Highlights of My Week at the Capitol |
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I received a number of calls and emails from constituents this week with concerns about bills that impact “home rule” for our local community. I want to start off this week by saying that I have been very clear since the first day that I ran for office (including on my website) that I am a supporter of home rule for our local governments. Last week’s newsletter included an article on HB 24-1313 that started with “Kill It, Kill It, Kill It” - I’m not shy about where I stand on these issues. And, I’m also intentionally practical in how we should approach issues. While snowmageddon hit the Capitol and all of the Front Range, our legislative session was still moving forward. Friday we welcomed representatives from the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Tribes to the Capitol to speak. They spoke about a quiet crisis happening to them from the combination of underfunding from the Government and loss of lands that they have experienced over the last two centuries, on how they were the first people on this land and the last to gain citizenship, not until 1924. In addition, they brought to light the repeated broken promises and lack of funding that they have received. For one Native Casinos aren’t allowed to have sports betting at all, they have been waiting for it to be allowed for 4 years while corporations have taken over the market, unlike those corporations, the money Native Casinos make from gaming goes into providing services to the tribal members. The Ute Tribes have also been left out of the conversations revolving around water rights, something that the Ute economy depends on. In response, representatives have been urging Congress to fund the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, to provide $35 million in funding for infrastructure projects around the country, including the Pine River Indian Irrigation Project, that carries fresh water to the Ute Tribes. It was an honor to have members of the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Tribes here to speak and share how their communities are doing. |
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Happy St. Patrick's Day from Representatives Woodrow, Rutinel, and I |
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HB24-1259- During the Covid pandemic Colorado passed legislation that has since led to deceptive trade practices regarding the price of goods during a declared emergency. It allowed sellers to mark up goods such as building materials; consumer food items; emergency supplies; fuel; medical supplies; or other necessities, if the sellers could prove that their supplier was raising prices directly because of the disaster or emergency. HB24-1259 takes action against raising the price of rent during such disasters, as there is no effect that a pandemic has on something such as renting. Price Gouging has been a real issue in Colorado, especially in regard to rent and housing, this is a great step forward. HB24-1323- This School Graduation Attire bill passed through the house this week and would allow graduating students to wear objects of cultural or religious significance as adornments during graduation ceremonies. The bill prevents institutions from imposing restrictions on such attire, affirming students' rights to express their cultural and religious identities without fear of discrimination. While maintaining decorum during ceremonies, the bill also ensures that any prohibition of adornments must be justified by a compelling government interest and implemented through the least restrictive means possible. This bill fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding, enriching the educational experience for all students. HB24-1174-The passage of this bill marks a significant enhancement in ensuring responsible firearm ownership and safety within the community. Effective July 1, 2025, concealed handgun training classes are mandated to be conducted in person, offering comprehensive instruction on various aspects crucial to firearm handling and legal compliance. These include fundamental knowledge and safe handling of firearms, storage practices to prevent accidents, understanding state and federal firearm laws, as well as guidelines on the lawful use of deadly force for self-defense. Emphasizing practical skills, such as safe shooting techniques and conflict resolution strategies, these classes aim to equip permit applicants with the necessary expertise to navigate potentially dangerous situations responsibly. Moreover, the bill institutes rigorous standards for both initial and refresher classes, requiring passing scores on written exams and live-fire exercises to ensure competency. By mandating verification of instructors by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and penalizing deceptive practices, the bill strengthens oversight and integrity within concealed handgun training programs. Ultimately, this legislation prioritizes public safety while upholding the rights of individuals to bear arms responsibly, fostering a more informed and secure community. Keep up for further updates on the progress of introduced bills and ongoing legislative efforts. |
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Let's Talk about Housing: Where's the Middle |
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As Colorado's population continues to grow and housing costs soar, many residents find themselves caught in the middle of a housing affordability crisis. The "missing middle" housing gap has left many Coloradans struggling to find affordable and ownable housing options. So, where is the middle, and how do we bridge this gap? In House District 37, we have almost ZERO houses of any type being built that can be purchased for $350,000 or less. When we look at any dense housing to bridge any gaps, the construction falls to apartments (rentals) that make the problem worse. We have not seen any place in the Front Range where we’ve expanded apartment use and the additional inventory has brought any housing prices down. In fact, we’ve seen rent go up and we have more expensive apartments next to expensive houses. Most rents are higher than mortgages in the same areas, which is causing a permanent shift in housing. Most renters that I talk to WANT to own housing - it’s just completely out of reach (despite the fact that they are paying MORE). One of the main challenges contributing to the widening "lack of middle" is the impact of Colorado's construction defect laws on builders' ability to construct ownable, affordable dense housing, such as condominiums. These laws have created barriers for builders in obtaining insurance policies necessary for such projects, leading to a shift towards constructing apartments, which are perceived as less risky by insurers. To address this issue, we must take a long-term approach to engage with legislative solutions. State legislation plays a crucial role in shaping the housing landscape in Colorado. By enacting policies that promote the construction of affordable housing with an approach to reform construction defect laws in a way that protects homeowners, supports insurability by streamlining the remedy and litigation process, maintains standards for construction defect claims, incentivizes alternative dispute resolution methods, and holds the party who causes a defect responsible. Additionally, policymakers must explore initiatives to incentivize the construction of ownable, affordable housing through tax incentives, grants, and other regulatory reforms. By creating a more favorable environment for builders to undertake such projects, we can encourage the development of diverse housing options that meet the needs of both new residents as well as those wishing to downsize and remain in our community. Engaging with stakeholders, including builders, insurers, community organizations, and advocacy groups, is essential in crafting effective legislative solutions. Collaborative efforts that involve input from all stakeholders can lead to policies that address the root causes of the housing issues and ensure sustainable, equitable housing solutions for Colorado's residents. As we navigate the complex challenges of the housing crisis, it's imperative to take a proactive and comprehensive approach through legislative action. By working together to enact meaningful reforms, we can build a brighter future where every Coloradan has access to safe, affordable, and ownable housing options. I will be holding ongoing Town Halls and meetings on these issues until we get it right. |
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Bills That I Have Nonstop Attention On TRAP (HB24-1324)- Attorney General Restrictive Employment Agreements, TRAP agreements are typically used for higher-skilled professions; medical careers, lawyers, engineers, pilots, etc., and typically involve a payment plan or period of time to work with an employer to satisfy repayment for training that is paid for by an employer (basically a student loan provided by an employer). However, it is becoming increasingly common for employers in low wage industries to use this type of agreement to “TRAP” their employees in unfavorable employment positions, requiring large payments to the employer if the employee leaves for another job. The proposed bill standardizes the process for recovering these expenses, treating them similarly to other forms of consumer and student debt. HB24-1324 Passed Committee 10/0 to go on to the House floor. This bill addresses problems that we have nationally as well as problems within our own community. Construction Defects Liability Reform (SB24-106) - aims to give homeowners the option of requiring the contractor that caused a construction defect a way to remedy the defect without first going to litigation. It aims to hold the builder that caused the defect accountable vs. sometimes long battles between the homeowner's lawyer and insurance companies, which sometimes result in settlements that don’t leave enough money to cure a defect. In many cases, the defects never get corrected as a result of poor settlements or timing. We are aiming to make sure the defects get corrected as well as eliminate some of the hidden surprises that can come into play in lawsuits and really have this legislation be about “if it’s broken, we should make the builder fix it”. Airports (HB24-1235) - Rep. Kyle Brown and I are working together to address issues related to noise and environmental concerns. I am holding Zoom meetings every other Monday to update and speak on this bill as it progresses. The bill aims to use as many powers as we can find through state legislation to accelerate efforts to reduce the use of leaded fuels in aviation and support airports in developing programs to reduce noise over populated areas. This bill has passed the House Housing, Transportation and Local Government Committee and is expected to be heard next in the House Finance Committee likely on Monday, March 18th. Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) - HB 24-1360 Rep. David Ortiz and I are co-prime sponsoring legislation to create a new government office within the Department of Labor and Employment to serve as a resource for State Agencies, Private and Non-Profit Organizations, and he public concerning disability issues in Colorado. JYACAP- For youths who are tried and convicted as adults in our state, the path to freedom is notoriously difficult. This bill hopes to reduce a very serious bottleneck in our system by removing the need for the governor's signature from parole board decisions. This measure was originally put in place when there were doubts about how Juvenile Parole would function and is no longer necessary - the change streamlines the process. Even the Governor thinks that Juvenile Parole can be managed without his oversight. State Employee Deductions Bill (HB24-1293)-Quick update this bill has been passed by the House. It's now being taken up in the Senate! It has been assigned to the Business, Labor, & Technology committee. |
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Every other Monday night at 7PM I will be having a virtual discussion on the aviation bill HB24-1235 until passage. The next one coming up will be March 25th. Join if you want to talk about how it affects Centennial Airport and its surrounding neighborhoods. Scan the QR Code or go to the link below: |
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March 26th, 6-8 pm I am hosting a town hall for all residents of Greenwood Village at City Hall (6060 S Quebec St) in the community room. I know there is a lot of questions going around in our community and I want to be able to answer as many as possible. It's important for us to be on the same page and the best way to do that is to have a conversation. So please come and share your thoughts. |
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Residents of Centennial welcome! March 30th, 3-5 pm I am excited to hold a town hall to hear your thoughts. Come to share your thoughts on what matters to you, I will be there to address any questions or curiosities you have about my thoughts and goals with our community. |
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Please reach out to tell me about any issues I should keep my eye on or things you are passionate about. Use the button below and I or someone on my team will be sure to be in contact. | | |
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