Colorado House Democrats

Statehouse Honors Military Appreciation Day

Support our Troops Resolution Passed

Major General H. Michael Edwards and Rep Rice.

(Denver)- State lawmakers, including State Representative Joe Rice (D-Littleton), held Military and Veterans Appreciation Day Wednesday at the State Capitol.   Special guests in uniform filled the House floor and gallery, including active duty military and veterans as well as family members.

The joint session of the House and Senate was action packed with activities on the house floor, including the introduction of house joint resolution 1007 in support of our troops which was introduced by Rep. Morgan Carroll and Rep. Stella Garza-Hicks (R-Colorado Springs).  The resolution passed with near unanimous support; Rep. Doug Bruce (R-El Paso County) was the sole member to vote no.

Rep. Joe Rice, a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserve when not serving in the Legislature, who recently returned from an active duty tour in Iraq provided remarks.

I am proud to wear the uniform of our country as a member of the Army Reserve, and I am proud to walk with those now serving in the great tradition of those veterans who came before us” Rice said before the packed room of veterans and those currently serving. 

“It is now the responsibility of our nation to develop and implement a plan to capitalize on the chance we have been given.  To ensure security in Iraq for our own nation’s security and to meet our moral obligation to the Iraqi people themselves” Rep. Rice stated at the microphone.

-- Posted by staff

Rep. Gallegos Advances Bills To Support Veterans And Military Families

(DENVER) -  State Representative Rafael Gallegos (D-Antonito) is carrying a bill that would waive undergraduate and graduate tuition for Colorado veterans who have received the Purple Heart or other higher combat award.  House Bill 1168 passed the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee and now awaits passage in the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Gallegos is also the co-sponsor of House Bill 1317, which would create a compact among other states to ease difficulties in school transfers for children of military families, due to the frequent moves that military families often face.

“This bill would ensure that our children of military families are treated equal to any other student, whether it is credits they have attained or involvement in sports,” said Rep. Gallegos.  The bill will be heard in House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs in the coming weeks.

In all, Rep. Gallegos, who is a veteran himself, believes that Colorado has a duty to provide our veterans and military with support, adding, “These bills are efforts to improve Colorado’s participation in providing benefits to our 420,000 veterans.”

-- Posted by staff

Representative Joe Rice Returns to Capitol after Service in Iraq

Colleagues welcome him back to work

DENVER – After ninety days serving on active duty in Iraq, Representative Joe Rice (D-Littleton) returned to his desk at the State Capitol Monday.  The yellow ribbon placed on his chair during his absence had been removed, and the front-row seat filled once again.

Colleagues greeted him with hugs, handshakes and a standing applause thanking him for his service. A banner reading Welcome Home Joe, signed with heartfelt messages from Representatives and staff, waited for him at his desk.

It was a time to put politics aside and welcome back a respected colleague and friend. Rep. Rice is known for working across party lines to bridge differences and create a common ground.  During his first year under the gold dome, he was recognized as being one of the most effective representatives in the legislature, passing 18 bills.

"After spending a few days with my family, I am ready to get back to work serving the people in my district" Rep. Rice shared.  He chose not to take a moment at the microphone to address his colleagues.  Instead, he made it clear he was ready to roll up his sleeves and tackle the biggest issues facing Colorado: jobs, schools and healthcare.

House Passes "Re-Up" of Military Family Relief Fund; Fund helps those who "have already sacrificed so much"

(DENVER)  The Military Family Relief Fund – due to expire soon -- has provided financial assistance for military families who face financial hardship due to deployment. State Representative Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) and Rep. Spencer Swalm (R-Centennial), co-sponsors of House Bill 1035, ushered the reauthorization bill through the House of Representatives Friday morning by a vote of 59-3.

The Fund was created in 2005 when Rep. Carroll's paralegal was deployed from inactive Army Reserves to Iraq.  The deployment meant a 50% reduction in pay for him, causing his family to lose their home.

The Fund can be used by all branches of military, active, reserve and Guard.  The Funds can assist with PTSD treatment, house payments, home repair emergencies, car repair emergencies, day care needs, marital or other counseling etc.

"No one should be financially penalized for serving our country.  The men and women deployed overseas have already sacrificed so much the least we can do is make sure that their families are taken care of while they are gone and that there is some help for them here when they return."  said Rep. Morgan Carroll.

The Committee heard testimony that 24 military families have been helped through the fund.  Nineteen of those families have a member in the Army National Guard.  The families have suffered a loss of income ranging from $6,000 to $50,000 due to deployment.  Families have received help with child care costs, home maintenance charges, auto repairs, and to replace appliances. Families received an average of $5,111 and the average amount donated on the income tax check-off was between $13 - $14.

-- Posted by staff

Military Family Relief Fund Passes Committee 8-3; Fund helps those who "have already sacrificed so much."

(DENVER) The Military Family Relief Fund will expire this year unless reauthorized by the legislature. The fund has provided financial assistance for military families who face financial hardship due to deployment.  Rep. Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) and Rep. Spencer Swalm (R-Centennial), co-sponsors of House Bill 1035, ushered the reauthorization bill through the House Finance Committee this morning by a vote of 8 - 3.  The "no" votes were from Reps. Bruce, Lundberg, and Lambert.

The Fund was created in 2005 when Rep. Carroll's paralegal was deployed from inactive Army Reserves to Iraq.  The deployment meant a 50% reduction in pay for him, causing his family to lose their home.

The Fund can be used by all branches of military, active, reserve and Guard.  The Funds can assist with PTSD treatment, house payments, home repair emergencies, car repair emergencies, day care needs, marital or other counseling etc.

"No one should be financially penalized for serving our country.  The men and women deployed overseas have already sacrificed so much the least we can do is make sure that their families are taken care of while they are gone and that there is some help for them here when they return."  said Rep. Morgan Carroll.
The Committee heard testimony that 24 military families have been helped through the fund.  Nineteen of those families have a member in the Army National Guard.  The families have suffered a loss of income ranging from $6,000 to $50,000 due to deployment.  Families have received help with child care costs, home maintenance charges, auto repairs, and to replace appliances. Most families received between $5,000 - $6,000, and the average amount donated on the income tax check-off was between $13 - $14.

-- Posted by staff