I will bring that same commitment to representing House District 22.
I served 20 years as an active-duty Air Force officer, deploying to Central America, the Middle East, and Africa. I witnessed the strength, competence, and compassion of America’s servicemembers—truly the finest in the world. After retiring, I spent 12 more years as a government civilian helping to establish U.S. Space Command and Space Force, building bridges between the military, civic leaders, and the public.
Colorado is home to four major military installations, staffed by thousands of military and civilian personnel. We must do more to support these neighbors—ensuring military families have access to affordable housing, healthcare, and education, and protecting Guard members from losing jobs or homes when called to duty. By strengthening communities, bases, and partnerships, Colorado can continue to honor its servicemembers and empower military families who sacrifice so much for our country.
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Profile on Ballotpedia
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