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DJ Summers

Director of Policy & Research

For media inquiries, please contact cinamon@csinstituteus.org

DJ Summers is Common Sense Institute’s Director of Policy and Research. He oversees the stages of CSI’s fellows and research staff, coordinates with partners, iterates and analyzes projects, and breaks down findings for the public, legislators, and commercial leaders. 

Prior to CSI, DJ attended the University of Utah and Syracuse University. He worked as a journalist, investigator, and political researcher across the U.S. from Washington, D.C. to Alaska. DJ has a drive to understand complex truths and make them clear and accessible to the public and its leaders alike.

DJ lives in Denver and is a classically trained pianist. He devotes his spare time to practicing and studying music. When not at the piano bench, he has a regimen of strength training, combat sports, and enjoying good Colorado beer.

Expert's Work
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Crime & Public Safety
Human Trafficking in Colorado: 2023 New Record Year for Trafficking Crimes

Colorado’s crime surge in the early 2020s was not limited to property and violent crimes. Human trafficking also surged.

October 02, 2024 DJ Summers
Healthcare
Colorado’s Ranking on Maternal Healthcare: Costs and Options

CSI examined 13 maternity outcomes and indicators. Colorado outperforms other U.S. states in six, is in line with the average in four, and underperforms in three.

Ballot Issues
Ballot Guide 2024

The Common Sense Institute's 2024 Ballot Guide highlights the potential economic and fiscal impacts of key ballot measures in Colorado.

Crime & Public Safety
Facts on Crime in Aurora High Migrant Areas

Aurora, Colorado’s third-largest city, has made local and national headlines recently for criminal activity in apartment buildings allegedly related to members of a Venezuelan gang.

September 06, 2024 Mitch MorrisseyDJ Summers
Taxes & Fees
Town hall: Regional leaders delve into Denver's illegal immigration crisis
Colorado Politics

Panelists agree the federal government is not stepping in to fix growing crisis.

May 10, 2024 DJ Summers
Housing & Our Community
CSI’s DJ Summers talks about the new Colorado property tax relief proposal
KOA Colorado

DJ Summers talks about the new Colorado property tax relief proposal.

May 09, 2024 DJ Summers
Education
DJ Summers of the Common Sense Institute on 'Free' Lunch in Schools
KOA Colorado

We'll talk about the news that the "free" lunch program for all public school kids in the state is already costing much more than expected.

April 04, 2024 DJ Summers
Housing & Our Community
Six important things to know about the migrant crisis
Colorado Sun

How much will the migrant crisis end up costing Denver, and should we expect to see a city-sanctioned tent village?

March 13, 2024 DJ Summers
Healthcare
Maternal Care Matters: A Deep Dive into Health Equity

In this episode of Colorado Clarity, we sit down with Dr. Reggie Washington to discuss the critical state of maternal healthcare.

Ballot Issues
Fighting Crime: The Power of Proposition 130

In this episode, host DJ Summers is joined by Former Chief of Police and CSI Public Safety Fellow Paul Pazen to discuss the pressing issue of rising crime rates and the upcoming November Ballot Initiative,

September 30, 2024 Chief Paul PazenDJ Summers
Ballot Issues
Amendment 80: The Future of School Choice in Colorado

In this episode, DJ Summers is joined by Kelly Caufield, CSI Colorado’s Executive Director, to discuss Amendment 80.

September 16, 2024 Kelly CaufieldDJ Summers