Christopher Coburn, 29, announces his candidacy for Bozeman City Commission. Coburn sought a seat on the City Commission during the appointment process that was conducted in October 2020 to fill a vacancy due to the resignation of the Mayor. Although he was not appointed, Coburn received an overwhelming majority of the supportive public comments, both written and verbal.

Raised by a non-Indigenous family that has called Montana home for at least six generations, Coburn was shaped by the values that make our state unique. He is excited to run for City Commission because he believes Bozeman has the opportunity to be a leader in creating the strong, healthy, and equitable communities we all deserve.

If elected, Coburn would bring a new kind of representation to the City Commission. He is a young, queer, person of color who has experienced some of the biggest challenges our community faces. A current renter, Coburn knows first-hand the frustrations of trying to find an affordable apartment to rent, let alone an affordable house to buy. He understands the weight of student loans, and shares the anxieties of inheriting a world threatened by the climate crisis. Coburn believes that Bozeman needs commissioners who are informed not only by professional practice, but also by lived experience.

Coburn regularly joins and participates in City Commission meetings, and is heavily involved in the Bozeman community. He currently serves on the Gallatin City-County Board of Health and is a member of the Gallatin County COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force. Coburn is also a member of the Bozeman Task Force to Advance the Status and Safety of All Women and Girls, and participates in several community initiatives – including those focused on mental health, housing, food security, transportation, healthcare access, and racial equity and justice. Coburn serves on the Board of Directors for Pride Foundation and Gender Equality Montana, and was a recipient of the Bozeman Daily Chronicle’s 20 Under 40 award in 2019.

Additional information on Coburn’s campaign can be found at CoburnforBozeman.com and on Instagram and Facebook @CoburnforBozeman.