Prescription Drug Imports Bill Passes Senate Health and Human Services Committee

January 31, 2019

Denver, CO - The Senate Health and Human Services Committee today passed SB19-005, Prescription Drug Imports from Canada, a bill that would allow Coloradans to save money on prescription drugs by importing them from Canada. The bill, sponsored by Senators Robert Rodriguez and Joann Ginal, passed through committee on a 4-to-1 vote and now moves to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. 

“It is unacceptable that Coloradans have to pay more than our neighbors to the North for the exact same prescription. No one should ever have to choose between paying for the prescription medicine they need or paying their mortgage, student loan, or even just putting food on the table,” said Senator Rodriguez.

“This legislation is about saving people money on the medicine they need,” said Senator Ginal. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in both the Senate and the House, as well as with Governor Polis, to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for every Coloradan.”

Americans often pay far more for the exact same prescription drug as consumers in other countries, For example, Lyrica costs $6.04 in the United States, but only 63 cents in Canada. Americans pay more than $150 dollars for Lipitor, a popular cholesterol drug, while Canadian patients can pay less than $50.

This legislation would create the "Colorado Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act," under which the department of health care policy and financing (department) shall design a program to import prescription pharmaceutical products from Canada for sale to Colorado consumers.

For more information about SB19-005, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-005.

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Letter to President Trump Urging Return of the U.S.S. Pueblo

January 31, 2019

Letter to President Trump Regarding Return of U.S.S. PuebloDownload

President Donald J. Trump

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President,

As President of the Colorado State Senate and a proud Puebloan, I am writing on the 51st anniversary of the capture of the U.S.S. Pueblo to assert in the strongest possible terms the importance of the return of this ship from the Republic of North Korea.

As you may know, the U.S.S. Pueblo is a United States Navy ship, named for the city of Pueblo, Colorado, that was attacked by the North Korean military while on an intelligence mission on January 23, 1968. One crew member was killed during the attack while 80 others and two civilian oceanographers were captured and held for 11 months by the North Korean government.

The U.S.S. Pueblo is not just a symbol of the courage and honor of the crew who were captured — it remains a symbol of the strength and pride of our Navy and the American people. As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I am grateful for the bravery demonstrated and sacrifices made by the crew of the U.S.S. Pueblo.

Every year, the Colorado General Assembly passes a resolution asking for the President and our national political leaders to ensure the Republic of North Korea returns what is rightfully ours. Despite the efforts of leaders before you, 51 years later the U.S.S. Pueblo remains the only ship held captive by a foreign government - a government that continues on a trajectory to develop long-range nuclear arms capability, according to recent testimony from leaders of the national intelligence community.

The recently announced second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that will take place in February 2019 presents a unique opportunity to demand the return of the U.S.S. Pueblo.

Given your renowned reputation for negotiations, I am hopeful that you will join our efforts in calling for the return of the U.S.S. Pueblo. Its return from North Korea would represent a meaningful step forward for our two nations, and I look forward to seeing your leadership on this issue at the summit in February.

Sincerely,

Leroy M. Garcia

President of the Senate

Colorado State Capitol

200 East Colfax Ave

Denver, Colorado 80203

Senate Passes Financial Incentives For Rural Educators Bill

January 30, 2019

Denver, CO - Yesterday, the Senate passed SB19-009, Financial Incentives for Rural Educators, a bill that would help address the teacher shortage plaguing rural districts. The bill passed the chamber unanimously, with four Senators excused, and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration, where it is sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan (D-Durango) and James Wilson (R-Salida).

This bill would remove the limit on stipends available and increase the total amount of the stipend available to students in teacher preparation programs who agree to teach in rural schools from $2,800 to $4,000.

“I am thrilled that the Senate has made a commitment to investing in the future of our children and our state,” said Senator Nancy Todd, Senate Education Committee Chair, Senate sponsor of SB19-009, and retired teacher. “This legislation will attract talented educators to our rural districts and ensure that every child, no matter what part of the state they live in, will have access to a quality education.”

There are an estimated 3,000 unfilled teacher jobs in Colorado, with rural school districts feeling the brunt of the shortfall. The problem is compounded by the fact that many Colorado teachers are preparing for retirement and the number of teacher-preparation program graduates in the state has declined by 24.4 percent over the past five years.

Of the 178 school districts in Colorado, 148 are classified as “rural.” There are 109 districts that have fewer than 1000 students, meeting the criteria for “small rural,” with 88 districts made up of fewer than 500 students, according to the Colorado Department of Education.

For more information about SB19-009, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-009.

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Campaign Finance Bill Advances Through Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019 Denver, CO - The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee today advanced SB19-068, Expand Disclosure Electioneering Communications, a bill which would require expanded disclosure of funding behind campaign communications. The bill passed out of committee on a 4-to-1 vote and now moves to the Senate floor for second reading.   “Creating more transparency in our campaign finance system is not a blue or a red idea,” said prime sponsor Sen. Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada). “This bill will require anyone who makes campaign communications to step out of the shadows and publicly stand by their words, and it will give voters the information they deserve to make informed decisions.”   For too long, wealthy outsiders have not only had an outsized ability to influence our political campaigns, but they’ve also been able to do it in secret. Coloradans deserve to know who is behind the messages they see before they head to the polls.   SB19-068 would require anyone spending more than $1000 per year on electioneering communications to publicly state -- on the communication itself -- the name of the person making it. It would also increase transparency and accountability in our elections by expanding the definition of “electioneering communications” to include any point between the primary and general election.   “I am proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move such important legislation forward,” said Sen. Zenzinger. “This bill will help strengthen democracy in Colorado.” For more information about SB19-068, visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-068.

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Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Bill to Provide Constitutional Relief for Immigrants Who Successfully Complete Deferred Judgments

January 30, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted 3-to-2 to advance SB19-030, Remedying Improper Guilty Pleas, a bill that would allow defendants to vacate unconstitutional guilty pleas that have been withdrawn after the successful completion of a deferred judgment. “For six years, my work with noncitizen clients at a criminal defense and immigration law firm underscored the need for this kind of progressive policy,” said Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver), the Senate sponsor. “No Coloradan should suffer because they were not advised about the immigration consequences related to their successfully completed deferred judgement.” When defendants accept deferred judgments under current law, they are advised that their case will be dismissed upon completion of the deferred judgment. However, successfully completed deferred judgment cases affect immigrants under federal immigration law, even after the case is dismissed in the Colorado criminal courts. Consequently, noncitizen Coloradans who accept deferred judgment are too often wholly unaware that this acceptance may harm their immigration status. This legislation was written in partnership with defense attorneys, district attorneys, immigration attorneys, constituents, and directly-impacted individuals who have been adversely affected by the gap in policy between federal immigration law and Colorado statute. It is supported by a wide variety of stakeholders, including the Office of the Denver District Attorney, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Immigration Clinic, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, and immigration and criminal defense practitioners, including the Meyer Law Office, P.C., Joseph Law Firm, P.C., and Johnson Knudsen, LLC. Erica Cano, a constituent who provided testimony in support of the bill, explained that its passage would offer “hope” for her and her husband Francisco, a lawful permanent resident who suffers ongoing immigration consequences after successfully completing a deferred judgment nearly a decade ago. Cano stated, “Francisco has made sure that I am okay [throughout the duration of his legal battle], and now it is my turn to stand up and be an advocate for him.” “Senate Bill 30 is the first in a long series of steps to remove unjust burdens from ordinary Coloradans who have interacted with a criminal justice system that too often adversely affects community members of color, immigrants, and individuals who cannot afford the costs of private legal representation,” said Senator Gonzales. SB19-030 is the first of many progressive criminal justice reforms that will come before the Senate Judiciary committee this legislative session. To learn more about SB19-030, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-030.

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Colorado State Senate Passes National Popular Vote 19-to-16

January 29, 2019

Denver, CO -- The Colorado State Senate today passed SB19-042, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, on a 19-to-16 vote. The bill, which would add Colorado to a growing coalition of states allocating their electors to the winner of the national popular vote in presidential elections, now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration, where it is sponsored by Representatives Emily Sirota and Jeni James Arndt.

The National Popular Vote Compact is an agreement, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, between 11 states (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) and the District of Columbia to award all of their electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote. This group of states currently has a total of 172 electors, 98 short of the 270 needed for the Compact to go into effect should a presidential candidate win the electoral college but not the national popular vote.

If this bill were signed into law, Colorado would officially add nine electors to this growing national movement. Sen. Mike Foote (D-Lafayette), the bill's prime Senate sponsor, said the bill represented a step forward for all American voters.

"This really is a victory for those who believe that every vote should be counted equally," said Senator Foote. "SB19-042 is about making sure ‘one person, one vote’ becomes the law of the land. Colorado is one step closer to saying that every vote should be counted equally, no matter where that voter happens to live."

Since the historically bipartisan proposal was first introduced in Colorado in 2006, more than 2,800 legislators across the country have signed onto the proposal as co-sponsors, one third of whom are Republicans.

"This really isn't a red versus blue idea. This is about making sure that the President of the United States is elected by the entire nation, not just a handful of ‘battleground states’ that get to decide our Presidential elections under the current system,” said Senator Foote. “All of Colorado’s voters should be heard, regardless of whether or not we are considered a battleground state."

For more information about SB19-042, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-042.

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Senate Passes Bill to Foster Innovation in Cryptocurrency Across Colorado

January 28, 2019

Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today passed SB19-023, The Digital Token Act, a bill that clarifies regulations surrounding cryptocurrency and other blockchain technologies in order to foster innovation across Colorado. Sponsored by Sens. Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Jack Tate (R-Centennial), the Senate passed the bill unanimously and it now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.   “This bill allows our regulations to enter the 21st century. By enabling businesses to more easily deal in cryptocurrency, we can ensure Colorado is a leader in promoting healthy innovation of blockchain technology and help grow Colorado’s economy,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg.   Blockchain technology is new and rapidly evolving. Over the past three years, blockchain companies affiliated with Colorado have raised over $50 million in venture capital funding. In the past, a lack of regulatory clarity has impeded growth; however, the Digital Token Act modernizes statute to ensure Colorado remains a leader in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.   “We introduced the Colorado Digital Token Act to streamline the regulation of digital assets and to provide regulatory clarity for companies who offer them. The bill will promote growth in the blockchain space by facilitating capital investment,” said Senator Tate.   The bill was developed through the collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and the Blockchain Council, a 16 member working group to which Senator Fenberg and Senator Tate were appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper. The Council was tasked with developing a legal framework for blockchain in Colorado to promote and support healthy innovation in the space.   “Together with Governor Jared Polis, we are committed to the Colorado Blockchain Council’s work that furthers our state’s role as a blockchain industry leader,” said Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Executive Director Betsy Markey, “Blockchain offers transformative potential in government, economic development and personal identification data and we will keep Colorado at the forefront of its adoption as a driver of economic growth.”   For more information about SB19-023, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-023.

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Colorado State Senate Unanimously Passes Bill to Simplify Electronic Sales Tax and Use

January 28, 2019

Denver, CO - The Colorado State Senate today unanimously voted to pass SB19-006, a bill sponsored by Senator Angela Williams (D-Denver) that will solicit bids for upgrading the sales and use tax system. This bill does not create a new tax law, but clarifies existing law so that it is easier for small businesses to do business in Colorado and help local economies thrive. The bill now moves to the Colorado House of Representatives for consideration. “This bill is about making it easier for small businesses to succeed in Colorado,” said Senator Williams. “By soliciting bids for upgrading the electronic sales tax and use system, we can help entrepreneurs focus on their businesses instead of the tax code.” Colorado has the hardest tax system for businesses to navigate, according to a 2018 analysis by the Council on State Taxation. With its passage on the Senate floor this morning, SB19-006 took another step forward towards creating a simpler taxation system for Colorado businesses. To learn more about SB19-006, please visit https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-006.

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Senate Education Committee Passes Financial Incentives For Rural Educators Bill

January 24, 2019

Denver, CO - The Senate Education Committee today passed SB19-009, Financial Incentives for Rural Educators, a bill that would help address the teacher shortage plaguing rural districts. The bill passed committee with a 5-to-0 vote and now moves to the Senate floor for a second reading.   There are an estimated 3,000 unfilled teacher jobs in Colorado, with rural school districts feeling the brunt of the shortfall. The problem is compounded by the fact that many Colorado teachers are preparing for retirement and the number of teacher-preparation program graduates in the state has declined by 24.4 percent over the past five years.   “We have short-changed our children for too long,” said Senator Nancy Todd, Senate Education Committee Chair, Senate sponsor of SB19-009, and retired teacher. “Every child deserves a high-quality education, but too many students in rural parts of our state simply do not have access to one because thousands of teacher positions go unfilled.”     This bill would remove the limit on stipends available and increase the total amount of the stipend available to students in teacher preparation programs who agree to teach in rural schools from $2,800 to $4,000.   “This bill is an investment in our children’s future. It will ensure that we are able to attract talented educators to our rural districts and give every child the opportunity to succeed,” added Senator Todd.   Of the 178 school districts in Colorado, 148 are classified as “rural.” There are 109 districts that have fewer than 1000 students, meeting the criteria for “small rural,” with 88 districts made up of fewer than 500 students, according to the Colorado Department of Education.   For more information about SB19-009, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-009.

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Senate Education Committee Passes Educator Loan Forgiveness Program Bill

January 24, 2019

Denver, CO - The Senate Education Committee today passed SB19-003, Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, a creative solution to addressing Colorado’s teacher shortage by improving an existing, but unfunded, program. The bill, which has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, passed committee with a 3-to-2 vote and now moves to the Appropriations Committee.   There are an estimated 3,000 teacher jobs remain unfilled in Colorado, particularly in rural districts and in certain fields including math, science, and special education. That number does not include unfilled positions for other support positions like speech pathologists.   “It is unacceptable that there are thousands of unfilled educator positions in districts across our state,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger, the Senate sponsor and teacher. “When these positions continue go unfilled, our children lose out. This bill is a necessary investment in the future of our state and our children.” This bill would address the issue of educator shortages by providing applicants as much as $5,000 in loan forgiveness upon completion of a year of teaching in a high-need geography or subject area.   “Educators are struggling to pay for rent, school supplies, student loans, and other necessities. We can take some of that burden away so that they can stop worrying about making ends meet and shift their focus to kids in the classroom,” said Senator Zenzinger.   Low salaries and high student loan debt balances are major obstacles towards attracting and retaining educators in the field, in certain geographies, and in certain subject areas. Colorado teacher salaries were 15 percent below the national average of $59,660 in 2017. But teacher salaries vary widely by district, with average salaries in some urban and suburban districts in Colorado as high as $70,000 while many rural districts have average salaries of about $30,000. “This bill is designed to help educators in high-need subject areas and geographies. While the program is not specifically targeted to rural areas, I have no doubt that it will have some of the biggest impacts in those districts,” added Senator Zenzinger. For more information about SB19-003, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-003.

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Initial Results Show Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Pilot Program Has Helped Hundreds of Coloradans Struggling with Opioid Addiction

Senate Bill 1 to Build on Success of the MAT Pilot Program to Tackle Opioid Epidemic Across Colorado

January 24, 2019

Denver, CO – Colorado Senate Democrats today released data and testimony from theMedication Assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program (SB17-074), which show the program has helped hundreds of Coloradans struggling with opioid addiction get the treatment they need. “We are very proud of the initial results and know that the pilot program is making a profound impact in these communities and in the lives of those struggling with opioid addiction. I look forward to continuing to invest in programs with a proven record of success to ensure that we are helping Coloradans and communities across this state fight back against this terrible epidemic,” said President Leroy M. Garcia.   The early patient outcomes of the MAT program have been promising. More than 90 percent of patients with follow-up data reported abstinence from all opioids and alcohol for at least 30 days, and nearly half reported they had some paid employment and were in good or excellent health. The programs have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of Coloradans treated. In Pueblo County, the number of clients provided MAT services increased from 99 clients at both agencies in 2017 to 691 clients in 2018. In Routt County, which had no services for MAT clients in 2017, 60 clients were provided MAT services in 2018. During the first year of the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) pilot program, two MAT programs in Pueblo County were selected to receive funding and one MAT program was launched in Routt County, overseen by the CU-College of Nursing with ongoing input provided by the Pilot MAT Community Advisory Board. Over the course of the first year, there were five X-waivered providers for programs in Pueblo County and four X-waivered providers in Routt County designated as Advanced Practice Providers (NP/PA) who are able to prescribe medications to treat opioid use disorder. These numbers include only those providers who received funding as part of the grant, not the total number of providers who received an X-waiver. In addition, provider-level education on Opiate Use Disorders and related issues in assessment and treatment was given to 102 prescribing providers in 2018. These three programs also utilized cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and other group and therapeutic modalities to increase engagement in services and active treatments towards days without opiate use. In 2016, there were 536 opioid-related overdose deaths in Colorado, a rate of 9.5 deaths per 100,000 persons, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In 2017, there were 558 opioid overdose deaths from both prescription opioids and illegal opioids such as heroin, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services. Given the initial success of this program and the severity of opioid addiction across the state, Senate President Leroy M. Garcia sponsored and introduced Senate Bill 1 on January 4, 2019 to provide $5 million dollars in funding through marijuana tax dollars to rapidly expand this program across the state to help Coloradans battling opioid addiction in the highest need counties. “As a paramedic, I have seen the effects of the drug epidemic firsthand and I can tell you that it’s a huge problem that demands serious action,” said President Garcia. “Hundreds of Coloradans die every year at the hands of opioids while countless others struggle with abuse and addiction. The epidemic is devastating communities across this state, and that is why we made it a top priority for the Senate.” The ten counties in Colorado with the highest rate of overdose deaths in 2016 -- according to an April 2018 report by the Colorado Health Institute -- include Huerfano, Rio Blanco, Las Animas, Montezuma, Rio Grande, Conejos, Fremont, Pueblo, Logan, and Routt Counties. Senate Bill 1 will expand MAT programs to counties in the San Luis Valley as well as two additional counties in the state. "Senate Bill 1 is a very significant investment in addressing one of the most serious problems in Colorado: access to Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid use disorder, particularly in rural parts of our state. It builds upon a successful pilot program, which has increased the number of MAT providers and patients served in Pueblo and Routt counties. Expanding this program to 12 counties will increase access for our highest need areas, train additional providers in MAT, get more patients into treatment, and save lives. We are thrilled to have Senate President Garcia's continued leadership on this issue," said Robert Valuck, PhD, RPh, Director of the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, and a professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the Anschutz Medical Campus. Below are several testimonies from MAT program participants and care providers; however, names have been removed in order to protect their identities: “I have a new job, my own apartment, was able to grieve a recent loss appropriately without using drugs, and can now focus on my two children. I now lead a healthy life, like normal people do,” said a participant from Pueblo County. “I tried and tried to get sober on numerous occasions, but could not quit this horrible drug. I would literally feel like I was going to die. The staff literally saved my life. Not only was I able to get the medical treatment I needed, but I also got additional help from support groups. I am now seven months sober thanks to this program,” said a participant from Routt County. “Today, both my patient and my patient's mother said, ‘we don’t know what we would have done if you were not available to see me today. We had called several other places and no one is accepting new patients until mid-February. You saved his life and our family,’” said a practitioner in Pueblo County. In addition to expanding and increasing funding for the MAT program, Senate Bill 1 would also shift the administration of the program from the College of Nursing to the center for research into substance abuse disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery support strategies, expanding the work that the College of Nursing is doing and adding additional disciplines and communities from around the state and on the Anschutz Campus. Read the full text of the bill here.

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Statement of Sen. Kerry Donovan and Rep. Dylan Roberts in Response to Gov. Polis' Executive Order Establishing the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care

January 23, 2019

Denver, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed an executive order establishing the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. In response, Senator Kerry Donovan and Representative Dylan Roberts - sponsors of two cutting-edge pieces of legislation that would establish a public option in the state of Colorado - released the following statement:  "We are glad to see Governor Polis make health care one of his top priorities and we are ready to pass legislation this session to start saving Coloradans money on their health care as soon as possible. After watching our legislation to lower health care costs die on a party-line vote in recent years, we are looking forward to bringing our cutting edge solutions to save people money on health care to Governor Polis' desk for him to sign into law and make sure that this new office can begin its mission with legislative success.  Addressing the skyrocketing cost of health care in Colorado will take commitment and leadership from all branches of government and all parties. Nothing short of hard work will solve the crisis of cost facing many individuals in Colorado. We are excited to see Governor Polis sign an executive order that sends an unmistakable message that this administration will make lowering the cost of health care a priority."

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Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Introduced in Colorado State Senate

January 17, 2019

Denver, CO – The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (SB19-085) was recently introduced in the Colorado State Senate. The bill, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson and Brittany Pettersen, would help close the wage gap between men and women and ensure that every Coloradan gets a fair shot at economic security.

“As a woman and a mother, this issue is deeply personal for me. I never want my daughter to enter the workforce with the kind of discrimination women face today,” said Senator Danielson. “Not only is this legislation the right thing to do, it is also necessary to grow our state’s economy and help Coloradans achieve financial security.”

“It’s time that we stop the perpetuation of injustice,” said Senator Pettersen. “Hardworking Coloradans deserve equal pay for equal work. This legislation is not only critical for women but for millennials who started their careers on unequal footing because of the Great Recession.”

Women in Colorado earn an average of 86 cents for every dollar men earn for the same work. But the pay gap is even more pronounced for women of color – Black and Latina women respectively earn 63.1 and 53.5 cents for every dollar men earn for the same work, according to the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. The result of this inequity compounds over a lifetime, with the average college-educated woman taking home more than one million dollars less in income, according to the Wage Project.

The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act would ensure that all qualified employees know about job opportunities when jobs are announced; require companies to disclose salary ranges for jobs so that employees can better advocate for what they deserve; and allow people who have been discriminated against to take action and hold “bad actors” – those irresponsible corporations and companies – accountable.

For more information about the specifics of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085.

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President Leroy Garcia Delivers Opening Day Remarks

January 4, 2019

Denver, CO – Today, Senator Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) was elected to the position of President of the Senate following a full vote of the chamber. After being sworn in as President of the Senate, President Garcia delivered the following address on the opening day of the 2019 legislative session.

Mr. Minority Leader. Mr. Majority Leader. Madam President Pro Tempore. Friends. Loved Ones. Honored Guests.
 
Good morning. It is an honor and privilege for me to welcome you to the Senate chamber as we open the 72nd General Assembly.
 
I want to welcome our returning members and especially congratulate our newly elected Senators. Will each of you please stand as I call your name:
 
• Senator Dennis Hisey;
• Senator Paul Lundeen;
• Senator Pete Lee;
• Senator Joann Ginal;
• Senator Rob Woodward;
• Senator Tammy Story;
• Senator Mike Foote;
• Senator Jessie Danielson;
• Senator Brittany Pettersen;
• Senator Faith Winter;
• Senator Robert Rodriguez;
• And Senator Julie Gonzales.
 
Please join me in giving them a warm welcome to this historic chamber.
 
If you look around, you might notice that this body looks a little different than it has in the past. That is because not only do we have a majority of women in the Democratic Caucus, but we also have one of the most demographically and geographically diverse caucuses in recent history.
 
New leaders bring bold solutions that will carry our great state forward. Institutional knowledge combined with new perspectives will move us towards a better future for everyColoradan.
 
As my returning colleagues know, it is a unique honor and privilege to work in this body and serve the people of this great state. It is a privilege each of you have worked extremely hard for and overwhelmingly earned.
 
But you would not be here if it were not for the love and support of your families and friends.
 
Let us take a moment to show our appreciation for everyone who made your leadership possible.
 
In that spirit, I too would like to give a special thank you to my family.
 
To my parents who are with us today – thank you for teaching my brothers and me the importance of respecting others, treating all with compassion, and always living with love in your heart!
 
To my brothers – Jake and Evan. I know it took both of you a little longer than me to learn those values I just spoke about, but you both finally got them! But all kidding aside, thank you for your service to our country.
 
While many of you may know that I served in the Marine Corps, you may not know that Jake and Evan also served in the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
If there are any members who have served our country either in the armed services, as a member of law enforcement, or public safety, would you please stand so that we may thank you for your service.
 
To my sons – Jeremiah and Xan. I am so incredibly proud of the young men you have become. Jeremiah recently received a nomination to West Point and the Merchant Marines and Xan is following in his brother’s footsteps with exceptional grades and is also becoming quite the soccer player.
 
To the love of my life – My wife Michelle. I am so grateful for your love and support. Not only for everything you do as the rock of our family, but for the amazing person you are, day-in and day-out, through your work assisting families and youth. You are truly an amazing woman and I am so grateful that you asked me to marry you. I love you.
 
Finally, I would like to thank all of the special guests who have joined us today to ring in the 2019 legislative session.
 
As a sixth generation Coloradan, I have deep roots and a strong commitment to our state.
 
My family came to the United States, and eventually settled in southern Colorado. Like so many immigrants, they came in search of greater opportunity. Even though my family only spoke Spanish at the time, it did not slow them down ordiscourage them. Not one bit.
 
My great grandfathers worked the coal mines and the fields where they lived and learned the value of hard work. They lived their American Dream – a dream that would become a reality by providing a better life for their families.
 
This value of hard work has been passed down from generation to generation, eventually shared with my parents who started a small, modest business in Pueblo.
 
They worked hard to provide a good life for my brothers and me. Watching them, we too learned the value of hard work, which was an invaluable lesson that served us well when we enlisted in the Marine Corps.
 
For me, it was during that time that I learned not only the importance of service and honor, but to care for and respect my brothers and sisters in arms, regardless of where they came from or what their political views were. That was never truer than when I served in Iraq.
 
It did not matter who was to your left or right. We understood that we had a collective mission – and we had to have each other’s back!
 
It is that understanding of hard work and spirit of collaboration that we must bring back to the Capitol.
 
For too long, we have allowed political party to divide us. As a result, ego and politics determined what bills moved forward – not the merits of the policy.
 
Our state deserves better.
 
Our constituents expect more of us.
 
Unlike in Washington, D.C. – this Senate must bring a new energy that will yield a standard of trust and respect. We must engage in dialogue and collaboration. This is how we will find common ground and solutions to the bread and butter issues facing everyday Coloradans.
 
Coloradans did not elect us to engage in gamesmanship. They elected us to work, to reach across the aisle, and to have an open and working government that finds solutions to help them live their American Dream.
 
Make no mistake – Colorado is growing and prospering, but not everyone feels that growth and prosperity.
 
Too many cannot afford the healthcare they need.
 
Too many have died at the hands of opioids, and many more struggle with drug abuse and addiction.
 
Too many earn lesser pay for equal work.
 
Too many children in Colorado do not have equal access to a quality K-12 education.
 
And too many are saddled with tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt.
 
But Coloradans do not give up in the face of challenges like these, and neither can we. Colorado is a special place – it is a state filled with people who innovate and find solutions, and I am absolutely confident that this body will be able to find many of those solutions.
 
Solutions that build on the steps we have taken to address the opioid epidemic by making greater investments into programs with a proven record of success.
 
Solutions that ensure student loan servicers do not take advantage of students in Colorado.
 
Solutions that help lower the cost of healthcare by increasing price transparency for prescription drugs.
 
And solutions that show Colorado can be a state that not only creates a booming business climate and grows good-paying jobs, but one that also values workers and pays them fairly.
 
I know each member of this Senate is different. And while we may disagree and debate about the solutions to the issues facing our state, we cannot allow our political differences to get in the way of our shared goals: to serve with honor and to improve the lives of hardworking Coloradans.
 
We – Democrats and Republicans – can accomplish these goals if we put our egos aside. I have no doubt that all of us can agree that we are most successful when we work together.
 
So, let us today mark a new day for the Colorado State Senate. A Senate where we return to our tradition of honor, trust, and integrity.
 
A Senate that has an unwavering commitment to take care of every Coloradan, no matter where they live.
 
Political parties do not determine what improves the lives of Coloradans. Good policy does, and no one party has a monopoly on good ideas.
 
That is why we should be willing to work with anyone – regardless of party – who has a solution to the serious issues that Colorado faces.
 
If we are willing to work hard and collaborate, we can empower every Coloradan to live their American Dream – just like my family and so many families in this room have been able to do – and ensure we pass on a better Colorado to our children and grandchildren.
 
It is a big task, but I know we can do it.
 
So, let’s get to work.

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Veterans’ courts provide ‘holistic’ approach to treating lawbreakers

This piece appeared in the Pueblo Chieftain.

We often think of the courtroom as a place where justice is served to criminals, but what if it were a place where we could help keep veterans charged with crimes who also struggle with mental health and substance abuse issues out of the criminal justice system?

That is exactly what we saw when we visited a veterans’ court in Pueblo recently. Veterans courts are a special kind of court where military service members with substance abuse and mental health needs receive intensive supervision, oversight and treatment with the goal of helping all veterans overcome those challenges and get their lives back.

While veterans are less likely to be incarcerated than non-veterans, the fact is that too many come into contact with the justice system. There are more than 700,000 veterans in the criminal justice system in our country and many of those veterans end up there due to trauma, substance abuse or mental illness as a result of their military service.

During our visit, we saw military service members being held accountable not only by the law, but by their peers. Instead of one hearing, veterans court participants are expected to show up to hearings on a regular basis. At each hearing, a judge — who reviews multiple cases at one hearing — is not only joined by the prosecution and the defense, but also by treatment providers, law enforcement officials, Department of Veterans Affairs representatives and a team of volunteer mentors.

We both have worked with veterans and those struggling with substance abuse and mental health and were astounded to see these courts in action.

These courts are designed around the principles of accountability and structure and help connect struggling veterans with wraparound services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans’ service organizations. The result is a holistic treatment that gets results.

Veterans courts are relatively new, with the first in the United States opening in 2008 and the first in Colorado opening in 2009, but initial findings have been very encouraging. Since launching in May 2015, the veterans’ court in Pueblo has served about 47 participants and has a success rate of about 85 percent. The program is a very popular option and is currently at maximum capacity and not accepting any new referrals until after the new year. The results have been so encouraging in Colorado that the state is now home to a total of six veterans’ courts.

The Community Mental Health Journal, in the first major study conducted on these courts, found that 89.5 percent of participants with PTSD remained arrest free during their time in the program. The study also found that veterans who participated in the court saw improvements with PTSD, depression, substance abuse, relationships and overall well being.

Our veterans put their lives on the lines to protect our freedoms and they deserve our support when they return home. We need to continue to invest in programs that work — and that means veterans’ courts. As a state, we must work to expand and improve these courts so that every veteran in Colorado can overcome their struggles with addiction and mental health, stay out of the criminal justice system and get their lives back.

Leroy Garcia is president-designate and represents District 3 in the Colorado State Senate and Robert Rodriguez is a senator-elect for District 32 in the Colorado State Senate.

JOINT RELEASE: JBC Dems Weigh in on New Revenue Forecast

Denver, CO – Colorado’s leading government economists stated today that economic activity remains strong in the near term, but warned of possible slower growth beginning next year due to actions at the federal level, constraints stemming from low unemployment, and a slowdown in housing price growth.

Providing their quarterly updates of economic activity and state revenues to the Joint Budget Committee, economists with the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting and the Legislative Council predict moderate economic growth for the next fiscal year.

The Office of State Budget and Planning report says the General Fund revenue forecast for FY 2018-19 is higher than the prior forecast by $93.0 million, or 0.8 percent, compared to the September 2018 forecast. These revisions are largely in response to year-to-date collections that have been stronger than anticipated. The forecast for FY 2019-20 is higher by $91.2 million, or 0.7 percent.

“The revenue forecasts show strong growth for Colorado’s economy, but are increasingly uncertain due to irresponsible federal tax policy,” said Senator Dominick Moreno, JBC Chair, D-Commerce City. “Regardless of what happens in Washington, we must continue to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while also making smart investments that support hardworking Coloradans and improve the lives people across this state.”

“The state budget won’t be completed until March, and it’s our job to put forth responsible, bipartisan proposals to address our state’s pressing needs. I want to be sure we are helping hardworking individuals and families in Southern Colorado and across our state who are still struggling with the cost of living,” said Rep. Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Additionally, if the unintended consequences of the Gallagher amendment are not addressed in a bipartisan manner, Colorado will continue to face fiscal challenges.”

After a 14.1 percent increase in FY 2017-18, General Fund revenue is forecast to increase at a more moderate 6.5 percent rate in FY 2018-19. General Fund revenue is projected to increase at a rate of 5.9 percent in FY 2019-20.

“We are tasked with finding solutions to the problems facing our state in a financially responsible, bipartisan fashion,” said Senator Rachel Zenzinger. “No matter what the forecast predicts, that responsibility remains unchanged. We must carefully examine the needs of our state and the funds we have so that we are able to move every community across our state forward.”

“Needless trade wars and tariffs pushed by Washington have led to uncertainty in the economy and reduced farm incomes. We look forward to working with the new legislature and Governor-elect Polis to responsibly invest in education and transportation, take action to bring down the cost of health care and keep our state on the path to prosperity,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver.

The OSBP report also stated “A larger slowdown in global economic growth or a geopolitical crisis could have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy.”

Senator Kerry Donovan Shapes National Recommendations for Future of Work Policy

Policymakers and leading experts develop state and local solutions for challenges of a changing workplace

Washington, DC – A newly released set of extensive recommendations for state and local elected officials to address the future of work features input from Senator Kerry Donovan (D-Vail), recognizing her as one of the nation’s most innovative state policymakers on economic issues.

The policy agenda, issued by the NewDEAL Forum, draws from the work of innovative policymakers, as well as input from leading think tanks and members of the private sector. Proposals are accompanied by an appendix of more than 20 specific programs, laws, and pieces of proposed legislation from policy experts and elected officials across the country who are concerned that public policy has not kept pace as globalization and technological innovation have transformed the modern workplace.

“Senator Donovan’s contributions to this agenda were tremendously valuable,” said NewDEAL Forum Executive Director Debbie Cox Bultan. “Any attempt to update public policies for the future of work must recognize the growing divide between rural and urban communities that has been exacerbated in the new economy. We have learned a lot from Senator Donovan about what is required to better support rural economic growth and now more leaders across the country will also have the opportunity benefit from her work.”

The agenda draws from Donovan’s work, including her efforts to expand access to broadband for rural Colorado and to advocate for her bill on Rural Economic Advancement of Colorado Towns, which authorizes coordination of the provision of nonmonetary resources to assist with job retention or creation in rural communities experiencing a significant economic event.

“In a nation of diverse communities, solving these challenges requires state and local leadership,” write U.S. Senator Mark Warner and former Delaware Governor Jack Markell in an introduction to the recommendations from the Honorary Co-chairs of the Forum’s sister organization, NewDEAL Leaders. “But it is hard, if not impossible, for individual policymakers to research and create comprehensive policy agendas. They need workable ideas for what to do, tailored to their levels of government and areas of oversight. And that is exactly what this report by the NewDEAL Forum is all about: providing state and local elected officials with a road map of practical steps they can take to help their constituents navigate the changing world of work.”

The report lays out stark statistics, and notes that inequalities and societal divisions are exacerbated by our economic transformation, to underscore the urgency with which leaders must act. Recommendations focus on policy ideas in three key areas:

Improving Workforce Training: To address the ongoing importance of digital skills, as well as increasing impacts of automation and artificial intelligence, the initiatives proposed by the Future of Work Policy Group include career pathways that prepare students for high-demand fields, expanded apprenticeship opportunities, and tax incentives for employers to invest in training for their employees.

Modernizing the Social Safety Net: To respond to a broken worker benefit system in which a decreasing number of Americans have access to employer-provided health care and retirement, the Group proposes portable benefit structures and innovative ways to increase retirement savings, as well as other reforms to prevent people from being left behind.

Supporting Entrepreneurship and Innovation: With insufficient lending to small businesses and other barriers creating barriers for economic growth and promoting inequality, the Group proposes ways to encourage startups and small business lending, address the challenges facing rural communities, and reform occupational licensing to reduce barriers to employment and entrepreneurship.

Embedded within the sections of the report are proposals to break down barriers to success in the workplace for women, who remain primary family caregivers and have lacked access to key supports like apprenticeships.

View the full recommendations here.

“State and local policymakers are developing creative solutions to address the challenges surrounding the future of work,” said Alastair Fitzpayne, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative. “As leaders look for policies to better support workers in a rapidly changing economy, the NewDEAL Forum’s Future of Work Policy Group has developed promising ideas to help policymakers pilot new approaches and address these challenges in their communities.”

The NewDEAL Forum Future of Work Policy Group is co-chaired by Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards and Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser, who have worked with more than a dozen contributing elected officials, as well as the Aspen Institute and other partner organizations, to develop practical solutions that state and local officials can pursue.

“In the coming months, we plan to build on this work by disseminating the recommendations broadly and providing implementation resources for leaders interested in pursuing these ideas,” write Edwards and Lesser in the report. “At a time of unprecedented changes in our economy, all elected leaders have a responsibility to act on the future of work if we are to restore the promise of the American Dream and give everyone the chance to reach their potential.”

“These ideas are a powerful start, but they are just ideas. We urge state and local leaders of all parties and perspectives, in all places, to consider these and other ideas,” write Senator Warner and Governor Markell. “We must act like the success of our people and our nation depend upon adapting and modernizing – because it does.”

The Senate Democratic Caucus Announces Committee Assignments for the 2019 Legislative Session

Denver, CO – The Senate Democratic Caucus today announced the committee composition and the majority party’s appointments to the Legislative Committees of Reference for the first session of the 72nd General Assembly which begins on January 4, 2019.“We have an incredibly diverse caucus that represents communities across this state – rural, suburban, and urban,” said President-designate Leroy Garcia. “I am confident that these leaders, who have worked on the issues of their respective committees for years, will put hardworking Coloradans first and work tirelessly to find solutions to the tough challenges facing our state so that we help move every community across this state forward.”“Coloradans elected us to find solutions to the issues they face and, under the leadership of these members, I believe that we will be able to pass better legislation to improve the lives of everyone in this state,” said Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. Agriculture and Natural Resources: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: Senator Kerry Donovan
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Jessie Danielson
• Member(s): Senator John Kefalas

“It is critical that Colorado have representatives who understand the importance of agriculture, natural resources, and water to our state’s economy and will be a champion on those issues in the Senate,” said Senator Donovan. “I am honored to be named Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and look forward to working with my colleagues on these issues so that we are able to strengthen and grow local economies across Colorado.” Appropriations: 10 Total Members – 6 Majority, 4 Minority

• Chair: Senator Rachel Zenzinger
• Vice Chair: Senator Dominick Moreno
• Member(s): Senator-elect Julie Gonzales; Senator Matt Jones; Senator-elect Robert Rodriguez; and Senator Nancy Todd

“In 2010, I worked as an aide to Senator Mary Hodge, who served as Chair of the Joint Budget Committee, and I am honored to follow in her footsteps,” said Senator Zenzinger. “I look forward to working across the aisle to ensure that we spend taxpayer dollars responsibly and in a way that moves every community across Colorado forward.” Business, Labor, and Technology: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: Senator Angela Williams
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Jessie Danielson
• Member(s): Senator-elect Tammy Story

“As champion for business in the Senate Democratic Caucus, my primary focus is opening up the lines of communication between government, business, and labor by creating a Legislative Business Caucus and Legislative Labor Caucus,” said Senator Williams. “I look forward to leading that effort and working with my colleagues this session to improve the climate in Colorado for both employers and employees.” Education: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: Senator Nancy Todd
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Tammy Story
• Member(s): Senator Daniel Kagan

“As a retired teacher of 25 years and a member of the Education Committee in both the House and Senate for 14 years, I am honored to have the opportunity to chair the Senate Education Committee,” said Senator Todd. “I look forward to working with all groups invested in providing the best education for every student in Colorado.” Finance: 7 Total Members – 4 Majority, 3 Minority

• Chair: Senator Lois Court
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Pete Lee
• Member(s): Senator Nancy Todd; Senator-elect Julie Gonzales

“Having served as the chair of the Finance Committee in the House, I am looking forward to once again taking on that responsibility in the Senate and helping steer long-term fiscal policy for the state of Colorado,” said Senator Court. Health and Human Services: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: Senator Rhonda Fields
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Brittany Pettersen
• Member(s): Senator-elect Faith Winter

“We are committed to preserving and ensuring fair access to affordable healthcare as well as addressing the mental health and addiction crises affecting our state,” said Senator Fields. “I look forward to working with my colleagues, who are both knowledgeable and passionate about these issues, to improve the life of every Coloradan.” Judiciary: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: Senator-elect Pete Lee
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Julie Gonzales
• Member(s): Senator-elect Robert Rodriguez

“I’ve practiced law for 25 years and have had the honor of serving as Chair of the Judiciary Committee in the House,” said Senator-elect Lee. “I look forward to continuing to use my experience to responsibly allocate state resources to improve our criminal and juvenile justice systems and to expand the use of restorative justice in our state.” Local Government: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: TBD
• Vice Chair: TBD
• Member(s): Senator John Kefalas; Senator Angela Williams; Senator Daniel Kagan

 State Affairs: 5 Total Members – 3 Majority, 2 Minority

• Chair: TBD
• Vice Chair: TBD
• Member(s): Senator Matt Jones; Senator Lois Court; Senator Rhonda Fields

 Transportation and Energy: 7 Total Members – 4 Majority, 3 MinorityDuring the legislative session, the Senate will put forth a resolution to remove Energy from the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee and merge it with the Transportation Committee.

• Chair: Senator-elect Faith Winter
• Vice Chair: Senator-elect Brittany Pettersen
• Member(s): Senator Matt Jones; Senator Kerry Donovan

“I’ve worked for years in the House to improve our transportation infrastructure, and I am honored to have the confidence of my colleagues to take the lead on this issue in the Senate,” said Senator-elect Winter. “Colorado is growing rapidly, but our investments in our infrastructure haven’t kept pace. There is no ‘silver bullet solution’ to our infrastructure needs, but I am confident that my colleagues and I can work to find a fiscally responsible path forward that helps every Coloradan.” Joint Budget Committee: 6 Total Members – 3 Senate (2 Majority, 1 Minority), 3 House (2 Majority, 1 Minority)

• Chair: Senator Dominick Moreno
• Member(s): Senator Rachel Zenzinger

“I appreciate my colleagues for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the Joint Budget Committee,” said Senator Moreno. “We face tough times ahead, but I am confident that our caucus is prepared to make the investments that matter most to Coloradans, whether it be school funding, affordable housing, or healthcare.”

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The 19 member Senate Democratic Caucus for the 2019 legislative session includes Senators Leroy Garcia, Kerry Donovan, Pete Lee, John Kefalas, Tammy Story, Matt Jones, Steve Fenberg, Rachel Zenzinger, Jessie Danielson, Dominick Moreno, Brittany Pettersen, Faith Winter, Daniel Kagan, Nancy Todd, Rhonda Fields, Lois Court, Robert Rodriquez, Angela Williams, and Julie Gonzales.

Senator-Elect Faith Winter Selected as a 2018 Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine

Senator-Elect Winter Recognized for Effort to Change Culture in the Capitol

 Denver, CO – Senator-elect Faith Winter was recently selected as a 2018 Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine, a designation recognizing the work of 10 public officials from across the country who have made an indelible impact on the lives of the people they serve. Senator-elect Winter was one of three elected officials, along with Democratic State Senator Toi Hutchinson of Illinois and Republican State Representative Karen Engleman of Indiana, recognized for their work confronting the culture of harassment in state capitols.“The culture of sexual harassment in the Capitol has gone on far too long.  A strong democracy relies on valuing and including all voices in the process,” said Senator-elect Winter. “It is an honor to be recognized for my efforts to change the culture in the Capitol. We’ve made some real progress, but we still have a lot of work left to do.”According to Governing Magazine, “many states have enacted new sexual harassment measures, thanks to lawmakers like these. The efforts of these women are a crucial step forward, but they’re only a start. Much remains to be done to shift the conversation about harassment in state capitols.” You can read Governing Magazine’s full profile of these three women here.“Each of these public servants has laid out a bold vision for improving the lives of their constituents — and then worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality,” said Governing Executive Editor Zach Patton. “We’re talking about the kind of goals that push society in a new direction, whether that’s confronting sexual harassment in state capitols in the era of #MeToo, finding a way to make community college free for all students, putting an end to solitary confinement for prisoners, or eliminating every single traffic fatality on city streets.”Public Officials of the Year are selected from nominations submitted by readers, experts in the public and private sectors, and the Governing editorial team. Award winners are profiled in the December issue of the magazine and on governing.com. They will be honored at a dinner at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on November 28.For more information about Governing Magazine and the 2018 Public Official of the Year, please visit: http://www.governing.com/poy.

Senators-Elect Faith Winter and Brittany Pettersen Respond to New Trump Administration Policies Regarding Allegations of Sexual Harassment and Assault

Senators-Elect Winter and Pettersen to Bring Back Bill to Protect Students on College Campuses

 Denver, CO -- Today, the Trump administration announced new proposals for how schools will be expected to handle allegations of sexual harassment and assault. The new rules are likely to replace Obama-era policies under Title IX - the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal funding.“These proposed changes are deeply concerning and, once again, take us in the wrong direction,” said Senator-elect Winter. “They would make it more difficult for victims to report sexual harassment and assault and possibly lead to retaliation against those who do report. While we brought forward legislation last session that would have enacted meaningful change, it died in a Republican-led Senate. I am confident that will not be the case in 2019.”“Enough is enough,” said Senator-elect Pettersen. “It is clear that the Trump administration isn’t serious about addressing the pervasive issue of sexual assault and harassment on college campuses. If Washington won’t act, Colorado will.”During the 2018 legislative session, then-Representative Winter sponsored – along with outgoing Speaker Crisanta Duran, Senator Beth Martinez Humenick, and Senator Andy Kerr - HB18-1391, a bill that would have require each institution of higher education to adopt, periodically review, and update a policy on sexual misconduct. The bill passed the House and failed in the Republican-controlled Senate.Senators-elect Winter and Pettersen plan to bring back a similar bill during the 2019 legislative session to ensure students on college campuses in Colorado are protected.Title IX has helped many victims of sexual assault and harassment find comfort including three brave survivors who shared their stories with the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA):"Previous Title IX guidance ensured that I did not have to spend the next four years of my undergraduate experience paralyzed by having to see my rapist on campus on a daily basis. The proposed rules published today by the U.S. Department of Education do not prioritize student safety and will afford no such right to future campus sexual assault survivors. I would not have reported if these recommendations were in place which would mean that the man who raped me would still be roaming a college campus here in Denver. These guidelines will protect violent individuals on campuses and allow them to us their privileged identities to get away with behaviors worthy of expulsion." - Ken Fowler."Three years ago, I walked into the Title IX Office in a Colorado School of Higher Education two weeks before the end of my freshman year. The Title IX Coordinator assured me I would be able to finish my finals and feel safe on my campus for the remainder of the semester and upon returning my sophomore year. I am shocked by the proposed rules issued today by the U.S. Department of Education as these changes will make campuses less safe for survivors to access a meaningful education. Colorado schools must strengthen protections for survivors of campus sexual assault to ensure our campuses can continue to do the tremendous work of keeping students safe and providing them with a violence-free education." - Grace Glaser"I am currently serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru and I am also a survivor of sexual assault. Title IX helped me get through college and continue on to service. Undermining basic protections and human rights afforded to survivors under Title IX will rob the United States of a generation of leaders." - Olivia Storz