There is no denying the increasing clout Americans for Prosperity has in Colorado politics, and they’re ready to flex their conservative muscle once again in the legislative session that begins in a  month.

The organization laid out its priorities at a meeting this week in the Denver Tech Center, and provided ColoradoPolitics.com an advance synopsis of its top issues, although a “partial list,” nonetheless:

Transportation Funding

With only $1.4 Billion in the budget for transportation, options for prioritizing this critical area must be explored. Nearly half of this amount is from federal dollars. Though we are in a wait-and-see mode with potential actions to be taken by the new federal administration, we still encourage unnecessary mandates and carve outs that divert transportation dollars from roads and bridges be ended.

Medicaid Expansion

According to a recent Foundation for Government Accountability study, Medicaid expansion in Colorado is half a billion dollars more than projected. Though 95% of these funds make their way into the budget from federal funds, this arrangement will likely shift in the coming year. With all healthcare spending at over 33% of the entire state budget, re-prioritizing funds is a must. This process should be done carefully to continue the safety net for those truly in need.

Ending “Workforce Development” Policies

Policies that lead to the government picking winners and losers should be ended. We believe there should be a level playing field for business.

Construction defects

The housing market is being impacted by the threat of lawsuits on the development of new condominiums. This makes renting more expensive and artificially inflates housing prices. Reforms need to be made so that the market can work properly.

PERA

PERA currently has over $20 Billion in unfunded liabilities. In order to make sure that the system is sustainable in the long-term, reforms need to be made now.

The Koch Brothers-backed political organization has branches in 35 states. In Colorado it claims a network of more than 127,000 conservative activists in five field offices guided by a staff of more than 20,

In the last session, AFP helped push an audit of Connect for Health Colorado, an Obamacare insurance exchange; tried unsuccessfully to get equalized funding for charter schools; fought against a hospital provider fee reclassification to avert refunds under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, and helped oppose President Obama’s Clean Power Plan.

AFP also directed its political resources on ballot issues it opposed, such as raising the minimum wage and tobacco taxes, respectively.

In February, Senate President Bill Cadman of Colorado Springs lauded the organization at its rally at the Capitol.

“I can tell you this,” he said, crediting the organization with the rise of Republicans in the upper chamber. “I don’t think I would be the president of the Senate if it wasn’t for the efforts you and yours did over the previous elections. And we look forward to continuing our partnership with you.”