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Gaines: A Colorado for all, as long as you agree with Democrats
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Commentary, completecolorado.com, State

Gaines: A Colorado for all, as long as you agree with Democrats

By Cory Gaines | Complete Colorado Is Colorado, as Governor Polis has said he wants, a Colorado for all, or is it just a Colorado for those that agree with Democrat policy?  That’s not a rhetorical question, but rather one I recently sent to all the Democrats in the House of Representatives, and our esteemed governor, after reading about how they recently voted to limit debate on the House floor.  Again. You see, as they did last legislative session, and as they did during the special session on property taxes, the House Democrats voted on the Feb. 2 to allow special rules (normally reserved until the last 3 days of the session) to start as early as 10 days prior to the end of the session.  It makes a few other rule changes that, in essence and like the ...
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House bill making toddler items tax-free in Colorado could save families $980 annually, cost the state $8M
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coloradopolitics.com, State

House bill making toddler items tax-free in Colorado could save families $980 annually, cost the state $8M

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics A proposal that seeks to exempt toddler and baby products from the state sales tax narrowly passed its committee first hurdle on Monday. House Bill 1027 proposes to exempt toddler and baby products, such as cribs, swings, clothes, and strollers, from the state sales tax of 2.9%. It would also create two two-week tax holidays for back to school products, including backpacks, school supplies, and computers, under a certain amount. Supporters said the measure would provide relief to parents, while opponents expressed skepticism it would materially offer relief.      A fiscal note said parents could save $980 each year from the tax exemption, which would decrease state revenue by $8 million annually. Meanwhile, the tax ho...
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Colorado House unanimously supports bill recognizing emergency phone operators as first responders
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State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado House unanimously supports bill recognizing emergency phone operators as first responders

By The Lobby In a rare display of unity, a bill at the Colorado Capitol received the approval of every representative present on Monday. The measure, which seeks to recognize emergency phone operators as first responders, is now headed to the Senate for further consideration and approval. These unsung heroes are often the first people you speak to in times of crisis, yet they have not been classified as first responders. Lawmakers at the Capitol have come to a bipartisan agreement that it is time to rectify this oversight and give credit where credit is due. PRIME SPONSORS Rep. Sheila Lieder Rep. Ryan Armagost Sen. Chris Kolker Sen. Kevin Van Winkle 9-1-1 dispatchers work tirelessly around the clock to ensure that people across the state receive the help they need...
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Telehealth bill aims to increase rural access to vet care
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Rural Colorado, State

Telehealth bill aims to increase rural access to vet care

When Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, needed critical care for a dog which developed spine issues, it resulted in a six-hour round trip drive to a veterinarian in Colorado Springs. “We have been known as a home for wayward Pomeranians,” said Martinez, presenting a telehealth veterinarian care bill Monday to the Colorado House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee. He recalled every two to three weeks transporting the dog from the San Luis Valley to Colorado Springs for treatment. “I was able to make the drive, but a lot of people can’t,” Martinez said. House Bill 24-1048, which Martinez sponsored with Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont, would aim to make veterinary care more accessible to those living in similar outlying areas of the state, with limited veteri...
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Colorado’s growing fentanyl crisis calls for stronger laws and border security
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State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado’s growing fentanyl crisis calls for stronger laws and border security

By The Lobby The Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Rocky Mountain Field Division has reported an explosion in the seizure of fentanyl pills in 2023, surpassing previous years. This alarming trend demands immediate action to protect Coloradans from the dangers of this deadly drug. The DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division provided the following breakdown of fentanyl seizures in their region: Colorado: 425.60 kilograms of fentanyl seized, equivalent to approximately 2.61 million pills. Utah: 119.30 kilograms of fentanyl seized, equivalent to approximately 664,200 pills. "Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest drug threat facing our nation," stated David Olesky, Acting Special Agent in Charge for DEA's Rocky Mountain Field Division. Olesky emphasized the collabora...
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Colorado lawmakers seek to boost condo development by reducing lawsuits over construction errors
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State, The Colorado Sun

Colorado lawmakers seek to boost condo development by reducing lawsuits over construction errors

Condos are seen as a key way to ease Colorado’s housing affordability crisis, but changing the state’s so-called construction defects laws has been a political third rail By Jesse Paul | Colorado Sun In a bid to spur condominium construction in Colorado, a group of state lawmakers introduced a bill Monday aimed at reducing lawsuits over construction errors by narrowing when they can be filed and by giving builders and homeowners an avenue to make repairs faster and without going to court.  Senate Bill 106, the so-called construction defects measure, is a major part of the affordable housing debate at the Colorado Capitol this year.  Proponents of easing Colorado’s construction defects laws, including Gov. Jared Polis, see the change as a way to persuade...
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Colorado Speaker faces criticism for turning away families of Hamas victims, while Senate welcomes them
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State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Speaker faces criticism for turning away families of Hamas victims, while Senate welcomes them

By The Lobby The Speaker of the Colorado House has come under fire for refusing to allow families of hostages and victims, who had family members kidnapped by Hamas, into the House chamber. It is alleged that pressure from radical pro-Hamas Democrats influenced this decision, while the Colorado Senate welcomed these families with open arms. Seven families, who had flown all the way from Israel to share their heartbreaking stories with lawmakers, visited the Colorado Capitol on Monday. They came seeking support and assistance to bring their loved ones back home from Gaza. Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican and end Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Commerce City Democrat speaking before the Colorado Senate February 5, 2024. Rep. Ron Weinberg, a Loveland Republican and end Dafna...
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Colorado Senate Ag Committee introduces ‘Agriculture and Natural Resources Public Engagement Requirement’ bill
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State, thelobby-co.com

Colorado Senate Ag Committee introduces ‘Agriculture and Natural Resources Public Engagement Requirement’ bill

By The Lobby In a recent legislative committee meeting, the Colorado Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee discussed Senate Bill 24-026, a bill that proposes the renewal of the in-person public engagement requirement for members of the Parks and Wildlife Commission in the Department of Natural Resources, as well as the addition of the same requirement for members of the Agriculture Commission and the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dylan Roberts, a Democrat from District 8, aims to enhance government transparency and establish trust between these important boards and the constituents they represent. PRIME SPONSORS Sen. Dylan Roberts Sen. Perry Will Rep. Barbara McLachlan Rep. Marc Catlin Sen. Roberts emphasized the ...
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Democrats want a ‘pet tax’ and registry in Colorado
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State, thelobby-co.com

Democrats want a ‘pet tax’ and registry in Colorado

By The Lobby In yet another attempt to nickel and dime hardworking Coloradans, Democrats have proposed a ridiculous new bill that would create a burdensome "Pet Animal Registration System." Colorado House Bill 24-1163 aims to impose a tax of up to $8.50 on every pet in the state, including invertebrates, with the tax being payable annually. Not only does this bill require pet owners to register their pets with the state, but it also mandates the assignment of a "designated caregiver" for each pet. Failure to name a caregiver would result in an annual cost of $25 per pet. There is no limit or cap on the taxation, meaning that pet owners could potentially face exorbitant costs. This tax would be in addition to any local taxes, such as dog licenses, further burdening pet ...
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The Replacements: 28 lawmakers appointed to 29 seats by small groups of party insiders
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coloradopolitics.com, State

The Replacements: 28 lawmakers appointed to 29 seats by small groups of party insiders

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics With close to a third of lawmakers being appointed to office instead of elected by voters, the Colorado General Assembly likely holds a record that few state legislatures would want.  A Colorado Politics analysis showed that of 24 out of the 28 current state lawmakers appointed by vacancy committees, fewer than 40 party insiders on average picked the individuals who would represent the people at the state Capitol, instead of the 89,000 residents of a House district or the 165,000 people who live in a Senate's political boundary.  The 28 lawmakers who gained their positions — one legislator was picked twice to two different seats for a total of 29 appointments — through a vacancy go back all the way to 2010, when now-Sen....
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