First three bills head to committee this week

When I think of the pace of business at the state legislature, the phrase "fits and starts"--irregular bursts of activity--comes to mind. For example, I have had zero bills in committee these last three weeks and now I have three bills in committee all in one week!

On Tuesday, Senate Bill 24-016, concerning tax credits for contributions via intermediaries, will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee at 2 pm. The Arvada-based Colorado Gives Foundation presented this bill idea to me during the interim. The bill concerns intermediary organizations, like foundations, to be able to offer and accept charitable tax donations, such as the Enterprise Zone Tax Credit and the Homelessness Contribution Tax Credit, and pass them through to the recipient organization. Making this change will help eliminate barriers and increase charitable giving.

Then, on Wednesday, I will present Senate Bill 24-051 concerning modifications to enhance adult education. Last year we passed into law a bill (SB23-007) that permitted community colleges and local district colleges to develop and award high school diplomas. This important legislation was a tremendous step forward for the state to deliver resources and create systems needed to support Colorado’s diverse adult learner population. This bill will clarify that the state board of community colleges and a local district college board of trustees, respectively, have the authority to approve the graduation requirements for a high school diploma that is implemented by the community colleges or a local district college. The bill will be heard in the Senate Education Committee at 1:30 pm.

Lastly, on Thursday, Senate Bill 24-008 concerning increasing support for kinship foster care homes, will be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee at 1:30 pm. The bill was recommended by the Child Welfare Interim Committee and will improve and increase financial support for Kinship Foster Care. A few of the bill's highlights include:

• Improved processes for final certification and provisional certification
• Financial assistance to non-certified kinship homes at 50% of the foster care rate
• Promotes greater cooperation and resources to assist kinship in the certification process.

For the 20.5% of Colorado children in out-of-home care who are placed in kinship foster care homes, this bill is desperately needed. Kinship caregivers are generally unpaid by the child welfare system, and we know that relatives and kin are an essential resource in the placement continuum and in the implementation of Colorado’s efforts to limit the use of congregate care and detention.

How you can get involved in the 2024 Colorado legislative session: In our town hall meeting last weekend, we reviewed with the audience ways to follow the activity down at the Capitol, including how to track bills, weigh in on legislation, and interact with your legislators. Here is a short of list of handy resources that can assist you:

• Legislative Guide: I highly recommend reading this Colorado Sun article: Colorado’s 2024 legislative session begins today. Here’s your guide to get involved. It gives a great overview of how legislation goes through the process and how you can participate.
• Tracking Bills: You can easily track bills on the General Assembly's website and you can find a list of all the bills on LegisScan. You can also view the House and Senate Status Sheets and the House and Senate Journals.
• Session Schedule: To see what is on the House and Senate agenda for the day, and/or the bills slated for committee hearings, you can view the schedule HERE.
• Visit the Capitol: Members of the public can always visit the Capitol and sit in committee rooms or the House and Senate gallery. If you visit, consider taking a free tour.
• Watch & Listen: The House and Senate floor action can be viewed online through the Colorado Channel on YouTube. Click Here for the links.

If you have any questions, concerns, or you can't find what you are looking for, please feel free to reach out to my office at 303-866-4840 or SenatorRachelZ@gmail.com.

Monday, January 22: The JBC considered supplemental requests for the Department of Human Services, Judicial and Independent Agencies, and IT Capital.

Tuesday, January 23: The JBC met for consideration of supplemental requests for the Departments of Corrections and Health Care Policy & Financing.

Wednesday, January 24: The JBC met to consider supplemental requests from the Departments of Health Care Policy & Financing and Education and for staff comebacks.

Thursday, January 25: The JBC met to review potential legislation and to consider supplemental comebacks from staff, Office of State Planning & Budgeting, and Judicial.

Friday, January 26: The JBC met for consideration of supplemental comebacks for Health Care Policy & Financing, Judicial and Independent Agencies, and OSPB.

The JBC will next meet Monday, January 29 for consideration of figure setting recommendations for common policies and as necessary to finalize supplemental requests. To view the full JBC schedule, click HERE.

SB24-016 Tax Credits for Contributions via Intermediaries: Concerning qualification for state income tax credits for charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations, and, in connection therewith, authorizing a taxpayer to make a charitable contribution for which the taxpayer may claim a state income tax credit to a charitable recipient organization through a qualified intermediary that forwards the contribution to the charitable recipient organization and allowing a tax credit certificate for the Colorado homeless contribution tax credit to include only the last four digits, rather than all digits, of a taxpayer's social security number. The bill will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on January 30 at 2 pm.

SB24-051 Adult Education: Concerning modifications to enhance adult education in Colorado. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

SB24-008 Kinship Foster Care Homes: Concerning increasing support for kinship foster care homes. The bill will be heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on February 1 at 1:30 pm.

SB24-070 Remote Testing & Online Education Programs: Concerning allowing online education programs to offer remote state assessment testing to students who attend online education programs. The bill was assigned to the Senate Education Committee on February 5 at 1:30 pm.

KOAA Colorado Springs: A look into the state law that caused Colorado condo supply to drop

Vail Daily: Colorado Mountain College offers new pathway to high school diplomas for adults who need them

Grand Junction Sentinel: Construction defects law needs tweaks to function as intended

Chalkbeat Colorado: Five things to know about how Colorado leaders propose to reshape workforce education

Ark Valley Voice: Getting Ready to Celebrate Colorado's 150th Birthday

January 25, 2023 Governor Polis Signs Executive Order to Support America 250-Colorado 150 Commission

January 22, 2024 Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Higher Education Celebrate First Graduates of CORE Initiative

A Chocolate Affair

A Chocolate Affair is a fundraiser to help stop child abuse in our community. All proceeds benefit Ralston House, a local nonprofit that provides a safe and healing place for over 1,200 children and families who have been victims of abuse. The event will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 11 am - 1 pm in Olde Town Arvada. Samples are $1 each and you may pick up your pre-purchased tickets at the Ralston House blue tent in Olde Town Square at the corner of Olde Wadsworth and 57th Ave anytime after 10:45am on Saturday, February 3. Walk-up tickets will also be available. For more information on the activities and participating locations, click HERE.

Legislative Town Hall Meeting: Healthcare



Please join Sen. Zenzinger, Rep. Daugherty, Rep. Bird, and Rep. Titone on Saturday, February 17 at 10:30 am for a legislative town hall focusing on the topic of healthcare. The location for the town hall will be the Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003 (and NOT the library). For more information, please go to my website or click HERE.

Visiting with Mountain area Democrats: I had the privilege of heading up to the Foothills Saturday morning to visit with the Mountain area Democrats about my campaign for county commissioner. It was a chilly morning at the United Methodist Church in Evergreen, but the discussion was hot! I introduced myself to the group and gave an overview of the legislation I will be sponsoring this year. Joining me at the meeting was our Jeffco Treasurer, Jerry DiTullio, who discussed Jeffco property taxes. Treasurer DiTullio also promoted his new YouTube video on property taxes. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the residents and issues of our mountain areas of Jeffco!

Commissioner Andy Kerr endorses Zenzinger

“Rachel brings a huge amount of energy and integrity to any project, and I know we are going to accomplish more than ever on behalf of the people of Jefferson County.”

—Andy Kerr, Jefferson County Commissioner

Endorsements of Rachel Zenzinger's campaign for Jeffco Commissioner are pouring in! To view the latest, click HERE. If you'd like to join the list of supporters, please send an email to: rachelforcolorado@gmail.com.