Candidate Interviews

Dusty A. Johnson: House District 63 Candidate Interview

Dusty A. Johnson discusses agriculture, rural communities, education, and public service in our inaugural issue’s HD63 interview.

From the September 11, 2026 inaugural issue of The Colorado Conservative. Candidate status and campaign links reflect the printed issue.

Colorado House of Representatives • House District 63 • Incumbent in the printed issue

Campaign website · Campaign donation link

The interview

Who is Dusty beyond the campaign?

My name is Dusty Johnson, and I am from Fort Morgan, where I grew up raising goats and playing soccer. My passion for agriculture and rural communities has been deeply rooted in my character from my upbringing in 4-H and FFA, and is continually strengthened as I engage with agricultural groups and work towards bridging the rural-urban divide through educational outreach. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, with a focus on agriculture and water, from Regis University. I also completed the Healthcare Certificate Program in Emergency Management Systems from Morgan Community College. Proud to be an alumni of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (Class 14) and Leadership Program of the Rockies (Class of 2024).

Why are you running?

The people that I represent are exceptional at what they do, but they are often too busy keeping their businesses running, working in their communities, responding to emergencies, and caring for their families to spend time at the Capitol advocating for themselves. I was inspired to run so that their voices would still be heard. My goal is to continue to serve as an extension of our area’s voice from the Eastern Plains to the Gold Dome in Denver, ensuring that agricultural producers, rural communities, first responders, teachers, and business owners have a strong advocate who will tell their stories and fight to protect our rural way of life.

What makes your district unique?

House District 63 spans the seven counties of Northeast Colorado (Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, parts of Weld, and Yuma) and is the state’s top agricultural-producing house district, home to six of Colorado’s ten leading ag counties. It is the second largest house district by land mass, borders three other states, and includes more school districts than any other house district. While our population may be smaller, our communities are close-knit, resilient, and deeply rooted in taking care of one another. The people of HD63 work hard every day to proudly feed and fuel Colorado and far beyond. We may less population than our urban cousins, but we still need and deserve the same resources. Our roads need fixed, we seek reliable connectivity throughout the region, healthcare resources are lacking, and water is always a fight.

What would be your three highest legislative priorities?

I am honored to be the current State Representative for House District 63 and am seeking my second term in office. I sit on the following House Committees: Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources, Education, and Health & Human Services in addition to the Joint Year-Round Audit Committee. Guided by my slogan of "Cows, Cops, and Coffee," I will always fight for agriculture, support all first responders, and strive to foster community connections over meaningful conversations. In addition to having an invested interest in supporting our agricultural and rural communities, I will continue to fight for our constitutional rights and personal freedoms. Our government, especially at the state level, is supposed to be by and for the people.

How would you address Colorado’s affordability challenges?

We, as a state, need to be focusing on making things more affordable in our state, not taking more money away from the wallets of the people. This means we must uphold and protect the Taxpayer Bill Of Rights (TABOR). You know best how to spend your hard-earned money, not government. I will continue to be steadfast in the fight to protect our Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, which ensures tax refunds are returned to citizens. I also will continue to fight against costly and unfunded mandates, because more government red tape means more costs. Whether we are looking at housing, energy, insurance (medical and property), and living expenses, they all have the same thing in common: affordability comes when the market is free.

Smarts Street Rodeo Community Event where kids got their bikes inspected, learned bike safety, got fitted for a helmet, and rode through the safety course.

What is your approach to education?

Parents and local school boards know what is best for their children, and I will do everything I can to support their efforts and to reduce government overreach. As a member on the House Education Committee, I will continue to advocate for our rural schools and students. We have a state constitutional duty to fully fund education, and I will fight hard to make sure that our rural communities are included. Proud to have sponsored Senate Bill 26-126 "Licensure For Experienced Out-Of-State Teachers." My bill removes barriers to achieving teacher licensure for out-of-state teachers, ensuring that our schools (especially in rural) have the workforce they need to educate our students. SB26-126 simply strikes the "within the previous 7-year" requirement, but retains the 3-year experience requirement, to make the process more streamlined and less burdensome.

How would you approach public safety and individual liberty?

Public safety is key and should be a higher priority in our state. Colorado is in the top ten states for the most crimes, most dangerous, and most drugs...This is NOT something we, as Coloradans, want to be known for or the lists that we want to be top ranked on. Enough is enough! I look forward to continuing to work with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP has endorsed me two campaigns in a row now) and our law enforcement agencies to ensure that our officers have the tools, equipment, and resources needed to protect and serve our communities.

What does conservative government mean to you?

Sometimes the most effective legislative leaders are not those who make and pass bills, but those who can limit the bills being passed and reduce government encroachment into our personal lives and businesses. As a strong supporter of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution, I promise to fight for and protect our inalienable rights. We all know that “[t]he nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help,” (Ronald Reagan); it is time that we get more representative leadership that will always aim to act in the best interest of those who elected them and not just “helping” their constituents when it suits them. We need common-sense plans and strategies that are people-driven and push back on the thinking that government is the answer.

How will you turn your principles into results?

Having worked as a staffer and legislative aide for an U.S. Congressman and three State Senators, I bring over ten years of political experience to the table. I have learned how to recognize the political games that staff and lobbyists may try to play, the value in bridging relationships on all sides to get work done, and the importance of having stakeholders at the table (because if anyone ever thinks they are the smartest in the room, the room is skewed). The best ideas come when we unite and are willing to make connections that are grown by mutual respect and the honor of our word.

Why should voters place their trust in you?

I was raised to never be afraid to get down on your knees to pray or to stand for what you believe is true. My promise to you is that I will always use my morals and what is in the best interest of folks in Northeast Colorado to be my compass when making decisions. I will always be an Eastern Plains gal at heart and will do everything I can to preserve and protect our rural way of living. My passion to serve is centered around listening and working for the people of Northeast Colorado. I truly want to hear from you! I can be reached on my cell at (970) 370-1154 or by email at DustyforColorado@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration and support!

District notes from the magazine

Illustration from the original magazine.

The Pawnee National Grassland protects approximately 193,000 acres of shortgrass prairie. The Pawnee Buttes rise about 300 feet above the surrounding prairie. These isolated formations are among northeastern Colorado’s most recognizable natural landmarks and provide nesting habitat for hawks, eagles and prairie falcons.

The Jones–Miller Bison Kill Site in Yuma County is one of Colorado’s most important archaeological discoveries. It dates to roughly 8,000 BCE and contains the remains of more than 300 ancient bison. It is Colorado’s only known site associated with the Paleoindian Hell Gap tradition. The Jones–Miller discovery began when Robert “Bob” Jones uncovered bones and stone artifacts while leveling a cornfield in 1972. The excavations were partly funded by the National Geographic Society and directed by Smithsonian archaeologist Dennis Stanford.