DENVER — Today, the Senate passed Senator Don Coram’s, R-Montrose, bill expanding the definition of harassment to agree with Colorado’s law on bias-motivated crimes.
Under current law on bias-motivated crimes include actions based on real or perceived national origin, race, color, religion, ancestry, or gender.
An average of 1 in 3 teens is bullied or harassed, youth with disabilities are 10 times one likely to suffer harassment than a typical student.
House Bill 17-1188 adds physical or mental disabilities and sexual orientation to the categories in the harassment statue and raises those crimes from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor.
“I’m proud of this bill,” said Coram. “By offering the same protections to these groups that we extend to those already covered, we can encourage more victims to come forward and report the crimes against them. More Coloradans will feel secure today.
Pettersen and Esgar Bills Aim to Help State Provide Better Treatment and Prevention
(May 3) – Bills by Reps. Brittany Pettersen and Daneya Esgar to address Colorado’s opioid and substance abuse crisis passed the House on third reading this morning.
“This represents a bold and innovative effort to directly tackle some of the very serious challenges of opioid addiction, specifically in southeastern Colorado,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo. “We account for just six percent of the state’s population but 18 percent of the admissions for heroin treatment. It’s a real epidemic and this bill allows us to learn about real solutions—how we can use medication-assisted treatment to improve outcomes and combat the addiction of opioids.”
Sponsored by Rep. Esgar, SB17-074 creates a medication-assisted treatment pilot program for opioid-dependent patients in Pueblo and Routt counties, which have experienced a particularly high number of heroin overdoses. The bill passed 39-22 and now heads back to the Senate for consideration of House amendments.
Sponsored by Rep. Pettersen, D-Lakewood, SB17-193 creates a research center for substance abuse and addiction prevention strategies and treatment at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The center will expand research programs concerning prevention, abuse, addiction and treatment for opioids, controlled substances and alcohol. The bill passed with a 43-20 vote and now heads to the Gov. John Hickenlooper.
“Our state and nation are facing a health crisis and it is imperative we take action to support people who are suffering from this disease,” said Rep. Pettersen, whose mother has suffered from addiction. “For far too long, these people have been disregarded because of the stigma associated with addiction. But after years of overprescribing, a large portion of the population is addicted to pain pills. Everyone knows someone who is affected, and inaction is not an option.”
Another bill sponsored by Rep. Pettersen, HB17-1351, passed on second reading on Tuesday. The bill directs the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to study the feasibility of providing residential and inpatient substance use disorder treatment as a part of the state’s Medicaid program. Currently, the program only offers emergency treatment for four days, but does not provide treatment for patients who wish to enter recovery. The bill continues to a third reading by the House.
“When my mom finally was ready to seek treatment for her addiction, we found that there are few options available,” said Rep. Pettersen. “It’s time to switch from our current system of depending on emergency care and move to what actually helps people get on a path toward recovery: inpatient treatment, which also happens to be the cheapest option for our state.”
An additional opioid-related bill by Rep. Pettersen, HB17-1350, allows a pharmacist to dispense a prescription for a schedule II opioid in smaller increments if requested by a patient or the practitioner who wrote the prescription. The bill passed the House unanimously and is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate.
DENVER — Gov. John Hickenlooper has officially proclaimed this Saturday, May 6, as “Wildfire Preparedness Day” in Colorado as communities across the state come together to prepare for wildfires and take actions to reduce their wildfire risk. The proclamation, which dedicates a day to engage communities in focusing on activities that create awareness, education and action to reduce potential deaths and property losses through their preparedness efforts, coincides with the 2017 National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.
“Wildfire Preparedness Day is a reminder that we all need to have an understanding and awareness of the wildfire risks,” said Gov. Hickenlooper. “Think about preparation on two levels – one is your personal preparedness to evacuate, and the other is getting your home as ready as possible to withstand a fire. I want to encourage people of all ages to plan and participate in a risk reduction or wildfire preparedness activity that makes your community a safer place to live.”
The National Wildfire Preparedness Day, which falls on the first Saturday in May each year, is organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – an international nonprofit established in 1896 to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on quality of life by providing resources that are adapted by many states, including Colorado.
This year, Colorado led the nation in having the highest number of communities receiving 2017 NFPA funding awards to implement projects on May 6, with 24 of the 150 national awards coming to the state. The winners of the $500 project funding awards are listed on the NFPA site.
The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) works together with NFPA to implement the Firewise Communities/USA® program in the state, and provides technical assistance and education to interested landowners, homeowners and communities to help them take action and ownership in preparing their homes against the threat of wildfire. Wildland fire management in Colorado is an interagency partnership among local, state and federal agencies across the nation. As a lead state agency, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) works with local, state and federal agencies to coordinate wildland fire management on a statewide basis. The ultimate goals of the agencies working together are resilient, fire-adapted Colorado communities and firefighter and public safety.
Examples of Colorado’s 2017 Wildfire Preparedness Day projects include neighbors working together to “chip” previously cut trees, remove slash and flammable woody debris, distribute wildfire safety information to others and practice evacuation drills. Events are taking place on Saturday in communities across the state, including near Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Durango. The CSFS, DFPC, U.S. Forest Service and many local organizations will be assisting communities across the state with their Preparedness Day projects.
For more information about National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, visit www.wildfireprepday.org.
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May 6 Event Details and Contacts
·Colorado Springs – Cheyenne Mountain State Park fuels reduction/wildfire mitigation, by Colorado Springs Fire Department with the help of youth volunteers. Contact: Jeremy Taylor,
·Boulder – Chautauqua Park wildfire preparedness public outreach event, by Boulder Fire Department. Contact: James Carpenter,
·Fort Collins – Rist Canyon education event to meet local EMTs and learn about Firewise principles and creating defensible space, by Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department in collaboration with the CSFS. Contact: Louise Creager,
·Pueblo/Custer Counties – Slash collection events in the San Isabel/Beulah and Alvarado Campground areas, by the Middle Arkansas Wildfire Prevention Partnership. Contact: Amy Daniels,
·Durango – Falls Creek Ranch wildfire risk reduction work, in collaboration with the CSFS and FireWise of Southwest Colorado. Contact: Paulette Church,
·La Veta – Tres Valles West brush clearing and removal by homeowners; “Ready, Set, Go!” discussion by the La Veta Fire Protection District. Contact: Steve Keppers, 303-979-7154
WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the below statement regarding continued reports of torture, kidnapping, and murder of gay men in Chechnya, part of the Russian Federation.
“These reports are extremely disturbing and contrary to basic international human rights norms,” said Gardner. “I join the Trump Administration’s call for Russian authorities to immediately investigate the reports of these horrific actions and hold the perpetrators accountable. The United States will not stand for discrimination based on sexual orientation, or any other reason, and we cannot look the other way as human rights are violated around the world.”
AURORA — State Senator Rhonda Fields and Representatives Mike Weissman, Dominique Jackson, and Dafna Michaelson Jenet will host a town hall entitled “The State of Education in Colorado.” A panel of prominent educational speakers will gather together to discuss improving student outcomes. Topics to be discussed include public education, higher education, school finance, and parent engagement. Speakers to include Superintendent Rico Munn, Aurora Public Schools, Dr. Tricia Johnson, VP of Academic Affairs for Community College of Aurora, John L. Myers, Former Director of Colorado School Finance Project, and Danya Clark, Boston K-8 Teacher. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of panelists and legislators.
Bipartisan Hamner-Rankin Bill Creates Framework for Improving Colorado Schools
The House voted 53-11 today to approve a bipartisan bill by Reps. Millie Hamner, D-Dillon, and Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, to establish a legislative steering committee to create a strategic plan for the future of education in Colorado.
“I’m so pleased with today’s vote because it indicates that the vast majority of the House sees education as a top priority,” said Rep. Hamner. “It shows a bipartisan commitment to the future of our students and I hope is indicative of ongoing cooperation to improve our K-12 schools.”
HB17-1287 creates a legislative steering committee tasked with establishing a vision for the future of education in Colorado and developing a strategic plan to achieve that vision. The bill also creates an advisory board with representatives from the department of education, department of higher education, governor’s office and early childhood leadership commission. A second advisory board would consist of representatives from various education stakeholder groups from across the state.
The plan would involve:
· Researching high-performing education systems in other states and countries to compare with Colorado’s current system
· Collecting public input from teachers, parents and any groups wanting to be involved across the state
· Analyzing information collected and creating the vision and strategic plan to achieve it
On Friday, April 14 Colorado Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran will visit Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo.
Duran is scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 10 a.m., have a brief tour of the hospital and then meet with staff and community members at approximately 10:30 a.m.
At 11 she hopes to visit with patients, then visit the Hugo and Limon communities.
On Tuesday, Gardner toured the Rifle-Garfield County Airport and met with airport officials to discuss the importance of local airports to Western Colorado and learn more about the new technologies the airport is utilizing to fight fires across the state. Gardner also met with the Garfield County Commissioners to discuss federal land management issues. Next, Gardner visited Colorado Mountain College (CMC) in Rifle and hosted a roundtable with CMC leadership and area school superintendents where they discussed issues facing rural communities. Gardner also met with CMC students and toured the campus to see some of the unique programs offered by the college.
Yesterday, Gardner held a healthcare roundtable with healthcare providers where they discussed his efforts to support rural hospitals, including the telehealth legislation he recently introduced, which will expand coverage to telehealth services and incentivize the healthcare industry to develop new technologies that can improve care. Gardner toured the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and discussed his support of the Land and Water Conservation Fund with Colorado Canyons Association Board Members. Next, Gardner met with the Fruita City Council and toured Colorado State University’s Western Colorado Research Center where he held a roundtable with members of the Western Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. Gardner and the Cattlemen discussed moving the Bureau of Land Management headquarters to Grand Junction, as well as reducing burdensome regulations that harm Colorado’s farmers and ranchers.
“I enjoyed spending time on the Western Slope these past few days and meeting with Coloradans to hear their concerns,” said Gardner. “Whether it’s healthcare reform, public lands issues, or rural economic development, it is important for me to listen to my constituents and understand how policy created in Washington affects their everyday lives. I always say that Washington cannot operate in a vacuum and I look forward to taking everything I have heard over the past few days into account as I work toward solutions that will benefit Coloradans. We have to make sure the Western Slope has that loud, strong voice it deserves.”
Longmont activists have planned a town hall meeting with Republican Congressman Ken Buck this Saturday, April 15, at 2:15 PM, at the Longmont Public Library.
It’s likely that Buck won’t be there. His staff has told organizers of the event that he has other commitments. But they say the town hall will go on as scheduled, and they are holding a chair for Buck in case he changes his mind.
Buck has already held one Town Hall in Longmont this year. But it did not satisfy Longmont resident Kendra Eastvedt, who found it“extremely authoritarian. I had to get pre-authorization to be admitted to the meeting. I was not allowed to carry a sign, speak out of order, or display emotion in terms of a raised voice.” Eastvedt added that the location of the meeting, at the Southwest Weld County Services Complex, while technically in Longmont, did not really feel like a Longmont meeting.
“I’m glad I can help organize a real town hall that is really in Longmont,” she said.
Planning for the town hall has been going on for some time. “When I spoke with Rep. Buck back in February he was reluctant to commit to a traditional town hall, open to all,” said Ira Chernus, another town hall organizer. “Then I consulted several prominent political figures in Longmont, and all agreed that our representatives should have open meetings, where all residents, including members of the press, are free to attend, ask questions, and speak their mind. We are disappointed that Mr. Buck is still avoiding genuinely public meeting. We hope he will change his mind.”
Hearing that Buck would probably not be at the town hall, Eastvedt commented, “If Rep. Buck is this afraid of his constituents, perhaps he should consider another line of work.”
Bob Seay, who ran against Buck in 2016, will be at the town hall to offer the Democrats’ perspective on Buck’s performance in Congress.
The event will be held this Saturday, April 15, at 2:15 PM, at the Longmont Public Library, on Kimbark Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues. It will be preceded by the weekly “Longmont Leads With Love” vigil at 1:00 PM at 6th and Main Streets, and a march from the vigil site to the Library, led by bagpipes, starting at 1:45 PM.
On Wednesday, April 14 Colorado Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran will visit Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo.
Duran is scheduled to arrive at the hospital at 10 a.m., have a brief tour of the hospital and then meet with staff and community members at approximately 10:30 a.m.
At 11 she hopes to visit with patients, then visit the Hugo and Limon communities.
