Debbie Stafford

Debbie Stafford (born April 5, 1953 ) is a Colorado legislator. First appointed to the Colorado House of Representatives as a Republican in 2000, Stafford was elected four times to represent House District 40, which encompasses Elbert County and rural Arapahoe County east of Aurora, Colorado. Stafford graduated from the Pikes Peak Institute of Medical Technology in 1972 and worked as a medical and optometric assistant in Colorado Springs before attending Nazarene Bible College from 1973 to 1974. An ordained minister, she served as associate pastor of Calvary Temple and Heritage Christian Center from 1986 to 1989 She also earned an associate of arts degree from Aspen College in 1992. Stafford has three children—Matthew, Melissa, and Rebekah; to retired Defense Intelligence Agency employee Bob Edison.

In the legislature, Stafford's priorities have included legislation on animal issues, including strengthening animal cruelty laws and opposing local bans on particular dog breeds. She has also been an advocate for children's issues, and serving as a legislative advisor to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children,

Although Stafford holds traditionally conservative views on issues such as abortion, stem cell research, and school vouchers, Stafford has also crossed the aisle to support measures to end Colorado's death penalty and prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In 2007, she also faced opposition from many in the Republican Party for supporting a contentious bill to expand the ability of homeowners to sue over construction defects. Although she briefly explored a run for the Colorado State Senate, Stafford has indicated that she will retire from the legislature after the 2008 session. Her stated priorities for her final session in the legislature include regulations prohibiting disposal of dead animals in landfills. Stafford has also introduced legislation to regulate the funeral industry, including new requirements that funeral directors be licensed; she sponsored a similar measure in 2006 that was vetoed by Gov. Bill Owens.

Having joined the majority party, Stafford was named vice-chair of the House Judiciary Committee in the 2008 legislative session, in addition to keeping her seat on the House Health and Human Services Committee.

In the 2008 legislative session, Stafford planned to sponsor legislation to regulate hunting in Colorado, requiring that hunters must allow hunted animals opportunity for a "fair chase." The measure was opposed by some wildlife ranchers. Facing opposition from hunters and ranchers, Stafford asked for the bill to be killed in committee. Stafford also introduced legislation to restrict the ability of toll road companies to claim land within proposed road corridors, legislation killed in a house committee for its possible effects on railroads.

Stafford also sat on the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, a position she held through July 2010.