Representation Matters: Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone
This is part of The Humanist’s recurring series highlighting openly nonreligious elected officials across the nation. Because of the work of the Center for Freethought Equality, the political and advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association, there are over 130 elected officials at the local, state, and federal level who publicly identify with the atheist and humanist community serving in 35 states across the country. Join the Center for Freethought Equality to help politically empower the atheist and humanist community—membership is FREE!
The Center for Freethought Equality’s advances have been groundbreaking. Prior to the 2016 election, there were only five state legislators and no members of Congress who publicly identified with our community; because of its efforts, today we have seventy-seven state legislators and three members of Congress – Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3), Jared Huffman (CA-2), and Emily Randall (WA-6) – who publicly identify with our community. It is critical that our community connect and engage with the elected officials who represent our community and our values—you can see a list of these elected officials here.
Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone
Representing Jefferson County, Colorado in District 27
“…Too often, public life is dominated by the assumption that everyone must be religious to be moral or to lead effectively. I think it’s important to challenge that narrative and show that people can live ethical, compassionate, service-driven lives without religious belief.”
Brianna Titone serves in the Colorado House of Representatives, representing the 27th District in Jefferson County, which includes parts of Arvada and Westminster, which are part of the greater Denver metropolitan area. Before entering politics, she worked as both a geologist in the energy and environmental sectors and as a software developer, giving her a technical foundation that shapes her focus on infrastructure, digital security and renewable energy policy. First elected in 2018, Titone became Colorado’s first openly transgender legislator and has since been re-elected three times. Titone is outspoken about the challenges of being a transgender lawmaker in a climate where LGBTQ+ rights are frequently under attack. She has also been active in community advocacy focusing on science, education and environmental protection.
Titone holds dual bachelor’s degrees in geology and physics from SUNY New Paltz, a master’s in geochemistry from Stony Brook University, and a master’s in information and communications technology from the University of Denver, reflecting the interdisciplinary expertise she now brings to her legislative work. In the legislature, Titone leverages her STEM background through her leadership roles as Chair of the Joint Technology Committee, Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee. She has championed policies on wildfire mitigation, broadband expansion and consumer data privacy while also leading on issues such as the Right to Repair, artificial intelligence regulation and rental fee caps. Titone is openly nonreligious.
What motivated you to run for office?
When I first ran for office in 2018, my motivation came from a deep desire to serve and make government work better for the people who often feel left out of the process. I wanted to create more accountability, transparency and fairness in how our state makes decisions that impact people’s everyday lives. At the time, my community was represented by someone who didn’t reflect our values or priorities. I knew that if I wanted to see change, I had to step up and work to make it happen. That drive — to ensure that government is responsive, inclusive and focused on solving problems — has stayed with me through each term in the legislature.
What are your policy priorities and how does your nonreligious worldview impact your policy platform?
My policy priorities have always centered on fairness, equity and responsibility — making sure that people’s voices are heard and that the government serves everyone, not just the well-connected. In the legislature, I’ve worked on issues ranging from consumer protection and housing affordability to technology modernization and mental health care. As a member of the Finance Committee, I’ve also been deeply engaged in fiscal policy that protects taxpayer dollars and supports long-term stability for Colorado.
Being nonreligious influences my approach in that I don’t come to policymaking with a set of religious doctrines to follow. Instead, I rely on reason, evidence and compassion. I look at data, I listen to people’s lived experiences and I strive to craft solutions that are practical, just and rooted in shared values of dignity and fairness. I believe good policy should serve everyone equally, regardless of their background, beliefs or identity.
Why was it important for you to be open about your nonreligious identity?
Representation matters — and authenticity matters. Just as I’ve been open about being transgender, I’ve also been open about being nonreligious because people deserve to see elected officials who reflect the diversity of their communities. Too often, public life is dominated by the assumption that everyone must be religious to be moral or to lead effectively. I think it’s important to challenge that narrative and show that people can live ethical, compassionate, service-driven lives without religious belief. By being open, I hope others feel less isolated and more empowered to live their truth.
How did voters respond (if at all) to your openness about your nonreligious identity?
What I’ve found is that most voters care far less about a candidate’s personal beliefs and much more about whether you will listen to them, fight for them and deliver results. While there are always some people who may react negatively, overall my openness has been met with respect. Many people — especially those who are nonreligious themselves — have told me how meaningful it is to see someone like them in office. In fact, I think my willingness to be honest about who I am has helped build trust with voters. They know I’m not hiding anything and that I’ll bring that same honesty and integrity to representing them.
Use this link to learn more about Representative Brianna Titones’s work in the Colorado legislature.