In order to create a better life for ourselves and our families, we need to be able to seize opportunities. During this upcoming state legislative session, Colorado lawmakers have a chance to improve lives – especially those who feel held back by bad public policy – by reforming three policies that are currently closing off opportunity to thousands of Coloradans: education, occupational licensing, and the state’s construction defects law.

A quality education is the gateway to prosperity, yet Colorado’s public school system is currently failing far too many students. Just look at graduation rates: During the 2014-2015 school year, Colorado’s high school graduation rate was six percentage points lower than the national average at 77 percent. But for Hispanic students in the state, that number is even lower – only 68 percent of Hispanics graduated. And while Colorado is among the top 10 states with the largest Hispanic populations, it remains in the bottom 10 for Hispanic high school graduation rates.

A family’s background shouldn’t limit a child’s future. Every child deserves access to a quality education that sets them up for a successful life – regardless of zip code or their parents’ income. This is why Colorado families need greater educational choice. Charter schools, for example, are more diverse than district schools, but they often get much less funding. It’s time for the Legislature to ensure that all public schools are funded equally.

Another barrier that holds back individuals is occupational licensing requirements. These regulations often create unnecessary barriers to entry for workers or entrepreneurs who are just starting out. There are 136 regulated industries in Colorado, ranging from household movers to private investigators. These licenses cost hundreds of hours and dollars in fees for many professions before people can even enter them. While it may make sense to license some professions, occupational licenses often make no sense and keep newcomers out of hundreds of good-paying jobs.

A makeup artist, for instance, is required to complete 600 hours of training before he or she can receive a license, whereas an Emergency Medical Technician only needs 26 days of training to qualify for a license.

These barriers to entry especially hurt the Hispanic community, considering that one-in-five new American entrepreneurs is Hispanic, and Colorado’s Hispanic average unemployment rate in 2015 was 1.6 percentage points higher than the state’s unemployment rate overall.

Unnecessary occupational licenses put arbitrary costs and time commitments on professions that should be ripe for people entering the market. Removing these occupational licensing barriers will enable all Coloradans, especially those just starting out, to more easily pursue their passions and provide for their families.

But even with a good-paying job, it might be difficult to find affordable housing in Colorado. That’s why Colorado lawmakers must reform the state’s flawed construction defects law.

While Colorado’s population is growing at one of the fastest rates in the nation – it added about 100,000 people in 2015 alone – developers aren’t building nearly enough housing options to accommodate new residents. And it’s not for lack of demand, but because of the state’s construction defects law, which is so burdensome it deters developers from building new condominiums for fear of being sued in unpredictable and costly litigation.

This law explains why Coloradans faced a housing shortfall of about 55,000 units since 2012, and sky-rocketing housing prices.

The construction defects law especially hurts low-income and minority communities. With less condominiums being built, more people are forced to rent, which artificially drives up rental prices for everyone.

State lawmakers should reform the construction defects law, which would unleash more housing options and lower the prices, allowing more Latino and other families to reach their dream of owning their first home.

These policies are only a few examples of the ways our elected officials can reduce barriers to opportunity and create a better quality of life in Colorado, especially for those who are struggling to move up in the world.