Statement re: sheriff politicians who are threatening a costly lawsuit against public, gun safety laws

DENVER -- Sen. Mary Hodge (D-Brighton) the sponsor of HB 13-1224, limiting high-capacity magazines, released the following statement in response to sheriff politicians who are threatening a lawsuit against the state because of new public safety laws.

Sen. Giron fights to keep Ft. Lyon project alive

Sen. Giron releases a statement

DENVER -- Sen. Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) is at the helm of a group of legislators and Coloradans from Bent County, who are fighting to help homeless Coloradans while creating jobs in rural Colorado.

Earlier today, a project to convert the unused Ft. Lyon prison into a transitional homeless community died in Senate Appropriations committee.  Moving swiftly, this afternoon, Sen. Angela Giron worked with other legislators and the Governor to find a way to save the project. 

Pioneering pot public policy

DENVER -- To fulfill the mandate Colorado voters gave the legislature in 2012 with Amendment 64, today, the Senate Finance committee worked through marijuana regulations (HB 13-1317).  With a 5 to 0 decision, the Senate Finance committee moved HB 13-1317 to the Senate Appropriations committee.

The legislation is in response to Amendment 64, which was approved by Coloradans in a statewide vote in 2012.  Amendment 64 legalizes the use and limited possession of recreation marijuana for people 21 and older.

Senate Breaking New Ground

Denver - Tonight, the Senate passed landmark legislation implementing Amendment 64 which legalized the use and limited possession of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.  In a bipartisan effort, Sen. Cheri Jahn (D- Wheat Ridge) passed SB 13-283 that sets forth a groundwork for implementation of the constitutional amendment.

Tackling two problems in one fell swoop

DENVER -- Today, with homeless Coloradans outside on a snowy day, the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee moved forward a plan that would fight homelessness, while putting rural Coloradans to work.  

At the helm of the plan is Sen. Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) who is working with other Democrats, Republicans, and Governor Hickenlooper

Over the mountains and through the woods, broadband internet; here it comes.

DENVER -- In a bipartisan effort, Sen. Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County) and Sen. Greg Brophy (R-Wray) teamed up today to help connect rural Colorado to broadband internet service.  The Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs committee moved forward the Rural Telecommunications Act (SB 13-287) on a 4 to 1 decision.

The Democratic Majority fights through the night for democracy

DENVER -- At 1:00 a.m. democracy emerged victorious from the State Senate!  The legislation (HB 13-1303) enhances access to elections and keeps voting mechanisms contemporary.  As it is now, Colorado election laws are unnecessarily complex.  Mail ballots, for example, are automatically sent in several elections, but not in others.  The changes outlined in the legislation will not only eliminate confusion, but will save counties an estimated $9.5 million.

Senate committee to Colorado workers: “You’re hired”

DENVER – The Senate Finance committee voted today to move forward the Keep Jobs in Colorado Act, a measure to ensure more Colorado businesses and workers benefit from state contracts. The bill, HB 13-1292, sponsored by Senators Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) and Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County), passed out of committee on a party line vote of 3 to 2 – neither Republican committee member supported the bill.

Senate Democrats Unveil Plan to Provide Rural Broadband

Broadband Access to Help Rural Colorado

DENVER – Today, Senator Nicholson (D-Gilpin County) and Senator Greg Brophy (R- Wray) introduced a bill that will bring rural broadband access to Coloradans.  The Rural Telecommunications Act of 2013 will convert a portion of the current high cost fund to a broadband fund to invest in infrastructure in rural Colorado. The high cost support mechanism currently reimburses some of the cost of providing telephone services to rural areas

Sen. Schwartz works to prevent wildfires and create jobs

DENVER -- Today, Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) worked with Sen. Jeanne Nicholson (D-Gilpin County) to prevent wildfires and drive new jobs and businesses in the forest industries and biomass energy sector.  

“With SB 13-273, we have the opportunity to develop industries to address the threat of forest wildfires to our communities and watersheds.  Forest industries and biomass energy generation are important private sector solutions that create jobs, energy, and keep us safe long term,” said Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass).