Colorado House Democrats

Rep. Andy Kerr and Sen. Gail Schwartz Honor Peace Jam and Nobel Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquival

DENVER – On Friday, State Representative Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) and State Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) hosted Nobel Peace Laureate Adolfo Esquivel Perez and members of Peace Jam at the State Capitol.  The two lawmakers also sponsored a resolution honoring Esquivel and the work of Peace Jam, a locally-based youth services organization that pairs Nobel Laureates with children to inspire youths to transform their communities, themselves and the world.  More than 500,000 youths have participated in 300,000 service projects in ten different countries around the world.

“Today has truly been remarkable,” said Rep. Andy Kerr.  “Esquivel has worked so hard for the people of Latin America, and Peace Jam has done so much to advance the peace and justice movements around the globe.  I’m honored to have helped carry this resolution."

Esquivel was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for his leadership on human rights and democracy throughout Latin America.  A well-known artist and architect, Esquivel helped expose the brutal policies carried out by the army responsible for Jorge Videla’s 1976 military coup in Argentina.

Like many who opposed the coup, Esquivel was “disappeared” – taken to an undisclosed location with no contact to the outside world – in Buenos Aires, held hostage and tortured for 14 months without trial.  Luckily he was not killed, as were so many of the disappeared.  But he was placed under house arrest.  Despite his detention, he worked tirelessly to expose the carnage of Videla’s “Dirty War,” and helped sway international opinion against the ruling junta. 

“It’s been a very warm welcome I’ve received in Colorado.  This is a great honor for me to be here and to receive this reception,” commented Esquivel after the resolution passed both the Senate and House.  “The resolution is really important to support peace educating for peace.  This will help youth develop a greater understanding of the true meaning of peace.”

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Atadero Family Receives Memorial Tribute

Rep. Gagliardi is Family's Incredible Hulk

(Denver) Nine years have passed since 3-year-old Jaryd Atadero went missing while hiking with a church group in northern Colorado. Friday, his family joined Representative Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) and Senator Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) at the Capitol to receive a memorial tribute remembering their son.

In a tragedy that shocked parents across Colorado and throughout the nation, young Jaryd went missing while on a hiking trip with his church in the Rocky Mountains near the Poudre Canyon in 1999.   

Rep. Gagliardi presented the memorial tribute to Jaryd’s father, Allyn Atadero, and other family members at the Capitol Friday.  They were joined by search and rescue dogs Jack (Bloodhound), Bandit (Field Springer), Pele (Redbone mix) and Cleo (Bluetick), their owners, and Arvada police officers.

The tragedy has inspired Allyn to write a compelling real-life account of his own suffering, Missing: The Jaryd Atadero Story. 

“No family ever thinks this will happen to them.  Most people don’t plan for this type of tragedy.  I am committed to making more tools available to ensure a speedy search and rescue when children do go missing” Rep. Gagliardi announced. 

Rep. Terrance Carroll is Named CyberSchool Champion

DENVER - In recognition of his tireless efforts and proven leadership on behalf of on-line schools, State Representative Terrance Carroll (D-Denver) today received The CyberSchool Champion award from the Colorado Coalition of CyberSchool Families.   

Representative Carroll was recently elected by his peers to the position of Assistant Majority Leader.  He has served as a State Representative since 2003, is in his third term, and is a long-time advocate for on-line and charter schools.

Rep. Carroll was chosen to receive the distinguished award for his extensive work in building strong coalitions between citizens and those legislators who are committed to on-line learning as an effective and viable means to educate Colorado students.

Last year, Rep. Carroll was a lead sponsor of Senate Bill 215 which provides structure and accountability for on-line educational programs.  He was presented with a silver computer mouse, engraved with “Representative Terrance Carroll, CyberSchool Champion.”

“I am both humbled and grateful to receive this honor,” said Rep. Carroll on Friday.  “This award recognizes steps I have taken to promote respect and communication on the issue of on-line education.  I hope to continue to fight for this valuable resource.”

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Rep. Scanlan Advances Two Passenger Safety Bills

Bills help wheels on bus, gears on ski lift go round and round

DENVER—On Thursday, two bills – both sponsored by State Representative Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County) – that protect passenger safety passed the House on an initial voice vote.

The first, House Bill 1244, continues the passenger safety tramway board for the next twelve years.  That board provides oversight for Colorado’s 374 tramways, most of which are ski lifts.

“This board is essential to maintaining passenger safety on all our trams and ski lifts; keeping it going for the next twelve years is the responsible thing,” said Rep. Scanlan.  “Colorado residents and their out-of-town guests deserve the safest ski lifts in the world, and this board helps our resorts achieve that goal.”

In just the last two years, there have been more than 25 million ski visits to Colorado resorts, which have accounted for more than 250 million ski-lift rides with no major incidents.  Skiing is a $2.5 billion industry in the state.

The House also voted on Rep. Scanlan’s House Bill 1339, which creates new safety standards for Colorado’s school busses. 

“This is a small bill, but it keeps the wheels on the bus going round and keeps our kids safe,” Rep. Scanlan continued.

The bill aligns Colorado’s school bus safety standards with federal requirements, which will enhance school bus visibility requirements and school bus pedestrian safety devices.

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Breastfeeding Moms Win Workplace Protections Today

Representative Andy Kerr passes Bill out of House

DENVER –State Representative Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) is helping new moms return to the workplace and continue breastfeeding or pumping breast milk for their babies. Making sure that mothers have the time and space available to them to express breast milk is one step closer to becoming a reality after a vote today, thanks to House Bill 1276 which is sponsored by Rep. Kerr.

Many in the health community have long recognized the importance of breast milk in establishing a healthy future for babies.   Doctors recommended that all babies are breastfed for a minimum of six months and preferably for one year.

However, returning to work is one of the main barriers that mothers cite in discontinuing nursing. The bill would make sure business create reasonable accommodations in workplaces for the time and space for nursing mothers to breastfeed or pump their breast milk.

“Typically, the reason that mothers miss work is to stay home with sick children.  This is the right thing for moms, for healthy babies and for a productive workplace,” Rep. Kerr stated. Businesses recognize the value of healthy children and how that increases the morale and productivity of working mothers.

The House supported the bill today with a final vote of 59 to 6.  It now makes its way to the Senate for consideration.

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Bill Protecting Colorado's Rivers and Streams Passes House on Final Vote

DENVER – The House passed an important bill on a final vote of 59 to 6.  House Bill 1280, which is sponsored by State Representative Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins), allows ranchers and farmers to keep more water in Colorado’s rivers and streams while maintaining their historic water rights.   

“Our policy of ‘use it or lose it’ is antiquated,” said Rep. Fischer.  “Colorado is extremely dry and prone to drought.  By keeping more water in our rivers and streams, we can protect Colorado’s river habitats, promote new agricultural endeavors, and continue to enjoy recreation activities we cherish.”

Current law requires individuals and businesses to ‘use it or lose it,’ meaning that individuals who own water rights meet what is called their ‘historic consumptive water use’ every year.  If they don’t meet that historic level, then they can lose the water they are entitled to use.  HB 1280 would allow water rights owners to keep their water rights when they lease or loan unused water to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB). 

HB 1280 now goes to the Senate. 

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Gambling Not Just Fun and Games

House Puts Money on the Table to Treat Gambling Addictions

(Denver) For those with gambling problems, all bets are on for treating addictions.  State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) is sponsoring a bill to help the estimated three percent of Coloradans who have gambling addictions.

Taxes on hundreds of millions of dollars of gambling revenue provide valuable services for the state. Revenues from Powerball, casinos, and internet gambling help to fund road maintenance, emergency services and law enforcement.

However, there are no services currently available to assist the men and women struggling with gambling addictions. Currently, 37 other states provide services to treat gambling addictions.  Colorado is one step closer to becoming one of them after a final vote of 56 to 9 on House Bill 1314 today.  The bill would set up a grant awareness program to help those in need.

Rep. Primavera said, “While gambling may sound like fun and games, it can be very destructive. Gambling addictions lead to debt, destroy families, and can even result in suicide.”

Current law permits funds to be used in counties in close proximity to casinos.  Rep. Primavera’s bill would expand the gambling addiction services to all Colorado counties.

Under the proposed legislation, approximately $200,000 in the Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Fund would go toward gambling addiction counseling, including prevention and education, to Colorado residents. 

“We’re upping the ante.  The bill would put money on the table to treat gambling addictions,” Rep. Primavera explained.

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Bill Prohibiting HOAs from Restricting Energy Efficiency Measures Passes House

Today, the House passed House Bill 1270 by a bi-partisan vote of 45 to 20.  That bill, sponsored by State Representative Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood), prohibits HOAs from restricting energy efficiency measures.  In so doing, the bill encourages homeowners to invest in technologies to go green, help lower their utility bills and encourage small businesses that produce renewable and efficiency technologies.

“This bill empowers thousands of Coloradans to maintain energy efficient homes,” said Rep. Kerr.  “I’m proud to be helping homeowners do the patriotic thing and ‘go green.’” 

The bill extends an existing law that bars HOAs from limiting the use of solar devices.  The bill includes other energy efficiency measures, including wind-electric generators, shade structures such as awnings, shutters, attic fans and swamp coolers, and retractable clotheslines. 

“I’ve talked to citizen after citizen and many have told me their HOAs resist their efforts to make their homes more efficient,” continued Kerr.  “We know that even taking simple measures – like installing shutters to block the sun in the summer and storm windows to keep out the cold during winter – can pay huge dividends.  This bill will help Coloradans do just that without bureaucracy getting in the way.”

HB 1270 now moves to the Senate for further debate.

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House Votes to Curb Unfair Business Practices by Insurance Agents and Companies

DENVER—On Wednesday, the House voted – 40 to 25 – to prohibit insurance agents and companies from selling misleading insurance policies.  House Bill 1228, sponsored by State Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden), holds agents and insurance companies responsible for every plan they sell.

“This bill creates a vital consumer protection where there currently isn't one,” said Rep. Green. 

In her wrap-up on the House floor, Green referred to a story that the Colorado Insurance Commission shared in committee.

A family tried to purchase health care policies for their four children, but the agent accidently listed only three of the four on the paperwork, leaving the youngest off the policy.  The family notified the agent of the error, who then contacted the insurance company.  The agent then assured the family that the youngest child was in fact covered. 

When the youngest child developed cancer, the insurance company refused to pay the child’s expenses.  The child subsequently died and the family lost their home after they filed for bankruptcy to pay their deceased child’s medical bills.
 
“If the insurance company had paid what they promised, we would have seen a different outcome: the family would still have their home, they probably wouldn’t be bankrupt, and perhaps their child would have received better care.”

HB 1228 directs the commissioner of insurance to collect restitution – or damages – from an insurance company whose agent sells a policy that does not do what the agent says it will do.  For example, if an agent sells a policy to a consumer knowing that the policy will not cover the needs the consumer understands it to, it constitutes an unfair business practice.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

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Critical Biosciences Eco Devo Program Passes House

Program makes $26.5 available in funds for start ups and research institutes

DENVER – The Colorado House gave a big boost to a critical economic development project today.  A bill expanding Colorado’s much lauded Bioscience Discoveries Grant Program passed the House by a bi-partisan vote of 52 to 13.  House Bill 1001 – sponsored by State Representative Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley) – will make $26.5 million available in grants over the next five years.   

“This program will lead to exciting new technologies and with it, new companies and new jobs across Colorado.  We’re already a leader in this industry, but HB 1001 will allow us to blaze new trails,” said Rep. Riesberg.

Building upon the award-winning grant program created by Rep. Riesberg in 2006 and extended last year, HB 1001 will provide as much as $150,000 per project to Colorado research institutions, accelerating the development of new technologies and new Colorado-based companies.  It will also make up to $250,000 available to early stage, Colorado-based companies.

The grant program is one of seven elements of Governor Ritter’s comprehensive economic development package announced last fall.  Estimates suggest the biosciences industry already contributes $415 million per year in tax revenue.  The program has provided funding for 27 projects at institutions across the state, including CU, CSU, UNC, National Jewish Medical & Research Center and the University of Denver.

Research from the program has led to potential new treatments for schizophrenia, HIV, cancer, lung disease, and technologies that can be applied to environmental pollution, gait problems from chronic illness, optical microscopy and several other diagnostic tools and medical devices.   

The bill now moves to the Senate.

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