A few weeks ago, the Joint Budget Committee set out on our first interim tour to the San Luis Valley. Our first stop was to visit with the Huerfeno County officials about the new judicial center which will house the 3rd Judicial District. We also toured the 2018 Spring Creek Fire burn site. This wildfire burned a total of 108,045 acres near Fort Garland and La Veta in Costilla and Huerfano counties.
Spring Creek burn site in Huerfeno County
Next, we visited with the Board of Trustees and other officials of Adams State University in Alamosa. Founded in 1921, Adams State is known for its attentive faculty, diverse student body, close-knit community, dedicated alumni, affordable tuition, and as a champion of the San Luis Valley, where they are deeply intertwined with the community. They are facing some capital needs, however, including updates to their technology infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
Meeting with the Board of Trustees of Adams State University
The last stop on the tour was to visit the Cubres-Toltec Scenic Railroad. This historic railroad traverses 64-miles between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015 foot high Cumbres Pass.
It is jointly owned by Colorado and New Mexico and has earned a spot on the National Historic Landmark registry.
Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railroad
Why did the JBC visit these sites? Each of these sites were featured prominently in our budget discussions last year. The state is responsible for funding (in part) our court facilities, disaster recovery efforts, higher education facilities, and historic landmarks. It was interesting to see firsthand how our resources are being used and to learn more about the diverse needs of our state.
Higher Ed interim committee goes on tour
Similar to the JBC, the Making Higher Education Attainable Interim Committee also went on tour to get a better perspective on how our university and colleges are operating and to hear firsthand from officials on ideas for making higher ed more attainable.
Emily Griffith Technical College
Our first stop was Emily Griffith, an area technical college that offers more than 25 career and technical educational programs in fields such as health care, skilled trades or creative arts and design. Additionally, we visited with administrators from Pickens Technical College and the Technical College of the Rockies. While a small percentage of college students attend our area technical colleges, they provide the easiest and most affordable access to higher education. For example, at Emily Griffith, 100% of the students graduate with zero student loan debt!
Tour of Metropolitan State University
Next, we visited Metropolitan State University. According to their website, MSU Denver is "a comprehensive, baccalaureate- and master's-degree granting urban university that offers arts and sciences, professional and business courses and programs to a diverse student population in an atmosphere of mutual respect." MSU serves a high population of first generation students, Pell Grant eligible students, and students of color.
Metropolitan State University
The mission of our interim committee is to study the costs of higher education, tuition rate setting, roadblocks to obtaining post-secondary education, and the risks and rewards of post-secondary education. The discussions we had with the area technical colleges and MSU, showed us that there are multiple pathways to higher ed, and that there are low-cost, accessible options available to students. Our job now will be to find ways to increase access to these type of institutions and remove any barriers to ALL students attaining post-secondary education.
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She also served as Senator for SD19 in 2014. Sen. Zenzinger is a member of the Joint Budget Committee, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Chair of the Statutory Revision Committee, a member of the Interim School Finance Committee, and a board member of the Statewide Internet Portal Authority.
Council Candidate forums featured at Town Halls
Please join Reps. Tracy Kraft -Tharp, Brianna Titone, and myself for our next monthly Town Hall Meeting Saturday, September 21 from 10:30 - 12:00 pm at the Standley Lake Library. We will be featuring the Arvada City Council Candidates. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the candidates and why they are running for the Arvada City Council!
Then, please join myself and Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp for a separate forum featuring the Westminster City Council Candidates on Tuesday, September 26 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Covenant Living of Colorado, 9153 Yarrow St, Westminster, CO 80021 (formerly known as Covenant Village).
Annual Jeffco Indoor Legislative BBQ for Family Tree, DDRC, Seniors' Resource Center & Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Tracking your Senator
On August 13, I met with the
Colorado Children's Campaign to discuss a uniform mill levy bill...
On August 14 and 15, I traveled with the JBC to the
San Luis Valley to meet with officials from
Huerfeno County,
Adams State University, and the
Cumbres-Toltec Railroad...
On August 16, I attended the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Breakfast...
On August 17, we hosted our monthly
Town Hall meeting featuring Kevin Carroll of the
DeAngelis Community Safety Center and
Superintendent Jason Glass...
On August 19, I attended the
School Finance Interim Committee meeting...
On August 21, I was the guest speaker at the
Jeffco Economic Development Corporation to talk about transportation...
On August 22, I received the
Rocky Mountain Home Association Friend of Affordable Housing Award and I spoke on their legislative panel...
On August 26, I attended the
Making Higher Education Affordable interim committee meeting, and we toured
Emily Griffith Technical College and
Metropolitan State University... I also attended the
Governor's Tax Policy roundtable meeting...
On August 27, I met with constituent
Lynn Gerber to discuss
PACFA... I also met with the
Colorado Association of State Transit Agencies to discuss barriers to transit... I also attended the annual Indoor Legislative BBQ sponsored by the DDRC, JCMH, Family Tree, and SRC... On August 28, I joined Governor Polis at Semper Elementary to read to some kindergartners and meet with students... I also attended the Westminster State of the City event, sponsored by the Westminster Chamber of Commerce... I also met with the Community First Choice coalition to discuss our bill... On August 29, I met with a group of Special Education stakeholders to discuss funding ideas... On September 5, I attended the One Year Anniversary celebration for the Colorado Sun... On August 6, I spoke on a panel at the Choice Equity Convening on special education issues hosted by the Colorado Charter School Institute... I also attended the retirement party for the outgoing Executive Director of the JBC, John Ziegler... On August 7, I attended the Arvada Harvest Festival Parade... On August 12, I attended the School Finance Interim Committee... and I attended the Labor Convention Legislative Reception.
Receiving Friend of Affordable Housing Award from the Rocky Mountain Home Association
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
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