< Back Gretchen Rydin Representative Gretchen Rydin is a social worker, therapist, former Littleton city council member, musician, and advocate working to build a stronger, more inclusive Colorado. She brings a unique blend of expertise in social work, mental health, and public service. Her background as a social worker has equipped her with a deep understanding of community needs, especially in serving vulnerable populations. As a therapist, she has consistently advocated for accessible and comprehensive care, recognizing how essential mental well-being is for both individuals and the community. As a council member, she has experience navigating the complexities of local government and working collaboratively to create policies that improve the lives of our residents, which she will continue in the legislature. As a social worker, Rep. Rydin sees firsthand the outsize impact felt by underserved communities, and wants to bring the thoughtful, data-driven approach learned in her social worker training to the state legislature to make sure no Coloradans get left behind as our state grows. She is a member of the House Business Affairs & Labor and the Health & Human Services committees and represents HD-38.

< Back November 19, 2021 AURORA DELEGATION STATEMENT ON SHOOTING AT HINKLEY HIGH SCHOOL DENVER, CO – Members of the Aurora delegation in the Colorado state legislature, including Senators Rhonda Fields and Janet Buckner as well as Representatives Mike Weissman, Dominique Jackson, Naquetta Ricks, Iman Jodeh, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, today released the following joint statement on the shooting at Hinkley High School in Aurora: “We are devastated. Three times this week, young people have been shot in their own communities and around their own schools. As we await further details from today’s act of violence at Hinkley High School, our hearts are with the victims, their families, and all the students in Aurora schools. Our community is in pain and our kids are scared. “Too many of our children have experienced gun violence. Too many parents have had to pick up their kids early, and too many teachers have had to put their classrooms into lockdown. We cannot become numb to this tragic reality. So far in 2021, there have been at least 138 incidents of gunfire on school grounds across the country. We need to treat gun violence like the epidemic it is.” Previous Next

On August 6, legislation goes into effect to bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. Another law also goes into effect to expand the paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program for families with newborns receiving inpatient care in the NICU. < Back July 24, 2025 Democrats Save Coloradans Money with New Laws to Crack Down on Price Gouging, Expand Paid Family Leave DENVER, CO - On August 6, legislation goes into effect to bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. Another law also goes into effect to expand the paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program for families with newborns receiving inpatient care in the NICU. “Price gouging hurts hardworking Coloradans and mom-and-pop businesses, which is why I sponsored this law that will hold bad actors accountable,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins, sponsor of HB25-1010 and SB25-144. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent, and as a mom to three young children, I have personally felt the pressure facing so many of our Colorado families. With this law going into effect today, Colorado Democrats are standing up against corporate price gouging to reduce the cost of everyday necessities.” “This law is about putting public welfare and consumer protection ahead of corporate greed,” said Senator Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, sponsor of HB25-1010. “Time and time again, we have seen bad actors use disasters as an excuse to raise prices on necessities and line their own pockets. It’s time for us to step in and ensure that Colorado families can purchase the things they need – like groceries and diapers – at prices they can afford during times of crisis.” “With corporate bad actors driving up prices on groceries and everyday necessities, Colorado Democrats are taking action to stop price gouging and save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville, sponsor of HB25-1010. “While the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and supply chain issues have impacted prices, bad-acting corporations have taken advantage of these factors to jack up prices just to increase their profits. While Republicans in the legislature sided with wealthy corporations, our majority passed this law to help tackle the rising cost of living, put an end to corporate price gouging and make Colorado a more affordable place to live for all.” HB25-1010 prohibits price gouging of goods or services during a declared emergency. In this law, price gouging is defined as a price increase of 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good that is not attributable to seasonal pricing. Necessities include goods and services essential for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, like groceries and toiletries. A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Colorado Democrats passed a 2024 law , also sponsored by Rep. Brown and Sen. Weissman, to prevent price gouging on rent after a natural disaster. The law was inspired after rents skyrocketed for Coloradans who lost their homes after the Marshall Fire, pricing vulnerable Coloradans out of their communities. Another law created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to limit price gouging of life-saving prescription drugs, helping lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs. SB25-144 allows parents of children who are receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive paid family and medical insurance benefits for up to an additional twelve weeks while the child is receiving care. “When I was forced to juggle work to pay the bills and spend time with my newborn, who was receiving life-saving care, I knew we needed to reform Colorado’s paid family leave,” continued Zokaie. “Every parent should be able to be fully present with their child during life’s most difficult moments. By expanding FAMLI leave by up to twelve additional weeks, we ensure Coloradans no longer have to choose between a paycheck and their family." “I know firsthand how terrifying and consuming it can be for a parent of a newborn in intensive care,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of SB25-144. “It is so important for a child's development to be with their parents in those first few months of life. We need to make it easier for parents with kids in the NICU to have access to that quality time, which is why we’re expanding FAMLI in a way that doesn’t raise premiums for employees or employers..” “This law will support families so they have the time they need to prioritize their newborns who need extra care to ensure they have a long, healthy life,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of SB25-144. “As a NICU baby myself, I want to ensure that families have the opportunity to be present with their newborn, something that is proven to have positive impacts on child development. By expanding the voter-approved FAMLI program, we’re being responsive to the needs of Colorado parents while also supporting Colorado businesses.” “We know that children are more likely to come home faster from the NICU if their parents can be with them,” said Sen. Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, sponsor of SB25-144. “Because of the good work and the existing resources of the FAMLI Insurance program, expanding benefits for additional time allows the state to provide additional help to families going through incredibly taxing times.” The law also modifies the premiums for the FAMLI program to reduce the current rate of 0.9 percent of wages per employee to 0.88 percent for the next calendar year. For each subsequent year, the FAMLI division director is required to set the premium rate to reflect the solvency of the program and create more stability for businesses. Under the new premium amounts, the law will save Colorado businesses and employees nearly $17 million in FY2025-26 and over $35 million in FY2026-27. Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 in the November 2020 election, creating the Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative to provide Colorado families 12 weeks of paid leave. Some families are allowed up to 16 weeks of leave in certain cases. To date, the FAMLI program has paid out an average weekly benefit payment of $915 to cover 155,000 Coloradans for medical leave, parental leave, caretaking, safe leave for survivors of domestic violence and military family leave. The average leave duration is over 51 days. A 2019 report found that parent presence in the NICU decreases stress and pain, strengthens parent-child attachment and improves brain development. Previous Next

< Back April 1, 2020 CO SUPREME COURT RULES GA CAN PAUSE DURING EMERGENCY, RESUME LATER Court rules in favor of the GA’s position that during a public health emergency declaration, legislative days do not have to be counted consecutively DENVER, CO — House Democratic Leadership today released the following statements after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of the General Assembly’s position on the question submitted in the in the interrogatory : “I’m happy to see the court affirm our position today,” said Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “From the beginning, our priority has been to protect the health and safety of all who work, visit, and frequent the Capitol. This is an unprecedented time that calls for thoughtful action. We will continue looking at the data and talking to public health experts to determine when it is safe to come back to the Capitol. Once we do return, we’ll need everyone at the table to solve our most difficult challenges.” “I’m glad the Court allowed the General Assembly some flexibility during this unprecedented time. This means that when it’s safe to do so, we will come back and continue the people’s work,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “It’s still too early to know when we will be able to reconvene the session, but when we do, we’re committed to listening to legislators from all parties, businesses, communities and Coloradans from across the state on how we can get our economy back on its feet.” With this ruling, the General Assembly will be able to count only “working calendar days” toward the 120-day limit, in the context of this public health disaster emergency. The legislature was faced with the difficult decision to protect public health and potentially fail to meet the people’s need for legislation, or meet the public’s interests by continuing to work on legislation while ignoring the danger to the public. To resolve this question, the General Assembly asked the Supreme Court if legislative days must be counted consecutively during a public health emergency, as determined by the governor, or whether the legislature can suspend operations to be resumed at a later date where they left off. The Interrogatory, posed by HJR20-1006, asked the court to determine if the General Assembly should be forced to either reduce the length of the session and thereby fail to meet its responsibility to serve the citizens of the state by passing legislation in the public interest, or jeopardize the constitutionality of that legislation, including the state’s annual budget. Three additional briefs were filed in support of the General Assembly’s position: A combined brief from the Governor and Attorney General; a second brief from the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO); and a third combined brief from the ACLU of Colorado, Adams County Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio (in his individual capacity), AFT Colorado, Bell Policy Center, City of Aurora, City of Northglenn, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Club 20, Democrats for Education Reform, Denver District Attorney, Good Business Colorado Association, Interfaith Alliance Colorado, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, Metro Mayors Caucus, SEIU, Sixth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Towards Justice, and Women’s Lobby of Colorado. Previous Next

< Back April 12, 2021 VETERAN’S SPECIALTY COURTS BILL PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO– The House today passed Representative David Ortiz’s bipartisan bill to provide veterans in the justice system greater access to a veteran’s specialty court on third reading and final passage. The vote was 60-5. “Far too often, combat veterans who end up in legal trouble are there as a result of untreated and even undiagnosed behavioral health issues that result from their service,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton. “Colorado’s veteran’s courts are designed to take into account the unique needs and circumstances of veterans, and I’m proud that we were able to ensure more of my brother and sister veterans can take advantage of a restorative justice program with a strong track record of success.” Veteran’s specialty courts, also known as veterans treatment courts, are intended to serve current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have behavioral health issues like substance use disorder or trauma spectrum disorder. In certain instances, these courts can offer veterans the possibility of replacing jail time and strict punishments with supervision, treatment, and accountability programs to help them better reintegrate into society. The first veterans court program opened in 2009 in El Paso county, the 4th judicial district, and since then five more have been created. Under current law, courts are required to ask about a defendant’s veterans status and, in the event that they are in a jurisdiction with a veteran’s specialty court, inform them that they may be entitled to receive services from this court. HB21-1016 would allow veterans suffering from a mental health condition related to their military service, whose trial occurred in a jurisdiction without a specialty court, to petition to transfer to a jurisdiction with a specialty court to complete their sentence or probation supervision and receive their post-conviction treatment. The bill also stipulates that veterans in all jurisdictions must be informed of these new rights. Previous Next

< Back March 11, 2021 TITONE ELECTED AS LGBTQ CAUCUS CHAIR DENVER, CO– The Colorado Legislative LGBTQ Caucus today announced that Rep. Brianna Titone, Colorado’s first openly trans lawmaker, would succeed Rep. Alex Valdez as the new Caucus Chair. “I’m honored to have been chosen as the next LGBTQ Caucus Chair, and am eager to get to work,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, (D-Arvada). “Our caucus has made great strides for LGBTQ Coloradans in the past few years, banning conversion therapy, updating laws so Coloradans can more easily obtain ID that reflects their true selves, and we’ve pushed back against hateful policies that seek to take our community back. As Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus, I’ll continue fighting for progress while standing against hatred and bigotry wherever I see it. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support- I won’t let you down.” The Colorado Legislative LGBTQ Caucus includes members of both the House and Senate chambers and works to expand and protect LGBTQ rights. The caucus includes Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City), Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Boulder County), Sen. Joann Ginal (D-Fort Collins), and Rep. Daneya Esgar (D-Pueblo), Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver), Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver), Rep. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada) and Rep. David Ortiz (D-Littleton). Previous Next

< Back March 1, 2019 ICYMI: HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES CUTTER-WEISSMAN BILL TO EXPAND DISCLOSURE OF FUNDING IN CAMPAIGNS Mystery money flooding political campaigns (Mar. 1) — A bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, and Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, that would require expanded disclosure of funding behind campaign communications passed the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee yesterday. “I was excited to support this bill because I’ve been in public relations and communications for twenty-five years, and an advocate for fair and ethical communications ” said Rep. Cutter. “Healthy democracy depends on transparency, so let’s do everything we can to create an informed electorate.” SB19-068 would require listing the name of any person or entity that spends more than $1000 per year on electioneering communications on the communication itself, be it a television ad, mailer, or a distributed flyer. It would also increase transparency and accountability in elections by including electioneering communications that occur at any point between the primary and general election. “Voters are too often bombarded by political advertisements during elections from unnamed sources, making it difficult for voters of all persuasions to properly weigh the issues,” said Rep. Weissman. “Putting stronger disclosure laws on the books would allow Colordans to have all the proper facts when they fill out their ballots.” The bill passed committee with a 6-3 vote and now heads to the House floor. More information on SB19-068 can be found here . Previous Next

The House Finance Committee today passed a bill, sponsored by Representatives Lorena García and Kyle Brown, to make Colorado’s tax code more consistent and efficient. HB26-1289, which passed by a vote of 6-5, would expand and extend tax credits for wildfire and beetle kill mitigation, job creators, and investments in clean energy. < Back March 23, 2026 Committee Passes Bill to Boost Tax Credits for Wildfire Mitigation, Job Creation DENVER, CO - The House Finance Committee today passed a bill, sponsored by Representatives Lorena García and Kyle Brown, to make Colorado’s tax code more consistent and efficient. HB26-1289, which passed by a vote of 6-5, would expand and extend tax credits for wildfire and beetle kill mitigation, job creators, and investments in clean energy. “While Trump’s H.R. 1 slashed tax credits for working families, Colorado Democrats are restructuring our tax code to put hardworking people first,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Coloradans are facing attack after attack from the Trump Administration, squeezing every last dollar out of them while draining the state’s ability to provide support. We’re modernizing our tax code to boost incomes for hardworking Coloradans and continue tax credits for food, wildfire mitigation and economic development.” “Colorado Democrats believe in an economy where hardworking people can thrive, and that means updating our tax code to work for the people of our state,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “H.R. 1 gave the highest earners tax cuts while slashing Colorado’s budget, making devastating cuts to health care and turning off tax credits for hardworking families. We’re repealing ineffective tax breaks and expanding tax credits for food access, clean energy, wildfire mitigation and other important issues to strengthen Colorado’s economy, save people money and create good-paying jobs.” HB26-1289 would modernize and simplify the tax code by repealing ineffective or unnecessary special tax exemptions and deductions to expand and extend tax credits for food access, wildfire and beetle kill mitigation, job creators, and investments in clean energy. This bill would repeal ineffective or unnecessary tax exemptions and deductions and modify others to make Colorado’s tax code more consistent and efficient. HB26-1289 would repeal ineffective tax exemptions for purchases regarding space flight and eliminate vendor discounts for cigarettes, nicotine and tobacco products. It also makes changes to existing tax credits, including: Increasing access to the Community Food Access Tax Credit that offers small food retailers and family farms a refundable tax credit, Renewing the Renewable Energy Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit to reward businesses that invest in projects that generate renewable energy, Expanding the Wildfire Mitigation Tax Credit by allowing it to be carried forward to count against future tax liability and increasing eligibility to boost wildfire mitigation efforts, and Expanding a tax credit for businesses that rehabilitate vacant properties. Previous Next

< Back April 8, 2019 ESGAR’S BIPARTISAN BILL TO HELP ADDRESS OPIOID CRISIS SIGNED BY GOV. POLIS (Apr. 8) – A bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, to require doctors to prescribe certain drugs electronically was signed into law today by Gov. Jared Polis. “I’m thankful we were able to get this bipartisan bill passed and signed into law because we need to do whatever we can do to address the opioid crisis harming individuals and families across Southern Colorado,” said Rep. Esgar. “This new law will streamline responsible prescribing practices so we can help to decrease the chance of someone falling into the cycle of addiction.” SB19-079 requires that certain professions with the ability to prescribe Schedule II, III, IV drugs be prescribed electronically, with some exceptions. The bill gives rulemaking authority to the respective oversight boards for the professions to establish the process for exceptions. It also says that a pharmacist does not need to verify an exception when filling a prescription for a schedule II, III, or IV drug. Democrats in the legislature are committed to addressing the opioid crisis. With the widespread ability to purchase fake paper prescription pads online, this bill will cut down on fraudulent prescriptions getting filled by connecting the pharmacist directly with the prescriber. SB19-079 passed the House in March with a bipartisan vote on 60-4. It passed unanimously in the Senate. Last week, the House approved the state budget package for fiscal year 2019-20, which will begin on July 1, 2019. Joint Budget Committee vice-chair Rep. Daneya Esgar, Speaker KC Becker, Majority Leader Alec Garnett, and Rep. Chris Hansen, reached a bipartisan agreement with the leadership of all four legislative caucuses on a total of $300 million in transportation funding. “We are proud to put forward a responsible bipartisan budget that works for all of Colorado,” Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo, said after the budget was approved. “Hardworking families and individuals will be well served by the historic investments we are making in education, transportation, mental and behavioral health and other priorities.” Previous Next

The second regular session of the 74th General Assembly concludes today, with Democratic lawmakers securing breakthrough victories on the issues that matter most to Colorado families: saving people money on housing, increasing education funding to historic levels by eliminating the budget stabilization factor, and addressing the climate crisis and boosting transit options. < Back May 8, 2024 Sine Die! General Assembly Democrats Conclude Breakthrough Session by Delivering Major Wins for Colorado Communities DENVER, CO – The second regular session of the 74th General Assembly concludes today, with Democratic lawmakers securing breakthrough victories on the issues that matter most to Colorado families: saving people money on housing, increasing education funding to historic levels by eliminating the budget stabilization factor, and addressing the climate crisis and boosting transit options. “This legislative session has been nothing short of transformational for our families and communities,” said Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “Coloradans demanded that we take bold action to address the issues that matter most to them, and I am pleased to say we delivered. Democrats passed legislation that will boost Colorado’s transit system and protect our clean air and water, make housing more affordable, and finally fully fund our schools for the first time in over a decade. I am proud of all we’ve accomplished together.” “This was a breakthrough session on affordability, housing, transit, water, education, transit and so much more,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m so proud of our bipartisan efforts to increase funding for Colorado public schools by over $500 million and modernize the school finance formula for the first time in a generation to better support vulnerable students and rural schools. New laws will save Coloradans money on housing and property taxes, better protect renters and slash childhood poverty by increasing tax credits for hardworking people and families. From protecting our rivers, streams and wetlands to boosting rural economies and Colorado agriculture, we came together the Colorado way to deliver lasting results for every community in our state.” “This year we set out to make Colorado a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family,” Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver. “Today, I’m proud to say that the legislation we passed this year achieves that goal and then some. From passing transformational tax credits that deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in relief to low and middle income families to implementing new protections for gig workers to boosting our workforce across industries, I’m extremely proud of the work that Democrats put in over the last 120 days to build on our progress and set Colorado on a path to a more prosperous future.” “This session was huge. On issue after issue, lawmakers came together and passed policies that were years in the making,” said House Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “From preventing gun violence and protecting workers to boosting the incomes of hardworking people and preventing evictions, we made Colorado safer and more affordable for all. I’m particularly proud of the work of our Black and Latino Caucuses who passed critical legislation to support vulnerable people, improve maternal health and make Colorado a welcoming place for everyone who calls our state home.” This year, lawmakers passed bills to save people money on housing and protect renters, increase access to health care and behavioral health care, invest in our students and our schools, expand Colorado’s workforce and improve access to higher education, protect our clean air and water, reduce gun violence, and cut poverty while boosting incomes for hardworking Colorado families. Previous Next

< Back August 11, 2020 GOVERNOR POLIS, STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP CALL ON U.S. SENATE TO TAKE REAL ACTION IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC DENVER – Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado’s legislative leadership today called on the U.S. Senate to pass a real relief package that provides support to Colorado schools and state and local governments and extends unemployment insurance for Coloradans in response to the challenges created by the COVID-19 global pandemic. “Hardworking Colorado families need real relief and our schools and local governments need additional resources to effectively respond to the unique challenges of this pandemic. Without new federal support, our economy and small businesses will continue to teeter on the edge of a cliff,” said Governor Jared Polis. “We appreciate the collaborative, bipartisan efforts our federal delegation has taken to this point and urge the Senate to move quickly on a real relief package.” The country is facing mounting challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. House approved a COVID-19 relief package weeks ago but the U.S. Senate is currently on recess for the next few weeks. “Congress must quickly approve a meaningful coronavirus relief package, as thousands of hardworking Coloradans agonize over their economic security and wonder how they will make ends meet,” said House Speaker KC Becker, D-Boulder. “Without additional aid to states and local governments, an extension of unemployment assistance, and support for our schools, Colorado will be forced to reduce services for those who need them the most, school districts will face crippling budget shortfalls, and hardworking families will be left behind.” “Colorado has no time to waste–-we need Congress to pass a robust COVID relief package as soon as possible,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “The Federal support that our state has received so far has made an enormous difference in the lives of teachers, students, and everyday Coloradans dealing with the fallout of this pandemic. But it has not been enough. Today we’re calling on Congress to deliver a relief package that includes significant direct aid to state and local governments, robust education funding, and an extension of the unemployment benefits that have kept many Colorado families afloat over the past few months.” “Playing power games with people’s lives is unacceptable,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “The US House passed a bill to help working families, schools, and small businesses months ago, but this critical legislation has been completely stonewalled. Now, everyday that goes by more and more people and institutions are at risk of collapse. We need true, selfless leadership that puts the wellbeing of hardworking Americans above political agendas. That means immediately boosting federal pandemic response efforts and renewing key programs like unemployment assistance. Otherwise, the consequences borne by our most vulnerable will be excruciating and potentially unrecoverable.” Last week before the Senate recessed, Gov. Polis and State Treasurer Dave Young sent a letter to Colorado’s Congressional Delegation calling on them to support a number of key areas that are critical to Coloradans, to act on a bipartisan relief package that addresses these issues instead of President Trump taking executive measures that increases pressure on state and local governments. “Untold numbers of people are facing homelessness, food insecurity, and utility shut-offs because Congress refuses to act,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “The funds already allocated have been incredibly helpful in lessening the blow for so many families, but the truth is, they are not nearly enough. Our schools are struggling, our businesses are underwater, and our residents are unable to make ends meet. State relief is the only way we will be able to survive this devastating downturn. It’s time to put politics aside and pass a comprehensive stimulus package that America needs to weather this storm.” House and Senate Democrats have repeatedly called on Congress to provide additional aid to states and local governments, including in a July 31 letter to the Colorado congressional delegation in which the caucuses also urged Washington to extend unemployment assistance, support school districts, and provide housing, utility, nutrition, and small business assistance. Previous Next

This week, bipartisan members of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee (WMRC) participated in a series of site visits throughout the Western Slope to learn more about Colorado’s wildfire response and prevention resources and hear directly from Coloradans impacted by recent destructive wildfires. < Back September 7, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Wildfire Matters Review Committee Tours Wildfire Fighting Facilities, Meets with Impacted Coloradans GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO – This week, bipartisan members of the Wildfire Matters Review Committee (WMRC) participated in a series of site visits throughout the Western Slope to learn more about Colorado’s wildfire response and prevention resources and hear directly from Coloradans impacted by recent destructive wildfires. "I am proud to host the Wildfire Matters Interim Committee in my beautiful district," said Chair of WMRC, Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. "On the Western Slope, we have experienced catastrophic fires which are only worsening as a result of climate change. We no longer have fire seasons, but fire years. We must be proactive in the face of a changing climate. There are many lessons learned and we have made progress in fire resiliency and emergency response, however there is more work to do." "Because of climate change, extreme wildfires are occurring more frequently, so we must continue working to protect our homes and businesses and create more resilient communities,” said Vice Chair of WMRC, Senator Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “A fire anywhere in Colorado affects the water we all drink, the air we all breathe, and the economy and recreational opportunities that enrich our lives. It's critical for us to hear from experts and community members who work and live in areas most likely to be directly impacted. I look forward to taking what we’ve learned back to the Capitol, where it will help shape our wildfire policy.” On Wednesday, WMRC committee members toured the Colorado Department of Transportation’s Hanging Lake Tunnel, a traffic command center equipped with a complete fire department for rapid response to fires in Glenwood Canyon. Following the tour of the command center, the committee visited El Jebel Mobile Home Park, a community threatened during the 2018 Lake Christine Fire, to learn about effective wildfire mitigation efforts. Finally, the committee met with members of the Glenwood Springs community to discuss recent wildfire fighting responses and identify gaps in resources and services. Today, the committee continued their tour with an EcoFlight tour of burn scars from the Grizzly Creek, Lake Christine, and Coal Seam wildfires. The two-day trip concluded with a tour of the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting , a center established by SB14-164 and charged with driving technological advancements that improve firefighting practices and ensuring the successful implementation of Colorado's aerial firefighting fleet. This year, members of WMRC sponsored legislation to establish a statewide wildfire resiliency code board to help communities living in the wildland-urban interface defend homes and property from catastrophic wildfires, create a fire investigation fund to help investigate the causes and origins of fires and wildfires, and improve Colorado’s forestry workforce by directing the Colorado State Forest Service to develop educational materials on career opportunities in the industry and create a workforce development program in the State Forest Service. Previous Next