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- Rep Joseph: Air Force proposal threatens Colorado’s workforce pipeline
< Back Rep Joseph: Air Force proposal threatens Colorado’s workforce pipeline Jun 6, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Daily Camera here . Transferring Air National Guard (ANG) space missions from the state level to the U.S. Space Force (USSF) threatens Colorado’s civilian aerospace and defense industry and jeopardizes our state’s security and path to prosperity. In March, the Secretary of the Air Force sent a Legislative Proposal — titled Legislative Proposal 480 (LP 480) — to the Hill for consideration by Congress. LP 480 mandates Congress to strip space units out of the Air National Guard and force them into the U.S. Space Force. Colorado’s National Guard, with its unique and significant space unit footprint, plays a crucial role in our state’s aerospace and defense industry. This role, which is under threat from LP 480, is not just a part of our industry, but a key aspect that if lost could hinder the growth of aerospace companies in Colorado and eliminate the community-based social mobility ladder that ANG space units represent. The Guard has a unique dual mission, with both federal and state responsibilities. During peacetime, the governor commands Guard forces through a state adjutant general and during wartime the Guard is commanded by the President through the Department of Defense. The governor can request Guard action during local or statewide emergencies, such as storms, drought and civil disturbances. As such, LP 480 will affect everything from national security, to capability in space, to governor’s and state’s rights. The ANG makes up 30% of the nation’s space capability and has been conducting space operations for over 27 years. To perform these missions, ANG space personnel receive the same training, security clearances and certifications as their active-duty Air Force (and Space Force) counterparts. ANG space operators, who have a unique skill set, often hold full-time jobs in the civilian sector as their primary employment and work part-time within the National Guard. They can convert their training, skills, clearances and certifications into jobs in the civilian aerospace sectors of their local communities. The average Colorado ANG space operator has 10 years of space experience and over 60% work in civilian aerospace and STEM full-time. This interplay between military space experience and the civilian aerospace sector is a testament to their exceptional capabilities and a win-win-win for our nation. Space operators in the ANG also bring the skills they gain and develop in the civilian sector to their military duties and, by extension, the war fight. American civilian aerospace and defense companies are on the cutting edge of space capabilities. The technologies and strategies they develop today are the capabilities of our nation’s military tomorrow. ANG space operators working for companies like Lockheed, Raytheon and Northrup Grumman don’t have to wait until tomorrow to learn these systems second-hand. These individual service members get the best of both worlds. ANG space operators come from every community, socioeconomic class and background. With the only requirements for service being a certain Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score, medical readiness, a high school diploma and a relatively clean criminal background, the ANG represents an unparalleled development pipeline. The ANG takes young Coloradans straight out of high school and, with a six-year contract, provides them the resources and training to become educated, gain leadership experience, obtain a security clearance and purchase a home. This inclusivity and accessibility is a testament to the ANG’s commitment to our people. The ANG in Colorado offers every Coloradan a pathway toward prosperity and a high-paying job. As a state and nation, our people are our greatest asset. The community-based ANG model of space operations is an investment in our people that pays off multiple times over. At a time when military recruitment is struggling, the aerospace and defense industry is facing overwhelming vacancies, and income inequality is growing, why would we cut out a process that addresses all three? In doing so, we risk not just losing a process, but also the opportunities it provides to Coloradans. ongress must vote “no” on Legislative Proposal 480 to protect our aerospace and defense industry, preserve the industry’s career development pipeline, and ultimately safeguard our national security. These threats to our state cannot be taken lightly, and it is our duty to prevent them. Representatives Junie Joseph and Ryan Armagost are the co-chairs of the Aerospace & Defense Caucus. Previous Next
- 2019 Legislative Session | Colorado House Democrats
House Democrats focused on building an economy that expands opportunity for all, investing in our future and protecting the Colorado way of life. DOWNLOAD
- Willford, Froelich Bill to Improve Ride Share Safety Passes House
HB25-1291 would establish the strongest ride-share regulations in the nation to keep riders safe < Back April 16, 2025 Willford, Froelich Bill to Improve Ride Share Safety Passes House DENVER, CO – The House today passed a bill to create new safety requirements for transportation network companies (TNCs), including Uber and Lyft. HB25-1291 passed the House by a vote of 59-6. “This bill isn’t just about what happened to me – it’s about the thousands of survivors who have endured so much pain and suffering because ride-share companies aren’t doing enough to keep riders and drivers safe,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “The person who sexually assaulted me during a Lyft ride was borrowing another driver’s account. To this day, I’m not sure if his account is still active. Our bill establishes important safety standards for ride-share companies, including regular background checks, audio and video recording and barring drivers who were previously charged with serious crimes.” “Between 2017 and 2022, more than 15,000 riders were sexually assaulted during an Uber or Lyft ride. While this number is staggering, we know the real number is likely much higher, and more must be done to protect riders and drivers,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “This bill aims to improve safety by requiring ride-share companies to respond to complaints within 48 hours and disclose the number of assaults and complaints that happened on their watch every year. We’re serious about improving rider safety, and the passage of this bill is a step in the right direction.” The bill creates new safety requirements for TNCs and their drivers. This bill would require: Enhanced background checks Ride-share companies must procure and pay for privately administered background checks on drivers every six months. Stronger driver vetting and clear disqualifications Drivers with a history of convictions for assault, harassment, kidnapping, menacing, domestic violence, or impersonating a driver would be barred from driving with a ride-share company. If a driver is barred from one ride-share company for serious safety concerns, they would be barred from all TNCs. Audio and video recording for all rides to improve All rides will need to have audio and video recording from pick-up to drop-off. Improved transparency and accountability If a driver is convicted or enters a plea, they must notify the TNC within 48 hours of the conviction TNCs must provide annual reports to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General’s Office and legislative committees. These reports must include the number of assaults, harassment complaints, discrimination complaints and accidents. Additionally, TNCs would need to establish certain polices that: Prevent account sharing, imposter accounts and driver impersonation Ensure the safe transport of minors Prohibit free or paid food and beverages during rides Educate drivers on new safety polices Place those accused of serious crimes on probationary status while their case is being reviewed. More than 15,500 Uber and Lyft riders and drivers were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2022. This number only represents the number of sexual assaults that were reported. On average, only 30 percent of sexual assaults are reported. In March, a former Lyft driver in Denver was sentenced to 290 years in prison for charges related to kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault of more than a dozen women over four years. Previous Next
- Privacy Policy | CO House Democrats
This Privacy Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when you use the service and tells you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. Privacy Policy for Colorado House Democrats Privacy Policy Last updated: July 13, 2022 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. This Privacy Policy has been created with the help of the Privacy Policy Generator . Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: Account means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. Company (referred to as either "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to Colorado House Democrats , 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203. Cookies are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses. Country refers to: Colorado, United States Device means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. Personal Data is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. Service refers to the Website. Service Provider means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Company. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the Company to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the Company, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the Company in analyzing how the Service is used. Usage Data refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit). Website refers to Colorado House Democrats, accessible from https://www.cohousedems.com/ You means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable. Collecting and Using Your Personal Data Types of Data Collected Personal Data While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to: Email address Usage Data Usage Data Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service. Usage Data may include information such as Your Device's Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device You use, Your mobile device unique ID, the IP address of Your mobile device, Your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser You use, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. We may also collect information that Your browser sends whenever You visit our Service or when You access the Service by or through a mobile device. 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For more information on how You can delete Flash Cookies, please read "Where can I change the settings for disabling, or deleting local shared objects?" available at https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/disable-local-shared-objects-flash.html#main_Where_can_I_change_the_settings_for_disabling__or_deleting_local_shared_objects_ Web Beacons. Certain sections of our Service and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the Company, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity). Cookies can be "Persistent" or "Session" Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on Your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close Your web browser. Learn more about cookies on the Privacy Policies website article. We use both Session and Persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below: Necessary / Essential Cookies Type: Session Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services. Cookies Policy / Notice Acceptance Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website. Functionality Cookies Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website. For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy. Use of Your Personal Data The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes: To provide and maintain our Service, including to monitor the usage of our Service. To manage Your Account: to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user. For the performance of a contract: the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service. 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For business transfers: We may use Your information to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which Personal Data held by Us about our Service users is among the assets transferred. For other purposes: We may use Your information for other purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns and to evaluate and improve our Service, products, services, marketing and your experience. We may share Your personal information in the following situations: With Service Providers: We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, to contact You. For business transfers: We may share or transfer Your personal information in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of Company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of Our business to another company. With Affiliates: We may share Your information with Our affiliates, in which case we will require those affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. Affiliates include Our parent company and any other subsidiaries, joint venture partners or other companies that We control or that are under common control with Us. With business partners: We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions. With other users: when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside. With Your consent: We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent. 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It means that this information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of Your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from Your jurisdiction. Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer. The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information. Disclosure of Your Personal Data Business Transactions If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy. Law enforcement Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency). Other legal requirements The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: Comply with a legal obligation Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public Protect against legal liability Security of Your Personal Data The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security. Children's Privacy Our Service does not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13. If You are a parent or guardian and You are aware that Your child has provided Us with Personal Data, please Contact Us. If We become aware that We have collected Personal Data from anyone under the age of 13 without verification of parental consent, We take steps to remove that information from Our servers. If We need to rely on consent as a legal basis for processing Your information and Your country requires consent from a parent, We may require Your parent's consent before We collect and use that information. Links to Other Websites Our Service may contain links to other websites that are not operated by Us. If You click on a third party link, You will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise You to review the Privacy Policy of every site You visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies or practices of any third party sites or services. Changes to this Privacy Policy We may update Our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify You of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. We will let You know via email and/or a prominent notice on Our Service, prior to the change becoming effective and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this Privacy Policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, You can contact us: By mail: Colorado State Capitol, Colorado House Majority Office Room 220, 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
- Bob Marshall
< Back Bob Marshall Bob Marshall was elected in the 2022 election to serve as the Colorado state representative from Highlands Ranch. He serves on both the Finance and Business Affairs & Labor committees. Born and raised in Colorado, Bob attended Georgetown University and then joined the Marine Corps. After six years on active duty, the Marine Corps sent Bob to Cornell Law School where he graduated with a J.D. and LL.M. in International Law. Following service overseas as a Senior Defense Counsel and SJA, Bob left the Corps to clerk for the Honorable Judge Siler on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and returned to Colorado to practice law. The Marine Corps mobilized Bob for duty in Iraq as a Police Transition Team leader and for service in Afghanistan. After Afghanistan, Bob served at Wounded Warrior Battalion, practicing disability law for service-members while earning a Tax LL.M. from the University of San Diego. He then began working for the tax litigation division of the IRS. When the COVID pandemic began, Bob returned to Colorado and became increasingly involved in the community, ultimately leading to his election as the first Democratic Representative from Douglas County since 1966. Bob’s wife of 29 years works at an Alzheimer’s facility while his daughter continues the multi-generational family tradition of military service as a nuclear submarine officer.
- 2025 Legislative Session | Colorado House Democrats
Democrats passed legislation to save people money, improve public safety and protect the Colorado way of life in the face of threats from the Trump Administration and significant budget constraints. With Colorado at a crossroads, Democrats stood up for taxpayers and protected our investments in K-12 education, Medicaid and public safety amidst budget uncertainty and funding threats from Washington DC. DOWNLOAD ONE PAGERS PARA ESPAÑOL, PRIMA AQUÍ DOWNLOAD REPORT
- REP. BUENTELLO APPOINTED TO GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC STABILIZATION & GROWTH
< Back April 10, 2020 REP. BUENTELLO APPOINTED TO GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC STABILIZATION & GROWTH Lawmaker will serve on Telecom Infrastructure Committee DENVER, CO — House Democrats today announced that Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder, has appointed Representative Bri Buentello, D-Pueblo, to serve on the Telecom Infrastructure Committee, part of the governor’s Council on Economic Stabilization and Growth. “A lot of Coloradans are hurting right now. We need to use all the tools we have to help people, families and businesses get through this crisis,” said Rep. Bri Buentello. “Whether it’s helping us work from home or continue our children’s education, video conferencing has become essential to our lives. I’m excited to join private sector and community leaders to continue working on the issues that are important to Colorado families and small businesses.” The Governor’s Council on Economic Stabilization and Growth is looking at how COVID-19 is impacting all aspects of Colorado’s economy and will make recommendations to the governor on how to help families, businesses and communities through the crisis. In addition to making policy recommendations, the Council is focused on identifying existing relief programs and is actively connecting small businesses, nonprofits and independent contractors to these programs. The Council is looking at gaps in federal relief programs and potential ways to fill them. Read more about the other committees and the Council on their website . Previous Next
- Regina English
< Back Regina English State Representative Regina English is serving her first term as the Colorado State Legislator, representing House District 17 in South East Colorado Springs. She serves on the Business Affairs & Labor and Health & Human Services committees. During her first session in the legislature, Rep. English plans to focus on education, housing, mental health, criminal justice, public safety, and reproductive rights, to name a few critical issues vital to her and her community. As a current school board director within the Harrison School District Two, she plans to keep education at the forefront of her legislative mission to ensure all students receive the high-quality education they deserve. The mental health and well-being of the entire family unit will drive the thoughtful decisions she plans to make around ensuring all Coloradans have the opportunity to have a better quality of life through accountable and effective legislation and accountable allocation of state funding. Born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, she grew up and was taught the value of hard work by her father, an active union member and foreman, and her mother showed her the importance of consistency and commitment to achieve goals. Regina resides in Colorado Springs with her husband and is the proud mother of five adult children and ten grandchildren. Rep. English is currently on track to complete her doctorate in Organizational Leadership in March 2023.
- Rep. Amabile: Filing a wildfire insurance claim shouldn’t be another trauma
< Back Rep. Amabile: Filing a wildfire insurance claim shouldn’t be another trauma Mar 23, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Colorado Sun. Many Coloradans who lost their homes and all of their personal belongings in fire disasters are living another nightmare as they seek reimbursement from their homeowner’s insurance policies. Most of these folks chose policies based on what their mortgage holder required and insurance agent recommended. They paid their premiums in good faith, some for decades. But many have found the claims process to be an unanticipated and onerous ordeal. We started to hear from constituents after the fires of 2020. One Grand County resident lost her home in the Cameron Peak fire. She had been paying premiums to her insurance company for nearly 35 years. Her personal property was insured for $161,000. Under current law, the insurance company would pay out an automatic 30%, but to get more she would have to complete a contents inventory. So she did. She and her husband, both in their late 60s, worked diligently to remember all of their worldly possessions. They placed a value on each item, recalled when they bought it and who they bought it from, searched for receipts, and declared what condition each item was in. As required, they used the insurance company’s software system to document all of this. Every day for the last year, they have entered items and answered all of these questions. The insurance company contacted them recently to say that the items had been entered into its system incorrectly. They would need to start over. This couple is agonizing over whether to just walk away with 30% or keep fighting for the full value of their policy. Right now, they feel they just can’t fight anymore. We have heard many variations of this story, with seniors and other vulnerable people struggling the most. It’s heartbreaking. Even people who hire attorneys to negotiate on their behalf feel they are on the losing end of what should be a straightforward business transaction. Not all insurance companies operate the same and not all experiences of wildfire victims have been so disturbingly unfair. But based on the stories we’ve heard and the complaints registered with the Commissioner of Insurance, too many are still agonizing over insurance settlements. Although many homeowners may actually have been underuninsured, the process of claims adjustment should be easier for victims of these horrible events. In Grand County, where the East Troublesome fire took 366 homes more than a year ago, many people still have not been paid by their insurance companies. Many of those who have received payments feel they are much too low; not even close to covering what was lost. People are tired, traumatized, and giving up. It’s unfair to the victims and doesn’t speak well for the laws and regulations of our state that support wildfire disaster victims. Unfortunately, we can expect repeats of those horrific events. That’s why we’ve introduced a measure, House Bill 1111, in this year’s General Assembly to address insurance claims in a declared wildfire disaster. The bill requires that insurance companies automatically pay out a higher percentage of the contents coverage residents have insured in their policies without requiring an inventory. From there, claimants can pursue the full amount with an inventory. An analysis by Colorado’s Division of Insurance showed that between 2015 and 2020, the 10 largest insurance companies in the state paid between 37% and 100% of the contents coverage provided for in homeowner insurance policies, averaging 65% across those 10 companies. Two companies paid below 40%. A standard higher payout percentage will move all of the companies to more fair adjustment processes. The bill provides other common-sense protections for people who have experienced a declared wildfire disaster. It gives people the option to use all available policy benefits to replace their homes by rebuilding or by buying in another location. It extends the time people have to rebuild, and the time people can collect additional living expenses. This is critical when the rebuilding process backs up. The House has passed the bill, but it still has a long way to go. We are going to work hard to see it through to the Governor’s desk. Unfortunately, the bill comes too late for Marshall fire victims who collectively lost nearly 1,100 homes in Boulder County. But it will help the Coloradans who most certainly have a major fire disaster in their future. Judy Amabile, of Boulder, represents House District 13, Steve Fenberg, of Boulder, represents Senate District 18, and Bob Rankin, of Carbondale, represents Senate District 8 in the Colorado General Assembly. Previous Next
- Rep. Mabrey & Sen. Cutter: Opinion: Increasing railway safety rules in Colorado is up to state lawmakers
With federal legislation stalled, Colorado leaders need to implement stricter rules to protect rail workers and communities < Back Rep. Mabrey & Sen. Cutter: Opinion: Increasing railway safety rules in Colorado is up to state lawmakers Jan 2, 2024 See more This op-ed was published in the Colorado Sun on Jan 2, 2024 Over the past few years, there have been a number of high profile train derailments, most notably the one in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. For several months this summer, we’ve worked alongside our colleagues on the Transportation Legislation Review Committee to craft Colorado legislation that will reduce the risk of railway accidents. When a train derailed onto Interstate 25 near Pueblo this fall and killed one man, it was clear our legislation was timely and important. The October derailment exemplifies the complex and far-reaching reasons we need to improve our rail system in Colorado. A single train accident can exert short- and long-term effects on our economy, environment, health and, tragically, can result in loss of life. In the Pueblo accident, 30 cars of a 124-car coal train derailed, spilling tons of coal onto I-25. The derailment caused a bridge to collapse, closed lanes for nine miles in both directions for days and killed a truck driver. Although the initial findings of the federal investigation show the derailment was likely due to a broken rail, what we know with certainty is this: There is an urgent need to address rail transportation safety in a way that ensures economic needs are met while prioritizing the safety of our communities and transportation workers. The threats of railway accidents aren’t isolated to the Front Range. Western Slope leaders and advocacy organizations have been fighting back against the proposed Uinta Basin Railway (UBR) for years. Although we are encouraged that the project is currently facing challenges in federal courts , if it were to move forward, it would result in a significant increase in hazardous materials transported through Colorado from Utah oil fields — alongside the Colorado River and through heavily forested areas. The UBR would service up to five, two-mile trains per day carrying billions of gallons of waxy crude oil every year. Compared to today’s operations, that would quintuple the volume of oil being transported. To put it in perspective, the volume of oil transported through Colorado from the UBR would be more than all oil transported in rail cars throughout the entire U.S. in 2022. Part of the route runs alongside the Colorado River for more than 100 miles through sometimes winding, narrow and difficult terrain. Over 40 million people rely on the Colorado River, including seven states and 30 tribal nations. Contamination of this critical waterway would be catastrophic, environmentally and economically. The Colorado River generates millions from our tourism economy every year. According to the Colorado River Outfitters Association, commercial river activity provided nearly a quarter-billion dollars in economic impact for Colorado in 2022. What’s more, wildfires are an increasing problem in Colorado, and the possibility of sparks causing dangerous wildfires in densely forested and hard-to-reach areas is deeply concerning. Improper railway safety puts our water quality, first responders, communities, tourism economies and wildlife at risk. To allow the UBR to move forward is not only risky, it’s dangerous. Regardless of whether this sweeping proposal advances, railroads transporting hazardous materials through our state should be required to take extra precautions to prevent derailments. If passed, the bill we are proposing will dramatically improve railway safety in the face of current and future threats and protect Colorado’s communities, ecosystems and economy. After months of discussions with experts, advocacy groups and concerned Coloradans, we’ve developed legislation that would take the following steps to improve safety: Limit the length of trains to 8,500 feet. Many trains run miles in length with only one operator. Shorter trains that are well maintained are less susceptible to derailments. Require the use of proven technologies, like wayside detectors and dragging equipment, to alert crews of defects that can lead to accidents. Proactive detection tools would promote the safe and efficient movement of goods across Colorado, and help stop accidents before they happen. Assist communities in preparing for inevitable accidents. Under our bill, railroads will have to provide training and safety drills on hazardous materials to local first responders, who are often the first ones on site after a wreck. Empower union members to report certain safety violations. It’s imperative that we establish an environment within Colorado’s rail industry where workers feel secure in coming forward to ensure their safety and the well-being of others. Ensure railroads have the insurance necessary to cover the costs of catastrophic accidents. If a railroad is carrying hazardous materials, then they should meet a minimum insurance requirement in case of incidents. Increased pressure to put profits over safety has put workers, our environment and communities at risk. The failure of the U.S. Senate to move forward with federal rail safety legislation — despite widespread bipartisan support — means it’s up to us to raise rail safety standards for Colorado. Sen. Lisa Cutter was elected to the Colorado Senate in 2022 to represent District 20 and serves as a member of the Transportation and Energy Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee. Rep. Javier Mabrey was elected to the Colorado House in 2022 to represent District 1 and serves on the Business Affairs and Labor and Judiciary Committees and the Committee on Legal Services. Previous Next
- Meghan Lukens: My first bills will address access to broadband, teacher licensure, affordable housing and more
< Back Meghan Lukens: My first bills will address access to broadband, teacher licensure, affordable housing and more Jan 23, 2023 See more The following op-ed was published in Steamboat Pilot & Today. Being your state representative is truly the honor of a lifetime. The first few days at the state Capitol were filled with excitement and hope. On Jan. 9, all newly elected legislators were sworn in, and we now have a majority women state legislature for the first time in Colorado history. We also elected Julie McCluskie, another Western Slope representative from Summit County, to Speaker of the House. We immediately got to work introducing legislation to make a difference. My first bills will address issues including teacher licensure, agricultural job opportunities, affordable housing, rural broadband access, solar gardens and water quality. Each issue and solution is intertwined with other sectors that all directly impact our community. In fact, addressing the broadband access limitations is the priority of my first bill moving through the state House. HB23-1051 will help get resources and funding to improve rural broadband services, and we will be able to provide higher-quality broadband access to rural communities. Increasing rural broadband access will create jobs, allow remote work, facilitate virtual learning for students and increase the accessibility of emergency services. As I experienced teaching high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, access to high-quality broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Throughout the week, committees heard from the departments we work with. As a member of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Water Committee, we heard updates from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources. As a member of the Education Committee, we heard from the Department of Education, the Department of Early Childhood and the Department of Higher Education. I am confident that we are heading in the right direction in these sectors. We commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. by passing a joint resolution. As a history and government teacher, my students and I would discuss his speeches and writings at length. His vision and advocacy for equality and justice made such a positive impact on American history, and we are forever grateful for his leadership and courage. On Jan. 17, we heard from the governor during the 2023 State of the State Address during which we heard about the governor’s plans for affordable housing, affordable health care and environmental protections. Colorado is seeing some of the fastest job growth in the country with businesses of all sizes setting up shop here, and our unemployment rate sits well below the national average. While Colorado is heading in a great direction, life is still difficult for too many members of our community. It should not be so hard to just scrape by in our state. Families should be able to not just survive, but thrive. The work we will do this legislative session will help Colorado take steps toward a future in which the costs of living are more affordable and make life for Coloradans even better. During the start of the session, I also had the opportunity to attend numerous legislative receptions, hosted by groups such as the Colorado Restaurant Association, Colorado Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. I believe that building bipartisan relationships is essential in order to best represent Northwest Colorado. By working with leaders from our own community, we can address our unique concerns with unique solutions. In my new role, I have made it a priority to be an advocate for the Western Slope, especially for our communities in Northwest Colorado. By working with other Western Slope legislators including Speaker Julie McCluskie, Sen. Dylan Roberts and Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, we will be able to get results for issues unique to our regions such as the quality of rural schools and the need for water protection, among many others. All this work will not be done overnight. It will take long hours and hard work. It will take bipartisan collaboration between the 100 legislators that have been sworn into the Colorado legislature. And hearing from you makes it easier for me to represent your interests and address your concerns. Meghan Lukens represents District 26, which includes Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Eagle counties, in the Colorado House. Previous Next
- Policy Analyst | CO House Democrats
Join our team, now accepting applications for Policy Analyst. Apply online by Jan 13, 2025. Policy Analyst Policy Analyst House Majority Office Colorado House of Representatives Description: The House Majority seeks an analytical thinker and skilled relationship builder with a commitment to democratic values to join our team as a Policy Analyst for the legislative session. We’re looking for someone with legislative or electoral experience who can advise and support the development and execution of the House Democrats’ legislative agenda. The position serves the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader, and reports directly to the Chief of Staff. This is a dynamic and exciting position at the center of the action in the Capitol, interacting with legislators, leadership, and advocates every day. The Policy Analyst is responsible for staffing several Committees of Reference and supporting and serving as a resource to the Chairs and Vice Chairs of those committees on the impacts of various bills in their particular policy areas. As capacity allows, the Policy Analyst supports the broader work of year round committees, works one-on-one with legislators to develop concepts for legislation, and conducts in-depth policy research and analysis on topics of interest to the caucus and its individual members. This is a unique opportunity for an individual who wants to have an impact on the most pressing issues facing Coloradans today, and who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. About the House Democratic Caucus and Staff The 43-member House Democratic caucus is the second largest and most diverse caucus in state history, with members bringing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences from all over our state. In the six years since voters put Democrats in control of the state legislature, the House Dems have passed transformative, impactful legislation that we intend to continue building upon. The House majority staff is composed of 12 staff members - the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff, five Policy Analysts, two Communications professionals, two Advisors to the Speaker and Majority Leader, and one Legislative Aide Program Manager - all working to support the caucus. Responsibilities Track bills as they are amended throughout the legislative process, staying attuned to policy and political issues and anticipating problems before they arise, and being prepared at any time to summarize key issues to staff and House leadership; Take point on consequential bills and support the sponsor in all stages of the bill’s development from stakeholding and committee hearing(s) to floor debate; Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and advocates, organizing outreach and facilitating difficult conversations when necessary; Analyze briefing materials from executive branch departments and interface with the relevant legislative liaisons, as well as with policy staff for the Senate and Governor; Contribute to a variety of communication materials, including daily press releases. What We’re Looking For Ability to distill complex policy concepts, long committee hearings, and opposing perspectives into concise and digestible summaries, quickly and accurately; Highly organized with a keen attention to detail to ensure accurate analysis; Political acumen, solid judgment, honesty, humility, and a strong sense of discretion; Good relationship builder and excellent communicator, both in writing and speaking; Motivated self-starter who can “manage up” effectively, anticipate needs and challenges, identify opportunities, and organize others into action to keep projects moving forward and drive them towards resolution, producing high-quality results on tight deadlines. An ideal candidate will have: Prior experience in a state legislature, Congress, or electoral campaign Prior experience working in Colorado politics Comfort working with Google suite (docs, sheets, slides, forms) and Slack Compensation Salary for this position will be $67,000-$72,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a session-only position that starts in December 2025 and concludes in June 2026. We provide a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance covered mostly by the employer, choice of a PERA retirement plan, 5 days of personal leave (not including state and federal holidays) for the duration of the position, and a free parking space near the Capitol. How to Apply To apply for this position, please send an email to COHouseDemJobs@gmail.com with “Policy Analyst” in the subject line and your resume attached. In the body of the email, please describe in a few paragraphs why you are a good candidate for the job. The application deadline is Monday, September 15 by 5pm MT. Colorado House Majority Office is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or disability. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and identities to apply.
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