Running for a third term in the house, state Rep. Libby Szabo says she is putting her community and constituents at the focus for the future.

“I want to do things at the state capital that benefit my constituents and state as a whole,” she said. “I have a passion for Colorado, and I’m running to be able to keep Colorado the great place I’ve come to know and love.”

Elected to office in 2010, Szabo said she has worked in the Legislature to regulate businesses; reduce voter identity theft, ensure all votes count and increase charter school construction funds to a more equalized level with neighborhood schools. She is the assistant minority leader and is part of the business, labor, economic and workforce development; capital development; and legislative council committees.

“I’ve learned that the focus at the state capital needs to be about the people of the State of Colorado,” she said. “I’ve also learned to work hand in hand with people and listen to the other sides of an issue.”

Along with these issues, the representative said she is hearing a desire for a stable economy, a great education system and concerns about the cost and benefits of the health care system from constituents.

“What I’m hearing from constituents is that they really want a stable economic environment where they don’t have to worry or fear being laid off,” she said. “As always, they want a great education system for their children using an out of the box system ... and people want to make sure their health care isn’t going to be jeopardized.”

To spearhead with those issues, she said she would like to see the Colorado legislature have more common sense and to use allotted funds wisely.

“I would hope to see some common sense come out of the legislature, instead of what the legislature’s been doing, with knee-jerk reactions that turn into unintended consequences,” she said.

Szabo is a Colorado native and Arvada resident. She and her husband own a small business and have raised four kids through the Jefferson County School District.

“I believe people are the backbone of the community and society and government is there to take care of the bigger things we do, not take care or our day to day lives,” she said. “I’m a fellow Arvadian who deals with the same issues they (constituents) deal with on a daily basis — I’m out there working hard for their interests and their interests are the ones I’m listening to.”

For more information or to contact Szabo directly, visit .