Colorado House Democrats

Fightin' Granny Advocates for School of Mines Faculty and Staff

DENVER – On Thursday, State Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden) continued to live up to her reputation as Golden’s Fightin’ Granny.  This time, Rep. Green was fighting successfully on behalf of faculty members and students at the Colorado School of Mines.

Rep. Green shepherded Senate Bill 191 through the House Education Committee on a unanimous vote. The proposal adds a full-time faculty member to the Board of Trustees at the Colorado School of Mines

SB 191 also removes an existing requirement that the elected student member of the board must have lived in Colorado for three years. 

“Students and faculty make up the lifeblood of any well-functioning university.  So why should they not have a voice at the table?” said Rep. Green.  “This bill will give voice to both the concerns and ideas of students and faculty.” 

If the bill passes, the faculty board position will be determined through a faculty-wide election.  Both the elected student and faculty board positions will serve critical, advisory functions to voting members.  The bill, under the sponsorship of State Senator Moe Keller (D-Jefferson County), has already passed the full Senate.  SB 191 now awaits debate by the full House.

-- Posted by staff

Healthcare Bills Aim to Cut Costs, Hold Insurance Industry Accountable

(Denver)  State lawmakers, joined by small business owners and consumers, announced a legislative package aimed at reducing the cost of health care at the state capitol today. The new legislation aims to watchdog health insurance companies’ rising rates and to push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed.

Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) will introduce legislation this week to empower Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to watchdog insurance rate increases.  Under the FAIR Act—Fair & Accountable Insurance Rates – insurance companies will be required to justify rate increases before they can take effect.

"Expensive coverage equals no coverage for Colorado families and businesses. Insurance rates are out of control, driving up the number of uninsured and increasing costs for everyone," said Rep. Carroll.  "Coloradans have been paying more for less every year.  Rate increases should be justified so that we at least know why our rates go up when they do.  It's time to take on the insurance industry and their unjustified rate increases.  Our health should be their bottom line."

“Consumers should have basic information about why healthcare premiums are skyrocketing,” said Dede de Percin, Executive Director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “This bill establishes a fair and reasonable process to keep insurers from making excessive profits off the lives and health of hardworking Coloradans.”

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon announced that they will introduce the “Insurance Accountability Act of 2008”, which will push insurance companies to pay consumers what they are owed for valid claims.

“Too many Coloradans have to fight their insurance company just to get what they already paid for," said the Speaker.  "Our message to the insurance industry is simple: 'Pay what you owe -- when you owe it.'"

“It’s our job in government to protect consumers from unfair business practices.  Insurance companies should be penalized for wrongful acts against consumers,” said Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden). Rep. Green’s House Bill 1228, which allows Colorado’s Insurance Commissioner to penalize insurance companies for wrongful acts against consumers, awaits final approval in the general assembly.   

Peggy Mason told her story:  she is insured but her company won’t pay her claims. In October, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Her insurance company would not cover any treatment, not even a single x-ray.  She was told that her policy did not cover major medical care, even though her policy clearly states that it does and it was sold to her as a medical policy.  Her house, her savings, her car and her IRA have all been threatened. 

Small-business owner Rita Crompton told of her struggles to find affordable health insurance coverage for herself and her employees at her consulting business. Rita said that all of her employees work less than full-time and are uninsured. They take that risk rather than work elsewhere as full-time employees for less pay. Recently, Rita was forced to pay for a biopsy – upfront. Not having insurance is stressful for Rita, and she has had to make a difficult choice - making her premiums every month or paying her mortgage.

-- Posted by staff

Upcoming Town Hall Events

Saturday, March 22-Rep. John Kefalas, Rep. Randy Fischer, Senator Bob Bacon will host a town hall meeting on the topic of higher education from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Harmony Library Community Room, 4616 S. Shields, Fort Collins (Southeast corner of Harmony and Shields).

Saturday, March 22-Rep. Andy Kerr and Senator Betty Boyd will host a town hall meeting on aging baby boomers and long-term health care options from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Lakewood United Church of Christ, 100 Carr St., Lakewood.

Saturday, March 22-Rep. Cheri Jahn and Senator Moe Keller will host a town hall meeting from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Wheat Ridge Senior Center at 6363 W. 35th Ave., Wheat Ridge.

Saturday, March 22-Rep. John Soper will host a mid session progress report from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Holiday Hills Clubhouse, 2001 W. 92nd Ave., Federal Heights.

Monday, March 24-Rep. Sara Gagliardi will host her monthly coffee on the fourth Monday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Billy D's Coffee, 14705 West 64th Ave (at Indiana), Arvada.

Saturday, March 29-Rep. Jim Riesberg will host a town hall meeting on Creative Support for People with Developmental Disabilities from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Envision, 1050 37th St., Evans.

Saturday, March 29-Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Rep. Judy Solano will host a town hall meeting on the topic of health care from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Adams 12 Five-Star School Administration Building, 1500 E. 128th Ave., Thornton.

Saturday, March 29-Rep. Christine Scanlan will host a town hall meeting on aging baby boomers and long-term health care options from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Vail Town Hall, 75 South Frontage Road, Vail.

Friday, April 4-Rep. Mary Hodge and Senator Takis will host a town hall meeting from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Firestation #2, 3100 Peoria St., Aurora.

Friday, April 4-Rep. Nancy Todd will host a coffee from 7 to 8 a.m. at Panera, 12293 East Iliff Avenue, Aurora.

Saturday, April 5-Rep. Gwyn Green, Rep. Andy Kerr, Rep. Ken Summers and Senator Betty Boyd will host their monthly Lakewood town hall meeting, at the Belmar Public Library, 255 Allison Parkway, Lakewood, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, April 5-Speaker Andrew Romanoff and Rep. Christine Scanlan will host two town hall meetings: from 12 to 1:15 p.m. at French Press is 34295 Highway 6 #C-1-B, Edwards, and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Pug Ryans, 104 Village Place, Dillon.

Monday, April 7-Rep. Morgan Carroll will host Coffee with Carroll from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at East Steamers Coffee House, 360 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora.

Monday, March 7-Rep. Joe Rice will host his monthly coffee from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the South Metro Camber of Commerce, 6840 S. University Blvd., Centennial.

Powder Day for Resolution

Skiing and Snowboarding Resolution Swooshes to Senate

DENVER –State Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden) isn’t the type of person you would expect to see with pink ski goggles around her neck while holding a snowboard.

The State Representative, a former skier, is known affectionately as the Fighting Granny around the State Capitol.  The Jefferson County legislator is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 1008, making skiing and snowboarding the official winter sports of Colorado.

The idea became a reality after she received a call from one of her youngest constituents.  Last summer, then 9-year-old William “Citizen” Kane contacted the lawmaker with an idea.  During a Colorado history class at Dennison Elementary in Lakewood, it occurred to William that there was no official state sport designated in Colorado. 

William quickly went to work to change that.   An avid skier, William proposed that skiing and snowboarding should become the state’s official winter sports.  He contacted Rep. Green, directly to ask for her help.

“I told him to gather some petition signatures to make sure there was support for the idea.  A few weeks later he reported back to me that he had 70 signatures.  I thought, wow, that is pretty good,” Rep. Green explained.

Rep. Gwyn Green’s Statement on the Children Protection Bill, House Bill 1011, regarding the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against children

House Bill 1011, sponsored by State Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden), died in a house committee this morning.

“This bill came about as a result of a meeting I had with a former director of Rape Awareness and Assault Prevention (RAAP) who told me in 2005 that 98% of sexual assaults against children were from those the child knew and trusted.  He told me that my work to protect children from “stranger danger” was good, but what was really needed was to find a way to protect those who hurt by trusted adults.

I realized that lifting the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against children in both criminal and civil matters would accomplish what was needed. 

I believe that HB 1011 protects children and provides justice and healing for survivors.
       
The only way to protect children is to unmask sexual predators, and the only way to do so is to bring them to court.  As testimony from survivors unanimously stated, children are often so traumatized by sexual assaults upon them when their assailant is known and trusted, and they are often either dependent upon or afraid of the pedophile,  that they cannot even begin to deal with this until they are well into adulthood. 

Upcoming Opportunities to Meet with Your Representative

Friday, March 7-Rep. Nancy Todd will host a coffee from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Panera Bread at Iliff and Peoria in Aurora.

Friday, March 7-Rep. Mary Hodge and Senator Takis will host a town hall meeting from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the Firestation #2, 3100 Peoria St., Aurora.

Tuesday, March 11-Rep. Karen Middleton and I will host her first town hall meeting from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle, Aurora.

Friday, March 14-Rep. Dianne Primavera will host Coffee and Conversation from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at Caribou Coffee, 2721 W 120th Ave., Westminster.

Monday, March 14-Rep. Joe Rice will host Happy Hour with Joe from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cool River Cafe, 8000 E. Belleview Ave (I-25 and Belleview), Greenwood Village.

Saturday, March 15-Rep. Gwyn Green and Senator Keller will host a town hall meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the City Council Chambers, Golden City Hall, 911 10th St., Golden.

Saturday, March 15-Rep. Joe Rice will host a town hall meeting from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Blueberry's Bakery and Cafe, 1500 W. Littleton Blvd (Woodlawn Center), Littleton.

Saturday, March 15-Rep. Michael Merrifield, Senator John Morse and I will host a Spotlight on Healthcare conversation from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Manitou Springs City Hall, 606 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs.

Saturday, March 15-Rep. Jeanne Labudawill host her monthly town hall meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Bear Valley Library, 5171 W. Dartmouth Ave, Denver.

Wednesday, March 19-Rep. Dianne Primavera will host a town hall meeting on foreclosures in Broomfield from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, 3 Community Park Rd., Broomfield.

Thursday, March 20-Rep. Morgan Carroll will host her monthly town hall meeting on the topic of credit from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Community College of Aurora.

-- Posted by staff

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.

-- Posted by staff

House Moves to Prohibit Devious Dealings by Insurance Agents & Companies

DENVER—On Friday, the House passed a bill on a voice vote to prohibit insurance agents 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, requiring those plans be as good as advertised.

“We heard a terrible story that sums up why we need this bill,” said Rep. Green, referring to a story 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 awaits final approval by the House before moving to the Senate.

-- Posted by staff

Upcoming Opportunities to Meet with Your Legislator

Littleton Legislators to Share Insights from Iraq: Rep. Joe Rice and Senator Steve Ward will host two town hall meetings to share their on-the-ground insights from Iraq. Both have recently returned from serving in the armed forces in Iraq. You can meet them Tuesday, February 26, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bemis Public Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Downtown Littleton or Thursday, February 28, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Littleton City Council Chambers, 2255 W. Berry Ave, Littleton. Thursday evening, they will be joined by a delegation of local Iraqi government officials, who are visiting the Denver area to learn about how local and state governments function in the United States.

Wednesday, Feb. 27-Rep. Nancy Todd will host a panel discussion on foreclosure prevention and counseling from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Eastridge Elementary School, 11777 E. Wesley Ave., Aurora.

Saturday, March 1-Rep. John Kefalas, Rep. Randy Fischer, Senator Bob Bacon will host a town hall meeting from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the CSU Campus in Fort Collins, Warner College of Natural Resources, Room 113, University Ave., north side of street, just west of West Drive, 1 block south of The Oval.  Park in lot on east side of West Drive                     

Saturday, March 1-Rep. Jim Riesberg will host a town hall meeting to discuss higher education from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the UNC campus in Greeley, University Center, UNC, Columbine Room, 10th Ave and 20th St.

Saturday, March 1-Rep. Gwyn Green, Rep. Andy Kerr, Rep. Ken Summers and Senator Betty Boyd will host their monthly Lakewood town hall meeting, at the Belmar Public Library, 255 Allison Parkway, Lakewood, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This month’s topic is elections, and the meetings are held the first Saturday of each month at the library.

Saturday, March 1–Rep. Sara Gagliardi will host her March Saturdays with Sarah town hall meeting on foreclosure prevention and counseling, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Susan Duncan YMCA, 14705 W. 64th Ave., Arvada.

Monday, March 3-Rep. Morgan Carroll will host Coffee with Carroll from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at East Steamers Coffee House, 360 S. Chambers Rd, Aurora.

Monday, March 3-Rep. Joe Rice will host his monthly coffee from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the South Metro Camber of Commerce, 6840 S. University Blvd., Centennial.

Tuesday, March 4-Rep. Debbie Benefield will host a town hall from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with tips on saving energy in the home at the Standley Lake Public Library, 8485 Kipling St., Arvada.

Wednesday, March 5-Rep. Dianne Primavera will host Pizza with Primavera from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Original Pizza, 1300 W. Midway Blvd, Broomfield. Click here for more details.

House Committee Votes to Curtail Shady Sales by Insurance Agents

DENVER—On Tuesday, the House Business Affairs Committee voted 7 to 4 to curtail unscrupulous insurance policy sales.  House Bill 1228, sponsored by State Representative Gwyn Green (D-Golden), holds insurance agents responsible for the plans they sell.

“It’s essential that we protect consumers from unscrupulous insurance agents,” said Rep. Green.  “With all the uncertainty in the world, it’s hard enough for a consumer to choose the right insurance plan.  This bill holds insurance producers accountable for the plans their agents sell so consumers know what it is that they’re buying.”    
 
HB 1228 is geared toward helping consumers by allowing the commissioner of insurance to collect restitution – or damages – from insurance agents who conduct crooked business practices.  The bill also holds insurance companies financially responsible for unfair business practices.  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 cover, it constitutes a violation of this proposal.

“This bill is one of many measures this year focused on ensuring our health is the insurance industry’s bottom line,” said Dede de Percin, Executive Director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

The bill now moves to the House floor for further debate.

-- Posted by staff