Sen. Kopp making big plans for smaller state government

Anticipating his re-election in November, state Sen. Mike Kopp has some big plans for his next term in the legislature. But with the possibility of the Democratic majority holding its edge, Kopp’s blueprint for shrinking Colorado’s government could face a challenge.

Emile Hallez Williams

Mike Kopp

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Kopp, a Republican who is up for re-election this year in South Jeffco’s District 22, was running unopposed until a few weeks ago, when Conifer Democrat Mike Daniels threw his hat into the ring at virtually the last minute.

Though Kopp’s prior attempts to pass his “Blueprint for Leaner Government Act” have fizzled, he remains persistent, sharpening a figurative ax for state spending.

“They won’t maintain a majority,” he said with an uncertain laugh. “I ran a bill this year that does this, and I’m not going to let it go. … I’m going to run it again next year whether we’re in the majority or the minority.”

Cutting funds from non-safety public services would boost the economy by prompting consequent contracts and cash flow to the private sector, said Kopp, who is the Senate minority leader. And finding ways to increase efficiency in state government is not difficult, he said, adding that layoffs could be prevented by cutting positions through attrition.

“The transformation that we need will absolutely require all hands on deck,” he said. “There’s nobody that can (say) you can’t go into government and create 10 percent worth of efficiencies. That’s ludicrous. … Of course you can. The question is, ‘Will you?’ ”

Such a full-scale government overhaul hasn’t been done in Colorado since the ’60s, he said. And if everything goes according to plan, he claims the state can save $1 billion.

“We need to go through with a fine-tooth comb every bureaucracy in state government,” he said, noting that, in many cases, positions would be contracted outside of the government. “Can we subcontract part of it to a private contractor?”

Kopp, 41, who was first elected in 2006, holds a bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies and a master’s degree in public administration. His background includes Army service during the Gulf War and working as a forest firefighter and in a job with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Contact Emile Hallez Williams at emile@evergreenco.com or 303-933-2233, ext. 22. For updates, check www.ColumbineCourier.com.