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After a long-fought scrimmage that embroiled lawmakers, their states, and two Presidential Administrations, the US Air Force will permanently base Space Command in Colorado Springs. The reversal of former President Donald Trump’s decision to move Space Command out of our state speaks to Senator John Hickenlooper’s leadership throughout the basing decision process and, ultimately, the current Administration’s decision to put national security before politics. < Back Rep. Marc Snyder: Keeping Space Command in Colorado Good for National Security Nov 1, 2023 See more This op-ed was originally posted in the Gazette After a long-fought scrimmage that embroiled lawmakers, their states, and two Presidential Administrations, the US Air Force will permanently base Space Command in Colorado Springs. The reversal of former President Donald Trump’s decision to move Space Command out of our state speaks to Senator John Hickenlooper’s leadership throughout the basing decision process and, ultimately, the current Administration’s decision to put national security before politics. In early 2021, the Trump administration announced Space Command would be re-headquartered thousands of miles away from its preliminary headquarters in Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama. Proponents of keeping Space Command in Colorado have argued that the move of a defense base of this gravity would have taken over a decade to complete and shipped off thousands of high-ranking military officials and jobs. It also cast doubt on the integrity of the Pentagon’s basing process and jeopardized our military readiness at a time when space is increasingly important to our national security. Senator Hickenlooper has long emphasized that the basing decision should center on operational readiness, not politics. Yet despite clear evidence that keeping the base in Colorado would help us reach readiness quicker, partisan politics got in the way, and their indifference to choosing the best option for our country was on full display. This is precisely what Alabama lawmakers did when one blocked the Department of Defense from routinely reallocating funds as a part of a political battle to secure a favorable outcome for Alabama. Senator Hickenlooper rightly highlighted this misuse of political power to regulate defense spending, stating that this action penalized troops for political interests. He also called out the lawmakers for intertwining special interests and blowing smoke to force a decision. In the end, President Biden ultimately sided with the evidence and decided that the Peterson Space Force in Colorado Springs was the best location for Space Command. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the objective analysis from General James Dickinson, who argued that moving the headquarters would threaten our military readiness, which would far outweigh any minor benefits of moving to Alabama. Although this decision was made based on preparedness, not political gains, one would be remiss to overlook the economic benefits of keeping Space Command in Colorado Springs. The governor’s office estimated that over 274,000 people in Colorado are employed in national security aerospace, and the state leads the nation in private aerospace employment per capita. This decision preserves the nearly 1,400 jobs and $1 billion annual economic impact reliant directly on Space Command’s base in Colorado Springs. That’s a huge impact on our city’s and our state’s economy. Leaders in the business community have applauded the decision, stating that keeping the headquarters in our state will protect our jobs, continue to boost the economy, and not displace Space Command’s military and civilian workforce and their families. During a fraught geopolitical moment in history – one in which China and Russia have proven their aerospace capabilities – our lawmakers should know better than to pit party politics against national security decisions. Using political tools to control national defense spending to further political interests is not how lawmakers should legislate nor how government should be run. Thankfully, Colorado’s senators recognize that their job is to always put the well-being and safety of the general public first, and they fought hard to ensure US Space Command kept its home in our state. Previous Next

< Back January 23, 2019 GARNETT, LONTINE APPLAUD GOV’S MOVE TO CREATE THE OFFICE OF SAVING PEOPLE MONEY ON HEALTH CARE (Jan. 23) – House Democrats applauded Gov. Jared Polis’ executive order creating the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. The office will be led by Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. Majority Leader Alec Garnett will carry legislation related to the office. “I’m excited to sponsor legislation to create this critical office. House Democrats are committed to helping lower health care costs for hardworking Coloradans,” said Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “We hear every day from Coloradans in the metro area, Western Slope and eastern plains about how their cost of living keeps going up and how they are sick and tired of being ripped off when it comes to health care and prescription drugs.” “The rising costs of healthcare have affected many families and individuals in our state,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “I am excited to work with Governor Polis, Lt. Governor Primavera and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care up and running.” Rep. Lontine is Chair of the House Health and Insurance Committee. In addition to Garnett and Lontine, House Democrats present for the signing of the executive order included Assistant Majority Leader Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood, Rep. Dylan Roberts D-Avon, Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis, D-Longmont. In recent weeks, House Democrats have introduced and passed bills through committee to help lower the cost of health care and improve hospital transparency and more to come. Read more here. Read the elective order here. Previous Next

< Back July 30, 2021 GARNETT, ESGAR STATEMENTS ON THE PASSING OF GOVERNOR DICK LAMM DENVER, CO– House Speaker Alec Garnett and Majority Leader Daneya Esgar released the following statements on the passing of former Governor Dick Lamm. “Governor Lamm was a towering presence in Colorado politics,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “He made it his life’s work to protect our state’s natural treasures and ensure that our state remained a great place to live and work . He leaves behind a legacy of dedication and hard work, and while we didn’t always agree, I appreciated his mentorship and have always respected and admired Governor Lamm enormously. My thoughts today are with his wife Dottie and family. May he rest in peace.” “My most heartfelt condolences go out to Governor Lamm’s family today,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Governor Lamm was a public servant who knew how to reach across the aisle and put people over politics without compromising on his values. Despite the enormous loss that we feel today, Governor Lamm’s legacy of straight talking, hard working, and no-nonsense public service is alive and well.” Previous Next

< Back February 20, 2020 GET COVERED! HEALTH CARE EASY ENROLLMENT ADVANCES Bipartisan legislation would facilitate enrolment in health plans DENVER, CO– Representative Susan Lontine’s bipartisan bill to establish a program that would make it easier for health care consumers to find affordable health care coverage today was approved by the House Finance Committee by a vote of 8-2. This measure would help connect uninsured Coloradans to coverage options that they may have been unaware of or for which they may not have known they were eligible. “Over 400,000 Coloradans are currently uninsured, and we believe many of them are already eligible for some type of financial assistance whether they know it or not,” said Rep. Lontine, D-Denver . “Determining eligibility through the tax filing process is a great way to connect uninsured Coloradans with the health care coverage that best fits their needs. I will continue to work to make this proposal a reality.” HB20-1236 establishes a program that allows Colorado taxpayers to opt into allowing information about their uninsured household members to be evaluated for eligibility for certain affordable health insurance plans. Specifically, the program would allow individuals to indicate on the state income tax filings that they’d like the Colorado health benefit exchange (Connect for Health Colorado) to assess whether uninsured members of their household are eligible for free or subsidized health care coverage, such as the Advanced Premium Tax Credit or the state’s Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). The bill would also create the affordable health care coverage easy enrollment advisory committee to guide implementation of the program and study the feasibility of automatic enrollment. According to the Colorado Health Institute, more than half of Coloradans who don’t have health insurance qualify for public health insurance programs or subsidies such as premium tax credits or cost sharing reductions. One of the key reasons people may not enroll in coverage is that they don’t know how. This bill would allow Connect for Health Colorado to reach out to these individuals, if they checked the box on their tax return, and help them obtain free or subsidized coverage. The number of Coloradans eligible for subsidies but that haven’t enrolled in coverage has not fallen in recent years. ### Previous Next

< Back May 4, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO SAVE CONSUMERS AND STATE GOV $$ ON RX DRUGS DENVER, CO– The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Janice Rich to establish a competitive Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) marketplace, which will lower pharmacy benefit costs for Colorado state government, private employers, and consumers across the state. The bill passed by a vote of 52-11 “By creating a competitive marketplace for pharmacy benefit managers, we can reduce prescription drug costs for Coloradans and save our state money on the prescription drug plans it purchases,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “This innovative policy is saving other states and consumers millions while increasing transparency. House Democrats have made reducing the cost of prescription drugs and health insurance a top priority, and we’re committed to continuing this progress and saving consumers money on their health care.” HB21-1237 would establish a competitive marketplace for PBMs. Under the bill, the state would procure a technology platform that would allow PBMs to bid against each other in a reverse auction to secure state and private pharmacy benefit contracts. The state or private employers would then be able to select the lowest bidder. The bill creates a modern and transparent process to secure PBM contracts and allows for an audit of invoices to ensure PBMs are meeting their contract terms and to prevent consumers from overpaying. PBMs were created to help consumers save money on prescription drugs. However, often the PBMs negotiate discounts, but then keep the savings instead of passing them along to consumers. A reverse auction allows the state or employers to do an apples to apples comparison of each PBM’s pricing proposal. Initial estimates show the state could save between $6.7 million and $10.24 million a year. Previous Next

< Back Rep. Lukens: Increasing affordability across Colorado Aug 7, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Craig Daily Press here . It is clear one of the most pressing issues for families across House District 26 and throughout Colorado is affordability. All of our community members deserve to live in our beautiful towns, but with the growing crisis of the high cost of living, many are struggling to make ends meet. From Eagle to Rio Blanco counties, I continue to hear your concerns about rising costs, and I am excited to share how we have turned those worries into action. This legislative session we focused on making Colorado more affordable. We are reducing the cost of housing, cutting taxes and making childcare, health care, transit and higher education more affordable. Housing Affordable housing is crucial for our Western Slope communities. This session, we passed two key bills to address this challenge. SB24-233, Reducing Property Taxes, is a bipartisan effort that will reduce over $1.3 billion in property taxes. This significant relief will help ease the financial burden on families throughout Colorado. We know Coloradans are searching for more affordable housing options, and recent legislation we passed will help us create more housing quicker. HB24-1036 boosts tax credits for modular, prefabricated homes which means more housing sooner in our community. Child Care Supporting Colorado families is a top priority of mine. I’m proud to have sponsored HB24-1237, Programs for the Development of Child Care Facilities. This law makes it easier to build and open child care facilities, addressing the critical shortage of affordable child care faced by the Western Slope. This will help parents access affordable child care while simultaneously supporting our local businesses and workforce. We also passed two tax credits to make it easier to raise children in Colorado. HB24-1134 expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit to help working families offset the increasing cost of raising children, and HB24-1311 will provide up to $3,200 per child to lower income Coloradans, offering significant financial relief to those who need it most. Additionally, HB24-1223 supports parents who may struggle to afford child care, making it easier for families to access this vital support. These combined efforts will make a real difference for families across House District 26, easing the financial pressure of raising children in our beautiful, but increasingly expensive, region. Higher Education Investing in education is an investment in our future. This year, we passed groundbreaking legislation to make higher education more accessible and affordable. HB24-1340 ensures that eligible students can now attend community college for free, and covers two years of a four-year degree at all public institutions in the state. This opens doors for countless students across House District 26. I sponsored HB24-1365, the Opportunity Now Grants & Tax Credit program, which will help students enter fast-growing industries. This initiative bridges the gap between education and our evolving job market, benefiting both our youth and our local economies. Another law I championed, HB24-1305, makes important changes for concurrent enrollment students. This will expand opportunities for high school students to earn college credit, easing the transition to higher education and potentially reducing the time and cost of earning a degree. These efforts collectively aim to make higher education more attainable for all Coloradans, regardless of their economic background or where they live in our diverse district. House District 26 From reducing property taxes to expanding educational opportunities, I am working hard to address the challenges faced by families across House District 26. As your representative, I am committed to continuing this work, ensuring that the Western Slope remains a place where people can afford to live, work, and thrive. Together, we can build a more affordable and prosperous future for our communities. Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. You can contact me at repmeghanlukens@gmail.com , through social media or in person at one of my town hall meetings. I also send out more regular legislative updates through my newsletter, which you can join by emailing me. Onward! Rep. Meghan Lukens represents District 26, which includes Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Eagle counties, in the Colorado House. Previous Next

< Back April 18, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES EDUCATION BILLS TO HELP KIDS FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO COLLEGE (Ap. 18) – The House gave preliminary approval to two bills that would help teachers drowning in student loan debt and encourage young girls to go into the STEM field. “In Colorado we have 3,000 educator positions going unfilled. This bill will help us address the educator shortage crisis impacting classrooms in our rural, urban and suburban schools,” said Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango, a former teacher and chair of the House Education committee. SB19-003 is a bipartisan bill that would award up to $5,000 of qualified educational loans for up to five years for teachers and educators employed in qualified positions under the program and targets teachers and rural or other hard to fill locations or content areas. The bill also alters the teacher loan forgiveness program, renaming it the educator loan forgiveness program and revises the eligibility criteria for the program. Contributing to a dire shortage of educators in many Colorado communities are a lack of access to affordable housing in rural communities, salaries that are below state or national averages, coupled with sky-rocketing student loan debt and fewer people choosing to enter the profession. SB19-003 passed in the House by a voice-vote. A final vote will be completed at a later date. The House also gave preliminary approval to a bill would get more young women and underrepresented groups more involved in STEM. “We are getting these kids ready for jobs that haven’t even been imagined yet. Right now, we can’t see the full extent of the gender gap in computer science classrooms because Colorado doesn’t gather that information,” said Rep. Esgar. “If we start gathering this information, we can better come up with solutions to solve this problem.” HB19-1277 also provides computer science classroom participation data to understand the extend the gender gap in Colorado. “I am so excited to be sponsoring a bill like this. We need to encourage our students, especially our young girls and underrepresented students to get involved in tech and science, which offer high paying jobs,” said Rep. Cutter, D-Evergreen. “This is a responsible investment in the future of our children and the future of our state.” The bill would provide $250,000 per year to grant funding for three schools and districts who want to offer computer science courses and afterschool programs with an emphasis on participation by underrepresented groups, such as women. HB19-1277 passed by a voice-vote. A final vote will be given at a later date. Previous Next

< Back April 16, 2019 HOUSE APPROVES EXPANSION OF OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL SEXUAL CONDUCT BY A PEACE OFFICER (Apr. 16) – The House approved Rep. Leslie Herod’s bipartisan bill to charge a peace officer with unlawful sexual conduct when they knowingly engage in sexual contact, sexual intrusion, or sexual penetration anytime the victim is in custody, regardless of consent. “This bill will make it easier to hold law enforcement accountable when they use their authority to sexually assault people in their custody,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver. “Current law is allowing some cases to slip through the crack, and even one or two cases of sexual assault by a peace officer is too many.” Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is a class 4 felony when the offense is committed by sexual contact and is a class 3 felony (a more serious offense) when the offense is committed by sexual intrusion or sexual penetration. A class 4 felony carries a possible sentence of 2-6 years in the Department of Corrections, and a class 3 felony carries a possible sentence of 4-12 years. An offender convicted of unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is required to register as a sex offender. An offender convicted of a class 3 felony due to unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is subject to lifetime supervision. HB19-1250 passed with a bipartisan vote of 59-5, with five Republicans voting no. The bill now heads to the Senate. Previous Next

< Back April 7, 2022 REP. HEROD STATEMENT ON JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON’S SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION DENVER, CO – Representative Leslie Herod D-Denver, chairwoman of the Black Democratic Legislative Caucus of Colorado today released the following statement on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman confirmed to the United States Supreme Court. “Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the United States Supreme Court is a joyful, historic moment. Judge Brown Jackson’s qualifications, experience and perspective have prepared her for the profound honor of serving on our highest court and I couldn’t be more proud that the United States Senate confirmed her appointment today. Whether it’s at the legislature or on the Supreme Court, representation matters. I stand in awe of Judge Brown Jackson’s ability to stare adversity in the face and rise above with grace to achieve this historic milestone. While today is an important day in Black history, it is also an important day in American history. Today, America confirmed our 116th Supreme Court Justice, and she is a Black woman.” Previous Next

HB23-1246 creates and expands zero-cost credentials to get more aspiring professionals in high-demand fields and SB23-146 improves the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory < Back March 22, 2023 Two Bills Advance to Boost Colorado’s Workforce, Save People Money on Degree Programs HB23-1246 creates and expands zero-cost credentials to get more aspiring professionals in high-demand fields and SB23-146 improves the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory DENVER, CO – Two bills to help Coloradans get connected to in-demand careers and boost Colorado’s workforce passed committee today. HB23-1246, sponsored by Speaker Julie McCluskie and Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, would break down financial barriers for aspiring professionals to enter new, high-demand careers through a zero-cost credentials program. SB23-146, sponsored by Representatives Sheila Lieder and Regina English, would update the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory to make it easier for Coloradans to find and apply for apprenticeships. “Zero-cost credentials save Coloradans money, help critical industries meet workforce demands and offer Coloradans the training and education they need to succeed,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, sponsor of HB22-1246. “Whether you’re an aspiring early childhood educator, nurse or firefighter, our bill breaks down financial barriers to entering these and many other in-demand fields so Coloradans can get a jumpstart on the career of their dreams. New, free pathways help us build strong talent pipelines and connect Coloradans to careers that allow them to live and serve in their communities.” Zero-Cost Credentials for Aspiring Professionals: HB23-1246 passed the House Education Committee unanimously. This bill would invest $45 million over the span of two years and pave the way for aspiring professionals in high-demand fields to receive free training toward associate degrees and industry certificates in eligible industries. Eligible industries would include elementary and early childhood education, firefighting, law enforcement, forest management, short-term nursing programs, and construction trades. For programs that are already zero cost to students, such as Registered Apprenticeship Programs, funding will be provided to cover the costs associated with the training, like instructor time and instructional materials. The funding to assist Registered Apprenticeship Programs in HB23-1246 is projected to train more than 3,000 students in the construction trades. HB23-1246 builds off our success in the Care Forward Colorado Program to cover the costs associated with reskilling and upskilling, such as tuition, books, and additional instructional training, and expands the number of eligible career fields to include six foundational areas of the workforce. Since its launch in 2022, the Care Forward Colorado Program has successfully trained approximately 1,500 students as certified nursing assistants, emergency services professionals and other high-demand health care careers. “In Colorado, there are many high-demand industries looking for qualified workers,” said Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Littleton, sponsor of SB23-146. “This legislation works to improve the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory so we can help our critical industries meet their hiring demands and get Coloradans connected to a career they can be proud of. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experiences in the field, and our bill makes finding a path to a new career easier.” “Many of Colorado’s critical industries are facing workforce shortages, and we're doing everything we can to streamline qualified individuals into open careers,” said Rep. Regina English, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of SB23-146. “We’re taking steps to not only improve Colorado’s workforce shortage but also ease the transition for Coloradans seeking new, in-demand careers. Our bill modernizes the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory so Coloradans can spend less time searching for the career of their dreams and more time in the field.” Updating the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory: SB23-146 passed the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee by a vote of 6 to 4. This bill would require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to collect and make publicly available more useful information on apprenticeship programs, including each program's registration information and credentials that a worker may earn or become eligible for through the apprenticeship. The Colorado Apprenticeship Directory provides a comprehensive, searchable list of registered apprenticeship program sponsors that operate in Colorado. This bill aims to update the online directory to make it easier for Coloradans to find and apply for registered apprenticeship opportunities in Colorado. Previous Next

The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to strengthen accountability for public officials and employees in Colorado school districts and special districts. HB24-1073 passed by a vote of 8-3. < Back February 22, 2024 Story, Parenti Bill to Strengthen Government Ethics Passes Committee DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed legislation to strengthen accountability for public officials and employees in Colorado school districts and special districts. HB24-1073 passed by a vote of 8-3. “Government ethics rules are critical in preventing corruption in our government and ensuring the public’s trust while holding elected government officials accountable when they violate Colorado’s ethical standards,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “We have established ethical codes of conduct that local government officials and employees are expected to abide by. Our legislation would specify that school districts and special districts are also held to this code of conduct so the Independent Ethics Commission can investigate complaints made by Coloradans and hold bad actors accountable.” “The people of Colorado expect government officials at all levels to behave ethically and act in the best interest of the people of our state, but inconsistencies in Colorado law prevent investigation and enforcement of ethical standards,” said Rep. Jennifer Parenti, D-Erie. “School and special districts operate in every part of our state, employ thousands of people and control billions of dollars of taxpayer revenues. This bill is an important step in reminding all of us, at all levels of government, that we are first and foremost servant leaders and we must all be held to account when we betray the public trust or use our positions for personal gain." The Independent Ethics Commission was created in 2006 to investigate complaints and enforce rules of conduct for public officials and employees. HB24-1073 would expand the authority of the Independent Ethics Commission to include school district and special district officials and employees who report directly to them, such as school superintendents. This bill would allow the Independent Ethics Commission to investigate and enforce complaints of ethics violations by public officials and employees in these districts, improving accountability. Previous Next

< Back April 4, 2024 House Approves Bill to Identify Suspicious Purchases to Reduce Gun Violence Legislation would make it easier to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns, helping to prevent gun violence DENVER, CO - The House today advanced gun violence prevention legislation sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Javier Mabrey to help law enforcement recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns. “Prior to the tragic Aurora movie theater shooting, the shooter had purchased over $11,000 worth of firearms, ammunition, and military gear in the weeks leading up to the shooting, ultimately killing 12 innocent Coloradans,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “Credit card merchant codes are an effective tool already used by law enforcement to combat human trafficking and money laundering crimes, and our bill would expand this tool to help us stop gun violence before it impacts our communities. Our legislation is crucial in giving law enforcement a head start in preventing gun violence so we can save Colorado lives." “Credit cards have been used to finance many of the major mass shootings in recent years, and identifying suspicious weapon and ammunition stockpiling before a tragedy can take place will save lives," said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. "Firearms are uniquely exempted from having a merchant code. Almost every other product has one of these codes and this bill removes that exemption. This information could be provided to law enforcement, and it could have a life-saving impact in our communities.” SB24-066 would require payment card networks like Visa or Mastercard to provide a specific code, known as a merchant code, for businesses that primarily sell firearms and ammunition. Merchant codes would allow banks and credit card companies to recognize dangerous firearm purchasing patterns – like a domestic extremist building up an arsenal – and report them to law enforcement. A report found this legislation could have prevented many mass shootings, including the Aurora movie theater shooting and the Pulse Nightclub shooting. The Aurora movie theater shooter used a MasterCard to buy $11,000 worth of weapons and military gear at multiple stores in the six weeks before the shooting. ### Previous Next