While a few good things happened last week, what little excitement I felt over passing a couple of bills was overshadowed by the deep sadness I felt by the senseless tragedy that occurred in Boulder last Monday. My heart breaks for the victims and their families. While I find these mass shootings completely incomprehensible, I find myself still asking why these incidents keep happening. One article I read noted how Colorado has a disproportionate share of gun violence with more mass shootings per capita than all but four states.

We took some time in the Senate on Tuesday to reflect on the prior day's tragedy. Several legislators spoke about the shooting and honored the victims. Others questioned our laws and wondered out loud whether we need to make policy changes to address gun violence. And while I appreciated listening to my colleagues speak about the tragedy and share with us their grief, I was particularly moved by the words of our Majority Leader, Steve Fenberg, who represents the Boulder area where the shooting took place. Here is a link to his speech that he delivered Tuesday morning on the Senate floor. In the video, we wrap-up a few bills before Sen. Fenberg approaches the mike and delivers his reflection.

I hope you take the time to listen to Majority Leader Fenberg's comments. If you have thoughts or ideas, please feel free to share them with me. Also, I would like to encourage folks to consider donating to the families of the victims. Donations can be made through the Colorado Healing Fund or the Boulder County Crisis Fund. And if you are feeling down or overwhelmed by last week's shooting, I also recommend checking out this UCHealth article written by Katie Kerwin McCrimmon: "'We are Boulder:' How to deal with tragedy and trauma related to mass shootings."

In an effort to better understand the needs and current economic challenges facing our state, we are launching a statewide virtual listening tour to gather ideas from communities across the state on how federal stimulus dollars can best be used to help recover faster. These events are an opportunity for the Legislature and the Governor to hear from community leaders and the public from across the State. Our primary goal is to listen. The format is intended to be an innovative model and approach to getting significant community feedback over a short time frame to inform budget and policy choices. Learn more at www.BuildBackStrongerCO.com.

Thursday April 1st at 6:00 pm Denver Metro North regional listening session: RSVP https://buildbackstrongerco.com/denver-metro-north/.

Saturday April 3rd at 4:00 p.m. Denver Metro South regional listening session: RSVP https://buildbackstrongerco.com/denver-metro-south/. 

Jefferson COVID-19 cases on the rise: Despite the majority of the state moving to a lower level on the COVID-19 Dial, Jefferson County is moving in the opposite direction. Public health officials announced a few days ago that based on the increase of COVID-19 cases, we are at risk of moving to Level Yellow on the Colorado COVID-19 Dial. If we move to Level Yellow, restrictions will increase and capacity limits will decrease once more. Health officials want to remind Jeffco residents to continue wearing masks and maintain social distancing guidelines.

Vaccines for All Plan: As part of the Vaccines for All effort, the Governor will be launching the State Community Vaccination Site at Dick's Sporting Good Park in Commerce City. All vaccines are free with no co-pay. The drive-through clinic will run from 9 am - 5 pm. Individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine can register HERE or by calling 720-263-5737. All Coloradans age 50 and older are eligible.

While I only passed two bills last week, we did hear from the Federal Department of Education that our waiver request to reduce the number of CMAS standardized tests was accepted. Also, we heard from the Colorado Supreme Court that they will be taking up our interrogatory request on HB21-1164.

SB21-185 Supporting Educator Workforce in Colorado: Concerning supporting the educator workforce in Colorado. This bill will be in committee on Wednesday, March 31 upon adjournment.

SB21-179 Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Advisory Board: Concerning the composition of the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative. This bill passed in Senate and will be moving to the House.

SB21-135 Prohibit Certain Animals in Traveling Animal Act: Concerning a prohibition on the use of certain animals in a traveling animal act. This bill passed in the Senate and will be moving to the House.

On Monday... I met with education stakeholders to discuss upcoming education legislation... I met with officials from the Department of Higher Education to discuss upcoming legislation... I met with Brett Ridgway regarding the HB1164... I met with officials to discuss upcoming health care legislation... I met with JCEA & JESPA to discuss labor issues... I presented with Sen. Hisey a Proclamation celebrating the contributions of single parents for Single Parent Awareness Day... On Tuesday... I passed SB179 on revising the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Advisory Board... I met with officials from the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative... I attended the Transportation Committee meeting... On Wednesday... I passed SB135 on exotic circus animals in traveling circuses... I attended the weekly COVID briefing with Jeffco Public Health & local/county officials... I chaired the Senate Education Committee... I met with officials from the Capstone Group... I met with constituents to discuss Hunger Action Week... I met with education stakeholders to discuss upcoming education legislation... On Thursday... I met with our Federal delegation to discuss the American Recovery Act... I attended the Transportation Committee meeting... I chaired the Education Committee meeting... I met with officials from Politicalworks... On Friday... I met with officials from the Howes Group... On Saturday... I attended the Jeffco Dems Italian Feast.

Colorado Public Radio: Colorado Can Scale Back Its Standardized Testing This Year, Federal Officials Say

Golden Transcript: Jeffco Schools accountability board calls for minimum in-person testing

BC Democrat: Millions more proposed for Colorado K-12 schools. Lawmakers seek court opinion first

Colorado Springs Gazette: Senate panel approves setback minimums for new schools

Grand Junction Sentinel: Senate moves to protect animals in traveling shows

Transportation Today: Pennsylvania to reconstruct portion of I-90

Mark your calendar for our next virtual town hall meeting! While our topic is still yet to be determined, we will have a short update from Congressman Ed Perlmutter on the latest federal recovery act.