With the 2025 elections in the rearview mirror, the 2026 campaign season has begun in Larimer County. Fort Collins attorney Dan Sapienza threw his hat in the ring last week to run for the seat that County Commissioner John Kefalas has held since 2018.
In an interview with the Estes Valley Voice, Sapienza explained his background in small business, local government, law, and public service, including his experience as a policy advisor and legislative analyst in Congress. He also has a background in nonprofits, serving with the Health District of Northern Larimer County, the Board of Salud Family Health, as a Commissioner on the Fort Collins Urban Renewal Authority, a Board member with the Fort Collins Musicians Association, the Northern Colorado AIDS Project, and the Fort Collins Municipal Railway Association.
During his time in the nation’s capital, he worked closely with former Rep. Betsy Markey (D-Colo.) as the Affordable Care Act was passed, and he was struck by the importance of healthcare legislation for millions of people.
He says he has deep concerns about the Big Beautiful Bill (P.L. 119-21), a budget reconciliation bill that was signed into law on July 4, 2025, which includes funding cuts and policy changes to Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplaces, Medicare physician payment,s and medical student loans.
After returning to Colorado from Washington, D.C., Sapienza worked as a statehouse lobbyist for the Health District of Northern Larimer County and with legislators during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act into state law. He says county government plays an important role in implementing the policies of the federal and state governments at the direct program level.
When asked why he wants to run for a county commissioner role rather than a seat in the Colorado legislature, Sapienza said, “With my background in law, my background in public policy, my work throughout the community, to me, it’s the most important place for experienced, qualified individuals who know the county to help put those policies into place in ways that benefit the community.”
In 2018, Sapienza ran for the commissioner’s seat but stepped down when Kefalas, who had served in both the Colorado House and Senate, entered the race. Kefalas, who will turn 71 next month, announced in July that he would not seek reelection in 2026.
A solo practitioner with Poudre Legal Advisors, Sapienza earned a law degree from George Mason University. He is married to Vanessa Fewell, the father of two sons, and a board game designer.
Sapienza has received endorsements from Markey, Poudre School District Board President Kristen Draper, Wellington Mayor Calar Chaussee, Wellington Trustee Rebekka Dailey, Andrew Spain, Poudre School District Board of Education, and Coronda Ziegler, Member-Elect of the Poudre School District Board of Education.
For more information about Sapienza’s campaign, click here.