Born and raised in Cañon City, I graduated from Cañon City High School and have been happily married to Julie Payne since 1977. We have two sons, Tanner and Travis, along with four grandchildren.

My political journey began in 2004 when I was first elected to the Cañon City Recreation District Board, serving two terms and playing a key role in expanding the Arkansas River Walk Trail and developing Pathfinder Regional Park. Since 2010, I've been involved with the Cañon City Area Fire Protection District as the Board President, overseeing the establishment of a new Fire Station 3. I served as a Fremont County Commissioner from January 2013 to January 2021 for two terms and currently sit on the Board of Directors for the Upper Arkansas Water Conservation District. Throughout my career, I’ve participated in numerous other boards, including the Gold Belt Scenic Byway Board and the Arkansas River Voluntary Flow Committee, among others.

Now, in retirement, I'm involved with several local boards like the Cañon City Fire District and the Upper Arkansas Water, and I also work as an Election Judge for the Fremont County Clerk. I've contributed to many community projects, such as creating the Regional Dispatch Center and improving local parks and trails.