Lisa Duran: "There are numerous bills in Congress that could create a path to citizenship for millions of immigrant families right now. Unfortunately, these bills already seem doomed to the limbo of a Congress paralyzed along party lines and populated with anti-immigrant politicians more interested in political theater than the betterment of our communities." Continue Reading
Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson: "Oil and gas executives have made millions of dollars. Not a shock, right? However, I was shocked to read in a new report that dozens of oil and gas executives received hundreds of millions of dollars in payouts while their companies went bankrupt, leaving taxpayers with the mess to clean up." Continue Reading
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and we are seeing the effects in Colorado firsthand. Rising temperatures, widespread drought, extensive wildfires, and air pollution pose a threat to both our environment and economy. In 2020 alone, Colorado … Continue Reading
Dan Woog: "In the wake of COVID-19 mandates, a vigorously contested election, and volatile economic news, what Americans – and Coloradans – long for is a return to normalcy. A life where parents go to work and children go to school. Where a person can enjoy the treat of a night out without consulting the most recent public health order. A place where the value of a dollar isn’t constantly shrinking." Continue Reading
Dragan Mejic: "Nationwide, most public pensions are well-funded and continuing to improve. So why is PERA in trouble? In a word, it’s not." Continue Reading
For more than 125 years, Americans have been celebrating the Labor Day holiday. For many families, it’s a time to take a day off and enjoy the outdoors before the end of summer. Like many holidays we have been celebrating for decades, the true origin of the day gets lost in the festivities, … Continue Reading
Simon Lomax: "Yes, the U.S. has made excellent progress reducing emissions by substituting natural gas for coal in power generation, and by dramatically expanding the role of renewables like wind and solar on the electrical grid. But the next phase of the energy transition will be tougher." Continue Reading
Cesiah Guardarrama Trejo: "These permanent renter protections are just the start to solving a much deeper problem. Until Colorado lawmakers truly attack the root causes of insecure and unaffordable housing, we’ll be back at this again." Continue Reading
Laura Williamson: "The little-known federal Bureau of Reclamation just made history by ordering some state governments to cut back their usage of water on the Colorado River due to a historic drought affecting the river basin. As a proud Coloradan, I was alarmed to see this unprecedented announcement since it signals the start of a new era of increased heavy-handedness in the federal government’s management of state matters." Continue Reading
Cory Gaines: "As more and more people demand devices that run faster, and demand internet access and server space, we will approach a point where our hungry chips’ demand for power is going to outstrip our ability to supply it." Continue Reading
Janet Buckner and Leslie Herod: "One of the largest challenges re-exposed by the pandemic are the deep-rooted racial disparities that continue to plague our healthcare system – both in Colorado and across the country. COVID-19 disproportionately devastated communities of color, and although we are turning a corner, we must continue to work toward creating an equitable health care system for all Coloradoans. This includes access to the highest quality prenatal and maternal care for every mother in the Centennial State." Continue Reading
Benjamin Lyng: "Afghan soldiers must be willing to fight for their own freedom. This weekend proved what I long suspected — that America was blindly arming and financing this army without metrics to ensure accountability, leadership, and an end game that left the ANA capable of defending their own country." Continue Reading
Jack Cutter: "We take for granted the opportunity and freedom we have here in the U.S. The Cuban people are at the point where they are willing to die for freedom. The communist regime cut off the internet and communication so that the people cannot share videos and images of the government brutality with the rest of the world." Continue Reading
Qaisar Khan: "I swore an oath to serve my patients. We need to do right by them, their families, and our communities — especially communities of color. That is why I supported the Colorado Health Insurance Option (HB21-1232) during this past legislative session." Continue Reading
Tony Gagliardi: "Colorado small businesses — battered by the COVID crisis — are facing yet another threat in the form of tax proposals from Washington politicians that will make it far more difficult for family-owned businesses to operate and pass the company down to the next generation." Continue Reading
Greg Fulton: "The closure of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon due to mud and rockslides highlighted the importance of this corridor to our state but also exposed the fragility of our statewide transportation system and lack of resiliency." Continue Reading
When Colorado’s Independent Redistricting Commission released preliminary legislative maps last month, they made two glaring errors: failing to respect the varying needs of Latino communities across the state, and diluting our voting power by creating new maps that reduce the current number … Continue Reading
Bill Ritter Jr.: "Colorado U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and our Colorado delegation in the House of Representatives should all vote yes on and champion an infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation bill that center investments in a national clean energy economy while also battling climate change and ending environmental injustice." Continue Reading
Simon Lomax: "Do we need a federal mandate to rapidly increase the production of electricity from carbon-free sources like wind, solar, nuclear, hydrogen and technologies that capture and store greenhouse gas emissions?" Continue Reading
Cory Gaines: "Judging from previous years, we are spending more on Colorado students, but are we getting our money's worth in educational outcomes? I don't think a reasonable person would say yes. Why is it that way?" Continue Reading
The American healthcare system needs reform. Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans were strapped with exorbitant medical bills that jeopardized care. What’s worse is that the systemic inequalities in health care disproportionately harm communities of color. Continue Reading
Melissa Daruna: "Colorado’s virtues may have inspired the U.S. government when it titled its recently released report 'Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful.' The report is a call to action to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s lands and waters by 2030, and Coloradans have reason to celebrate it." Continue Reading
Itzel Olivas: "June marked the 9th anniversary of DACA. Let’s celebrate the program by demanding more. Congress has the power to grant all 11 million undocumented Americans a path to citizenship by passing the US Citizenship Act. This act is supported by President Biden, whose party also controls the House and the Senate. The time to act is now." Continue Reading
James Coleman and Colin Larson: "While the rest of the country has been mired in divisive politics, Colorado lawmakers have traditionally been able to come together to put the interests of Coloradans first. But it’s getting harder. Increasingly, we’ve seen our colleagues compelled to put their party agenda ahead of common-sense lawmaking. Washington, D.C.-style politics are seeping into the Gold Dome, and it's damaging our ability to serve Colorado." Continue Reading
George Stern: "Just as baseball is America’s pastime, there is nothing more American than participating in the electoral process. Here in Colorado, our mail-ballot system is the gold standard for accessible, secure, and transparent elections. You don’t need to take my word for it; with more than 76% of eligible voters casting ballots in November, Colorado set a turnout record for our state that ranks us as second highest in the nation." Continue Reading
Several new studies show that the vast majority of American hospitals aren't complying with a new federal rule that took effect at the beginning of the year requiring them to post their real prices for care. Actual price information allows healthcare consumers to shop for quality, less-expen… Continue Reading
Matt Scherr: "One reason for our infrastructure failings is the fashionable notion that less government is always better. Ever since President Reagan’s canonization of the cynical phrase, 'I’m from the government, and I’m here to help,' we regularly demonize 'the government' and the many agencies and people that do the work of government." Continue Reading
Stephanie Stewart: "The Colorado legislature, specifically bill sponsors Sens. Brittany Pettersen and Kevin Priola and Reps. Chris Kennedy and Leslie Herod, should be applauded for passing HB21-1276. This bill would improve access to evidenced-based treatments that can improve chronic pain, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture." Continue Reading
Matt Soper: "After the job insecurity for nurses and other health-care providers caused by the Democrat’s state-controlled health plan, this is yet another insult to the sacrifices made by front-line health-care workers over the course of this terrible pandemic." Continue Reading
Diana Petrak: "Instead of preventing conduct that is likely intentional, SB 176 centralizes a deeper conflict-resolution process at the state level. If passed, the Colorado Civil Rights Division must determine whether an exchange that could be unintentional deserves penalties or serious sanctions in civil courts." Continue Reading
Chad Vorthmann: "Legislators are targeting agriculture employers with Senate Bill 87. It's a grab bag of anti-employer policies aimed at farms that employ migrant workers. The problem is that it impacts all agriculture employers, regardless of whether they hire much-needed migrant workers through the federally managed H2A visa program or local ranch and farmhands who raise their families and pursue their livelihood on horseback or in a tractor seat." Continue Reading
Faith Winter: "Both the Capitol policy and current case law governing workplace conduct outside of the Capitol rely on the “severe or pervasive” standard for determining what qualifies as discrimination and harassment in the workplace." Continue Reading
A groundbreaking bill passed the Colorado House overwhelmingly last week, with 56 ayes and only eight nays. House Bill 1317 is led by two Democrats, including the House speaker, as well as Republican state Sen. Kevin Priola and Rep. Tim Geitner, promising to do what no one has achieved since… Continue Reading
Small businesses across Colorado and the nation have suffered tremendously from the impacts of the COVID pandemic. Restaurants were no exception, and in many ways, we have been hit harder than most. Continue Reading
In the top right-hand drawer of my desk sits a small, worn, black book. At first glance it may look like a notebook or a daytimer from many years ago. On closer inspection though one can see that it is a pocket version of the New Testament. It may appear to many as one that a child would own… Continue Reading
Loren Furman: "No individual should ever face uncomfortable or unsafe situations in the workplace due to harassment. The organization I represent, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and our member businesses, recognize that our current workplace harassment laws could be better refined to protect workers and provide clear guidelines for employers. However, SB 176 in its current form misses the mark and brings to light some unfortunate hypocrisy." Continue Reading
Even before the pandemic struck in March 2020, there was a new restaurant trend taking shape: More and more people were ordering takeout from restaurants, instead of dining in. Then, when the pandemic hit and restaurants had to close their dining rooms, we all started getting takeout to supp… Continue Reading
As an experienced Realtor I understand that the housing market goes up and down over time. That’s normal, and affected by factors often beyond our control. But the cost of living in Colorado is going up and — and it’s not because of cyclical changes. It’s because of things happening in Denve… Continue Reading
Colorado has created a model marijuana regulatory system. Let’s not tear it down and create a black market. Continue Reading
Colorado is presented with a unique opportunity; we are uncommonly flush with cash. Gov. Polis recently signed a $34 billion budget, and that doesn’t even include the $3.8 billion in federal stimulus headed our way. As legislators prioritize, I urge consideration of a bill that has mostly fl… Continue Reading
Yadira Caraveo and Chris Kennedy: "This session, it’s time to stand with the people of Colorado and not with Big Pharma. We have introduced Senate Bill 175, to help reduce the astronomical costs of prescription drugs by creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). This independent board, within the Division of Insurance, would be responsible for researching, reviewing, and limiting costs for the most unaffordable prescription drugs." Continue Reading
Michael P. Martinez: "State legislators are considering Senate Bill 169, which would limit the use of external data to address unfair discrimination in insurance practices. This bill is well intended. Agents and insurers join the bill’s supporters in their goal to stop unfair discrimination. Unfortunately, however, the current version of the bill could have a wide range of unintended consequences, including stifling innovation and likely increasing insurance costs for auto, homeowners, renters and commercial policyholders." Continue Reading
Policy makers in Denver, D.C., and across the country are looking for ways to make the transition to 100% clean energy to address climate change and improve our environment. Continue Reading
Jennifer Stith: "Convicted sex offenders and their defenders are trying to undermine the ability of the Sex Offender Management Board to adequately manage and supervise individuals who have already proven to be a risk to our communities." Continue Reading
Stephanie Luck: "Under 1298, a person convicted of a misdemeanor, such as abandoning a cat, would lose the right to obtain a firearm. Is that fair?" Continue Reading
Jessica Miller: "There have been great steps taken with climate legislation over the past few years in Colorado. But we have more work to do. By passing Senate Bill 21-200 and signing this bill into law we have the opportunity to take one more practical step to protect the health of children in Colorado." Continue Reading
Angel Merlos: "The program’s 'cost-saving' features would work by reimbursing doctors and other providers at a lower rate than private insurers typically do. In other words, the bill isn’t cost-saving, it is cost-shifting. It would hurt providers, of course, but Coloradans with private insurance would suffer, as well." Continue Reading
Colin Larson: "It is not a theoretical threat that charter schools face, or one concerning only charter schools not performing well. In just the last two years, both the top elementary and top middle school for low-income kids in Colorado faced opposition from their local school boards, whose majorities had been elected with the financial support of special interests opposed to charter schools." Continue Reading
As a former assistant fire chief for more than 32 years, I have seen firsthand how the opioid epidemic has ravaged communities in Colorado. Time and time again, it has taken the lives of those we know and care for, often without warning. What makes these realities even harder to accept is th… Continue Reading
Barbara Kirkmeyer and Dominick Moreno: "Though significant progress has been made in the fight against COVID-19, more than a year into the pandemic these additional health care and economic burdens we face cannot be ignored. Therefore, Colorado’s legislators have been looking for different ways to rein in costs, keeping in mind that our primary responsibility as lawmakers is to ensure an equitable life for all of our citizens." Continue Reading
