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< Back April 26, 2019 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REFORM CRIMINAL JUSTICE, GIVE PEOPLE A SECOND CHANCE Bill was approved on a bipartisan vote 59-3 (Apr. 26) – The House approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Mike Weissman to broaden access to record sealing. HB19-1275 will allow more people to successfully obtain and maintain housing and employment, to help them move on from their past mistakes after they have served their sentences. “This bill will help give people who have served their time for lower level offenses and paid their debt to society a second chance. I thank my co-sponsor Rep. Soper for his work on this bill and I am glad that we have broad bipartisan support,” said Rep. Weissman, D-Aurora. More than 1.8 million Coloradans are in the state criminal record database. For many of these individuals, involvement with the justice system has led to a cycle of unemployment or underemployment, housing insecurity, or a loss of income for themselves or their families. The bill will streamline record sealing processes for individuals eligible under existing law. It will also allow some individuals who would be newly eligible under the bill to petition the court to seal their existing case as opposed to having to file a new civil case, helping to make our court system more efficient.. Victims and prosecutors will be able to provide input to a judge who will ultimately decide whether a case will be sealed. The Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Violence Free Colorado all support the bill. The bill was approved by the House by a bipartisan vote of 59-3. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Alex Valdez into law that will strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events. < Back June 5, 2024 Stronger Consumer Protections for Event Tickets Becomes Law RED ROCKS, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation sponsored by Representatives William Lindstedt and Alex Valdez into law that will strengthen consumer protections for ticket sales for activities like concerts and sporting events. “Colorado is home to great live music venues and multiple professional sports teams, and this consumer protection law will help prevent Coloradans from being taken advantage of by bad actors,” said Rep. William Lindstedt, D-Broomfield. “This law guarantees refunds for canceled events, ensures actual all-in prices are advertised and bans deceptive website sales to clarify consumer rights and protections in the ticket industry. We’re creating a Colorado that better serves our event goers so they can fully enjoy their favorite events, from Nuggets games to Taylor Swift concerts.” “Unfortunately, most Coloradans have had negative experiences with the ticket industry that make it more difficult for them to attend concerts and professional sports games,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “As a resident of downtown Denver, I know how important our local sports teams and big concert events are to local businesses. Our legislation will bolster protections for consumers, making ticket-buying a more secure process so Coloradans can feel better about their purchases.” HB24-1378 requires ticket sellers and resellers to guarantee refunds to ticket buyers and prohibits an operator from denying a ticket buyer access to an event because they purchased the ticket through a reseller. This new law expands what constitutes a deceptive trade, including: Displaying trademarked, copyrighted, or substantially similar web designs, URLs, or other images and symbols with the intent to mislead a purchaser, Selling a ticket to an event without disclosing the total cost of the ticket, or Increasing the price of a ticket after the ticket has been selected for purchase, except for adding delivery fees. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that additional fees on event tickets average 27 to 31 percent of the ticket’s price. Previous Next

< Back June 11, 2020 POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BILL PASSES FIRST HOUSE HURDLE DENVER, CO – The House Committee on Finance today passed Representative Leslie Herod and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez’s bill to ensure transparency, integrity, and accountability of Colorado’s law enforcement, and to finally make justice possible for victims of police brutality. The bill passed by a vote of 7-4. “Today we’re honoring the memories of victims of police brutality in Colorado and around the country with decisive action,” said Rep. Herod, D-Denver . “This bill will make a real difference in our state and will set an example for the rest of the country. I want Black Lives Matter protestors here in Colorado and across the country to see this as a clear example of how much can get done when you make your voice heard. This bill is about accountability, integrity, transparency and justice, and I’m proud to see it move forward today.” “This bill represents a historic step forward for Colorado, and I couldn’t be prouder to sponsor it,” said Rep. Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver . “Ending qualified immunity, reining in the use of force, and ensuring greater accountability and transparency in our law enforcement will go a long way towards ensuring true justice for all. Black and brown Coloradans deserve to feel safe in their communities and truly protected by their law enforcement. There’s nothing new about this effort: SB20-217 represents a bold step forward in a generations-long fight against injustice in Colorado.” SB20-217 , the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity Act, would enact several provisions to prevent police brutality and increase transparency and accountability in our law enforcement. Among these provisions are the following: Mandate body cameras. The bill requires officers to wear body cameras and record interactions with members of the public with potential for enforcement, and for footage of an incident of misconduct to be released to the public within 21 days. The bill includes privacy provisions for victims, witnesses, and juveniles, or when footage contains highly personal circumstances such as nudity, and it ensures the victim of the officer misconduct and the victim’s family receive the footage 24 hours prior to public release. Require public reporting on policing. All law enforcement agencies would be required to track and publicly report data for any contacts they initiate for law enforcement purposes. That data would include any use of force (both the type and severity), civilian searches, forced entries into homes, the unholstering and discharge of a firearm, and demographic information on race, ethnicity, sex and age of the person contacted. Rein in use of deadly force by officers. It would bring Colorado law in line with Supreme Court precedent holding that an officer may only use deadly force, including on people who are fleeing the police, when there is an imminent risk of danger to human life. It also repeals an officer’s authority to use dangerous tactics like the chokehold. Prevent the rehiring of bad actors. If an officer is convicted of, or pleads guilty to, any inappropriate use of physical force, their POST certification would be revoked. Officers who are found untruthful, terminated for cause, or decertified would be listed in a public database to prevent them from moving from one agency to another. Hold individual officers liable for their actions. It would allow victims of police misconduct to bring a lawsuit for the violation of their constitutional rights within a two-year statute of limitations, and officers convicted of misconduct would no longer be shielded by the doctrine of qualified immunity. It would also hold officers accountable for failing to intervene during another officer’s inappropriate use of physical force. Restricts the use of chemical agents and projectiles. In light of incidents at recent protests, this bill would prohibit law enforcement officers from using tear gas without first verbalizing orders to disperse a crowd and allowing individuals adequate time to comply. The bill prohibits officers from targeting rubber bullets at someone’s head, torso, or back. Previous Next

Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Michael Carter into law. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. < Back March 24, 2025 Bill to Increase Judges and Boost Access to Justice Signed Into Law DENVER, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts and Representative Michael Carter into law. SB25-024 adds 15 judges across Colorado to decrease wait times for court cases. “As a former deputy district attorney, I know how important it is to have an adequate number of judges serving our communities.,” said Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “Over and over again, we’ve heard from judges, attorneys, victims, and litigants who are hurting from an overburdened court system. Adding 15 new judges to Colorado’s judicial system is a major step forward that will help Colorado fulfill it’s fundamental duty to provide timely access to justice.” “The right to a speedy trial is guaranteed in our constitution, but the shortage of judges and other judicial staff makes it unrealistic to schedule cases in a reasonable timeframe,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora. “When cases are continuously pushed back, victims and their families are delayed justice and innocent Coloradans sit in jail awaiting trial. Federal-level threats on our judges and courts only exacerbate workload and staffing issues. Our new law increases the number of judges, attorneys and other staff to cut down on wait times, protect the autonomy of judicial actors and improve access to justice.” SB25-024 , also sponsored by Sen. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, increases the number of district and county judges by 15 judges for criminal and civil court cases. The new law also allocates funds for courts to add public defenders, deputy district attorneys, sheriff deputies, behavioral health court professionals and support staff. Under the law, Judicial Districts 4, 7, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 23 and Larimer, Douglas, La Plata, Mesa and Eagle counties will see at least one additional judge. In early 2025, Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Monica Márquez made a plea to the Colorado General Assembly to add judges during the annual State of the Judiciary address. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. < Back May 6, 2025 Bill to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires Moves Forward DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to combat destructive wildfires through strategic prescribed burns. SB25-007 would encourage wildfire mitigation efforts. “Wildfire season is year-round in Colorado, and our communities need all the wildfire mitigation tools available,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs . “This bill would make it easier for communities to conduct prescribed burns, which are a cost-effective way to reduce the amount of fuel available for a wildfire. Fire is a natural part of our ecosystem, and with the guidance of a certified burn manager, Colorado communities can take steps today to reduce the size and intensity of destructive wildfires in the future.” SB25-007 is also sponsored by Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. Low-intensity fire, applied through prescribed burns overseen by burn managers, can reduce fuel loads and restore fire-adapted ecosystems. SB25-007 would strengthen Colorado’s wildfire mitigation efforts by encouraging controlled, prescribed burns. To keep communities safe, plans for prescribed burns must be reviewed by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. As recommended by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee, this bill would compensate Coloradans if their property is damaged during prescribed burns. It would also address workforce shortages that are a barrier to expanding the use of prescribed fires by allowing interstate reciprocity in the certified burner program, which certifies individuals to conduct prescribed burns. This legislation better allows utility companies to perform wildfire mitigation, broadening access to a financing mechanism that will reduce mitigation costs for utility ratepayers. To ensure state oversight, plans must be approved by the Public Utilities Commission. Previous Next

< Back January 12, 2022 FIRST 10 BILLS SAVE COLORADANS MONEY, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS DENVER, CO — House Speaker Alec Garnett today introduced the first 10 bills of the 2022 legislative session, which highlight key agenda priorities of the House Democrats: saving families money on everything from child care to driver’s license costs, helping Coloradans start a business, and improving public safety through smart crime prevention initiatives. “Families, businesses and teachers are all going to save money with the bills we introduced today,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver . “I’m excited to continue moving Colorado forward by focusing on key priorities like making quality health care accessible and affordable and preparing our students for success. We’re laser-focused on creating a healthier, safer, more affordable Colorado for everyone.” “The first bills introduced this session highlight our dedication to saving Coloradans money, improving public safety and preparing our students for success,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “The pandemic has been challenging for families and businesses across Colorado. We are committed to delivering transformational changes that address the most pressing needs in our communities. The bills introduced today are going to put more money back into Coloradans’ pockets, boost our health care workforce and improve public safety by preventing crimes from happening in the first place.” Cutting Fees to Start Your Own Business ( HB22-1001 ) Representatives Lisa Cutter and Tom Sullivan, Senators Brittany Pettersen and Chris Kolker This bill will help save money for Colorado small businesses that have faced adversity and uncertainty throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill will save businesses and entrepreneurs money by cutting fees to start your own business and other costs associated with business filings. Preparing Students for Success by Expanding Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities ( HB22-1002 ) Representatives Mike Weissman and Jennifer Bacon, Senator Janet Buckner This bill will prepare students for success by expanding the number of students who can participate in the ASCENT concurrent enrollment program. The ASCENT program gives students an accelerated opportunity to earn a postsecondary credential, coordinating school districts and community colleges to help prepare students for quality jobs. Preventing Youth Violence and Crime ( HB22-1003 ) Representatives Lindsey Daugherty and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Senator Julie Gonzales This bill will provide grants to local governments and school districts to improve public safety, prevent crime and reduce recidivism. The bill focuses on youth support and interventions, and services to prevent crime from happening and prevent juveniles from entering the criminal justice system in the first place. Saving Coloradans Money at the DMV ( HB22-1004 ) Representatives David Ortiz and Mary Young, Senators Rhonda Fields and Chris Kolker This bill will freeze DMV drivers’ license fees for next year, saving Coloradans money when they go to renew their licenses. Boosting the Health Care Workforce ( HB22-1005 ) Representatives Julie McCluskie and Perry Will, Senator Bob Rankin The bill will extend the state income tax credit for health care “preceptors,” mentors who help and encourage people to enter the health care workforce. The bill will allow more of these mentors to access the credit and expands the program to include addiction counselors and registered nurses. The bill would extend the credit until 2033. It is currently set to expire in 2023. Saving Parents Money on Child Care ( HB22-1006 ) Representatives Dylan Roberts and Kevin Van Winkle, Senators Kerry Donovan and Jim Smallwood This bill will save parents money by expanding access to affordable child care. The bill will expand the types of child care facilities that are exempt from property taxes, saving child care centers money and making child care more affordable. Saving Homeowners Money on Wildfire Mitigation ( HB22-1007 ) Representatives Donald Valdez and Mike Lynch, Senators Pete Lee and Cleave Simpson This bill will save homeowners money on wildfire mitigation measures performed on their property. With climate change bringing ever more destructive and frequent wildfires like the Marshall Fire to Colorado, this bill will help prevent future destruction and costly rebuilding through expanded mitigation. The bill will create a grant program to support outreach efforts to landowners in high wildfire hazard areas and change a state income tax deduction to a state income tax credit worth up to $625 of a landowner’s wildfire mitigation expenses. Saving Families Money on Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment ( HB22-1008 ) Representatives Kerry Tipper and Mark Baisley, Senators Steve Fenberg and Faith Winter This bill will help Coloradans looking to start a family save money on fertility treatment. The bill will update legislation passed last year to ensure that insurance plans cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, which is often a prohibitively expensive health care treatment for people wanting to start or expand their family. Extending Skills Training Proven to Prepare Students for Success ( HB22-1009 ) Representatives Matt Gray and Tom Sullivan, Senator Rachel Zenzinger The bill will prepare students for success by extending the workforce diploma pilot program originally established in 2019 and set to be repealed later this year on July 1, 2022. Program participants earn certificates and industry recognized credentials, unlocking economic opportunities to help them provide for themselves and their families. Saving Educators Money and Expanding Child Care Options ( HB22-1010 ) Representatives Emily Sirota and Tonya Van Beber, Senators Janet Buckner and Barbara Kirkmeyer The bill will save educators money and prepare our youngest learners for success by creating a refundable income tax credit for early childhood educators. Educators working in or leading a child care program would be eligible for the credit for the next five years. Previous Next

Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. < Back July 1, 2024 New Law to Create the Office of Rail Safety Goes Into Effect DENVER, CO – Legislation to establish the Office of Rail Safety which will study and implement rail safety measures in Colorado goes into effect today. HB24-1030 , sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Tony Exum, Sr., D-Colorado Springs, and Representatives Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, and Tisha Mauro, D-Pueblo, creates the Office of Rail Safety within the Public Utilities Commission. The Office is required to create a report including information to increase rail safety measures such as assessments of train length, emergency response and financial responsibility for cleanups of hazardous material incidents, and necessary staffing and equipment levels for implementation of safety measures. Under the law, the Office is required to submit their report to the General Assembly by December 1, 2024. "Train derailments and obstruction accidents have increased and we must protect the safety of workers and our communities, particularly as we move to expand passenger rail," said Cutter. "Hazardous materials are frequently moved by rail through heavily forested areas near critical waterways, so an accident has the potential to be catastrophic. Our new Office of Rail Safety will oversee rail operations and collect data to help address the real safety issues we know are plaguing the rail industry." “As we work toward expanding passenger rail in Colorado, we need to ensure our railways are safe,” said Mabrey. “We know train derailments can be incredibly destructive and dangerous, which is why we’re working toward ways to ramp up Colorado's rail safety measures. This law establishes the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations, collect data and create safer railways for us all.” “As Colorado continues to grow, our rail-network will become even more critical to the sustainability of our state,” Exum said. “Train derailments can shut down critical transportation networks, cause major environmental harms, and threaten the health and safety of countless individuals. This new law will help ensure that the economic needs of our commercial rail system are met, without sacrificing the safety of our communities, our environment, or our transportation professionals.” “We need to take steps now to improve rail safety and prevent dangerous derailments,” said Mauro. “This law creates the Office of Rail Safety to oversee rail operations across the state and requires them to file a report on critical safety information, such as train length, emergency response and clean up protocols.” The law aims to improve safety requirements for railroads operating in Colorado by: Improving emergency response procedures through preparation and coordination; Initiating state oversight of critical wayside detector systems; Requiring a train crossing to be clear when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or police car, approaches; Allowing relevant union representatives to request investigations from the Office of Rail Safety; and Increasing penalties for safety violations, with increased emphasis on repeat or knowing violations. Previous Next

< Back March 4, 2021 NEW CMAS BILL WILL REDUCE TESTING LOAD FOR STUDENTS, ENSURE ACCESS TO MEASURES OF LEARNING THIS YEAR Legislation introduced today would propose to administer one test per student in grades 3-8 this year, with the goal of complying with federal requirements for statewide measures of learning DENVER, CO — Representative Emily Sirota and House Education Chair Barbara McLachlan today introduced legislation to significantly reduce the standardized testing load for students, parents and teachers this year. HB21-1161 requires the Colorado Department of Education to seek a federal waiver to more than halve the amount of time students will be expected to spend in testing while still seeking to comply with federal guidelines that require the compilation of statewide education data and ensuring parents have access to information on their children’s learning. The data received will also ensure that policymakers have valuable information to support students and schools moving forward. “From cancelled school days to switching between in-person and virtual learning, students have faced some of the greatest challenges of their lives this past year,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “This approach would make a substantial and meaningful difference for kids, parents and teachers by easing the testing burden while still complying with federal guidance to have statewide data. I’m grateful for everyone in the education community who came together to ensure that we can focus on the educational, social and emotional needs of our students.” “Parents and educators from across Colorado have raised concerns to us that going forward with our testing system without changes would stress our students,” said House Education Chair Rep. McLachlan, D-Durango. “With the bill we introduced today, Colorado students, parents and teachers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we’ll still have the data we need while allowing teachers and school districts to reinvest time that would have been spent testing this year into helping students catch up on learning loss from this turbulent past year of the pandemic.” HB21-1161 requires the administration of the English Language Arts exam in grades three, five, and seven, while students in grades four, six, and eight will take the Math exam. Parents will also have the option to opt their child in to taking whichever exam they did not automatically receive. The legislation also requires the Colorado Department of Education to request a waiver to suspend science exams normally administered in grades 5, 8, and 11, and social studies exams administered in grades 4 and 7. The bill also implements consensus recommendations from a departmental task force last year, including suspending the link between tests, accountability, and educator evaluation. The bill would direct the Colorado Department of Education to seek a waiver from the federal Department of Education to implement these policies as soon as practicable. The bill, which will replace HB21-1125, will be heard in the House Education Committee on Friday. Previous Next

< Back February 21, 2023 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Incarcerated Coloradans to Pursue College Credits DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez to allow incarcerated Coloradans to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education. HB23-1037 passed the House with nearly unanimous support by a vote of 61-1. “This bill is about preparing incarcerated Coloradans for success when they’re released from prison by giving them the tools they need to thrive,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez D-Monte Vista. “I’m beyond proud to champion this bipartisan bill that received nearly unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats. This bill will reduce recidivism in Colorado by creating pathways for incarcerated people to earn credits toward degrees and certificates that create opportunities for good paying careers after they have served their time.” HB23-1037 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would allow inmates sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to reduce their sentence by completing an accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited higher education institution while the inmate is incarcerated in the Department of Corrections (DOC). Specifically, inmates could receive one year of earned time for a bachelor's or associate's degree, 6 months for an earned credential or certificate of 30 credit hours worth, 18 months of earned time for a master’s degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. Right now, offenders in the DOC can reduce their sentence through earned time by participating in group living, counseling sessions and through specific work and training. Generally, inmates cannot reduce their sentence by more than 30 percent. This bill would add higher education to the list of ways inmates can reduce their sentence through earned time. HB23-1037 aims to encourage incarcerated Coloradans to pursue higher education and better prepare them for a high-earning career post-sentence. Access to education opportunities while in prison is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools to reduce recidivism. Colorado’s recidivism rate is 50 percent , one of the highest in the nation. A comprehensive, nationwide study showed that the recidivism rate among incarcerated individuals who earn associate's degrees is around 14 percent and just 5.6 percent for those who earn bachelor's degrees. These recidivism rates are significantly lower than interacted individuals who receive no education while in prison. Previous Next

The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to boost Colorado’s education workforce. < Back February 23, 2024 House Advances Hamrick’s Bipartisan Bill to Boost Educator Workforce DENVER, CO – The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to boost Colorado’s education workforce. HB24-1044 , sponsored by Representative Eliza Hamrick, would allow school districts to hire more Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) retirees, without the risk of the retirees losing their retirement benefits. “Colorado’s educator shortage is dire and our students deserve quality education,” said Eliza Hamrick, D-Centennial. “This legislation would allow more retired educators and staff to return to the schools, without the risk of losing their PERA retirement benefits. To address our educator shortage, we need to use every tool available to us. This bill encourages retired teachers to return to the classroom and help our schools and most importantly – our students.” HB24-1044 , also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, would expand the number of service retirees that school districts may hire while still being eligible for PERA benefits. Specifically, school districts would be able to exceed the current 10 retiree cap by 1 retiree for every 1,000 students above 10,000 students. Under current law, school districts may only hire retirees when a “critical shortage of qualified instructors” is established. This bill aims to streamline placing educators in classrooms by instead allowing school districts to hire up to 10 retirees if the district identifies a “need” for additional instructors. Previous Next

< Back October 12, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: McCluskie, Donovan, Roberts and McLachlan Celebrate Biden’s Executive Action to Protect Public Lands in Colorado DENVER, CO – Representatives Julie McCluskie, Dylan Roberts, and Barbara McLachlan and Senator Kerry Donovan today celebrated President Biden’s executive action to protect hundreds of thousands of acres, including Camp Hale, the Tenmile Range and the Thompson Divide. The action protects lands included in the CORE Act – federal legislation sponsored by Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Congressman Joe Neguse that would protect iconic public lands in Colorado, establish new wilderness areas and safeguard existing outdoor recreation opportunities to boost the state’s economy for future generations. On September 16, Representative McCluskie led 34 Colorado lawmakers in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to use the authority granted to him and his cabinet members to protect the public lands proposed for permanent protection in the CORE Act. “This executive action will preserve over hundreds of thousands of acres of critical wildlife, stunning mountains and beautiful rivers that are essential for recreation, conservation and our Colorado way of life,” said Representative Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “This is great news for Colorado and the Western Slope, and I’m grateful that President Biden has acted on our recommendations and the overwhelming support of our communities for this proposal. The new national monument will protect our environment and memorialize the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division soldiers who trained at Camp Hale and bravely served our nation.” “From Camp Hale where my grandfather trained with the 10th to the Thompson Divide, our public lands are what make Colorado great, and I am deeply grateful that President Biden listened to our request,” said Senator Kerry Donovan, D-Vail. “This important step will ensure some of our most treasured natural spaces remain open to the public and will help secure Colorado’s outdoor heritage for generations to come. My grandfather fell in love with Colorado at Camp Hale, and I know that experience will happen again and again thanks to this new protection.” "Today is a great day for Colorado. Thanks to today’s executive action and the voices of Coloradans across the Western Slope, hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness will be protected, including cherished landscapes in Eagle County as well as the historic Camp Hale," said Representative Dylan Roberts, D-Avon . "This action will protect world-class recreation opportunities for biking, hiking and hunting that power our local economies. I'm grateful for the work of Senator Bennet and Congressman Neguse to get this done, and I’m excited that President Biden has acted on our recommendations from Democrats, Republicans, and Independent officials and residents across our region to protect these beautiful public lands." "This executive action to protect thousands of acres of public land, including the Thompson Divide, is a huge win for conservation and historic preservation on the Western Slope," said Representative Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. "Our state's stunning landscapes drive our economy and must be protected so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come. We’ve been working toward this for a long time because preserving these lands will strengthen our communities and protect our Colorado way of life.” “The bill has enjoyed longstanding and widespread support by a wide array of our constituents and it is past time for these remarkable public lands to be protected,” the lawmakers wrote. “ While our advocacy on behalf of the legislation and our constituents will continue, the protection of these landscapes requires your immediate action. By conserving these lands, you will preserve a rich part of this country’s history through historic landmarks and objects of historic and scientific interest and we know it will provide a path for your administration to protect additional public lands in Colorado in the future.” The full text of the letter is below and can be found here . Mr. President: The undersigned Colorado state senators and representatives urge you to use the authority granted to you and your cabinet members to protect the public lands proposed for permanent protection in the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act (CORE Act). As you are aware, this request was recently made by CORE Act sponsors Senator Michael Bennet, Senator John Hickenlooper, and Representative Joe Neguse, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. The bill has enjoyed longstanding and widespread support by a wide array of our constituents and it is past time for these remarkable public lands to be protected. In Colorado, we have a long history and commitment to public lands conservation. In January 2021, and for the first time in several years, we saw the Colorado public lands ethos shine through the priorities of the presidency when you committed the country to a first of its kind national conservation strategy. In a time when the impacts to public lands from climate change are rising and racial and economic inequities are expanding, the Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful conservation plan has never been needed more. By protecting the landscapes within the CORE Act through administrative action, you can secure progress towards the goals set forth in the American the Beautiful plan by taking action to protect Colorado’s public lands. Camp Hale and the surrounding Tenmile Range are incredibly deserving of permanent protection as a national monument under the Antiquities Act. The 10th Mountain Division trained across the landscape in preparation of high altitude warfare in the European Alps during World War II. The adjacent Tenmile Range was particularly integral to their training. Following the war, the soldiers who were lucky enough to have made their way home founded the US ski industry and the outdoor recreation economy that is now so vital to our state. There are few opportunities to experience and appreciate the history of World War II in our country and the sacrifices made by so many of its citizens. However, Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range are living artifacts to that sacrifice and they also happen to be some of our nations’ most beautiful public lands. Further west lies the Thompson Divide; another mountainous landscape that local ranchers and outdoor recreationists have spent years advocating to be protected from oil and gas development. Because the legislation has stalled in Congress, its left local advocates living under the veil of uncertainty. We urge your administration to protect the Thompson Divide landscape through a Federal Lands Policy and Management Act mineral withdrawal. Finally, we request your administration provide protections for the exemplary public lands in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains by working through the ongoing Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest Plan Revision. These landscapes are simply too important for conservation and historic and cultural preservation to become the subject of ephemeral political whims. The CORE Act, which includes the areas mentioned previously and more, already passed the House of Representative five times, only to meet repeated partisan obstacles in the United States Senate over the last several Congresses. While our advocacy on behalf of the legislation and our constituents will continue, the protection of these landscapes requires your immediate action. By conserving these lands, you will preserve a rich part of this country’s history through historic landmarks and objects of historic and scientific interest and we know it will provide a path for your administration to protect additional public lands in Colorado in the future. Thank you, Representative Julie McCluskie President Pro Tempore Kerry Donovan Representative Dylan Roberts Representative Barbara McLachlan Speaker Alec Garnett President Steve Fenberg House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar Senate Majority Leader Dominick Moreno Speaker Pro Tempore Adrienne Benavidez Senator Julie Gonzales Representative Meg Froelich Representative Lisa Cutter Representative Monica Duran Representative Brianna Titone Representative Judy Amabile Representative Tracey Bernett Representative Matt Gray Representative Shannon Bird Representative Steve Woodrow Representative David Ortiz Representative Karen McCormick Representative Mary Young Representative Chris Kennedy Representative Andrew Boesenecker Senator Rachel Zenzinger Representative Emily Sirota Representative Mike Weissman Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet Representative Cathy Kipp Representative Iman Jodeh Senator Chris Hansen Senator Chris Kolker Representative Edie Hooton Senator Faith Winter Previous Next