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< Back Rep. Amabile: Filing a wildfire insurance claim shouldn’t be another trauma Mar 23, 2022 See more The following op-ed was published in The Colorado Sun. Many Coloradans who lost their homes and all of their personal belongings in fire disasters are living another nightmare as they seek reimbursement from their homeowner’s insurance policies. Most of these folks chose policies based on what their mortgage holder required and insurance agent recommended. They paid their premiums in good faith, some for decades. But many have found the claims process to be an unanticipated and onerous ordeal. We started to hear from constituents after the fires of 2020. One Grand County resident lost her home in the Cameron Peak fire. She had been paying premiums to her insurance company for nearly 35 years. Her personal property was insured for $161,000. Under current law, the insurance company would pay out an automatic 30%, but to get more she would have to complete a contents inventory. So she did. She and her husband, both in their late 60s, worked diligently to remember all of their worldly possessions. They placed a value on each item, recalled when they bought it and who they bought it from, searched for receipts, and declared what condition each item was in. As required, they used the insurance company’s software system to document all of this. Every day for the last year, they have entered items and answered all of these questions. The insurance company contacted them recently to say that the items had been entered into its system incorrectly. They would need to start over. This couple is agonizing over whether to just walk away with 30% or keep fighting for the full value of their policy. Right now, they feel they just can’t fight anymore. We have heard many variations of this story, with seniors and other vulnerable people struggling the most. It’s heartbreaking. Even people who hire attorneys to negotiate on their behalf feel they are on the losing end of what should be a straightforward business transaction. Not all insurance companies operate the same and not all experiences of wildfire victims have been so disturbingly unfair. But based on the stories we’ve heard and the complaints registered with the Commissioner of Insurance, too many are still agonizing over insurance settlements. Although many homeowners may actually have been underuninsured, the process of claims adjustment should be easier for victims of these horrible events. In Grand County, where the East Troublesome fire took 366 homes more than a year ago, many people still have not been paid by their insurance companies. Many of those who have received payments feel they are much too low; not even close to covering what was lost. People are tired, traumatized, and giving up. It’s unfair to the victims and doesn’t speak well for the laws and regulations of our state that support wildfire disaster victims. Unfortunately, we can expect repeats of those horrific events. That’s why we’ve introduced a measure, House Bill 1111, in this year’s General Assembly to address insurance claims in a declared wildfire disaster. The bill requires that insurance companies automatically pay out a higher percentage of the contents coverage residents have insured in their policies without requiring an inventory. From there, claimants can pursue the full amount with an inventory. An analysis by Colorado’s Division of Insurance showed that between 2015 and 2020, the 10 largest insurance companies in the state paid between 37% and 100% of the contents coverage provided for in homeowner insurance policies, averaging 65% across those 10 companies. Two companies paid below 40%. A standard higher payout percentage will move all of the companies to more fair adjustment processes. The bill provides other common-sense protections for people who have experienced a declared wildfire disaster. It gives people the option to use all available policy benefits to replace their homes by rebuilding or by buying in another location. It extends the time people have to rebuild, and the time people can collect additional living expenses. This is critical when the rebuilding process backs up. The House has passed the bill, but it still has a long way to go. We are going to work hard to see it through to the Governor’s desk. Unfortunately, the bill comes too late for Marshall fire victims who collectively lost nearly 1,100 homes in Boulder County. But it will help the Coloradans who most certainly have a major fire disaster in their future. Judy Amabile, of Boulder, represents House District 13, Steve Fenberg, of Boulder, represents Senate District 18, and Bob Rankin, of Carbondale, represents Senate District 8 in the Colorado General Assembly. Previous Next

Check out the top 10 ways Colorado Democrats are saving you money. House Democrats responded to the most pressing needs in Colorado and delivered results that will move our state forward. This session focused on saving Coloradans money, improving public safety, building a healthier Colorado and preparing our students for success. DOWNLOAD REPORT DOWNLOAD ONE PAGERS

< Back Rep McLachlan: ‘When we take the “I” out of legislating, using “we” instead, we proved we can get a lot done’ May 28, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Durango Herald. You can view the story here . We accomplished a lot this year – our bipartisan success happened because we communicated, compromised and collectively decided how to best address our problems. Affordable and attainable housing, one of Colorado’s most urgent issues, made headway. We ran several bills protecting our existing supply of homes, while also protecting renters. We asked some local governments to allow granny flats on personal property. We addressed urban density issues: One bill encourages local governments to build housing near transit centers so people can easily get to work. Another limited the number of parking spots each building needs, leaving room for more housing. The long-awaited property tax bill passed with little trouble, with both Republican and Democrat prime sponsors. It caps future spikes, and cuts rates for both commercial and residential properties. Some sponsors demanded the tax cuts could not affect schools, and others required Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights refunds could not be touched. Both sides got their way. Our public schools did very well this year. One bill paid off the budget stabilization factor, raising the per-pupil dollars and giving a one-time stipend to rural schools. The best news is that it ended reliance on an antiquated and outdated 30-year formula; the second bill created a new formula. This time, money goes to identified student populations, such as English language learners, and low income, special education and rural students. Colorado will pay districts a base salary, then add to it according to the student population, not according to the district itself. Rural schools will now be getting extra funding on top of that, every year, meaning we will be able to hire more teachers and pay them better. Rural schools have been left out of the budget process for 30 years; we are now finally fully involved. In other education news, some low-income families will get free college tuition for two years of school, giving students the boost they need to pursue careers and future education. We did a lot for water in our state, funding dozens of conservation and storage projects, banning nonessential public turf to save both money and water and passing a huge bill addressing the U.S. Supreme Court ruling removing protection for some Colorado waters. We created a permitting program for the dredge and fill activities impacting those waters. And, we referred a ballot measure allowing revenue from sports betting above the $29 million cap to be used for the Colorado Water Project. You will vote on that. Another bill passed that will cut child poverty in half by offering refundable tax credits to low-income families with children under 5. This helps take care of our youngest residents, giving their parents the breathing room to work full time. Environmental advocates joined forces with the oil and gas industry advocates to address air quality and safety; it is the first time in many years both sides sat down together to make decisions for our future. We voted yes. Transportation was a popular topic this session, and commuter rail along the front range and into some mountain areas drew interest. Getting people off the roads will be efficient and clean. Bipartisan work was key to our success. We didn’t always agree, but we tried to compromise as often as possible. When we take the “I” out of legislating, using “we” instead, we proved we can get a lot done. Not everyone joined in, and not everyone was happy, but we are headed in the right direction. I am proud of our success. We did it. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is serving her fourth and last term in the Legislature, representing House District 59. Previous Next

Democrats passed legislation to save people money, improve public safety and protect the Colorado way of life in the face of threats from the Trump Administration and significant budget constraints. With Colorado at a crossroads, Democrats stood up for taxpayers and protected our investments in K-12 education, Medicaid and public safety amidst budget uncertainty and funding threats from Washington DC. DOWNLOAD ONE PAGERS PARA ESPAÑOL, PRIMA AQUÍ DOWNLOAD REPORT

New bill would provide up to $40,000 in tax credits to those who donate a life-saving organ to a stranger < Back Rutinel: There is an urgent need to address Colorado's organ donation barriers Feb 19, 2024 See more This story was originally published in the Colorado Sun here . New bill would provide up to $40,000 in tax credits to those who donate a life-saving organ to a stranger Imagine being stuck to a dialysis machine for over 12 hours a week. Imagine praying each day that an organ becomes available so you can live to see your son’s high school graduation or your daughter’s wedding. Imagine your child is waiting for an organ, uncertain if they will ever make their high school graduation or wedding. Tragically, far too many Coloradans die waiting for an organ each year — over 200 in 2021 . Those who died were healthy enough to receive a transplant when they were initially wait-listed. They died because of a policy failure. Colorado’s organ donation waitlist is not just a compilation of names; it is a ledger of lives suspended in limbo, families living in fear and individuals grappling with the daily struggles of disease while hoping for a second chance at life. Today, nearly 2,000 Coloradans are on this waitlist, each representing a person facing the excruciating anxiety of awaiting a life-saving call . For far too many of our neighbors, the call never comes. The toll on those on the waitlist is immeasurable. The wait for a kidney transplant, for instance, can span several agonizing years, during which patients may endure the grueling ordeal of dialysis treatments three times a week for four hours each time. For too many, the wait is an ongoing battle with life-threatening conditions, resulting in a diminished quality of life, a constant stream of hospital visits, and the fear of not surviving until that life-saving organ becomes available. Beyond the emotional and physical suffering, there is also a tremendous economic strain on individuals, families and communities. The exorbitant cost of medical care for those awaiting transplants places an immense burden on them, potentially leading to financial hardship or even bankruptcy. Moreover, the ripple effects of organ shortages are felt throughout our health care system, resulting in longer wait times, poorer health outcomes and rising medical costs for the entire community. Fortunately, the solution is straightforward: The Colorado legislature can remove the barriers to becoming a living organ donor. A large portion of Coloradans are healthy enough to donate an organ. And while hundreds of Coloradans donate an organ to a loved one or a stranger each year, many barriers remain, including significant financial burdens associated with lost wages, child and elder care, travel, and other costs. A recent study found that the financial cost of becoming a living kidney organ donor is approximately $40,000 . But the benefits to society are exponentially higher. These are problems that we can and must address. We are honored to bring bipartisan legislation to address this urgent issue: the Comprehensive Assistance, Recognition, and Empowerment (CARE) for Living Organ Donors Act ( House Bill 1132 ). If passed, the CARE Act would remove the financial barriers to living organ donation by providing up to a $40,000 tax credit to individuals who donate a life-saving organ to a stranger. Because not everyone is a perfect organ match with their loved one, organ donors who donate to a stranger can create a chain reaction of agreed-upon organ donations, with some organ chains extending beyond 60 organ exchanges . Picture this scenario: A daughter discovers she is not a match to donate her kidney to her father, but she is the perfect candidate for another person in need. She agrees to give her kidney to this other person if her father receives a kidney from someone else. Thus, when a stranger donates to the father, this donation sets off an organ donation chain reaction that can save dozens of lives. Beyond removing financial barriers to living organ donation, the CARE for Living Organ Donors Act will also provide workforce discrimination protections and a special license plate available to living donors. Further, donors will be able to safeguard their loved ones by adding their names to a voucher list. In the event a named individual ever needs a kidney, they would be prioritized to receive one. Organ failure is a crisis that affects thousands of Coloradans with real faces, real families and real suffering. We must address this issue head-on, and the CARE for Living Organ Donors Act is our answer to the growing need for action. So call and email your state legislator to tell them to support this legislation. The lives of thousands of Coloradans depend on it. Previous Next

House Democrats worked in a bipartisan way to deliver property tax relief while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, fire response, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. House Democrats worked in a bipartisan way to deliver property tax relief while protecting critical community institutions like public schools, health care, fire response, libraries, water infrastructure, and municipal parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET

< Back Sheila Lieder Representative Sheila Lieder is the Vice-Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee and a member of the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee. She represents House District 28, which includes parts of Littleton, Lakewood, and Morrison in Jefferson County. Elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2022 and re-elected in 2024, Rep Lieder's career reflects a strong commitment to fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all working families. At the Capitol, Rep. Lieder supports accessible and affordable healthcare, improving Colorado’s public schools, expanding workers’ rights, ensuring that seniors can afford their needs, and both veterans and active-duty service members. She also aims to prepare the next generation for success by creating pathways to good-paying jobs and opportunities for students entering the workforce. During her time as a state representative, Rep. Lieder has contributed to Colorado’s economic growth. She led efforts to create new job opportunities in the rapidly growing field of thermal technology, helping Colorado become a leader in this area. She has also expanded apprenticeship programs that connect Coloradans to in-demand careers. Recently, she has worked to ensure every public school has heating and air conditioning, addressing the impact of automation and Artificial intelligence on sectors like trucking, and increased protections for minor workers on the job. Rep. Lieder continues to bring the values of hard work, fairness, and community to the legislature. She advocates for policies that support working families and strengthen opportunities across Colorado.

< Back Rebekah Stewart Representative Rebekah Stewart represents House District 30, which encompasses the eastern half of Lakewood and the city of Edgewater. She currently serves on the Lakewood City council and is chair of the city’s Budget and Audit Board. Rep. Stewart serves as the Vice-Chair of the Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee and a member of the House Finance Committee. Rep. Stewart spent most of her career as a board-certified music therapist working with kids and adults in the disability community. On city council, she has continued to fight for folks falling through the cracks by championing mental health and housing affordability policy and most recently spearheading Lakewood’s successful debrucing campaign. She looks forward to continuing this important work at the state Capitol.

Join our team, now accepting applications for Policy Analyst. Apply online by Jan 13, 2025. Policy Analyst Policy Analyst House Majority Office Colorado House of Representatives Description: The House Majority seeks an analytical thinker and skilled relationship builder with a commitment to democratic values to join our team as a Policy Analyst for the legislative session. We’re looking for someone with legislative or electoral experience who can advise and support the development and execution of the House Democrats’ legislative agenda. The position serves the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader, and reports directly to the Chief of Staff. This is a dynamic and exciting position at the center of the action in the Capitol, interacting with legislators, leadership, and advocates every day. The Policy Analyst is responsible for staffing several Committees of Reference and supporting and serving as a resource to the Chairs and Vice Chairs of those committees on the impacts of various bills in their particular policy areas. As capacity allows, the Policy Analyst supports the broader work of year round committees, works one-on-one with legislators to develop concepts for legislation, and conducts in-depth policy research and analysis on topics of interest to the caucus and its individual members. This is a unique opportunity for an individual who wants to have an impact on the most pressing issues facing Coloradans today, and who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. About the House Democratic Caucus and Staff The 43-member House Democratic caucus is the second largest and most diverse caucus in state history, with members bringing a wide range of backgrounds and experiences from all over our state. In the six years since voters put Democrats in control of the state legislature, the House Dems have passed transformative, impactful legislation that we intend to continue building upon. The House majority staff is composed of 12 staff members - the Chief of Staff, the Deputy Chief of Staff, five Policy Analysts, two Communications professionals, two Advisors to the Speaker and Majority Leader, and one Legislative Aide Program Manager - all working to support the caucus. Responsibilities Track bills as they are amended throughout the legislative process, staying attuned to policy and political issues and anticipating problems before they arise, and being prepared at any time to summarize key issues to staff and House leadership; Take point on consequential bills and support the sponsor in all stages of the bill’s development from stakeholding and committee hearing(s) to floor debate; Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and advocates, organizing outreach and facilitating difficult conversations when necessary; Analyze briefing materials from executive branch departments and interface with the relevant legislative liaisons, as well as with policy staff for the Senate and Governor; Contribute to a variety of communication materials, including daily press releases. What We’re Looking For Ability to distill complex policy concepts, long committee hearings, and opposing perspectives into concise and digestible summaries, quickly and accurately; Highly organized with a keen attention to detail to ensure accurate analysis; Political acumen, solid judgment, honesty, humility, and a strong sense of discretion; Good relationship builder and excellent communicator, both in writing and speaking; Motivated self-starter who can “manage up” effectively, anticipate needs and challenges, identify opportunities, and organize others into action to keep projects moving forward and drive them towards resolution, producing high-quality results on tight deadlines. An ideal candidate will have: Prior experience in a state legislature, Congress, or electoral campaign Prior experience working in Colorado politics Comfort working with Google suite (docs, sheets, slides, forms) and Slack Compensation Salary for this position will be $67,000-$72,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a session-only position that starts in December 2025 and concludes in June 2026. We provide a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance covered mostly by the employer, choice of a PERA retirement plan, 5 days of personal leave (not including state and federal holidays) for the duration of the position, and a free parking space near the Capitol. How to Apply To apply for this position, please send an email to COHouseDemJobs@gmail.com with “Policy Analyst” in the subject line and your resume attached. In the body of the email, please describe in a few paragraphs why you are a good candidate for the job. The application deadline is Monday, September 15 by 5pm MT. Colorado House Majority Office is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, or disability. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and identities to apply.

Learn more about how to contact the Colorado House Majority team. Contact Chief of Staff Rebecca Kisner rebecca.kisner@coleg.gov COMMUNICATIONS Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy and Communications Jarrett Freedman jarrett.freedman@coleg.gov Media Relations Director Mallory Feeney mallory.feeney@coleg.gov C ommunications Advisor Kaitlin Begin kaitlin.begin@coleg.gov OPERATIONS Advisor to the Speaker Elizabeth Brawn elizabeth.brawn@coleg.gov Legislative Aide Program Manager Feliz Sanchez Garcia felizsanchez.garcia@coleg.gov Advisor to the Majority Leader Gina Kelble gina.kelble@coleg.gov POLICY Budget Policy Analyst Carl Plant carl.plant@coleg.gov Policy Analyst Jaclyn Davison jaclyn.davison@coleg.gov

< 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

Learn about career opportunities with the Colorado House Majority. Careers Applications for the Colorado House of Representatives Majority Office will be considered on a rolling basis for the following positions. We will contact you once positions become available. Legislative Aide Legislative Intern