Shumway runs on platform of limited government

SHUMWAY’S TOP PRIORITIES:

By Robert Side
The Ramspondents

Jeffrey Shumway is a former United States Air Force veteran, retired police officer, and a father of two children. In 2025, he is seeking to add one more accolade to the list: Mayor of Fort Collins.

Shumway moved to Colorado four years ago, previously living in Florida where he spent seven and a half years as a police officer before working in insurance. In Fort Collins, he now works as a mortgage loan originator.

Shumway said he wants to become mayor to bring new insight into the city government, having never held political office before.

“I wanted to bring some fresh experiences, some outside ideas and just bring the city in a different direction from where I see it currently going,” he said.

Shumway said the event that made him decide to run for mayor was the city’s mosquito spraying program, which he claims is an example of government overreach. The program prompted him to learn more about city politics, and how he can make a difference in the city.

“I was looking to see how I could petition the city to put an end to the mosquito-spraying program,” Shumway said. “It was a lot of overreach, and I do care a lot about the environment, animal health, things like that. I thought this was just an extreme waste of money and overreach. As I started learning more about the city government, I spoke at a city council meeting and I said, ‘You know what? This is a small enough town. If you want to make a difference on anything, one person literally can make a difference.’”

One of Shumway’s top priorities is to limit city spending and overreach. He believes the city does little to improve the lives of residents. He promises to ease the life of citizens without having the city encroach on their lives.

“Let entrepreneurs innovate, families make their own choices, and individuals pursue happiness without unnecessary red tape,” he said in his bio on his campaign website.

“I see a lot of things that the city is spending money on, and it seems more to me that it's just a virtue signaling to feel good that we're doing something, but it's not actually making people's lives better,” Shumway said. “I want the safest, cleanest, most beautiful city. I see so much potential here.”

As mayor, Shumway said he will emphasize the need to compromise in politics, especially local politics. He cites his previous work as a claims adjustor at Geico as his experience effectively negotiating.

“Compromise in politics is the name of the game,” Shumway said. “I don't think anyone ever gets what they want 100%. My policy is as far as how to compromise. I don't lean hard right or left on a direct issue. Any certain policy is more just, ‘What are my values? What do I believe in?’ And that makes people even want to make the most educated decision.”

Shumway said his diverse work experience is one of his most vital assets. Because of this, he said he promises to use those experiences to fulfill his primary goal: to make Fort Collins the safest and most beautiful city it can be.

“I've had many other jobs, but I just say overall it gives me just kind of a kaleidoscope of different experiences,” Shumway said. “I've worked in finance, negotiations, life and death situations, saved people's lives and had my life put at risk many times. I bring a level of maturity that I'm going to take every decision extremely seriously and very transparently.”

For more information on Jeffrey Shumway, go to his campaign website.

Robert Sides is a second-year student at Colorado State University and a reporter for Rocky Mountain Student Media. He is also the treasurer of CSU’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

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