Search Results

< Back Katie Stewart Rep. Katie Stewart is a fourth-generation Durangoan who represents House District 59 in the Southwest corner of Colorado, including Archuleta, La Plata, San Juan counties, and most of Montezuma County. She is a member of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources and the Health & Human Services committees. Her background as an emergency responder in Silverton and Durango and a member of the Durango 9-R Board of Education shapes her priorities in the Colorado Capitol - which are addressing the affordability crisis, strengthening the state’s education system, and advocating for rural Colorado. Rep. Stewart is ready to work across the aisle to be a strong voice for Southwest Colorado and its future.

< Back Matthew Martinez Majority Whip Representative Matthew Martinez is the Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Martinez represents House District 62 which includes Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano Mineral, Pueblo, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. Veteran and educator, Rep. Martinez is passionate about post-secondary education opportunities, workforce development, veterans’ issues, and supporting local communities. During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Martinez sponsored bipartisan legislation to provide financial assistance to high school seniors to pursue career or education opportunities after graduation.

< Back Andrew Boesenecker Speaker Pro Tempore Andy was elected via a vacancy committee to represent House District 53 in April of 2021. He was re-elected in November of 2022 and 2024 and is serving in his third term as the State Representative from House District 53. In addition to serving as the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House, he also serves on the following committees: Transportation, Housing, and Local Government Committee Appropriations Committee Audit Committee Health Insurance Exchange Oversight Committee Wildfire Matters Review Committee In his time in the legislature, Andy has prioritized legislation that reflects the values and concerns of our community. He has championed bills that address affordable housing, climate change, gun violence prevention, healthcare, transportation, public education, and more. In 2023, Andy was recognized by the Colorado Center on Law and Policy as the Legislative Champion of Economic Justice and Equity. Voces Unidas honored Andy with their 2023 Community Ally award, and Health Care for All Colorado recognized him as the 2023 Legislator of the Year. Andy also received the Community Investment Alliance's 2023 Political Impact Award and was recently honored as a Legislative Champion by Young Invincibles. Andy earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University in 2001 and a Master of Divinity Degree from the Iliff School of Theology in 2013. A former public school teacher in a Title I school, Andy has also worked in the non-profit sector. He was previously ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and worked to advance LGBTQ+ rights within the church. He lives in West Fort Collins with his spouse, Stacey, and their three children.

< Back Julie McCluskie Speaker of the House Representative Julie McCluskie is the first female from the Western Slope to serve as Speaker of the House and represents House District 13 which includes Chaffee, Grand, Jackson, Lake, Park, and Summit counties. Over her years as a State Representative, McCluskie has served on the Rural Affairs and Agriculture, Education, Appropriations, Wildfire Matters, Early Childhood and School Readiness Commission, and Water Resources and Agricultural Review committees, and as Chair of the Legislative Interim Committee on School Finance. Notably, she was appointed to the Joint Budget Committee in January 2020 and was appointed Chair of the JBC in November 2021. She was elected Speaker of the House for both the 74th and 75th General Assemblies. Speaker McCluskie’s legislative achievements include student success and workforce revitalization, healthcare affordability and accessibility, water and wildlife conservation, wildfire mitigation, and affordable housing initiatives. Additionally, she passed the first significant rewrite of the Colorado School Finance Act in 30 years, making it more equitable and increasing funding for every student in the state. Speaker McCluskie is dedicated to preserving the Colorado Way of Life for those living from the the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope and everywhere in between.

< Back Rep. Meghan Lukens: Supporting students and schools in our communities Feb 25, 2025 See more This story was originally published in the Vail Daily here . As chair of the House Education Committee and your representative for House District 26, I am excited to share updates on legislation that will directly impact our students, teachers, and schools. This year, I am championing several education bills that address key priorities: improving classroom learning environments, enhancing school safety, maximizing school resources, and preparing students for future careers. Each of these initiatives responds to specific needs I have heard from educators, parents, and students across Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties. Addressing the cell phone challenge In my years as a teacher, I experienced firsthand how technology, particularly cell phones, can impact student learning. After hearing from countless educators and parents across Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties, they consistently identified cell phones as one of their most significant challenges in the classroom. Studies increasingly show these devices can significantly impact both academic performance and mental health. In response, I have introduced HB25-1135, which empowers school districts to develop policies regarding cell phones during school hours. Unlike approaches that dictate specific rules from the state level, this legislation recognizes that each school district may have different needs. This bipartisan bill, strongly supported by Colorado Attorney General Phil Wieser, acknowledges local expertise while providing a framework to help students focus on learning and meaningful connections. Innovative solutions for school resources I am very excited about HB25-1006 , which has already passed the House with bipartisan support and moved on to the Senate. This bill removes the current 10-year restriction on school districts leasing unused land for affordable housing, solar fields, and energy storage systems. The idea came directly from Eagle County School District, which had a specific parcel of land that was largely unusable and draining resources. Now, they will be able to lease that land for solar energy production — generating revenue while contributing to our clean energy goals. This is precisely the kind of creative, practical solution our Western Slope communities need. Improving education accountability By refining how we measure student success and providing the right support, we can create an education system that works better for students, educators, and schools. This is why I am proud to co-sponsor HB25-1278 , which implements recommendations from the Accountability, Accreditation, Student Performance, and Resource Inequity Task Force. This bipartisan bill modernizes Colorado’s education accountability system to better meet the needs of students and schools. The legislation makes assessments more accessible by dividing them into shorter sections with age-appropriate time frames and developing versions in additional languages. It improves how we identify schools needing support by implementing early warning systems and providing targeted assistance before problems escalate. The legislation also creates a more transparent accountability dashboard for families and communities. Supporting students at every level Nothing is more important than keeping our students safe. HB25-1173 is a bipartisan bill that expands the role of the school safety advisory board in recommending policy to the School Safety Resource Center and Office of School Safety. I am committed to supporting measures that protect our children and create secure learning environments. At the same time, every student deserves equal access to educational technology. That is why I am sponsoring HB25-1152 , which requires school technology contractors to meet accessibility standards for students with disabilities and accept liability for non-compliance. I am proud to share that this bipartisan bill passed its third reading in the House and will soon be heard in the Senate Education Committee. By ensuring all students can access digital learning tools, we are removing barriers to education for our most vulnerable learners. Looking toward the future, education must extend beyond traditional classrooms. HB25-1186 would create a pilot program giving higher education students hands-on work experience that complements their academic learning. This program will help students develop practical skills for their future careers while completing their studies — bridging the gap between education and employment that many young people face after graduation. Building education progress together These education initiatives address specific challenges our schools and communities face while paying careful attention to our state’s fiscal realities. Each bill responds directly to feedback from educators, parents, and students across House District 26, focusing on practical solutions from technology accessibility to work-based learning opportunities. I believe we make the best policy when we listen to those closest to the issues. If you have insights about education in our communities or thoughts on any of these bills, please share them with me. You can reach me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov or attend one of my upcoming town halls. For more frequent updates throughout the legislative session, I invite you to join my newsletter by sending me an email. Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward! Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Barbara McLachlan: Bipartisanship Accomplishments May 13, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Pagosa Daily Post. As we hit the 120th day of the 2022 session, I reflect on our accomplishments. After several nights working past midnight, then coming back to work early the next morning, survival right now feels like a major success. Some of our proudest bipartisan accomplishments include: Passing the School Finance Bill. It is a requirement every year, but this one felt great. It decreased the Budget Stabilization Factor by $182 million, which is now at its lowest amount since it started in 2009. Funding was raised on average $545 per student to a $9,559 per pupil total, and we paid our debt to Special Education. We know we have more to do, but we’re happy to keep this priority. Addressing the fentanyl crisis. Democrats and Republicans passed a bill with much tighter restrictions on drug possession. If a person is caught with more than 1 gram, they are now subject to a felony drug charge, but can turn that felony into a misdemeanor if they can prove they did not know any fentanyl existed. We appropriated money for test strips and lifesaving treatments, expanded addiction treatments in jails and added harsher punishment for dealers. The Senate and House agreed in a Conference Committee to pursue this strong, but compassionate language, and avoided unduly burdening the work of prosecutors and law enforcement. Supporting our county employees. Senate Bill 22-230, gives more than 36,000 workers the collective bargaining rights that private-sector and state employees in Colorado already have. Employees now have a seat at the table with Commissioners, and need to agree on their contract, giving them opportunities they did not have before. I ran one amendment exempting counties with populations fewer than 5,000 people, and voted to raise that number to 7,500. Lowering property taxes. With strong support, Senate Bill 22-238 passed, which will lower Colorado property taxes by $700 million over the next two years, saving the average homeowner $274 per year. The bill was crafted in response to several ballot measures which took much larger chunks out of the tax, but would have repercussions for the educators and local government employees who depend on it. Instead, this bill uses money from the general fund and TABOR surplus to save property owners money. Everyone who anticipated running ballot measures had to sign notarized documents saying they were standing down. Paying off a debt. Senate Bill 22-234 uses $600 million in federal pandemic relief funds to repay some of the money borrowed to support the unemployment insurance trust fund during the pandemic. This investment supports workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own, saves lives and prevents an increase in fees to save businesses money. This is my last in-session column of the year. I thank our local newspapers for providing the platform to connect with constituents and appreciate the positive feedback I have received. Please keep in touch, as I look forward to our continued conversations and successes. Barbara McLachlan Previous Next

House Bill 1313 uses goals tied to HUTF funds to give local communities incentives to build more housing near transit < Back Reps. Jodeh & Woodrow: The state can and should encourage housing near transit with legislation this year Feb 28, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Denver Post here . House Bill 1313 uses goals tied to HUTF funds to give local communities incentives to build more housing near transit Every day, Coloradans grapple with the harsh realities of our housing crisis. Finding an affordable place to rent or buy feels like a dream out-of-reach for many. Recent polling shows that 95% of Coloradans say the cost of renting or buying a home in Colorado is a problem. You read that right; a January poll conducted by Keating Research of 1,277 registered voters in Colorado said 95% said affordable housing was a problem – ninety-five percent. Of the homes people can afford, they are farther and farther away from their jobs, the communities they grew up in, and the places they want to live. It’s time for action. Increasing the supply of housing close to transit is an important piece of the solution. Building near existing, new, and expanded public transit systems, safe biking and walking corridors, and job centers will save Coloradans money while protecting our environment. It’s a win-win for Colorado and critical to the future of our State. Enter House Bill 1313, a crucial bill that builds on the successes some localities have enjoyed in fostering transit-oriented communities. This bill is the product of months of participating in housing tours across the state and meeting weekly with a large group that included affordable housing advocates, transportation experts, local governments, city planners, environmental advocates, realtors, chambers of commerce, non-profit organizations, developers and policy experts (We like to call these meetings TOC Tuesdays). As a result, this bill is a thoughtful pathway to constructing housing Coloradans can afford in close proximity to transit and employment centers, thereby reducing housing costs and pollution while promoting vibrant, walkable neighborhoods. It’s a tangible way to ensure that the people we care about can continue to call Colorado home. Support for this initiative is overwhelming. According to the Keating poll, 68% of Coloradans back a hypothetical state law that promotes housing development near transit and commercial hubs. This sentiment resonates across party lines and in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike, underscoring the statewide urgency for action. There are many recognizable and successful transit oriented communities around the state and this bill will help more communities replicate that success. A few examples include Olde Town Arvada, served by the G Line commuter rail and includes a mixed-use district with multi-family residential, hotel, and retail. Sheridan Station, served by the W Light Rail Line, is in a residential district with multi-family homes, townhomes, and single-family homes. City Center & Ridgegate Stations in Lone Tree are served by light rail, which are in mixed-use districts with multi-family homes, office, and retail. By eliminating barriers to smart growth, the bill empowers local governments to address their housing needs effectively while providing financial incentives for municipalities that embrace this vision. At its core, the bill establishes locally-tailored goals, setting reasonable targets for jurisdictions to increase housing stock near transit and urban centers. Flexibility is key, allowing communities to meet these goals while preserving their unique character. Moreover, communities that work to achieve the goals of the bill will benefit from a new Affordable Housing Tax Credit, which mirrors federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funds, and will also get access to a Transit-Oriented Communities Infrastructure Fund. These resources support affordable housing construction and essential infrastructure development, ensuring that our communities thrive. The bill gives local governments a long runway and financial support to meet their goal, but if they struggle to reach their goal by December 1, 2026 the state can withhold Highway User Tax Funding (HUTF) from them. However, communities can apply for an extension if they demonstrate a plan to achieve their housing goals. They have until December 31, 2027, to meet these targets, after which they’ll be considered out of compliance with state law. If local governments don’t meet their goal, housing costs will rise, pollution will worsen, and traffic congestion will increase. That’s why this bill links HUTF with these forward-looking objectives. We recognize that development can carry a heightened risk of displacement. The bill includes strategies to promote affordability while mitigating the challenges created for existing residents. Through careful planning and state support, we can ensure that progress doesn’t come at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors. It’s time for action. By expanding housing options near transit, we pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future where Coloradans don’t need to drive hours every day to work. HB-1313 aligns our priorities with the bright future Coloradans deserve, incentivizing local governments to lead the charge. Let’s seize this opportunity to build a Colorado where everyone can afford to thrive, where housing is accessible, and where our environment is safeguarded for generations to come. Iman Jodeh represents District 41 in the Colorado House and Steven Woodrow represents District 2 in the Colorado House. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Story: Colorado’s broadband funding can be a boon for jobs May 29, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Gazette here . Colorado is slated to receive $826.5 million in federal funding through President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, and this year released another $113 million from the state’s Capital Projects Fund, all to expand broadband access across the state. In addition to closing Colorado’s digital divide, this historic funding has the potential to create thousands of jobs in the process — but only if we hold the companies deploying it accountable to Colorado taxpayers. State legislators recently had the opportunity to put parameters around this nearly $1 billion broadband expansion that would have ensured the creation of long-term, good paying jobs, and promoted a safe build-out and a quality network. Despite sailing through both House committees, passing on the House floor, and passing in the Senate Business Affairs & Labor committee, the bill was purposefully held up on the Senate Appropriations calendar. Now, it’s up to Colorado’s Broadband Office to make sure those guardrails are established and that this historic funding creates good paying jobs in Colorado, while prioritizing a well-trained local workforce that will deploy broadband equitably and safely. Passing HB24-1245 would have been a guarantee to Coloradans everywhere that the state’s upgraded and expanded broadband infrastructure would last for generations to come. This bill would have ensured networks were built responsibly and sustainably by workers making family-sustaining wages and benefits. Across the country, we see internet companies cutting corners and jobs in the industry getting worse. Companies are outsourcing an increasing share of broadband deployment work to contractors, who are often, undertrained and unfamiliar with local infrastructure. When contractors are paid by the job, they often speed through the work, cutting corners and putting safety and quality at risk. While the companies might save a buck, it is our local governments and residents who pay the price: millions in repairs to infrastructure and private property damaged by contractors’ shoddy work, or even dangerous accidents that put residents and local businesses at risk. The bill would have required that the companies that receive public dollars to build broadband pay their workers a family-sustaining wage, also known as prevailing wage, which studies show promotes productivity, reduces injury rates, and helps address the shortage of skilled labor. While legislators failed to pass this law, the state’s broadband office has the power to hold ISPs to this higher standard. It’s crucial they do this now to ensure the money goes into Colorado’s economy, instead of to low-road contractors. Nearly a billion dollars are at stake, and Coloradans deserve a high quality network and high quality jobs, of which thousands will be needed for this massive investment to be fully realized in the years to come. Colorado’s Broadband Office can ensure a higher standard by collecting and publishing workforce plan information; prioritizing applicants that commit to using a directly hired, local workforce; and looking for applicants with robust in-house training programs. The Communications Workers of America, which boasts 3,552 members across Colorado, has made significant investments in its workforce development and apprenticeship programs to help meet this need. If we want to develop the workforce that will be needed to build and maintain these networks, we need to make sure these jobs are good jobs. Colorado has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capitalize on this opportunity for jobs and to build a quality high-speed network that will last, but only by choosing to work with ISPs that invest in good jobs and a sustainable workforce. The stability created in communities by long-term, good-paying career-oriented jobs pays dividends in local economic growth. We cannot risk this historic opportunity to close our country’s digital divide with haphazard build outs by underpaid contractors who lack the training and experience needed to build a quality product. Statewide connectivity and good-paying jobs are things all Coloradans should be able to get behind, and that’s why it’s critical that the Colorado Broadband Office follow through. Sandra Parker is a lobbyist, organizer, and activist for the Communications Workers of America. She has been a union member and activist for 25 years. She is married and lives in Aurora. Rep. Tammy Story moved to Colorado in 1987 with her husband, Mike. For four years, she was a member and leader with the Jeffco Associations Legislative Forum, which is dedicated to discussions concerning education legislation with various stakeholders. Previous Next

< Back Speaker Julie McCluskie: A breakthrough session for the Western Slope May 18, 2024 See more This story was originally published in The Mountain Mail, which can be found here . What a year it has been under the gold dome. Lawmakers secured bipartisan victories on the issues we care about on the Western Slope. I was proud to lead the way on bipartisan legislation that will protect our water, increase funding for rural schools and boost rural economies. By working together the “Western Slope Way,” we delivered real results for high country communities. This year, we made Colorado more affordable by cutting taxes and saving people money on housing. We reduced property taxes, increased the senior homestead exemption and made it portable, created tax credits for families with children and extended income tax relief for senior housing costs. We also passed my bill to allow local governments to help convert short-term rental units to long-term rental or workforce housing to create more options people can afford. One of my proudest accomplishments in my entire time serving in the legislature is the new school finance formula I sponsored and that we passed this year. Colorado’s school finance formula has not changed since the early 1990s. For far too long, rural schools in Colorado have not received the funding they have needed, and a generation of students in our communities has not seen the resources in their classrooms that they deserve. The new formula we passed will increase funding for districts that serve more children in poverty and provide an additional $230 million to rural schools. Park County schools will see an increase of over 20 percent when the new formula is fully implemented. Salida will see a nearly 17 percent increase; Lake will see an increase of over 14 percent; Summit, Buena Vista and Platte Canyon will see 12 percent increases; and East and West Grand will see 28 and 17 percent increases respectively. School districts in our communities will finally see the equitable funding we have long needed, and I was proud to work with the school finance task force, school leaders and lawmakers in both parties to secure this bipartisan victory for the Western Slope, our students and our future. We also focused deeply on water issues. For Western Slope communities, the health of our waters is deeply tied to our way of life. From outdoor recreation and agriculture to tourism and high country industries, protecting our water is essential for our communities to thrive. Last year, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Sackett case left nearly 1 million acres of streams, wetlands and rivers in Colorado unprotected. I worked with Sen. Dylan Roberts, Rep. Karen McCormick, water advocates and industry partners to pass bipartisan legislation that will create certainty for communities by establishing state-level protections for our water. This new law will require permits for certain dredge and fill activities that pollute our waters while fully exempting agriculture and ranching. The legislature also passed bipartisan legislation I sponsored based on recommendations from the Colorado River Drought Task Force to enhance our water supply and protect Colorado water user interests, and we referred a measure to voters to invest an additional $7 million per year into the state water plan instead of returning that money to casinos. I’m proud of the steps we took at the legislature to bridge the rural-urban divide, protect our Colorado way of life and invest in rural economies. We extended tax incentives for businesses to hire workers in rural communities, invested in rural behavioral health care access and rural hospitals and fixed longstanding issues with conservation easement tax credits to continue these critical protections and justly compensate landowners. Finally, I sponsored legislation that created new tax credits to spur business development and new jobs in rail-connected communities with formerly coal-based economies. This will help keep up investment in the rail line that connects Northwest Colorado and Denver. Another bill I sponsored that we passed establishes a funding stream for a potential passenger Northwest Rail route to link Craig and Hayden to Steamboat and eventually Winter Park and Denver along those tracks. I’m proud of the bipartisan results we delivered for Colorado and Western Slope communities. The laws we passed this year will save people money, increase funding for our schools, protect our water, support our agriculture industry and boost our rural economies. We focused on the issues that matter for Coloradans, and we did our work the “Western Slope Way” by coming together, listening to the people of our districts and putting Coloradans first. Julie McCluskie represents House District 13, which includes Summit, Grand, Jackson, Park, Chaffee and Lake counties, and serves as speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. Previous Next

< Back William Lindstedt Chair of the Finance Committee State Representative William Lindstedt is currently in his second term serving the people of the City and County of Broomfield and parts of Adams and Weld County in the Colorado House of Representatives for House District 33. He is the Chair of the Finance Committee and sits on the Business Affairs and Labor Committee. He’s a former assistant bench jeweler, public transit outreach advocate, community organizer, staffer in the Colorado House Majority, and former member of the Broomfield City Council. While serving on the Broomfield City Council during the COVID-19 pandemic, he championed assistance for local small businesses negatively impacted and emergency housing assistance for people struggling. He has helped create Broomfield’s Housing Authority, authored municipal campaign finance reform to limit the influence of big money in local politics, and made it easier for residents to vote by adding additional ballot drop boxes across the community. William also served as Chairman of the Broomfield Transportation Forum and as a Board Director of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. William grew up in Broomfield in a broken home. He knows what it’s like to need a hand up and how important community is to success. He now lives near where we grew up in Broomfield with his fiancee, Bria, and their retired racing greyhound, Pax.

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

< Back Sean Camacho A Colorado Springs native, Rep. Sean Camacho grew up in a working-class, military family At 18, he earned admission to the Air Force Academy, deployed four times, and used the GI Bill to go to law school. Now, he is raising his two young boys with his wife, Jess, in Denver while practicing law and continuing to serve as an Air Force Reservist. Outside of his legal work, he has advocated for important Democratic issues, helped lead non-profits, assisted veterans and individuals in protecting their rights, and helped at-risk youth develop plans for a successful future. Rep. Camacho represents diverse communities in eastern and central Denver, including Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, Hale, Montclair, Lowry, and Windsor Gardens.