Senate Leaders React to State of the Judiciary Address

Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee call for thorough, transparent process looking into accusations against state judicial leaders 

DENVER, CO –  Today, in the wake of the State of the Judiciary Address given by Chief Justice Brian Boatright, Senate President Leroy Garcia as well as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee Pete Lee, released the following statements: 

"I was pleased to hear the Chief Justice acknowledge the need for a cultural shift in the Judicial Department, but this is the only first step toward a journey of rectification. If recent allegations are true, harassment, sexism, and power abuse are common occurrences throughout the ranks of the Judiciary – a truly horrifying thing to imagine. Action must proceed quickly and comprehensively to address these allegations, leaving no stone unturned, until we right the wrongs of the past and ensure impeccable leadership going forward," said President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. "I was also encouraged to hear the Chief Justice recognize the treatment of minority communities in the criminal justice system as an urgent priority to address. For too long people of color have been unfairly discriminated against and I look forward to seeing this long-standing issue permanently rectified." 

"Public trust in our Judicial Department is absolutely crucial to the health and stability of our democracy," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs. "The accusations brought against the state judicial branch are serious and have the power to undermine the faith Coloradans have in their judges. Restoring public confidence requires accountability and transparency. The legislature looks forward to working with the Executive and Judicial Branches to oversee an independent, impartial investigation into the claims of misconduct. We anticipate that recommendations for structural, procedural, and systemic changes will be considered to ensure that all employees have a healthy workplace, safe from harassment and discrimination."

Senate Leadership Reacts to Governor's Address

Lawmakers express hope for a collaborative session following State of the State speech

DENVER, CO –  Today, following the Governor's State of the State address to the General Assembly, Senate President Leroy Garcia and Majority Leader  Steve Fenberg released the subsequent statements: 

"I feel incredibly encouraged that the Governor's priorities are aligned with our own. From urgent pandemic relief to long-awaited economic fairness and environmental reforms, it is clear that the democratic leaders in this state are intent on not only recovering from this pandemic but building back a stronger Colorado," said President Garcia, D-Pueblo. "I look forward to working collaboratively with Gov. Polis's administration to deliver meaningful results for our residents this legislative session."  

"I applaud Governor Polis for his leadership over the last year. He has continually put Coloradans first – mitigating the effects of the pandemic and setting us on a path of recovery. This legislative session is not only about getting Colorado back on its feet, it's about setting our state up for even greater success going forward,” said Majority Leader Fenberg, D-Boulder. “I am confident that with the partnership of the Governor's office, we will be able to accomplish great things for Colorado this session." 

JOINT RELEASE: Majority Leaders Release Nominees for Redistricting Commissions

DENVER, CO – Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today announced their nominations for the redistricting and reapportionment commissions established by Amendments Y and Z.

“It’s critical that when redrawing our state’s political districts, the people chosen to take on this task reflect the rich diversity of our state. From gender to race to geographic location, we need commissioners that accurately represent Coloradans,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “For far too long history-defining decisions have been made without all relevant voices in the room. This can’t continue. Our lists constitute every corner of the state and will help ensure Colorado’s future political districts will be fairly drawn to reflect the interests, values, and concerns of all of Colorado’s communities.”

“Amendments Y&Z were referred to voters with overwhelming bipartisan support, and we are committed to a redistricting process that is fair, inclusive and keeps elected officials accountable to voters,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “The Coloradans whose names we put forward today come from every part of our state and represent the diversity and strength of our communities. Our lists put forward nearly a dozen women and people of color in order to draw legislative and congressional districts in a way that truly represent all of Colorado.”

Colorado is projected to add an eighth congressional district once results of the 2020 Census are released later this year. The nominees selected are acutely aware of how the state has grown and understand the need to protect voting rights and Colorado's communities of interest while drawing districts that provide fair and effective representation in Washington, D.C.

In passing Amendments Y&Z, Colorado voters required that the redistricting commissions be reflective of the state's gender, geographic, and racial and ethnic diversity. Under the amendments, nominees should demonstrate experience in organizing or representing the interests of groups or organizations in Colorado and possess analytical skills and the ability to be impartial. The first six commissioners for the legislative panel, picked through a random lottery, include just one woman, no Latinos or African Americans, and no one from southern Colorado. In light of this, Democratic leadership placed particular emphasis on nominees that can help ensure the commission's makeup is truly reflective of the Centennial State. This includes prioritizing women, indigenous residents, and people of color.

The Majority Leaders nominated the following individuals to be considered for the legislative commission:
· Sonrisa Lucero, CD7
· Adelia Tripp, CD3
· Polly Baca, CD1
· Blanca O’Leary, CD3
· Alice Madden, CD2
· Joan Fitzgerald, CD1
· Heather Barry, CD7
· Pat Waak, CD4
· Leah Pryor-Lease, CD1
· Ray Rivera, CD7
· Tim Wolf, CD2
· Dan Daly, CD5
· Jen Walmer, CD6

The Majority Leaders nominated the following individuals to be considered for the Congressional commission:

· Arnold Salazar, CD3
· Simon Tafoya, CD1
· Sonrisa Lucero, CD7
· Adelia Tripp, CD3
· Martha Coleman, CD2
· Blanca O’Leary, CD3
· Heather Barry, CD7
· Pat Waak, CD4
· Dan Daly, CD5
· Ray Rivera, CD7
· Polly Baca, CD1
· Blanca O’Leary, CD3
· Tim Wolf, CD2
· John Salsbury, CD7
· Bob Morehouse, CD2

The nominees represent the racial, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the state and hail from every part of Colorado.

Amendments Y and Z direct each majority leader to nominate up to ten applicants for each commission. The panel of judges will now select two members from each of these lists to fill the remaining Democratic seats on the commissions.

Senate Democrats Waste No Time Getting To Work

Lawmakers finish first legislative day back having introduced more than 80 bills for consideration

DENVER, CO – Today, Colorado lawmakers reconvened at the State Capitol to begin the majority of their work for the 73rd Session of the General Assembly. This year’s agenda for the Senate Democrats prioritizes responding to urgent needs, restoring community pillars, and reimagining our future. There were a myriad of bills introduced today aimed at accomplishing these goals, a selection of which are listed below:

SB21-013: Reversing COVID-related Learning Loss, sponsored by Senator Fields.

• Throughout the chaos of the last year, public schools have navigated the ever-changing needs of students and teachers – having to redesign methods of instruction, address technology needs, and provide social, emotional, and food support for students. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, our K-12 students are now somewhere between 3-9 months behind, and it’s even worse for our students of color and lower socioeconomic status. This bill seeks to fill in these gaps by directing the Department of Education to prioritize reversing student learning loss, which will urgently address our children’s educational needs and make sure no student is left behind.

SB21-016: Protecting Preventative Health Care Coverage, sponsored by Senators Moreno & Pettersen.

• Although preventative healthcare screenings can significantly increase life expectancy and potential insurance savings, many screenings aren’t covered by typical health plans, leaving consumers to bear the burden of cost. This bill requires the addition of several preventative health care services – including screenings for osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, and STIs – to be covered by health plans so that everyone can get the preventive care they need.

SB21-026: Restoration Of Honor Act, sponsored by Senator Moreno.

• Anyone who serves this country should be able to return home and be provided with all the resources we can muster to improve and enhance their lives after service. However, due to a legal flaw, LGBT+ veterans may not have been discharged honorably from the US Military due their sexual orientation or gender identity, and thus have not had access to the same benefits as their peers. This is unacceptable. This bill establishes the status of “discharged LGBT veteran” for the purposes of Colorado law, which will ensure that no veteran is denied benefits unjustly.

SB21-029: Colorado American Indian Tribes In-state Tuition, sponsored by Majority Leader Fenberg.

• Historically, America has not only marginalized, neglected, and disregarded our nation’s indigenous peoples, but we have swept these atrocities under the rug. To continue our work on the long road of rectifying injustices toward Native Americans, this bill will require Colorado universities and colleges to offer in-state tuition to members of Native American tribes with historical ties to Colorado.

SB21-039: Elimination Of Sub-minimum Wage Employment, sponsored by Senators Zenzinger & Hisey.

• While politicians in Washington, DC and around the country debate the merits of raising the minimum wage, we must remember that there is still a sub-minimum and simply unlivable wage being paid to employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our intellectually and developmentally disabled residents are a valuable asset to our community and our workforce, and it is unconscionable that we would pay them anything below the minimum wage. This bi-partisan bill will require businesses in Colorado to phase out the sub-minimum wage allowance and pay all employees what they deserve, regardless of their disability.

SB21-062: Jail Population Management Tools, sponsored by Senator Lee.

• America incarcerates more people than any other nation in the world. From petty crimes, to municipal offenses, to racial profiling – our citizens are arrested and imprisoned more than anywhere else on the planet. Additionally, cash bail policies are broken, resulting in an unjust system that penalizes the poor versus the rich. This bill seeks to address this issue by allowing police officers to issue a summons or a complaint in lieu of an arrest for minor crimes. Additionally, the bill prohibits the unjust practice of cash bail for these same minor crimes.

SB21-072: Public Utilities Commission Modernize Electric Transmission Infrastructure, sponsored by Senator Hansen.

• When it comes to electricity generation and transmission, utility companies want to maximize profit, environmental advocates want clean, zero-carbon energy, and ratepayers want low electricity bills and customer choice. Though these differing priorities may appear to be in conflict, there is a pathway forward that satisfies all three: regionally coordinated transmission organizations. This bill works to transition Colorado toward such organizations, and in doing so enhance grid reliability and interconnectivity, decrease costs for providers and ratepayers, grow capacity for renewable energy and help us reach our statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

“I’m pleased to be back in the Capitol with my colleagues, and I’m excited about the work ahead of us this session,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “Responding to the urgent needs of Coloradans remains our top priority, but we must also work to rebuild our economy and our community in a way that ensures everyone can live with dignity and security.”

“As we build back from this pandemic, we will work to reimagine a future stronger than before,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “Beyond providing immediate relief to Coloradans, we must redesign our economy in a way that works for everyone. We must create a healthcare system that puts people first. And we must protect our planet from the crisis of climate instability. Together, we will use this pandemic as a springboard to a stronger future.”

Introduced bills will begin to make their way through Senate committees during the next several weeks. Updates and progress regarding the legislative process can be found at leg.colorado.gov.

Senate Democrats Unveil 2021 Agenda, Commit to Building Back a Stronger Colorado For All

Senate Democrats legislative agenda seeks to restore Coloradans after the pandemic & reimagine a future where everyone can thrive

DENVER, CO – Today, the Colorado Senate Democratic Caucus reconvened its 73rd General Assembly and outlined its agenda for the 2021 legislative session, focusing on building back a stronger Colorado after a year of devastation and loss amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The caucus aims to focus on responding to the urgent needs of Coloradans, revitalizing the economy, restoring communities to pre-pandemic health, and reimagining Colorado’s future so that all residents have an opportunity to succeed.  

In his opening day remarks, Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, said: 

“We come ready and willing to not just recover from this pandemic and the civil discord that has gripped our nation – but build back a stronger, more just Colorado. Like the trials of previous generations, this pandemic has and will make us stronger, but it will also make us more connected, more human. Not because such a conclusion is a given but because we can choose to alchemize pain into purpose. Together, we will turn the page of this disaster to one of replenishment and renewal. We will eliminate the threat of this virus, revitalize our economy, and restore our community pillars so we can ensure that every Coloradans has the chance to thrive."

After 11 months of profound challenges in Colorado and throughout the United States, Senate Democrats are determined to find common ground with colleagues across the aisle, work to combat systems of inequality, and deliver results to struggling communities. 

In outlining their priorities, Senate Democrats describe a stepped approach to their strategy – focusing first and foremost on providing immediate relief and then moving forward on a path of recovery and reform: 

RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC: With the pandemic still raging on, Senate Democrats recognize the need to urgently provide direct relief to struggling businesses and families. As such, they will continue to build on the progress they made in the extraordinary session as well as the brief session in January. With a new administration in office at a national level, they plan to direct any potential federal funds to programs most in need. As the session continues they have made a commitment to working in a bipartisan manner and considering any and all ideas that get us past this pandemic.   

RESTORING COMMUNITY PILLARS & REVITALIZING OUR ECONOMY: Beyond providing immediate relief for Coloradans, Senate Democrats acknowledge the need to find solutions that restore and revitalize communities to pre-pandemic health. Critical initiatives and institutions like Medicaid and public schools have suffered devastating funding losses, while the job market has been severely damaged. Senate Democrats are committed to reviving Colorado’s economy and replenishing public programs in order to heal the wounds caused by the pandemic and create the Colorado comeback through school investment, corporate tax reform, job creation, and economic stimulus.  

REIMAGINING OUR FUTURE: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a serious toll on Colorado, but Senate Democrats know how important it is to use this opportunity to not only recover, but build back in a way that prioritizes hard-working people across the state. Senate Democrats strongly believe that returning to “normal” is not good enough and that reimagining a future where regular people can thrive is a top priority. Senate Democrats are committed to creating an economy that works for everyone, ensuring that Coloradans have access to affordable healthcare, and preserving our planet for generations to come.

“We need to triage the most urgent needs of our residents and then work to rebuild our foundations and redesign our future in a prosperous and equitable way,” said President Garcia. “Returning to the status quo is unacceptable. Too many Coloradans have been overburdened and under-rewarded in a system that siphons work by the many to create power for the few. Bank accounts of the wealthy and bottom lines of the largest corporations do not illustrate the prosperity of our state. We need to use this pandemic to create structural economic change that puts people first.”  

The full transcript of Senate President Garcia’s opening day speech can be found here. 

JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Budget Committee Members Pledge to Fight for K-12 Education Funding

As the budget process continues, House and Senate Democrats commit to prioritizing K-12 education funding

DENVER, CO – Today, members of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) will take action on recommendations from non-partisan staff regarding mid-year adjustments to the state share of K-12 school finance funding. Democratic members of the JBC pledge to protect K-12 education funding for both the current and upcoming budget years.

“Despite the financial pressures the pandemic has placed on the state, we looked in every corner of the state budget for ways that we could preserve education funding,” said Sen. Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City), Chair of the Joint Budget Committee. “As we assess our priorities for this legislative session, we know how much our students and teachers are hurting, so we are pledging to do everything we can to make sure their funding is prioritized in our budget.”

“Together, we’ll get through this pandemic and build back stronger by putting our students and teachers first and helping set them up for success,” said Rep. Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon), Vice-Chair of the Joint Budget Committee. “This has been a challenging budget year, and we are continuing to take a responsible approach that prioritizes our schools and the critical services Coloradans need to get through the pandemic and recover as quickly as possible.”

“Many of us are parents ourselves, and we have seen firsthand the difficulties that students and educators have faced,” said Sen. Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “But they have risen to the challenge and taken on one of the most difficult periods in our history. We cannot allow their funding to fall through the cracks, and I am proud that my colleagues on the Joint Budget Committee recognize that.”

“Colorado students have seen their school years and lives upended by this pandemic,” said Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “They have had to quickly adapt to a life of remote learning without their peers, classroom interactions, and with limited resources. We know this is having an impact, and we can’t let our students fall further behind. Protecting critical funding for our school districts is, and will continue to be, a top priority for the JBC.”

In response to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 virus on the state economy, the General Assembly was forced to reduce state funding to districts and charter schools for the 2020-21 budget year, with the recognition that schools across the state would receive several hundred million dollars from the federal CARES Act.

Now, due to the ongoing pandemic, many school districts and charter schools anticipate lower student counts than previously estimated in preparing the state budget for the 2020-21 year. Districts are understandably concerned that reduced pupil counts could result in a reduction in the state share of total program funding for this budget year based on the School Finance Formula.

However, in recognition of the challenges public schools continue to face, the Joint Budget Committee will act to protect schools across the state from particularly challenging mid-year cuts.

The Joint Budget Committee hearing begins at 10AM MST this morning, press and members of the public can tune in here.

Chicana Elected Officials Champion Increased Vaccine Access

Local leaders partner with Servicios de la Raza & CDPHE to bring drive-up vaccinations to north, west, southwest Denver

DENVER – Approximately 600 Coloradans over 70 years of age will receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a free community vaccination clinic this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Servicios de la Raza, 3131 West 14th Avenue in Denver. This clinic was organized by House Assistant Majority Leader Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (HD4), Denver Council President Pro Tem Jamie Torres (District 3), Denver City Councilmember Amanda Sandoval (District 1), Denver Public Schools Board Treasurer Angela Cobián (District 2), and Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Gonzales (SD34), in partnership with Servicios de la Raza and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

“The Latino population has been hit hard by this pandemic. Thank you to CDPHE for fulfilling our requests for vaccines and hearing our calls for equity coming from our community. Thank you Governor Polis for stopping by to see the work and leadership of our local elected Chicanas, Servicios de La Raza, and the many volunteers are doing to ensure our Latino elders are getting their vaccines. Within days of publicizing this community clinic, we booked six hundred vaccination appointments for elders in our community,” said House Assistant Majority Leader Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, who represents House District 4, comprised of north and west Denver.

“Working together is needed more now than ever, for our community, for our elders, and for our future. Collaborating with these other Chicana elected leaders has been inspiring and shown that representation matters! We have a growing wait list and are excited to bring more of these vital clinics to neighborhoods who have traditionally been underserved, in ways that ensure that regardless of what language you speak, whether you have access to a computer or not, that you can access this life-saving COVID-19 vaccine,” said Denver Councilmember Amanda Sandoval, who represents north Denver’s District 1 on the Denver City Council.

“We’ve seen several barriers emerge since COVID began and an effort like this is absolutely necessary to cut through inequitable access. We recognize that our elders face barriers to tech, uncertainty about documents or identification, and so our relationships in community become a pivotal factor in getting the vaccine to them. We know that when we proactively reach out to our community, en su idioma preferida, in places that they know and trust, that we can build equity and access,” said Denver Councilmember Jamie Torres, who represents West Denver’s District 3 on the Denver City Council.

“We are better together! There’s a reason why we chant, ‘un Pueblo Unido, jamas será vencido.’ We are so thankful for our volunteers who take ownership over our community. We’ve had to navigate a lot of logistics this week, but we are proud of our work and hope that we can serve as a model for other community-based pop up clinics across the metro Denver region and throughout the state of Colorado,” said Director Angela Cobián, who serves as the treasurer for the Denver Public Schools board of directors.

“I’ve seen firsthand how devastating this virus is. Less than three weeks ago, my husband buried his mom, uncle, and grandfather, who all passed from COVID-19 complications. The values of In Lak’Esh — tu eres mi otro yo, I am your other you — are embedded throughout the planning of this event. This vaccine will save lives and getting a vaccine is an act of love for our families and our community. I am so honored to work alongside these fiercely dedicated public servants to bring this clinic to nuestra comunidad,” said Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Gonzales, who represents District 34 (north, west, and downtown Denver) in Colorado’s state Senate.

Senate Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Members highlight the continued need for racial justice and civil rights

DENVER, CO – In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the Colorado State Senate passed a resolution sponsored by Senator James Coleman and Senator Rhonda Fields commemorating his birth and legacy. 

After the reading of the resolution last Friday, several members provided poignant remarks regarding the continued impact of Dr. King’s work on this country and the world.  

“Dr. King arrived at the right time in the right place to hold high a moral compass across the hurts [of inequality], with a clarion call that hope would conquer,” said Senator Coleman, D-Denver. “Today in Colorado and in this Chamber, we find ourselves at another ‘right time’ and in another ‘right place’ to hope. It is our time to be those conduits, those champions, those drum majors for justice; to hold to hope, despite the hurts, knowing that we can heal our land and live free as a single garment of destiny because of the choices we make together in this chamber.” 

“We all must strive to ‘Be Like King’ in our actions, words, and interactions with others,” said Senator Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora. “We need to suspend judgment when it comes to the color of people’s skin or their diversity or their differences – and give people the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas in a way that is respectful. We must build on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, so let's continue to keep his dream alive with the work that we do here in the State Senate chamber.” 

“We must honor Dr. King by actively contributing to the vaults of opportunity by the actions we take every day – to take our role as custodians of truth seriously and make a deposit into the bank of justice,” said Senator Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs. “We make deposits when we promote equal opportunity and social justice when we pass laws to reduce mass incarceration, utilize restorative justice to rebuild communities when we eliminate racial disparities in our schools. We do that when we make the law – fair for everyone – not just a privileged few, and that must be our focus moving forward.” 

“We have romanticized the civil rights movement – we have children’s books that portray Rosa Parks as being ‘a tired woman that once sat down’,” said Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster. “But in reality it was so much more than that – it was two years of deep organizing, training and work to make sure that, once the boycott started, people could get to work. And that organizing continues today. Organizing is building power through people and making sure that we’re working furiously every single day to provoke change. This year, that organizing has been more important than ever as we have seen Black Lives Matter come to the forefront and demand justice. It takes all of us together with collective action to make the difference we want to see.”

View the full text of the resolution here. 

General Assembly Concludes Initial Meeting of the 73rd Session

Senate Democrats pass several essential bills before entering one-month temporary adjournment

DENVER, CO - Today, Colorado legislators concluded their initial three-day meeting of the first regular session of the 73rd General Assembly. Throughout the three days, lawmakers passed a slate of necessary bills that make minor fixes to legislation from last year and improvements to existing law, which will provide immediate relief to many Coloradans. 

The package of bills that now await the Governor’s signature will allow relief payments to be more efficiently allocated to disproportionately impacted businesses, provide more flexibility for debtors facing financial hardships, present greater clarity for tax credits initiated by the CARES Act, and reform legislative procedures during declared disaster emergencies. 

Additionally, legislators passed several measures that modify House and Senate rules to allow for remote participation and other methods for lawmakers to safely continue essential legislative work over the next month. The legislature now enters a one-month recess to allow the latest COVID-19 spike to subside.

“I’m pleased that our caucus was able to work collaboratively across the aisle and in tandem with the lower chamber to make this week as efficient as possible,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “With the work we accomplished in these three days, we will be able to confidently recess for the next month to allow COVID cases to decline, and to refine our legislative priorities for debut in February.”

“Though we have already successfully passed meaningful legislation to help get families back on their feet, there is still so much work ahead to ensure Colorado can recover from this pandemic,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “When we reconvene next month, our priority will be supporting small businesses, frontline workers, families, educators, and taxpayers in not only getting out from under this crushing pandemic, but growing beyond it as well. Because returning to an economy that already disadvantaged workers and kept families in debt is not an option. We will use this opportunity to rebuild a stronger, more just Colorado.”

The legislature is tentatively set to reconvene in mid-February. When the General Assembly returns, Senate Democrats plan to introduce bills that protect & expand access to affordable, equitable & high-quality healthcare; preserve jobs, protect businesses & create workforce opportunities; help utilities and businesses reach statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; protect our communities of color & ensure equal opportunity; and address the rising cost of living in our state by expanding housing assistance, protecting renters, and helping Coloradans afford their bills on time. 

Throughout the legislative recess, the Joint Budget Committee will continue to convene, as well as select committees that are statutorily required to receive SMART Act briefings from executive branch departments. Additionally, legislators will continue conducting sunset hearings in order to stay on top of the approaching expirations of certain programs, boards, and commissions.

Senate Rebukes Trump Decision to Remove Space Force from Colorado

Top military officials thwarted by outgoing president in politically-motivated verdict

DENVER, CO - On Wednesday, January 13, President Donald Trump announced his decision to award a permanent posting of the U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama – removing this prestigious military operation from its current home in Colorado Springs.

This decision comes after top Pentagon officials are said to have recommended Colorado Springs as the best location for Space Command’s permanent placement.

“We are extremely disappointed by this decision,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “Colorado is clearly the best choice for Space Command, making Trump’s politically-motivated announcement painfully transparent. Rather than respect the recommendation of his military leaders, Trump is attempting to punish political opponents and reward loyalists at the expense of our country’s security.”  

Trump’s decision has been widely called into question and will likely result in a congressional probe into how the choice was made. Many insiders report that despite Air Force Secretary Barabara Barnett traveling to the White House this week to inform the President of the military’s choice, Trump instead awarded the honor to Alabama where six lawmakers voted in favor of blocking the certification of the presidential election results.

Today, in response to the administration’s determination to remove the United States Space Command out of Colorado Springs, the Senate passed a Joint Memorial reaffirming Colorado as the best choice for the Space Force headquarters and urging the incoming Biden administration to reconsider the selection:

Colorado is paving the way for new discoveries in the frontiers of space by having a rich history in aerospace development and being at the forefront of space travel, exploration, and aerospace research...Moving the United States Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama, will be incredibly disruptive to the National Defense Strategy. In addition, it will cause a major upheaval in existing infrastructure and jobs in the state, which will result in higher costs and less efficient outcomes for the United States military... Furthermore, we strongly urge the Department of Defense and the incoming presidential administration to permanently base the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM) in Colorado, recognizing that Colorado provides the existing command structure, base infrastructure, and communications platforms necessary to successfully host additional national security initiatives and ensure coordination of efforts without committing additional funds; [We, the members of the General Assembly] proudly express that Colorado has deep ties with the Department of Defense and immense patriotic commitment to providing prior draft for the nation's security and bolstering our defense; Express our most sincere and deepest appreciation to our service members and civilian employees working in and supporting military and civilian aerospace companies, military installations, and civil organizations in Colorado; and Hereby declare Colorado to be the prime location for the permanent headquarters for USSPACECOM.

The Joint Memorial was passed unanimously by the Colorado Senate and will now be sent to incoming President Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, as well as the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate, Colorado’s Congressional delegation, and top military officials. 

To read the full text of the memorial click here.

Senate Concludes Second Day of 73rd Session

Gives initial approval of four time-sensitive bills before temporary adjournment

DENVER, CO - This afternoon, the Colorado Senate passed the following package of bills out of committee and approved them on second reading. 
 

• HB21-1001: Remote Participation In Party Committee Meetings. This bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Fenberg, will allow political parties to continue to conduct committee meetings remotely or virtually through the end of 2021.

• HB21-1002: Reductions Certain Taxpayers' Income Tax. This bill, sponsored by Joint Budget Committee members, Senators Moreno & Hansen, makes alterations to the Tax Fairness Act of 2020 to provide clarity regarding tax refunds and changes initiated by the CARES Act, which will allow taxpayers continued relief as we recover from the pandemic.

• HB21-1003: Legislative Proceedings During Disaster Emergency. This bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Fenberg, authorizes the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council to allow virtual participation in legislative proceedings during a declared disaster emergency caused by a public health emergency.

• HB21-1004: Colorado Uniform Electronic Wills Act. This bill, sponsored by Senators Lee & Gardner, allows electronic wills to serve as wills for all intents and purposes under Colorado law.

The Senate will give final approval to the bills tomorrow morning and is expected to conclude legislative business Friday before entering their temporary adjournment.

Lawmakers React to Greenhouse Gas Reduction Roadmap

Original sponsors of groundbreaking climate legislation highlight need for equity in implementation

DENVER, CO – In reaction to the Governor's announcement regarding Colorado's Climate Roadmap, Senator Faith Winter and Representative Dominique Jackson released the following statement:

"In 2019, we passed historic legislation to address the devastating impacts of climate change by setting ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are pleased to see the roadmap moving forward today and appreciate the hard work from the Governor and his administration on this issue.

To truly tackle the crisis of climate change, we need a definitive path forward that prioritizes equity first and foremost. We are committed to that work. Historically disadvantaged communities have borne the brunt of climate change and their voices must be centered in order for our plans to affect meaningful change and to guarantee no communities are left behind.

As legislators, we look forward to ensuring Colorado succeeds in rising to this challenge by codifying the targets identified in this roadmap across individual sectors. We are committed to providing the resources and legal tools necessary to make this vision a reality."

Senate Passes Timely Legislation Before Temporary Adjournment

Bills approved extend limitations on debt collectors and update qualification criteria for small business relief programs 

DENVER, CO - Today, the Colorado Senate passed three bills on third and final reading. All three pieces of legislation represent timely changes in policy necessary before the legislature begins a temporary recess in response to the continued COVID-19 pandemic. 

• SB21-001: Modify COVID-19 Relief Programs For Small Business. This bill, sponsored by Senators Winter & Priola, makes minor tweaks to the COVID-19 small and minority business relief program that was established in last year’s special session, to allow relief payments to be more efficiently allocated to disproportionately impacted businesses.
  

• SB21-002: Extending Limitations on Debt Collection Actions. This bill, sponsored by Senators Winter & Gonzales, extends the time in which debtors experiencing a COVID emergency may have debt collections suspended by 120 days.
  

• SB21-003: Recreate Occupational Therapy Practice Act. This bill sponsored by Senator Fields and Minority Leader Holbert, recreates the Occupational Therapy Practice Act to allow continuity in occupational therapy regulations after the Act expired in September of 2020.

CORRECTION: In yesterday's release, it was stated that the Senate passed a chamber rule to allow for remote participation in committees. That was inaccurate. The Senate will however, hear a bill to consider such a policy today in the form of HB21-1003.

The legislature is planning to adjourn on Friday, January 15th, and is tentatively set to reconvene in mid-February. Throughout the legislative recess, the Joint Budget Committee will continue to convene, as well as select committees that are statutorily required to receive SMART Act briefings from executive branch departments. Additionally, legislators will continue conducting sunset hearings in order to stay on top of the approaching expirations of certain programs, boards, and commissions.

General Assembly Convenes 73rd Session

Senate Democrats introduce timely legislation before temporary recess

DENVER, CO - Today, Colorado lawmakers kicked off the first regular session of the 73rd General Assembly –swearing in new members and considering three bills aimed at addressing timely policies before temporarily adjourning on Friday. 

The following bills were heard and unanimously passed out of the Senate Finance Committee: 

• SB21-001: Modify COVID-19 Relief Programs For Small Business. This bill, sponsored by Senators Winter & Priola, makes minor tweaks to the COVID-19 small and minority business relief program that was established in last year’s special session, to allow relief payments to be more efficiently allocated to disproportionately impacted businesses.
  

• SB21-002: Extending Limitations on Debt Collection Actions. This bill, sponsored by Senators Winter & Gonzales, extends the time in which debtors experiencing a COVID emergency may have debt collections suspended by 120 days.
  

• SB21-003: Recreate Occupational Therapy Practice Act. This bill sponsored by Senator Fields and Minority Leader Holbert, recreates the Occupational Therapy Practice Act to allow continuity in occupational therapy regulations after the Act expired in September of 2020.

In addition to considering the bills listed above, the Senate approved resolutions that refined Senate rules to accommodate remote participation in committees, as well as clarified protocol around states of emergency. 

“Our goal with these three days is to meet for as little amount of time as possible, and to only address essential items that we can pass quickly,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo). “Of course, there are many more priorities that we will tackle when we reconvene in February, but given the state of the pandemic, we do not feel that we can safely gather for much longer at this time.”

“COVID relief has been and will continue to remain our top priority,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder). “As we wait for COVID cases to decline, we are committed to working on additional relief legislation as well as strategies to increase vaccine distribution so that Colorado can recover quickly and build back stronger.”

The legislature is planning to adjourn on Friday, January 15th, and is tentatively set to reconvene in mid-February. Throughout the legislative recess, the Joint Budget Committee will continue to convene, as well as select committees that are statutorily required to receive SMART Act briefings from executive branch departments. Additionally, legislators will continue conducting sunset hearings in order to stay on top of the approaching expirations of certain programs, boards, and commissions.

Colorado Senate President Selected Leader of National Conference of State Legislatures

Denver, CO—Colorado Senate President Leroy Garcia, Jr. (D) has been selected as the immediate past president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,383 state lawmakers and legislative staff.

The position exists as one of seven officers who help steer NCSL to best serve legislators and legislative staff by guiding important policy and budgetary decisions.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve on NCSL’s officer’s team,” Garcia said (D-Pueblo). “NCSL’s research, training programs and networking opportunities are integral to the success of the Colorado Legislature, and I am looking forward to working with other leaders from around the country as NCSL’s immediate past president.”

Garcia was appointed to serve the remaining term of former Vermont Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D), who lost her election in November. 

The Colorado Senate president will serve as the past president through the 2021 NCSL Legislative Summit, at which time NCSL’s current president, Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) will assume the role. Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki (D), NCSL president-elect, will become NCSL’s president and Idaho Speaker Scott Bedke (R), NCSL vice president, will ascend to president-elect. NCSL’s executive officers alternate between parties annually.

Garcia was elected in 2014 to represent Colorado Senate District 3 and previously served in the Colorado House of Representatives since 2013. He was named assistant minority leader at the start of the 2017 legislative session, minority leader in 2018, and was unanimously elected Senate president by his colleagues at the start of the 2019 legislative session, making him the first Latino Senate president in Colorado. 

Garcia has been an active participant in NCSL events, particularly with NCSL’s Leaders’ Center and NCSL’s Task Force on Military and Veterans’ Affairs. He is a former member of the Appropriations and Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee and current chair of the Legislative Council in Colorado.

A sixth-generation Coloradan, Senator Garcia lives in Pueblo’s south side. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran that served in Iraq as a mortuary affairs specialist and works in Pueblo Colorado as a Paramedic and an EMS instructor at Pueblo Community College. Senator Garcia holds a master’s degree in organizational management from Ashford University, a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Pheonix and an associate’s degree in emergency medical services from Pueblo Community College. 

JOINT RELEASE: Democratic Leadership Condemns Attack on American Democracy

DENVER – Senate President Leroy Garcia, House Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar today released the following joint statement condemning the violent assault on the US Capitol and attack on American Democracy: 

“American democracy is under attack. Nothing short of a siege is raining down on Congress, incited by a president who has refused to give up power after a free and fair election and enabled by those willing to turn a blind eye as our foundational principles are trampled.  Our democracy is precious and requires constant vigilance and protection. Today was a harrowing reminder that it can crumble without the efforts of everyday Americans working to keep it strong.   

“Now is the time for every patriotic leader in our nation, regardless of party, to call for peace and an immediate halt to this violent attack. Our country has a rich history of bipartisan cooperation and common sense. We must work together to ensure that these values prevail again and encourage the public to remain peaceful and solemn in the face of those who wish to divide us.”

Pueblo Paramedic Pres. Garcia Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

Denver, CO – Today, Senate President Leroy Garcia received the first of two shots in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Fire Station 2 in Pueblo. As a practicing paramedic, President Garcia is charged with providing frontline medical care to those in need, including patients potentially suffering from the coronavirus. He is among the first round of vaccine recipients in the state. 

“I am incredibly grateful to have received the COVID-19 vaccine today. For nine long months, our state has been under the heel of this vicious virus, and now the end is finally in sight,” said President Garcia, D-Pueblo. “Working on the frontline during this pandemic has been extremely eye-opening. I continually feel humbled by my colleagues’ sacrifice, resiliency, and commitment. Shift after shift, surge after surge these brave men and women put their own health and safety at risk – submerged by the brutality of this illness every day. But with the new vaccine finally being distributed, we can finally rest assured that this harrowing time is almost over.” 

Garcia was among hundreds of first responders vaccinated in Pueblo over Dec. 23, 24, and 27, and is set to receive his second and final COVID shot in 28 days. 

After extensive testing and medical trials, the Moderna vaccine has been proven to be 94.1% effective and can produce mild symptoms such as fever, chills, and headaches. Side effects are common and should not be cause for alarm as they are the result of the body’s natural immunity-building process.

Colorado is in the first phase of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, with over 63,000 vaccines being administered so far. Essential healthcare workers and high-risk individuals are receiving the vaccine first, followed by other frontline workers, people over the age of 65, residents with vulnerable health conditions, school and childcare staff, Coloradans working in high-density settings, and the general public. The state anticipates that full issuing of the vaccine will take several months, and therefore encourages people to stay vigilant as immunity still remains low.  

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccines, including side effects, safety, and effectiveness click here.

Garcia Reacts to Federal Stimulus Package

DENVER, CO – Today, Senate President Leroy Garcia released a statement following Congress’s approval of a bipartisan COVID stimulus bill.

“I am glad to hear that after months of deliberation, Congress was able to pass a stimulus package that will deliver some much needed aid to Coloradans suffering under the impact of the pandemic. While I celebrate this victory and applaud Colorado’s congressional delegation for their role in its passage, Coloradans need more from D.C. Our fight against COVID-19 is a marathon, not a sprint, and struggling families, small businesses, students, and front line workers will need continued support to help them cross the finish line.”

JOINT RELEASE: General Assembly Delays 2021 Session

DENVER, CO –  House and Senate Democratic leadership today announced a plan for the beginning of the First Regular Session of the Seventy-third General Assembly. 

The General Assembly will convene on January 13 and meet for as little time as is necessary to address urgent business and attend to certain constitutional and statutory obligations such as swearing in new members. The General Assembly will then go into a temporary recess, with the aim of returning to the Capitol tentatively on February 16 to continue the legislative session when the peak of the pandemic will hopefully have subsided. However, if an emergency arises that requires immediate legislative attention, the General Assembly maintains its commitment to responding in whatever format deemed necessary, including temporarily coming back into session to pass urgent legislation. 

After making this announcement, Democratic leadership released the following statements: 

“It is extremely important that as we navigate returning for legislative session, we weigh the safety concerns for people’s health alongside the many changing factors that will guide our decision making,” said Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo. “Last month, with a great deal of planning and coordination, we were able to convene a highly-effective special session aimed at alleviating Colorado’s most immediate needs going into the winter season. Now as we approach our regular session, we are committed to acting with the same precision and forethought – diligently prioritizing what matters most to our state and completing mission-critical work before temporarily exiting the building. That’s why we have decided to delay our official legislative session until safer conditions in the state become more clear.”

“From the very beginning, we’ve worked hard to find ways to protect the health and safety of the public, legislative staff, and lawmakers while allowing for public participation,” said Speaker-designate Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “Recessing until mid-February will place us farther out from the holiday spike in COVID cases and will allow the bulk of our legislative work to take place when we hope it is safer and more Coloradans will have received the COVID vaccine. We'll continue to look at the data and listen to public health experts to guide our decisions. When we return, we’ll take up the people’s work and pass laws to build back a stronger Colorado.”

“The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines are currently being administered in Colorado, which is promising news for the future, but the pandemic is far from over,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “As our state works to administer the vaccine over the next several months, we must remain cautious and do everything we can to limit large gatherings and potential super spreader events. With that in mind, we have decided that the most responsible way to ensure the health of the public, as well as our legislative staff, is to delay session until we can more safely reconvene. We will continue to closely monitor public health data in the coming weeks and months as we eagerly await our return to the Capitol. In the meantime, we are firmly committed to crafting the most effective legislation we can to support hardworking Coloradans in their recovery.”

“With the first vaccines being distributed in our state, the end of this pandemic is finally in sight-- but it’s time for Colorado to be more vigilant, not less,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Delaying our legislative session is a responsible and science-driven choice that will protect the health and safety of the public while ensuring that we’ll be able to get our work done on behalf of the people of Colorado. This pandemic has exposed and heightened many existing inequities in our economy, and we’ll come back in February ready to work towards ensuring every Coloradan has a fair shot at success.”

On January 13, space inside the Capitol will be limited to ensure social distancing. Most ceremonial activities will be postponed to a later date, and few guests are expected in the building. 

Earlier this year, the Colorado Supreme Court agreed with the General Assembly’s position that Joint Rule 44 allows the legislature to pause its work during a declared public health emergency and return at a later date without those days during the recess counting towards the 120-day limit. 

While the General Assembly is in a temporary recess, the Joint Budget Committee will continue to meet, with virtual participation continuing for those hearings. Additional year-round committees may also meet during this time. Given the new timeline, deadlines for members to finalize and introduce their bills will be pushed back. 

JOINT RELEASE: Economic Recovery Continues, But Not for All

DENVER, CO – Democratic members of the Joint Budget Committee today released the following statements after the Legislative Council staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting delivered the December economic forecasts, both of which project higher General Fund revenue compared to earlier estimates, but highlight continuing uncertainty and budgeting challenges ahead.

“Today’s budget forecast shows a more positive outlook on our state’s recovery than previously expected, though significant challenges remain,” said JBC Chair Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “While we have made strides in Colorado to provide much-needed relief to our communities, circumstances have improved for some, while others -- particularly low-income earners -- continue to suffer. Before we can truly bounce back from this devastating public health crisis, we will need to work diligently to ensure that our most vulnerable communities have the support and resources they need to equally recover.”

“This forecast shows Colorado’s economy is starting to bounce back, but it’s clear low-wage workers in our state are hurting and still have a difficult road ahead,” said JBC Vice-Chair Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Though we passed bipartisan legislation to help bridge the gap for those who are at the most risk of falling further behind, individuals, small businesses, restaurants and schools desperately need more federal assistance to get through the months ahead. We’re going to use every tool we have at the state level to help Colorado build back stronger. I look forward to working with my colleagues to craft a balanced state budget that supports our schools and critical services and gets Colorado moving again.”

"Today's economic forecasts were reassuring because we are seeing an overall upward trend in our economic recovery that continues to be better than expected,” said JBC member, Senator Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “However, we are still far from pre-pandemic levels. CARES Act funds and our state-level COVID relief package have been helpful, but low-wage workers, the service industry, and many Colorado families are still in desperate need of economic relief, and all levels of government--particularly Congress--must do more to assist them."

“This has been a tough time for many Coloradans, particularly low-wage workers, and we’re going to do everything we can to help the people of our state recover and bounce back even stronger,” said JBC Member Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “I’ve heard from so many who are suffering right now. Coloradans who were already behind before are now further behind, even as our economy begins to turn around. We’ve targeted state assistance so that more Coloradans can have a fair shot to recover and bridge the gap until there is a vaccine and new federal aid. We’re going to continue prioritizing those who have been hit hardest by this pandemic, our communities of color, students and low-wage workers, and with additional state and federal resources, we will create jobs in Colorado and drive our economy forward.”

The Legislative Council staff (LCS) December forecast anticipates General Fund revenues to be $12.15 billion in FY 2020-21 and $13.14 billion in FY 2021-2022 – a $775.7 million and $590.9 million increase from the September revenue forecast respectively. These upward revisions reflect a persistent improvement in the state’s economic outlook. However, Colorado’s recovery continues to be divergent in nature – reflecting a “K-shaped” rebound. This means that while some sectors and households are bouncing back to pre-recession levels, others continue to struggle. 

The Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) anticipates that General Fund revenue will be $12.48 billion for FY 2020-21, which OSPB revised upward by $222 million relative to its September estimate. For FY 2021-22, OSPB projects General Fund revenue will be close to $13.47 billion, which OSPB revised upward by $626 million relative to its September estimate. LCS and OSPB predict that revenue subject to TABOR will come in below the Referendum C cap during this forecast period, so TABOR refunds are not expected.

Both LCS and OSPB also identified downside risks to the forecast including the possibility of long-term economic “scarring” as well as the short-term increase of COVID-19 cases. As stimulus programs expire, a pullback in consumption and investment is also a potential threat to economic instability. On the flip side, upside risks to the estimate were identified, driven by the anticipated COVID vaccine distribution, potential additional federal stimulus support, and sustained resiliency shown by innovations adopted across consumer and corporate behaviors.