Goals

1. Prioritize Sustainable and Ethical Investments

Assure that Boulder County’s investment portfolio prioritizes green bonds, renewables, and ESG-aligned assets (environmental, social, and governance).

Commitment to achieve divestment from fossil fuel-related holdings within four years.

Commitment to fiscal prudence that are deliberately based on addressing climate priorities that favor ESG-based investing.

2. Enhance Equitable Tax and Foreclosure Support

As the Public Trustee, I will oversee the expansion of free, multilingual tax/foreclosure counseling and diversion programs in partnership with crucial nonprofit stakeholders such as HUD and its certified HUD-certified counselors to reduce county foreclosures by 30% over four years (from current low-but-rising trends.)

I will work to launch annual community outreach reaching at least 5,000 households (especially in east county/Longmont and underserved areas throughout Boulder County), with success metrics like 80% of participants avoiding foreclosure through negotiated plans or modifications.

3. Promote Fiscal Transparency and Technological Innovation

Implement a public, real-time financial dashboard that is designed with the non-technical, front-end user in mind, within the first year, to reduce tax processing times by 40% through digital tools (e.g., streamlined online payments, AI-assisted compliance checks) deliberately moving away from mail-based, paper tax assessment notices.

Apply the resulting savings that are based on digital tools to cut administrative costs by 10-15% via tech efficiencies, redirecting savings to community programs.

4. Build Climate-Resilient Fiscal Planning

Establish or grow a dedicated climate resilience reserve fund (building on existing sustainability and equity funds), targeting $5-10 million in dedicated reserves by 2030 for disaster recovery (wildfires, floods).

Integrate climate risk assessments into all major investment decisions, aiming for 100% of portfolio stress-tested annually against extreme weather scenarios, and secure at least $2 million in additional state/federal grants for resilient infrastructure each year.

5. Support Affordable Housing and Economic Equity Initiatives

Direct Treasurer-managed funds and partnerships toward impact investments in affordable housing and small business loans for underrepresented entrepreneurs, targeting $10-15 million in new commitments over four years (leveraging state/federal matches).

Work in collaboration with city and county officials to address the extreme rise in single-family houses in the county by supporting the creation or preservation of 500+ affordable units countywide through targeted incentives (e.g., tax deferrals for long-term rentals), contributing to city/county goals like Boulder's 15% permanently affordable housing target by 2035.

Van Dusen has been involved in both the private and public sectors throughout his career and currently sits on the boards of El Comite de Longmont and the Gateway Montessori School. “I very much enjoy working in the public sector and look forward to bringing my knowledge of fiscal management, including tax processes and procedures to bear in my position as Boulder County Treasurer”, Van Dusen said.