Change. After eight years of the Bush administration, it is something we are all craving. And it is something that all politicians seem to be promising. But the partisanship and bickering that goes on in Washington is keeping our country from moving forward on many key challenges facing our country.

So, if we really want to change the way Washington works, we have to change the kinds of people we send there. I'm not your typical candidate for office. I have never run for political office and I haven't built my life around running for Congress. Instead, I have spent the last 27 years working on agricultural, conservation, and energy issues in the West. Here in Colorado, as the first Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Colorado Conservation Trust, I have helped protect more than 325,000 acres of open space. In Boulder, I have worked on several Boulder Valley School District committees in an effort to improve our children's education.

In all of my work, both professional and volunteer, I have effectively brought people together from diverse perspectives -- ranchers, environmentalists, hunters, local government officials, business people -- to get things done. I've never had the luxury of being partisan in my work, and I will bring these skills with me to Washington to build coalitions on issues like energy, health care and education.

I am running for Congress because I want to focus on the next generation. The challenges the next generation faces -- the health of our planet, immigration, our reputation in the world, and health care -- are enormous and I want to do all I can to leave the world a better place for them.

I will also continue the legacy of leadership on energy and environment that Tim Wirth, David Skaggs and Mark Udall have brought for 34 years. I will make energy and global warming a primary focus in Congress.

Recently, I was endorsed by the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. The Denver Post says, "Congress doesn't need more politicians. It needs more level heads, and people who are beholden only to their constituents. We think Shafroth fits that bill."

On August 12th, you have a choice. I hope you vote for a change in direction that only a political outsider can bring to Congress. My name is Will Shafroth, and I would be honored to have your vote.