Colorado has witnessed a terrifying spike in car thefts in recent months. The Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force estimates that around 40,000 cars were stolen statewide in 2022--up 12 percent from the year before. That translates to millions of dollars of stolen property, and means thousands of our neighbors lost their primary mode of transportation. Every day for months now, I have heard from my constituents in Arvada and Westminster, and from folks across the state, that we must do something about auto theft

Last week, at a press conference in the West Foyer of the Capitol building, I was proud to announce the introduction of new, bipartisan legislation that will try and address the soaring rate of car thefts in our state. In attendance were members of the Arvada and Westminster City Councils, the Jefferson County District Attorney Alexis King, Arvada Police Chief Ed Brady, Westminster Police Chief Norm Haubert, Arvada Mayor Marc Williams, and representatives of law enforcement, local governments, and victims groups, from all across the state.

The bill mainly does two main things: improve equity and bolster protections for victims, and crack down on repeat offenders. Currently, the severity of the penalty for stealing a car depends on the value of the stolen vehicle. That simply doesn’t make sense. That’s why a key provision of our bill is to make most motor vehicle thefts in Colorado a felony, regardless of the stolen car’s value. Someone who is less well-off tends to be more heavily impacted by the burden of a stolen car than someone who owns a more expensive vehicle. By removing this outdated provision in state law that ties the value of a car to the penalty for stealing it, we’re saying that NO car theft in our state is acceptable.

Our bill also works to crack down on repeat offenders by looking more closely at the circumstances of the crime, and heightens the penalty for repeat offenders. For example, when determining the sentencing level, the bill incorporates factors such as whether anyone was hurt or if a weapon was used, as well as multiple car theft convictions. While the bill firmly establishes auto theft as an offense justifying felony level consequences, it also creates a narrowly tailored misdemeanor offense for those limited circumstances where folks--most often young people--just did something irresponsible and without consent but never really intended to “steal” the car.

The bottom line is this: car theft is an urgent matter of great concern for folks across our state. No community has been untouched by this crisis, and we need to come together as lawmakers and adopt this common sense piece of legislation. There was quite a bit of media coverage about the bill. If you are interested in learning more, click HERE.

Black History Month: There is no American history without Black history. Celebrate Black History Month by learning about and honoring the contributions, sacrifices and achievements of Black Americans. During the month of February, we reflect on how much progress we’ve made, and how far we still have to go. The fight for equal rights continues as we work to expand voting rights, create equal opportunity and deliver a more equitable society for all. For more information and background on Black History Month, click HERE.

CCHE releases statewide plan: The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) released a statewide plan focused on advancing the economic mobility of Colorado's learners and earners by aligning postsecondary talent development with industry and statewide needs. The new plan, Building Skills in an Evolving Economy, sets a bold vision to increase the number of learners not being served by the state’s postsecondary ecosystem. The plan prioritizes educational pathways that are economically viable, such as those that lower costs for students, invest in proven learner support programs, and increase collaboration with employers.

Six-State Consensus on Colorado River Conservation: Last week, the six states connected to the Colorado River reached consensus on criteria for the US Bureau of Reclamation to consider in order to manage Lake Powell and Lake Mead. While the Consensus-Based Modeling Alternative still needs approval from the US Bureau of Reclamation, the language represents a major step forward. Meanwhile, as the pathway forward continues to firm up, Colorado will continue to implement the Upper Basin States’ 5 point plan and pursue voluntary and compensated options to do our part to contribute to the long-term solutions needed on the Colorado River. For more background, HERE is a KUNC report.

Property Tax, Rent, Heat (PTC) rebates now available: The Property Tax, Rent, Heat (PTC) rebate program is now available for Colorado residents based on income, including people with disabilities and older adults, to help with their property tax, rent, and/or heat expenses this winter and beyond. The rebate amount can be up to $1,044 a year for applicants. Also, for tax year 2022 only, there is a refundable income tax credit that may be available for seniors who are unable to take advantage of the senior property tax exemption. For more information regarding eligibility criteria or for instructions on how to apply for a PTC Rebate, click HERE.

JBC Recap for the week of January 30: The JBC had a light week in order to prepare for next week's supplemental bills that will make their way through the legislature. We met on Wednesday and reviewed bill drafts, considered a capitol complex memo, received a General Fund overview based on JBC action on supplemental requests, and heard budget requests for the JBC's Operating Budget. Also on Wednesday, the JBC heard public testimony from a couple dozen witnesses on the FY23-24 long bill.

Coming Up This Week: The JBC will be moving the supplemental bills through the Senate. The bills will be hear in the Senate Appropriations Tuesday morning and will make their way to the Senate floor for debate on Wednesday. Upon adjournment on Wednesday, the JBC will meet to consider figure setting recommendations for Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, Federal ARPA Funds not yet allocated and requested changes to current ARPA allocations, and Treasury. For the full schedule, click HERE.

Below is a list of bills that I am sponsoring that have been introduced and are awaiting action from either the House or Senate. For a full list of bills, click HERE.

SB23-049 Special Mobile Machinery Registration Exemption: Concerning the registration exemption for special mobile machinery, and, in connection therewith, eliminating the requirement that an owner of such machinery regularly have at least one thousand items of such machinery in the state to obtain a registration exempt certificate for the machinery. The bill passed unanimously and referred to Senate Appropriations.

SB23-082 Colorado Fostering Success Voucher Program: Concerning creation of the Colorado fostering success voucher program to assist foster youth. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services on Thursday, February 9 at 1:30 pm.

SB23-094 School Transportation Task Force: Concerning the creation of a task force to report on measures to improve school transportation. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Education Committee and will be heard on Monday, February 13 at 1:30 pm.

SB23-097 Motor Vehicle Theft And Unauthorized Use: Concerning the adoption of the 2023 recommendations of the Colorado commission on criminal and juvenile justice regarding motor vehicle offenses committed by a person who is not the owner of the motor vehicle. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB23-099 Special Education Funding: Concerning funding for special education services. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Education Committee and will be heard on Monday, February 6 at 1:30 pm.

SB23-110 Transparency For Metropolitan Districts: Concerning transparency for metropolitan districts.

HB23-1001 Expanding Assistance For Educator Programs: Concerning expanding financial assistance for educator programs. The bill passed through the House and is on its way to the Senate.

HB23-1053 Veterans' Cemetery Department of Public Safety Gifts Grants Donations: Concerning the authority to accept and expend gifts, grants, and donations, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the division of veterans affairs to expend gifts, grants, and donations in support of the western slope military veterans' cemetery, authorizing the department of public safety to accept and expend gifts, grants, and donations in support of its purposes, and creating the department of public safety gifts, grants, and donations fund. The bill passed through the House and was assigned to the Senate State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

HB23-1089 Special Education Services For Students In Foster Care: Concerning the continuation of special education services for a student in foster care when the student moves. The bill was introduced and assigned to House Education Committee and will be heard on Thursday, February 16 at 1:30 pm.

HB23-1135 Penalty For Indecent Exposure In View Of Minors: Concerning the offense classification for indecent exposure in view of a minor. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Our February town hall meeting will take place in a new location. Please plan to join us on Saturday, February 18 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003. Our topic next month will be the "Future of Healthcare." For more information, click HERE.

Over the years, I have worked with members of the media to help keep my legislative work transparent to the public. Here is a list of articles that have appeared in the media over the past week. For a complete list, click HERE.

Colorado Politics: Appeals for boosting lawmakers and state employee pay, funding for family planning top JBC public hearing

Denver Gazette: Department of Human Services seeks to increase its capacity for youth in detention

KOA Radio: State Senator Rachel Zenzinger discusses changing Colorado auto theft laws

The Colorado Sun: Colorado lawmakers attempt to tackle auto theft scourge by increasing penalties for repeat offenders

9News: State legislators propose felony charges for stolen car thieves

Channel 7: Bill would increase penalties for car thefts in Colorado in an attempt to deter criminals

Fox 31: Lawmakers introduce bill to crack down on Colorado car thefts

CBS News: New state legislation would make all auto thefts a felony - CBS News

Colorado Politics: A bid to curb Colorado auto theft

KKCO News: New car theft measure would make most car thefts a felony

KKTV: New bill would make all car thefts felonies in Colorado

KUNC: Amid spiking car thefts, state lawmakers want more severe punishments for thieves

Colorado Politics: In about face, lawmakers seek tougher penalties on car theft, particularly repeat offenders

NewBreak: DougCo Sheriff endorses plan for increased penalties for car thefts

SpotOn Colorado: Auto thefts will be felonies regardless of value of vehicle in new Colorado bill

The Center Square: Auto thefts will be felonies regardless of value of vehicle in new Colorado bill

Colorado Newsline: Increased penalties for car theft proposed in bipartisan Colorado bill

Channel 7 News: Colorado officials to unveil new legislation to crack down on car theft

January 30, 2023 RELEASE: Zenzinger, Fellow Legislators, & Law Enforcement Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Auto Theft, Improve Public Safety in Colorado

January 30, 2023 TODAY: Zenzinger to Join Fellow Legislators, DAs, and Law Enforcement Officials to Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Auto Theft in Colorado

January 27, 2023 MONDAY: Zenzinger to Join Fellow Legislators, DAs, and Law Enforcement Officials to Unveil Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Auto Theft in Colorado

January 27, 2023 JOINT RELEASE: Wednesday: JBC to Hear Public Testimony on the Budget

In an effort to be transparent and accessible, here are the events and meetings that I have attended in the last week as your state senator: