We had a steady stream of teachers and students pour into the Capitol last week. Rather than the usual goal of increasing teacher pay or reducing testing mandates, they came to lobby legislators for better funding and to support the package of gun safety legislation recently introduced.

In the mid-2000's, during the great recession, legislators were not able to fully implement Amendment 23, a constitutional provision that says base per pupil funding must increase by inflation plus 1 percent for 10 years through FY 2010-11, and at the rate of inflation thereafter. Instead, they created a "factor" within the school finance formula now known as the Budget Stabilization Factor (formerly the Negative Factor). That factor, also known as the BS Factor (BSF), deducts a percentage of the total funding generated by the formula. (For more on how the BSF and Amendment 23 influence school funding, click HERE.)

The BSF percentage grew to its highest level (over a billion dollars) in FY 2012-13 (excluding the 2020-21 pandemic year), and has slowly decreased ever since. Currently, the BSF is approximately $321.3 million, the lowest level since its inception. In the Governor's original FY 2023-24 budget request, he proposed buying down the BSF by $35 million. Later, in his supplemental package, he increased the proposed reduction to $120.0 million, which would bring down the BSF to $201.2 million in FY 2023-24.

Educators who came to the Capitol last week were mainly lobbying for a buy down of the BSF. They pointed out that in the fourteen years of the BSF application, the total amount deducted from school funding since its inception has totaled over $9 billion.

Students, on the other hand, rallied at the Capitol for a different reason--to protest gun violence. On Friday, after the death of their classmate, Luis Garcia, over 1000 students from Denver's East High School staged a walkout and gathered at the State Capitol to call for change. From the West Steps, they chanted “No more silence! End gun violence!” Later, students came into the building and filled up the House and Senate galleries.

Led by the Denver East High School chapter of Students Demand Action, they joined several other advocacy groups, like Moms Demand Action, in support of a package of gun safety bills that were introduced last week. In a statement later released by Everytown, they captured the comments of Clara Taub, one of the student leaders: “Earlier this week, the nightmare we’ve been preparing for became a reality when our classmate, Luis, was taken by a senseless act of gun violence. Today, we walked out of school and showed up at the state capitol to send a clear message to Colorado lawmakers — we can and we must do more. Now is the time to strengthen our gun laws.”

As a former teacher and parent of school-aged children, I was deeply affected by the advocacy of the teachers and students last week. Their personal stories and passionate pleas were touching and thoughtful. Obviously, I am but a single lawmaker, so I cannot solely guarantee change. Neverthelss, I do feel as if their activism helped move a large majority of legislators to work harder to find solutions.

Every year, I have the privilege of welcoming a new group of interns to our office. It's my pleasure to introduce our 2023 group, beginning with Natalie Delman.

Natlie comes to us from the Colorado State University internship program, a competitve opportunity for students to assist and support elected leaders at the Capitol. She is a senior at Colorado State University studying Economics and Political Science.

Natlie chose to intern for our office due to her focus on education and the state budget. She is grateful for the opportunities she has been given to work on legislation and watch governing up close. She is active with several organizations on campus, including Students for Holocaust Awareness where she was instrumental in organizing their Holocaust Awareness Week at CSU.

After graduation this spring (Summa Cum Laude), Natalie plans to work in public service and replace the end of homework assignments with hiking.

Joint Select Committee Taking Public Comment: The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates announced the Committee’s invitation for public comment. Members of the public may submit comments on how recent utility rate increases have impacted them, as well as suggestions for topics or issues related to the recent rise in utility rates. The Joint Select Committee on Rising Utility Rates will hold their inaugural meeting on Tuesday, March 7th at 2:00 PM in the Old State Library. Submissions should be send to: energybills@coleg.gov.

DMV Reveals 150th Anniversary License Plates: Gov. Jared Polis and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the winners of the state's 150th anniversary license plates last week. Over 34,000 Coloradans voted in the statewide design contest. Evan Griesheimer, of Denver, won the 13+ Division with 15,697 votes or 46.13% of the total. Calista Blaschke, of Denver, won the U13 Division with 21,633 votes or 63.58% of the total. For more information, click HERE.

New Tool Assists Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans: Every Coloradan deserves equal access to essential state services. That's why the State of Colorado is thrilled to offer a new service for blind and low-vision Coloradans called Aira. Lt. Governor Diane Primavera announced the launch of Aira last week and shared details about the technology and its benefits via this video. Aira is an app that provides live, on-demand visual interpreting through human-to-human assistance. Coloradans are eligible for free access for up to 30 minutes per session while navigating state locations, websites and applications. For more information, click HERE.

Women's History Month: March marks the beginning of Women's History Month, a time for us to celebrate the women who came before us and shaped our history, paving the way for today's women to succeed and for future generations to break glass ceilings! We are very proud of the historic number of women in the Colorado Legislature. Colorado women have made a profound impact on our state and our country. For ideas on how you can celebrate Women's History Month all month long, click HERE.

Adult Mental Health First Aid: We’ve all heard of CPR. And because of it, many of us know what to do if someone is having trouble breathing. But, do you know what to do if someone around you is having a panic attack or suicidal thoughts? Mental Health first aid is an evidence-based, public health training program that teaches participants the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges or crisis, what to do in an emergency, and where to turn for help. Community Reach Center is offering a FREE Adult Mental Health First Aid class on Friday, March 10 from 9 am - 5 pm at the Platte Valley Medical Center,1600 Prairie Center Pkwy, Brighton 80601. If interested in signing up, click HERE.

Arvada Chamber opens up nominations to honor women: In honor of Women’s History Month, the Arvada Chamber of Commerce has opened up nominations for "Badass Women of Arvada." In addition, the chamber plans to highlight women leaders in business, non-profits, and our community throughout the month of March. As part of Women's History Month, the Arvada Chamber plans to include weekly spotlights for construction, hospitality, and healthcare professionals, as well as an exclusive networking event for those recognized. To nominate a woman to be recognized, click HERE. Nominations will be accepted through March 17, 2023 at 5:00 PM.

JBC Recap for the week of February 27: On Monday, the JBC considered figure setting recommendations for the Legislative Branch and the Department of Public Health & Environment. On Tuesday, the JBC considered figure setting recommendations for the Departments of Public Safety, Personnel, and for Operating Common Policies. On Wednesday, the JBC reviewed bill drafts and continued the Department of Personnel and considered figure setting recommendations for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. On Thursday, we revisited delayed figure setting recommendations for the Department of Public Health and Environment and considered figure setting recommendations for the Judicial Department and the Department of Agriculture. Finally, on Friday, the JBC considered figure setting recommendations for the Department Human Services, as well as the Behavioral Health component of CDHS.

Coming Up This Week: The JBC will enter into our final week of figure setting. We will meet on Monday, March 6 to consider figure setting recommendations for Capital Construction and the Department of State. To see the full schedule or view the JBC documents, click HERE.

Mark your calendar now for our next town hall meeting! Please plan to join us on Saturday, March 18 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003. The topic for March will be the State Budget proposal. For more information, click HERE.

February 28, 2023 Colorado Politics: Colorado lawmakers propose making all auto theft a felony, regardless of vehicle value

February 28, 2023 Denver Post: Will Colorado’s car theft bill do enough to curb state’s record rate of theft? Measure advances, despite doubts

March 2, 2023 Colorado Public Radio: Bill for tougher auto theft penalties advances at Colorado legislature

March 2, 2023 Colorado Politics: Metro district bill would protect homeowners

March 2, 2023 Colorado Newsline: Bipartisan Colorado car theft bill advances through state Senate committee

March 2, 2023 Kiowa County Press: 'A message to criminals': Auto theft bill advances in Colorado Senate

March 5, 2023 Denver 7 News: Denver PD announces car tracking program to curb auto thefts, quickly find stolen cars

February 27, 2023 RELEASE: Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Auto Theft, Improve Public Safety in Colorado Earns Committee Approval

March 1, 2023 Gov. Polis Signs Budget Supplemental Bills Into Law

March 3, 2023 Gov. Polis Signs Bipartisan Bill Into Law Making Behavioral Health Care More Accessible for Coloradans

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 will be heard in Senate Appropriations on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 am.

SB23-094 School Transportation Task Force: Concerning the creation of a task force to report on measures to improve school transportation. The bill will be heard in Senate Appropriations on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 am.

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 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously and was referred to Senate Appropriations. The bill will be heard on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 am.

SB23-155 Sunset Continue Nursing Home Administrators: Concerning the continuation of the regulation of nursing home administrators, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations in the 2022 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies. The bill passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously and was referred to Senate Appropriations. The bill will be heard on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 am.

HB23-1001 Expanding Assistance For Educator Programs: Concerning expanding financial assistance for educator programs. The bill was rescheduled for Wednesday, March 15 at 1:30 pm in the Senate Education Committee.

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 was sent to the Governor.

NEW! HB23-1228 Nursing Facility Reimbursement Rate Setting: Concerning nursing facility reimbursement rate setting. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee.

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: