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< Back Barbara McLachlan Chair of the Education Committee Representative Barbara McLachlan is Chair of the House Education Committee and member of the House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee. Rep. McLachlan represents House District 59 which includes Archuleta, La Plata, Hinsdale, Ouray, San Juan, and a section of Gunnison county. Former teacher and journalist, Rep. McLachlan is a lifelong advocate for K-12 education and preparing Colorado students for a lifetime of success. During her time at the legislature, she championed dozens of bills to boost public school funding, improve student’s academic performance and address the teacher shortage. In addition to education policy, Rep. McLachlan is also focused on water and land conservation and supporting our farmers and ranches.

< Back David Ortiz David Ortiz represents House District 38 in Littleton, Eastern parts of Centennial, parts of Columbine Valley and Bowmar neighborhoods. He assumed office on January 13th, 2021 and serves on the Health & Human Services Committee. Rep. Ortiz was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. Ortiz served in the United States Army from 2008 to 2015. He earned a joint bachelor's degree in international affairs and business administration from the University of Saint Thomas. Ortiz's career experience includes working as a lead legislative liaison with the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, a public speaker with the Craig Hospital Foundation, and program director with the VFW Post 1. Representative Ortiz’s lifetime of service is defined by fighting for equity of opportunities and fighting for those in need. Whether he was helping Katrina evacuees resettle, creating educational exchanges and economic opportunities in his work at the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of International Affairs and Development, fighting for improved care and rehabilitation for service members and veterans suffering from a spinal cord injury/illness, or advocating and lobbying for veterans and those with disabilities at our Colorado State Capitol; his servant leadership has been and is founded in his mission to fight for equality of opportunities for all.

< Back Elisabeth Epps Representative Elisabeth Epps is a member of the House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee and represents House District 6, which includes parts of central and East Denver including Capitol Hill and Lowry. Rep. Epps championed legislation during her first legislative session to improve court proceedings, support youth and is focused on bringing Colorado closer to equity and justice.

< Back Cathy Kipp Chair of the House Energy & Environment Representative Cathy Kipp is Chair of the House Energy & Environment Committee and a member of the House Finance Committee. Rep. Kipp represents House District 52, which includes Fort Collins. Rep. Kipp is a leader in K-12 education and sponsored the 2023 School Finance Act which works to improve teacher pay, reduce classroom sizes and support Colorado’s learners. Rep. Kipp also focuses on environmental legislation to create a cleaner, healthier Colorado. From improving energy efficient home appliances to encouraging the use of thermal energy, Rep. Kipp is committed to cleaner air, water and land in Colorado.

< Back Tim Hernández ​ Representative Hernández is a teacher, community organizer, and Chicano from the Northside of Denver. He currently represents House District 4 which includes the Northside and Westside of Denver. He is the first member of Gen Z to serve in the Colorado House, and is a commited fighter for fully funded public schools, attainable and affordable housing, and preventing gun violence.

< Back Stephanie Vigil ​ Representative Stephanie Vigil is a member of the House Energy & Environment and Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committees and represents House District 16 which includes central Colorado Springs. Rep. Vigil works to ensure justice in housing, labor, and public health and safety. During the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Vigil championed bills to reduce pollution through free transit rides during ozone season, invest in new, clean energy technology and simplify the renter screening to save renters money when applying at multiple places.

< Back Mike Weissman Chair of Judiciary Committee Mike Weissman is State Representative for House District 36 including Adams and Arapahoe Counties. Mike has tackled the high cost of living by lowering taxes for working Coloradans and low and middle income seniors while eliminating tax breaks that benefit only large companies or very wealthy individuals. He has expanded renters' rights by improving Colorado's warranty of habitability law; stood up for consumer rights by expanding the Consumer Protection Act, passing an anti-price gouging law, and improving oversight of mortgage servicers; won more funding for technical education and concurrent enrollment; helped win reauthorization of the Colorado Civil Rights Division; worked to address climate change by passing greenhouse gas pollution reduction requirements and making oil and gas companies clean up abandoned wells; and taken on corporate influence in politics by strengthening enforcement in campaign finance laws and increasing the frequency of lobbyist reporting in session ten-fold. As the descendent of Jewish immigrants who fled the pogroms of Eastern Europe and of Irish immigrants who survived the potato famine of the mid 1800s, he seeks to pay forward and work to keep alive the promise of opportunities that our country has long offered to those seeking a new beginning.

< Back Chris deGruy Kennedy Speaker Pro Tempore After six years of representing House District 23, Chris deGruy Kennedy is entering his fourth and final term as the representative for the new House District 30, which includes eastern Lakewood and Edgewater in Jefferson County. He currently serves Vice Chair of the House Health and Insurance Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. Chris’s priority is to make sure every hard-working Coloradan has the opportunity to thrive and enjoy our unique quality of life. He is committed to supporting our public schools, bringing down the high cost of living—including health care, childcare, housing, and higher education—and protecting our clean air and water and our beautiful public lands for the next generation. Over the last six sessions, his legislative accomplishments include robust cost transparency requirements for hospitals, a reinsurance program to reduce health insurance premiums on the individual market, a prescription drug affordability board, stronger consumer protections at free-standing emergency departments, advancement of value-based payments and integration in primary care, increased supports for renters and utility customers, improved prevention and treatment for substance use disorders, initiatives to combat climate change, regulation of toxic air contaminants, and multiple innovative democracy reforms. He has also supported increasing funding for K-12 and higher education, transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, and behavioral health care. After several years working as a structural engineer, Chris gravitated toward public service and became an active volunteer for local campaigns and environmental initiatives. As an aide and policy staffer for four sessions and manager of numerous campaigns in Jeffco, Chris compiled an extensive record of policy and political experience before throwing his hat in the ring for the State House in 2015. Chris is a lifelong Coloradan and has masters and bachelors degrees from the University of Colorado. He lives in Lakewood with his wife, Kyra, their daughter, Lennon, and two dogs, two cats, two goats, and two chickens.

< Back November 30, 2020 Direct Aid for Small Businesses, Housing Assistance, Utility Relief, and Emergency Funding for Colorado’s Public Health Response Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Debate SOON DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide direct assistance to the Coloradans and small businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The legislation will next be considered on the floor for Second Reading. “Small businesses have faced some of the most challenging impacts of this crisis, struggling for survival while Washington fails to deliver the relief they desperately need,” said SB20B-001 sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. “We are doing everything we can to boost small businesses and help them through the winter months ahead until we have a vaccine and Congress passes additional relief. Cultural venues, artists and minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. This assistance will help the small businesses that have been hit hardest so that they don’t permanently shutter.” SB20B-001, sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, would send $57 million in direct aid, grants and annual fee waivers to struggling small businesses – prioritizing those operating in counties experiencing severe capacity restrictions. It will also create grant programs and allocate funds specifically for art and cultural organizations as well as minority owned businesses. Capacity limits have severely impacted small businesses across the state, especially bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. This bill will help these industries bridge the gap through difficult winter months ahead. The bill passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “Thousands of Coloradans are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage and are facing agonizing decisions every day about which bills to pay and how to avoid being thrown out of their homes,” said SB2B-002 sponsor Rep. Tony Exum, Sr. D-Colorado Springs. “There is an astounding need for housing assistance to help Coloradans bridge the gap and avoid eviction or foreclosure. This assistance will directly help the Coloradans who have been hit hardest by this pandemic so they aren’t left behind as our state recovers.” “This assistance will help landlords, tenants, and homeowners who are facing the brunt of the pandemic get through the challenging months ahead,” said SB20B-002 sponsor Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. “This assistance will help Coloradans across the state avoid foreclosure and eviction and keep from falling farther behind. This critical relief will protect our recovery by preventing Coloradans from falling into homelessness and poverty.” SB20B-002, sponsored by Reps. Tony Exum, Sr. and Kerry Tipper, would provide $60 million for emergency housing assistance to landlords and households who are in financial need due to COVID-19. Of the funding, $1 million will support the Eviction Legal Assistance Fund, which will help Coloradans stay in their homes this winter by providing critical legal assistance for housing related needs. The impending expiration of federal assistance programs such as enhanced unemployment benefits, leaves millions of Coloradans vulnerable to eviction or foreclosure in the coming months. In fact, according to recent surveys, over 40 percent of Coloradans are living in a household that is behind on their rent or mortgage and at risk of foreclosure or eviction. Finally, the bill puts in place a provision that seeks to ensure tens of thousands of unemployed Coloradans can continue to have access to the federally funded State Extended Benefits Program through December 26. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “We are determined in this special session to help Coloradans make ends meet through the tough winter months ahead,” said SB20B-003 sponsor Rep. Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “Helping Coloradans heat their homes and keep the lights on will go a long way towards supporting hardworking families across the state. The end of this pandemic is in sight, and this assistance will make an important difference for those who need it most.” SB20B-003, sponsored by Reps. Monica Duran and Lois Landgraf, would appropriate $5 million to the Energy Outreach Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund in order to meet the 25 percent increase in applications that Energy Outreach Colorado has seen this year. As unemployment numbers remain high and federal resources have dried up, many Coloradans are at risk of losing their utilities – a dangerous outcome in the winter months. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “With promising vaccine trials shining a light on the end of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to ensure our public health systems are able to care for and protect Coloradans in the months ahead,” said SB20B-004 sponsor Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “Ensuring these resources are available is an important investment in our medical professionals and the health and wellness of the people of Colorado.” SB20B-004, sponsored by Rep. Julie McCluskie, would allocate an additional $100 million to ensure the state can continue to protect public health while we await additional federal stimulus and reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. With many hospitals across Colorado reaching critical capacity in recent weeks, additional funds are needed to continue the state’s robust public health response. The bill passed the House Public Health Care and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. Sales Tax Relief, Broadband Expansion for Students, Child Care Support, and Food Pantry Assistance Pass House Committees; Will See Floor Action in House TONIGHT DENVER, CO — House committees this afternoon passed four bills that would provide sales tax relief to businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, expand broadband capacity for students, preserve and increase access to safe child care options, and support food pantries. The legislation is expected on the floor for Second Reading this evening. HB20B-1004 , sponsored by Reps. Alex Valdez & Kevin Van Winkle, would allow restaurants, bars, and food trucks to retain state sales tax they collect from November 2020 through February 2021. This will provide bars and restaurants up to $2,000 per location and limited to five locations for up to $10,000in tax relief each month to help them make ends meet. The legislation passed the House Finance and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Colorado restaurants, bars and small businesses are struggling and need assistance now so our recovery can stay on track,” said HB20B- 1004 sponsor Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “Only the federal government can deliver the kind relief our state needs most, but we are committed to using what limited state resources we have to boost our recovery and help as many hardworking families and small businesses as possible as we tackle the very challenging months ahead. This sales tax relief will provide immediate help to thousands of restaurants and bars that are facing capacity restrictions from COVID-19.” HB20B-1002 , sponsored by Reps. Cathy Kipp & Lois Landgraf would distribute $45 million to enable existing child care providers to keep their doors open and new providers to open and meet the needs of working parents, especially in child care deserts. Colorado’s economic recovery depends on its workforce having access to stable child care, but due to temporary closures and the increased costs of health and safety precautions for child care providers, many are on the brink of financial collapse. These grant programs are estimated to support 2,600 child care facilities, preserving child care for over 100,000 children and creating capacity for tens of thousands more. Moreover, research shows that for every dollar spent on early childhood programs, $2.25 is contributed to our state’s economy. The bill passed the House Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the House floor this evening for Second Reading. “ Safe and affordable child care options are critical for working families who are juggling the stressful and difficult challenges of working while caring for young ones,” said HB20B-1002 sponsor Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “These grants will keep thousands of child care providers open and provide critical funding to make facilities safer during the pandemic. Retaining this workforce is critical to ensuring Coloradans don’t have to choose between going to work and keeping their kids safe.” HB20B-1001 , sponsored by Reps. Mary Young and Matt Soper would dedicate $20 million towards increasing our state’s broadband capacity – connecting more students to their teachers so that they can learn safely in the months ahead. Internet access is absolutely essential for students during this difficult time. But many families who are struggling with financial stability simply can’t afford to cover the cost, while numerous school districts lack the infrastructure to educate their students remotely. The bill passed the House State Veterans and Military Affairs and Appropriations committees and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading “At a time when Colorado families are learning, working, socializing, and generally living online from their homes, what could be more important than expanding broadband use in schools,” said HB20B-1001 sponsor Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Every Colorado student should have access to a quality education, and in 2020 that means having a reliable internet connection. While we work to determine what the future of our childrens’ education will look like, expanding broadband access to every school in our state is a necessity.” HB20B-1003 , sponsored by Reps. Lisa Cutter and Rod Bockenfeld would devote $3 million to replenishing essential community services that increase access to food for Colorado families facing food insecurity. 1 in 3 Coloradans are struggling with hunger as more and more families are being forced to choose between paying their bills and putting food on the table. Food banks, food pantries and their partners need additional assistance to meet the rising demands, especially as the December expiration for federal hunger relief looms. The legislation has passed the Public Health and Human Services and Appropriations Committee and will be debated on the floor for Second Reading tonight. “Across our state and our nation, hunger and food insecurity have only been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic,” said HB20B-1003 sponsor Rep. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County. “This direct support to food pantries builds on the work we did earlier in the year to bring us closer to a hunger-free Colorado. While we know there is a great deal of work left to be done, I’m proud that we are taking bold action to help hardworking families keep food on the table.” Previous Next