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With the legislative session just around the corner, I wanted to share an update about what I’ve been working on this summer and some of my goals for the next session. < Back Speaker McCluskie: Connecting with Colorado: Progress and Goals for Legislative Session Sep 29, 2023 See more This op-ed appeared in The Flume on Sept. 29, 2023 . With the legislative session just around the corner, I wanted to share an update about what I’ve been working on this summer and some of my goals for the next session. While in session, I must spend most of my time in Denver, but I always look forward to the summer months when I can reconnect with our community. Recently, I held town halls and constituent meetings in Park, Summit, Grand, Jackson, Lake, and Chaffee counties. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to drive across Colorado’s most beautiful district and connect with the hard-working local families who are the heart of our mountain and rural communities. In this last session, we worked to save Coloradans money on what are often the three most expensive costs for families: housing, health care, and child care. We also passed legislation to bolster Colorado’s workforce, protect our air and water, and increase education funding to historic levels. This past session, we delivered real resultson the issues that matter most to Coloradans by: Investing a record amount toward Colorado’s K-12 public schools, which equates to more than $10,600 in per-pupil funding, reducing the Budget Stabilization factor by $180 million and a $30 million investment for rural schools. Establishing the wolf depredation compensation fund to compensate livestock owners and agricultural producers for the depredation of livestock and working animals by wolves. Sending Proposition 123 dollars out the door as soon as possible to provide funding for affordable housing across Colorado’s diverse communities. Investing $45 million over two years for aspiring professionals in high-demand fields to receive free college toward short-term degrees and industry certificates. Creating an insurer-of-last-resort or FAIR Plan for individuals and businesses who can’t get property coverage in the traditional market due to the threat of wildfire. Establishing a Colorado River Drought Task Force, which will make policy recommendations for a collaborative solution to future drought on the Colorado River. I am immensely proud of the bipartisan progress that I and the rest of the legislature have made, but we know there is still a lot of work left to do. I remain focused on making sure the voices of rural Coloradans are heard clearly at the Capitol. I am committed to ensuring that people can live where they work, afford a health care plan that doesn’t break the bank, obtain accessible, high-quality childcare options, and have access to sustainable water for agriculture, municipal use, and outdoor recreation. I look forward to continuing discussions with community members to ensure voices are heard ahead of this upcoming legislative session. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at Julie.McCluskie.House@coleg.gov . Previous Next

< Back Yara Zokaie Yara Zokaie is the State Representative for House District 52 in Fort Collins. Representative Zokaie is a first generation child of immigrants and the first Iranian American to serve in the Colorado General Assembly. Rep. Zokaie serves on the House Judiciary and Finance Committees. Representative Zokaie is an attorney with a masters in taxation and former Deputy Assessor. As a tax attorney, she has represented hundreds of individuals and small businesses against the IRS and Colorado Department of Revenue. Rep. Zokaie also founded a non-profit that worked to bring resources to marginalized communities in Northern Colorado, including COVID vaccinations during the pandemic and voter registration drives. Rep. Zokaie is committed to using her expertise to champion policies that bring meaningful and lasting improvements to the lives of working class families and marginalized communities. Her priorities include strengthening public education, supporting workers’ rights, creating affordable housing, increasing access to affordable health care, addressing climate change, and creating an equitable tax code. Representative Yara Zokaie is a mother to three young boys, and enjoys spending her free time with her family and crafting for her children’s school parties and projects.

< Back Rep. Joseph: Rethink the Kids Online Safety Act to balance safety, freedom Aug 20, 2024 See more This story was originally published in Colorado Politics here . As our children and teenagers become increasingly intertwined with social media and online platforms, ensuring their safety has become a pressing issue. The bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which recently passed the Senate and now awaits action in the House, reflects a unified concern for the well-being of our youth. This cross-party collaboration is a hopeful sign we are collectively invested in protecting our children and promoting their rights. However, as with any legislation, it is crucial to examine both its potential benefits and its possible downsides. KOSA aims to impose a "duty of care" on social media companies to regulate content deemed “harmful to minors.” At first glance, this seems like a prudent step toward safeguarding young users. Yet, the implementation of such regulations could have unintended consequences that might undermine the very protections the bill seeks to enforce. For marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community and individuals seeking reproductive health information, online platforms are not just sources of social interaction but essential lifelines. Research shows more than 70% of LGBTQ+ individuals find online communities are pivotal in shaping their understanding of their identities. This digital connection is particularly crucial for transgender youth, who benefit from supportive online networks, contributing to lower rates of attempted suicide among those with access to these spaces. Similarly, the online realm has become a critical source of information and support for those seeking reproductive health care, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. Social media platforms provide vital resources and community support for navigating reproductive health, which can be overshadowed by harassment and legal challenges in other forums. However, KOSA's broad mandate to regulate content could lead to overzealous moderation by social media companies. Much like the SESTA/FOSTA legislation from the previous administration, there is a risk platforms may excessively censor content to avoid legal repercussions, potentially erasing valuable resources and support networks for marginalized communities. This overreach could silence crucial conversations and support systems, leaving these communities vulnerable. Moreover, there are concerns KOSA could be weaponized for political or ideological agendas. Some sponsors of the bill, like Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and affiliated groups have expressed intentions to use KOSA to suppress specific types of content, such as information related to transgender issues. This opens the door for extremist figures, like certain state attorneys general, to exploit the legislation against those they target, further entrenching the suppression of constitutionally protected speech. In Colorado, we have made strides in safeguarding the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. However, many other states have moved in the opposite direction, highlighting the need for vigilance. The bipartisan nature of KOSA brings a glimmer of hope, reflecting a shared commitment across party lines to protect our children. It is a testament to our collective desire to ensure the safety and well-being of the next generation. As a legislator, this bipartisan effort reassures me there is a common goal to safeguard our youth, and I believe we can find a balanced approach. I urge policymakers to consider amendments to KOSA or explore alternative measures that effectively protect young users while preserving the essential freedoms and support systems that many rely on. By working together, we can ensure our online spaces remain both safe and inclusive for all. Colorado state Rep. Junie Joseph is a child welfare and family law attorney. Previous Next

< Back Lisa Feret Lisa Feret is an Air Force Veteran, Social Worker and Humanitarian. She brings her unique blend of experience and energy to every challenge. From her time as a military policewoman to her work in emergency management and housing advocacy, Lisa loves to tackle tough problems with creativity and heart. She’s a champion for innovative solutions—whether it’s piloting home-sharing programs, responding to natural disasters, or helping older adults remain in their lifelong home. As a mom, Lisa’s dedication to building a brighter future is personal, driving her focus on stronger healthcare systems, and safer neighborhoods. Lisa’s not just about policies—she’s about people. Her hands-on approach to local, national, and international issues shows her commitment to making a real difference. Lisa believes in rolling up her sleeves and working alongside her community to create a Colorado that works for everyone. Rep. Feret is a member of the State, Civic, Military & Veterans Affairs and the Health & Human Services committees.

< Back Rep. Katie Stewart: Federal cuts and frozen funds threaten Southwest Colorado schools, hospitals, individuals and families Jul 16, 2025 See more This story was originally published in the Journal here . To start off on a positive note, my family and I had a wonderful time celebrating our nation’s Independence Day. We enjoyed the Rotary pancake breakfast in Durango and fireworks in Mancos at Boyle Park. However, the 4th of July also marked the final passage of the budget bill in Congress. The bill includes heavy cuts to funding for health care and education that will hit rural communities hard. It’s projected that 140,000 to 230,000 Coloradans will lose their health care coverage. This doesn’t only mean people will be forced to delay care and go into medical debt. These cuts also mean that when those people get sick, hospitals won’t be able to get reimbursed for their care. Paired with more direct cuts to hospital funding, hospitals in rural Colorado will have to reduce services and some may even have to close their doors – including hospitals here in the Southwest. Colorado will also have to complete regular employment verification for more than 377,000 people enrolled in Medicaid, when strong data shows that the vast majority of Medicaid patients already work. This will force our counties to shoulder heavy administrative overheads that they don’t have the staffing or funds to handle. Confusion around paperwork and deadlines will also cut many people off from coverage, even though they work full time. Arkansas and Georgia both tried – and failed – to put Medicaid employment verification in place in recent years. Both states faced massive administrative costs and losses in coverage due to paperwork errors, with no increase in employment among Medicaid patients. Regarding our schools, the Department of Education has frozen funding for programs focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives, English language education, student mental health, and more. School districts across Southwest Colorado have been blocked from accessing hundreds of thousands of dollars that were promised to them, with the school year starting in less than six weeks. Our rural schools have already been struggling with two decades of underinvestment, and cannot afford delays, much less the cuts that are likely to come after the DOE finishes their ‘administrative review.’ These will directly harm our students' ability to prepare for their futures, and they threaten the jobs of local educators. Right now, Montezuma-Cortez School District stands to lose over $410,000, Archuleta $380,000, Silverton $230,000, Durango $220,000, Mancos $191,000, Ignacio $67,000, Bayfield $54,000, and Dolores $34,000. Unfortunately, as many of you know, Colorado is already in an ongoing budget crisis. We managed to avoid significant cuts to K-12 education and Medicaid at the state level this year by tightening our belt across the rest of the budget and making heavy cuts in areas like transportation and road maintenance. We fought to protect affordable health care and the education our kids need for their bright futures. However, this means that we do not have the funds to cushion federal cuts like some other states do. I have been in many meetings this week and last, both with my colleagues at the State House and local health and education providers, and we are working hard on what to do next. At this point, there is no clear way forward and this is going to be a very difficult road for us. Hope springs eternal though, and tomorrow is another day that I have a chance to fight for rural Colorado. Katie Stewart represents House District 59 in the Colorado State House, which encompasses Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties and most of Montezuma County. Reach her at katie.stewart.house@coleg.gov . Previous Next

< Back Karen McCormick Chair of the Ag., Water & Natural Res. Committee Representative Karen McCormick is the Chair of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, member of the House Health & Human Services and represents House District 11 which includes most of the city of Longmont. Rep. McCormick, a practicing veterinarian for over 34 years, advocates for families, health care, education, LGBTQ+ protections, reproductive rights, economic opportunity and the future of our planet. Rep. McCormick has championed important legislation to protect Colorado’s watersheds, preserve ecosystems, improve access to veterinary care, facilitate the move to renewable energy, expand access to health care and more. Her dog Pippin comes to the capitol to intern regularly!

< 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