Boulder County Commissioner candidate Elaina Shively said her recent work in the district attorney’s office prepared her for a broader role in government. As the Director of Diversion and Restorative Justice in the DA’s office, she learned how to bring different people together to arrive at an equitable solution for everyone.
“I am excited to continue to serve and use these skills I’ve developed to leverage at a broader level,” the 37-year-old Shively said. “I’ve worked less in the courtroom and more in program development … that’s really been important to me to build and show and use collaborative skills to build relationships and partnerships.”
Shively, a Democrat, announced this week she is running to replace incumbent Matt Jones who is retiring from office after completing his 2022 term.
Shively, a Lafayette resident, graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with both her undergraduate and law degrees, according to a campaign news release. She served as a public defender in Adams County, representing indigent defendants, before starting with the Boulder DA’s office in 2015 to work on innovative criminal justice reform initiatives, the news release states.
Since then, she has significantly expanded diversion programming, creating new adult and mental health diversion programs and launching an in-house restorative justice program that has become a national model, the news release states. Shively can often be seen in the community with Buck, the facility service dog, which she handles on behalf of the DA’s office.
“I have been in the recovery centers of some of the most significant tragedies and disasters that have faced our community in recent years, working to bring comfort and solace with Buck,” she said in the news release. “I want to be able to do more than that for this community, by working to enact systemic change that will improve the lives of residents throughout Boulder County.”
She said the biggest challenge facing residents is obtaining affordable and attainable housing. Most county employees can’t afford to live in the county they serve, Shively said.
The issue especially hits home for her, since her husband is a nurse in Boulder County. “We have a challenge living within his call range,” Shively said.
She admits there are no quick and easy solutions to the county housing crisis. “I think it’s about listening, getting information and being willing to act,” she said. “We have to get out of all the rhetoric and be willing to make some decisions. We must have options we can rely on and call upon.”
Access to mental health treatment is also a high priority for Shively. The COVID-19 pandemic only “excertabted” the difficulty in getting help, she said.
“I really want to make sure everyone in Boulder County is able to live and thrive,” she said.
If elected, Shively would represent County Commission District 3, which primarily covers Superior, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie, Niwot and Gunbarrel. The Democratic primary will be held June 28 and the general election will be on Nov. 8.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty said this week that Shively would be an outstanding county commissioner.
“In addition to leading successful Restorative Justice & Diversion Programs, Elaina has led initiatives to improve the justice system and our community,” Dougherty said in the news release. “She has a proven track record of leadership and collaborating with others to develop innovative solutions, such as our Mental Health Diversion Program. Elaina’s passion for public service and strong commitment to our community are exactly what we want to see in our next County Commissioner.”
