Steven Altschuler is running again for an at-large seat on the Longmont City Council, bringing with him a background in small business and an ideology grounded in the “teach a man to fish” philosophy. A self-described free-market capitalist, Altschuler says he believes the city should prioritize policies that empower individuals to build self-sufficiency rather than expanding government handouts.
Altschuler previously owned and operated Oasis Interiors, a custom window covering business in Boulder County, for 35 years. He said his experience as a business owner would inform how he approaches economic development in Longmont. He criticized past decisions made by the council to incentivize large employers without requiring them to prioritize hiring local workers.
“If we’re giving them money, we should be able to demand that the vast majority are Longmont citizens,” he said. “That would help reduce traffic a lot.”
When it comes to homelessness and housing affordability, Altschuler expressed concern about what he sees as overly generous and long-term housing subsidies that discourage work. “If someone qualifies for low-income housing, it should be a one-time, three-to-five-year benefit,” he said. “They should be taking a class every semester at Front Range to increase their education, to make them a more valuable employee.”
He said Longmont should seek to reduce reliance on federal housing subsidies, referring to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Tell HUD to take a hike,” he said. “If people are only allowed to take advantage of these programs for three to five years … we don’t need 3,000 units, because those people rotate out, and new people can rotate in.”
On the issue of public safety, Altschuler said the city should enforce existing laws more strictly.
He also voiced skepticism toward the proposed Tull-Distel land swap, expressing concern about the smell associated with a composting facility and the principle of converting open space to industrial use.
“In general, if land has been purchased by the city for open space, it should stay open space,” he said.
When asked how he would engage residents who may not follow local government closely, Altschuler said he would commit to attending Longmont chamber of commerce events nearly every month to hear directly from small-business owners.
“You don’t get anywhere without successful business,” he said.
He described his broader political philosophy as one of personal responsibility and limited government.
“We’ve got to find ways to help people. You don’t give them a fish — you teach them how to fish. And if they don’t want to fish at all, that is their choice,” he said.
Altschuler said he believes many residents feel the current City Council is not listening to them and instead prioritizing outside interests or long-term growth plans over current residents’ concerns.
“They did not move here for high-rise buildings,” he said. “They did not move here for smart meters. They moved here because they liked the open space and the community.”
