Colorado House Democrats

Key Accomplishments from the 2010 Session

The 2010 session was incredible in its productivity; under our leadership, the House managed to do more with less. We created jobs, we balanced the budget by both making cuts and closing corporate tax loopholes, and we increased government accountability. 

To truly see the scope of this session's accomplishments, download  Colorado by the Numbers 2010, a quantitative analysis of this session. 

Also check out our End of Session Update, outlining the work we did this session as part of our continued commitment to Colorado's New Energy Economy, Job Creation and Training, Government Accountability, and our state's Consumers and Families.

Rep. Scanlan’s Statement on the Colorado Forest Health Partnership

(SUMMIT COUNTY)   Saturday at 11 AM at Dillon's Crow's Nest Deck facility, the Under-Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Harris Sherman and other leaders will announce a cooperative partnership between Denver Water and the USDA Forest Service - Rocky Mountain Region to work on forest health projects. Some of the project area will be in Summit County.

State Representative Christine Scanlan who represents Summit, Lake and Eagle Counties, released this statement:

“Dear Friends,

You know I would be there with you if I could!  I really hate to miss this announcement and I wish you the best.  But I am a mom as well as a forest health ally, so I am in California right now, taking my daughter to college.

I have been working very hard both in the legislature and with Senator Mark Udall’s office on issues related to forest health and watersheds. In fact, just a few months ago in Vail, Governor Ritter signed SB 177 which I sponsored in the House. This bill addresses the consequences of our dead forests by growing our renewable energy portfolio to include biomass energy.

Tourism, timber, water and energy are all vital to our economy. By protecting our forests, we support the recreation and tourism industries. By creating a market for beetle-kill timber, we create jobs. And by protecting our watersheds, we preserve our open spaces, rivers and lakes, leaving a lasting legacy for our children. . . Like the one who just grew up and is off to college.

Congratulations on the announcement of the partnership.  I look forward to continuing our good work together."

Rep. Fischer Gives Capitol Tour to CSU College of Ag. Sciences Faculty

(Denver) –State Representative Randy Fischer (D–Fort Collins) acted as tour guide today for the dean, faculty, and staff of the Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences. 

Rep. Fischer, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources, showed the group around the State capitol, including a stop to the historic dome and House floor. 

The group stopped through Denver as a part of a multi-day tour of agricultural facilities across the state. 

“The College of Agricultural Sciences is vitally important to this state and to the agricultural community,” said Rep. Fischer.  “I was honored to host the group at the capitol and give them an explanation of the legislative process.”

Ryden/Carroll’s Health Care Transparency Bill Goes Into Effect Wednesday

(DENVER) – Wednesday, August 11 marks the 90^th day after the state legislature adjourned and that means it’s the day that 143 new laws go into effect.  These new laws cover a wide range of topics from creating jobs to increasing transparency in state government.   One of those laws going into effect was led by two members of Aurora’s delegation at the state legislature, Representative Su Ryden and Senator Morgan Carroll.  They sponsored Senate Bill 124, the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act of 2010, which requires a dozen professions, and about 120,000 healthcare practitioners, to disclose important patient safety information when they obtain or renew their license to practice.

The original 2007 Skolnik Transparency Act required only medical doctors to publically report to the State Board of Medical Examiners in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) their educational history, certain business dealings, malpractice judgments, disciplinary matters and crimes. The new Ryden/Carroll bill adds a dozen new categories of healthcare professionals to those who must disclose relevant information to patients and the public.

The legislation was named after Michael Skolnik, who died five years ago at the age of 25 after brain surgery for a cyst. The doctor who performed the surgery had a history of malpractice in several other states. Michael’s mother, Patty Skolnik, who founded the organization Citizens for Patient Safety, has testified that Michael’s death might have been prevented if she had access to such information.  

“By adding health care practitioners in broader categories, we hope to dramatically improve patient safety for all Coloradans,” said Rep. Ryden. “Patients want more information, and want to be able to actively participate in choosing a competent healthcare professional.  Now, finally, we’ve got what we want and deserve – transparency and safety in healthcare.”

SB 124 brings parallel transparency to many other health care professionals, including:
· Audiologists and licensed hearing aid providers;
· Acupuncturists;
· Podiatrists;
· Chiropractors;
· Dentists and dental hygienists;
· Physician assistants;
· Direct-entry midwives;
· Practical nurses, professional nurses, and advanced practice nurses;
· Optometrists;
· Physical therapists;
· Psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors;
· Addiction counselors and unlicensed psychotherapists.

Ryden/Todd/Middleton Bill to Protect Buckley and Aurora Jobs Goes Into Effect Wednesday

(DENVER) – Wednesday, August 11 marks the 90^th day after the state legislature adjourned and that means it’s the day that 143 new laws go into effect.  These new laws cover a wide range of topics from creating jobs to increasing transparency in state government.  

One of those laws going into effect was led by several members of Aurora’s delegation at the state house. Rep. Su Ryden, with Reps Nancy Todd and Karen Middleton, sponsored House Bill 1205, which ensures the future viability of Colorado's military installations and their local economies.  The delegation had Buckley Air Force Base and Aurora in mind as they guided the legislation through the process.

The new law adds “flying mission commanders” at military installations to the list of community leaders who need to be notified of local zoning changes that might impact use of the base, and it adds military installations to the list of areas which local governments may designate in their master plans. Currently, this list includes airports, schools and other public facilities.

“This new law is about protecting jobs, protecting Aurora, and protecting national security. There are thousands of Coloradans employed at our military bases, such as Buckley Air Force Base, that represent a $4.6 billion annual economic impact,” said Rep. Ryden. “The new law increases transparency for municipalities and home buyers, as well.  Buckley is important to Aurora, and we want to ensure their continued well-being. At the same time, we want to be perfectly transparent about the impacts on local communities.”

The legislation captures the best practices of the communities that already have good working relationships with their local military installations. By codifying these best practices, the bases and their communities will be protected beyond the terms of today's local elected officials and the tours of the current base commanders.