.png){kind=logo}
Jan 5, 2025
This story was originally posted in the Gazette here.
Fighting for working families
Democrats are back once again with an overwhelming majority in the Colorado House because we deliver results for the working people and families of our great state.
Under our watch, wages are rising, and unemployment and inflation are lower than the national average. Housing and medical costs are falling, and so are violent crime rates.
Coloradans trust Democrats to govern because we have worked hard to lower the cost of housing and prescription medications, boost funding for K-12 schools, preserve our clean water and air, and protect our freedoms.
As we shoulder this immense responsibility, we will put problem solving ahead of partisanship and work across the aisle to make Colorado more affordable, improve public safety, and protect our rights and freedoms. My door is always open to constituents, advocates and lawmakers from both parties, and I am eager to work together once again.
Too many Coloradans are still struggling with the high cost of living. We’ve led the charge to eliminate red-tape so we can build more homes Coloradans can afford. This year, we will work to bring down home insurance costs and make purchasing easier for new homebuyers.
Lowering the cost of child care is a pivotal part of helping working parents afford to live in our state. That’s why Colorado Democrats have championed universal preschool, created more high-quality child care options, and cut taxes for hardworking people with the Colorado Child Tax Credit and Family Affordability Tax Credit. This session, we’ll continue to cut costs for working families, including reducing application fees for child care.
Saving people money on health care is a top priority as well. The new Colorado Option health insurance plans we created are far from burdensome new regulation. In fact, they are extremely popular with consumers because they are lowering costs and covering the services people need. Colorado youth can now receive no-cost mental health counseling sessions, as well.
When it comes to business, we’ve cut commercial property taxes, incentivized economic development for rural businesses and partnered with chambers of commerce to help fill jobs in critical industries so companies can grow and thrive.
As Democrats, we’re always working to make higher education more affordable, whether that be a post-secondary degree or a certificate for skills in-demand trades that lead to good paying jobs. Last year, we made community college for the first two years of a four-year degree free for Colorado students. This year, we’ll continue to build on these efforts to offer students affordable options that set them on a path toward a career of their dreams.
When it comes to safeguarding our rights and freedoms, Colorado Democrats have stepped up to protect reproductive care, access to voting and civil liberties. Through constitutional amendments, Coloradans have shown again and again that people should have the freedom to make decisions for themselves. As we wait to see what heads our way from Washington, Colorado Democrats will be on guard to protect your freedoms.
As violent crime falls across the state, including in Denver, we know there is more that can be done to keep our communities safe. Reducing crime requires a multi-pronged approach that includes investing in mental and behavioral health, addiction and community-based services, creating good-paying jobs and expanding affordable housing. It’s great to see the sharp decline in auto thefts in 2023 thanks in part to bipartisan laws we passed.
From outdoor recreation to agriculture, Colorado’s water is part of our western identity and essential to the future of our communities. I will continue to focus on what is best for Colorado agriculture and municipal water users to protect Colorado’s water rights and ensure future generations have access to the water they need.
While we won’t always agree, Republicans and Democrats will need to come together this year to address Colorado’s budget shortfall. We are facing rising Medicaid expenses, largely driven by our aging population and people receiving more medical care, while at the same time our budget constraints mean we must find savings elsewhere. This will require us all, Republicans and Democrats, to put aside political grandstanding and work together to find solutions.
I am a firm believer in the Western Slope Way – working together to solve problems, not wasting time on the distractions of extreme partisanship. I am hopeful that as we begin another session, we will find a way to work together once again to make Colorado more affordable, protect our rights and freedoms and build a state where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.