Gov. John Hickenlooper

Marijuana: “We were the first state to legalize recreational marijuana while creating a roadmap for other states. By the way – we’re not wild about Washington telling us what’s best for us. We expect the federal government will respect the will of Colorado voters.”

Laurels: “[W]e can’t rest on our laurels. As one farmer told me, ‘In Colorado, you can be a rainfall away from a record crop, but a hailstorm away from losing it all.'”

Moving home: “Most people in rural areas are filled with a love of place. I had lunch with fourteen Future Farmers of America almost a year ago. I asked these young adults how many would choose to return to their small hometowns if they could make a living. Every hand went up. But one young woman later noted, ‘If I came back with someone I loved, they’d need a job too.’ We need more good jobs in rural Colorado.”

Climate change: “Most of us agree that science shows climate change is happening at a significant rate in large part because of humans. But even those of us who disagree on climate change can agree that we need to protect the Colorado environment our grandchildren will grow to love – with a strong economy where they can find jobs.”

Friends: “We don’t define ourselves by those who oppose us. As any restaurateur knows, there’s no margin in having enemies. That’s basically our slogan. And I’m grateful to have been your friend these last seven years.”

Senate President Kevin Gratham, R-Canon City

Our legacy: “Today, we decide what sort of legislative body we will be. Colorado has always been different. It’s always been a special place, tucked behind the Rockies, untouched by the California smog or the New York corruption. Let’s continue that tradition of being different. Let’s work together to solve the issues that matter most to Coloradans, and let’s cement a legacy together that will carry into future General Assemblies for generations to come.”

Roads: “I applaud the governor for moving in the right direction with his budget proposal, putting an additional $148 million into our roads. While I personally believe that number should be higher, the fact remains that we are moving in the right direction. Let’s invest in something meaningful, our roads, and benefits will stem from every corner of Colorado, in every neighborhood, and possibly in every household.”

PERA: “The magnitude of the problem is larger than many believe – very possibly PERA is underfunded in excess of $55 Billion. This is large enough to affect the credit rating of the state and public institutions – and raise bonding costs for all important public construction projects. This unfunded liability is a debt in excess of $10,000 per man, woman, and child in Colorado. The fact that we don’t exactly know how much trouble we’re in also shows the need for more transparency in PERA’s finances.”

Rural broadband: “Today, let us commit to finding solutions to bring broadband to our rural communities across Colorado. We have an opportunity to advance the education, economic growth and healthcare systems of Colorado by ensuring that every corner of our state is effectively connected to the internet. Whether it’s the 5th grader in Dove Creek trying to get his homework done or the business owner in Creede wanting to sell his goods online, or a hospital in Hugo researching life-saving solutions for their patient, there are few opportunities that can bring so much benefit to so many Coloradans.”

House Speaker Crisanta Duran, D-Denver

Jobs: “We continue to attract new jobs, new businesses and new events. Later this month, for the first time, we’ll host the Outdoor Retailer Show, one of many tangible rewards for our forward-thinking conservation policies and commitment to public lands.”

Underserved kids: “In the 2018 session and beyond we must keep striving to eradicate the race- and income-related disparities that continue to exist in Colorado’s schools. The legislation we passed in 2017 prioritizes funding for Colorado kids who have been historically underserved, regardless of the type of school they attend.”

Discrimination: “As we begin to make changes here at the Capitol, each and every member of this body has a personal responsibility to do our part to create a safe and respectful workplace for all. We must also reauthorize the Colorado Civil Rights Division, which protects Coloradans’ freedom from discrimination based on age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, religion and ancestry.”

Rural Colorado: “We need to ensure that communities outside the Front Range have the tools to compete in a global economy byproviding more broadband service, more teachers and more medical services, just for starters. And because getting to and from work shouldn’t be the hardest part of Coloradans’ daily routine, we have to repair and improve our overburdened roads and expand our transportation options to keep up with our growing population and economy.”

Addiction: “No family is immune to addiction, including my own. In November I lost my cousin Juan at the young age of 40. He was smart and thoughtful and he loved to laugh and joke around. Some of my favorite memories are of camping with him or fishing together on my Grandpa’s boat on the Pueblo Reservoir. But for much of his life he struggled with substance abuse – alcohol and opioids. Families across Colorado, including in this chamber, have heartbreaking stories of friends and relatives who have suffered from addiction.”