Colorado House Democrats

Kids Can Count on Counselor Corps

Bill to keep teens in school & on college track gets support of House

(DENVER)  Increasing the number of counselors is a nationally recognized strategy to improve postsecondary success and to reduce dropout rates.  Today, the House of Representatives supported, on an initial voice vote, the addition of dozens of new school counselors and the creation of implementation plans.

The average case-load across Colorado is 548 students to each counselor.  As part of the Colorado Promise to improve graduation rates and decrease dropout rates, lawmakers hope to increase the level of school counseling services in Colorado’s public schools.

House Bill 1370, sponsored by Representative Karen Middleton (D-Aurora) and Senator Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins), will put up to 70 new school counselors in Colorado’s public schools.

The bill will both increase the number of counselors and will provide training in the area of postsecondary preparation for counselors, administrators, other educators and service providers.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

-- Posted by staff

Kids Can Count on Counselor Corps

Bill to keep teens in school & on college track
cruises through first committee

(DENVER)  Increasing the number of counselors is a nationally recognized strategy to improve postsecondary success and to reduce dropout rates.  Today, the House Education Committee voted 10-3 to support the addition of dozens of new school counselors and the creation of implementation plans.

The average case-load across Colorado is 548 students to each counselor.  As part of the Colorado Promise to improve graduation rates and decrease dropout rates, lawmakers hope to increase the level of school counseling services in Colorado’s public schools.

House Bill 1370, sponsored by Representative Karen Middleton (D-Aurora) and Senator Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins), will put up to 70 new school counselors in Colorado’s public schools.

The bill will both increase the number of counselors and will provide training in the area of postsecondary preparation for counselors, administrators, other educators and service providers.

-- Posted by staff

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

Karen Middleton, Colorado’s Newest Legislator, will be sworn in at 8AM Wednesday

Denver – On Sunday, community leader and Colorado Board of Education Member Karen Middleton was selected to succeed Michael Garcia as the State Representative for House District 42, representing north central Aurora.  Representative-elect Middleton will serve at least through the remainder of Garcia’s term. 

The House Democratic Majority now boasts 22 women and 18 men.

Representative-elect Karen Middleton will be sworn in to office in the House Chamber on Wednesday, February 13^th at 8:00 a.m.  Her husband, step-daughters, and other friends and family will be with her.

“I’ve known and worked with Karen for many years,” said House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.  “She’s a good friend and a strong leader – especially for Colorado’s kids.”

In 2004, then-Minority Leader Romanoff appointed Middleton as policy director of the House Democratic Caucus.

Middleton expects to contribute to an exciting legislative session where improving education and energizing the economy will join healthcare reform at the top of the Democratic agenda. 

“It’s an honor to serve my friends and neighbors in Aurora,” said Rep-elect Middleton on Tuesday.  “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my public service in this new role.”

-- Posted by staff