Colton Newman

Colton Newman

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Albuquerque City Council District 9

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Manzano High School

Graduate

The University of New Mexico, 2023

Personal

Profession

Business manager

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Instagram

Colton Newman is running for election to the Albuquerque City Council to represent District 9 in New Mexico. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Newman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Colton Newman earned a high school diploma from Manzano High School and a graduate degree from the University of New Mexico in 2023. His career experience includes working as a business manager and sustainability studies program worker.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Albuquerque, New Mexico (2025)

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Albuquerque City Council District 9

Incumbent Renee Grout, Melani Farmer, and Colton Newman are running in the general election for Albuquerque City Council District 9 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Renee Grout (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Melani Farmer (Nonpartisan)
		Colton Newman (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Anami Dass (Nonpartisan)
• Byron Powdrell (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Colton Newman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Newman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Colton Newman, a proud Albuquerque local, University of New Mexico graduate, and community advocate dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant city for everyone. I earned my BA in Communications and my MS in Project Management from UNM, along with a minor in Sustainability Studies. My career has focused on improving lives through service, from being on the leadership team at the UNM Center for Alcohol, Substance Use and Addictions to serving on the UNM Staff Council Executive Committee, where I advocate for fair compensation and campus improvements. I’ve also led award-winning community projects, like building a school and community garden at Chelwood Elementary. I’m running for City Council to bring bold leadership, smart solutions, and a deep commitment to the people of District 9.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Addressing Homelessness with Compassion and Results: Homelessness in Albuquerque is both a housing and public health crisis. I will push for solutions that combine affordable housing, expanded mental health and addiction services, and clear pathways to employment. We need to focus on prevention, help people transition off the streets, and hold programs accountable for measurable results. My approach balances compassion with responsibility, ensuring we support those in need while protecting safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods.
• Making Albuquerque Affordable for Working Families: Rising costs are putting pressure on working families across Albuquerque. I will work to expand affordable housing, support fair wages, and attract new businesses that provide good-paying jobs. We must grow our economy in a way that benefits all residents, not just a few. By removing barriers to small business growth, increasing housing options, and ensuring workers can earn a living wage, we can make Albuquerque a city where working families can stay and thrive.
• Tackling Crime Through Prevention and Accountability Every resident deserves to feel safe in their home and community. I will strengthen community policing, expand access to crime prevention programs, and ensure repeat violent offenders are held accountable. Safety also means addressing the root causes of crime by investing in youth programs, job training, and rehabilitation for those ready to turn their lives around. By combining accountability with opportunity, we can make Albuquerque safer for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about policies that improve quality of life for all Albuquerque residents. That means addressing homelessness with solutions that combine housing, mental health care, and addiction recovery services; reducing crime through prevention, accountability, and strong community partnerships; and tackling the rising cost of living by expanding affordable housing, supporting fair wages, and growing a local economy that works for everyone. I also care deeply about sustainability and community development, ensuring our city grows responsibly and remains a place where families can thrive.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe the most important qualities in an elected official are integrity, accountability, and the courage to speak up, even when it’s not the easy choice. Leaders must be present, engaged, and willing to listen to the people they represent. I will always show up, speak out, and protect our community’s interests, making decisions based on facts, fairness, and what will best serve the long-term well-being of Albuquerque.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Favorite Book: 1984 by George Orwell
I’m drawn to 1984 because it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of vigilance, accountability, and protecting individual freedoms. It reinforces why I care about transparency, fairness, and speaking out when systems fail, these are principles I bring to public service every day.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Strong management, effective leadership, and a tireless work ethic are essential for this office. I run my campaign the way I believe a council office should be run, hands-on, detail-oriented, and fully engaged. While some rely on others to do the work for them, I take responsibility for every aspect, from community outreach to policy research. My background in project management has taught me how to coordinate complex efforts, bring people together, and deliver results on time and within budget, these skills directly translate to effective public service.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

One story that has stuck with me came from a voter who helped craft the Clean Air Act. He told me about working in Congress when a Democratic senator and his Republican best friend could sit down, find compromises, and move legislation forward. He said that was the last time he felt politics truly worked. It reminded me that public service should be about collaboration, problem-solving, and delivering results for the people, not just partisan battles.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

One accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is creating an award-winning school and community garden at Chelwood Elementary. I built the garden from reclaimed materials and spent a year teaching third graders about gardening, nutrition, and sustainability. This project not only gave students a hands-on connection to the environment but also brought the community together, showing how practical, locally driven initiatives can make a lasting impact.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2025 Elections

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Candidate

Albuquerque City Council District 9

Website

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