Last Wednesday, the second session of the 71st General Assembly convened. As I listened to the opening day speeches, I was encouraged to hear the bipartisan tone of both the
Senate President and the
Senate Minority Leader. They touted joint accomplishments from last session and touched on opportunities for future collaboration.
I was pleased to have members of my family
join me for opening day
Then we heard Governor Hickenlooper Thursday deliver his very last
State of the State address. I was particularly moved when he said, "
We're here, as public servants, to make this place we love, stay a place we love; a place we can be proud of." I share these same sentiments!
Governor Hickenlooper entering the House chamber to deliver final State of the State address
Ordinarily, we don't hear bills on the floor until week two or even week three of the session. That's because it takes time for a bill to work its way through committee. However, we were pressed to pass the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact, a multistate nursing compact, on or before January 19, 2018. Therefore we took up this bill on Day Two!
The compact enables nurses to practice in person or to provide telehealth nursing services to patients located in other states. Without the compact, Colorado nurses would need to acquire separate individual state licenses in all states where they would practice. I was happy to be a co-sponsor of the bill and I'm glad that we pushed it through in time to meet the deadline.
I hope the bipartisanship we exhibted in passing this bill so quickly is a sign of positive things to come!
Meet the people who make things happen at the Capitol
I'm pleased to introduce to you my office staff who will be supporting Senate District 19 this session.
Aaron Silverstein is returning for his second year with the office. During the interim, he managed Jacob Labure's successful Lakewood city council campaign. He is our "go-to" person for constituent concerns, scheduling, and public policy. I consider him to be my right-hand down at the Capitol and I'm very glad to have him back this session!
Aaron Silverstein, Chief of State
Ruben Torresdey is a Fellow with the
CLLARO Capitol Fellowship Program. The CFP seeks to expand the potential of emerging diverse leaders, strengthen their professional skills, and ultimately help mold the future public policy leaders in Colorado. He is a student at Metropolitan State University of Denver, majoring in political science and Spanish.
Ruben Torresdey, Fellow
Kate Sneed is our intern this session. She recently completed her Master's degree in public administration from the University of Colorado at Denver, and has an extensive background in education. She received her Bachelor's in economics from Colorado College and will assist with education policy this session.
Kate Sneed, Intern
I feel very fortunate to have such highly qualified and dynamic people working in the office this year. Next week, I'll introduce you to our incredible office volunteers!
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Trasnportation Committee, Education Committee, and Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member of several interim committees including the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee and the School Finance Interim Committee.
What's Brewing at the Capitol?
Please join us this Wednesday, January 17 at 7 p.m. at Kokopelli Beer Company, 8931 Harlan Street, Westminster, 80031 for an informal gathering about the latest news from the Capitol. If you enjoy craft beer, supporting local business, and hanging out with your Senator, we hope to see you there!
Monthly Coffee With Constituents at Indian Tree Golf Club
Arvada/Westminster Legislative Town Hall
Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 20 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. for our monthly town hall meeting. Join Representatives Tracy Kraft-Tharp and Lang Sias at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St, Arvada, CO 80005 for an update on the RTD Gold Line.
Attending State of the State with colleagues from House and Senate
Tailgating downtown at Women's March
If you are planning to head into downtown Denver for the 2nd annual Women's March on Saturday, January 20, stop by our pre-march breakfast tailgate party for coffee and donuts, hosted by Senators Andy Kerr and Kerry Donovan, candidates Tammy Story and Lesley Dahlkemper, and myself. We will gather from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. at the NE corner of Lincoln and Colfax, across from the Capitol. The march is slated for 9:30 a.m. beginning at Civic Center Park, follwed by a rally at noon.
Swearing-in ceremony for
non-partisan Senate staff
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, I met with CDE to discuss upcoming legislation... I also attended the DSCF Pre-Session Event at the Cable Center... On Tuesday, I attended the Commuting Solutions Legislative Breakfast... I also attended the School Finance Interim Committee... I also attended the Transportation SMART Act Hearing... On Wednesday, I attended the Opening Day Ceremony... I also met with CEA to discuss upcoming legislation... And I attended the Colorado Restaurant Association Legislative Reception at the Colorado History Museum... On Thursday, I attended the Colorado Oil and Gas Association's Day at the Capitol gathering... I also attended Govenor Hickenlooper's State of the State Address... I attended the Colorado Mining Association Legislative Reception... I also attended the League of Oil and Gas Impacted Coloradans legislative reception... And on Friday, we had our first Coffee With Constituents event at Indian Tree Golf Course.
Delivering my third bill "to the desk" for introduction
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Happy MLK Day!
"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." --Martin Luther King Jr.
Donations
Can you help us by making a contribution? While the campaign activity has concluded, we still need your help so that we may continue keeping in touch with constituents. Your contribution helps pay for events, direct mail, the website, newsletter, and other tools that make voters aware of what is happening down at the State Capitol. THANK YOU!
