President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can always build our youth for the future." In reflecting on this past week in the legislature, the main theme that emerges for me was the presence of youth in the Capitol and the discussions they drove about our future.

In 2008, the legislature formed the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) to "examine, evaluate and discuss the issues, interests, and needs affecting Colorado youth now and in the future, and to formally advise and make recommendations to elected officials regarding those issues." In essence, we created COYAC to give youth a voice in the lawmaking process. The students of COYAC came to the Capitol this week to meet with legislators, discuss their priorities, and to witness the democratic process.

On Tuesday, SD19 COYAC representative, Karthik Reddy, shadowed me at the Capitol. He watched me successfully present and pass two bills out of committee (SB22-011 and SB22-017), attended meetings at my side, and participated in a stakeholder meeting on SB22-008 Higher Education Support for Foster Youth--one of COYAC's priority bills. It was a pleasure getting to know Karthik, and I was grateful for his counsel on a key amendment to SB22-008.

Later in the week, all the members of COYAC (including Karthik), came to the Capitol to fulfill their mission, and to advocate for the policy recommendations they helped form. This year, all three of COYAC's legislative proposals were introduced as bills. A group of students attended the SB22-008 hearing, and COYAC member Livi Christiansen, one of the main authors of the bill, delivered powerful testimony in favor. The bill successfully passed (5-2) on a bipartisan vote, and the students were visibly thrilled the bill advanced.

All in all, I cannot help feeling both optimistic and hopeful about our future, especially after witnessing COYAC in action this week. In my conversations with the students, they demonstrated a fierce commitment to their goals, asked good questions, and were thoughtful in their approach. I can honestly say that their influence and advocacy of SB22-008 made the legislation better, and for that I am enormously grateful.

Notable advocates from SD19 testify on bill: Last Tuesday, I had the honor of welcoming a number of folks from Senate District 19 to the Capitol to testify on my bill SB22-011, which will create the "America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission" to develop programs and plan for the official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United State and the 150th anniversary of Colorado statehood. Former council member, and current Arvada Fire Protection District Board member, Mark McGoff testified on the bill, along with Executive Director of the Arvada Center, Philip Sneed, Executive Director of the Golden History Museum and resident, Nathan Richie, and Jacqui Ainlay-Conley, resident and Director of the Buffalo Bill Museum. The bill passed unanimously out of State Affairs, and their testimony was a critical component of its passage!

Senate President Leroy Garcia announces resignation: Our leader of the Colorado Seante, President Leroy Garcia, announced his resignation last week in order to accept an appointment to serve the Biden administration at the Pentagon. This will take effect on February 23, 2022. This means the Senate must elect a new President. Pending the person chosen for that position, this could signal other changes in leadership as well. I want to offer my congratulations to President Garcia and I wish him well in his new position!

Military Appreciation Day: Every year, the State Legislature sets aside a day we affectionately call "Military Day" to honor the men and women of our United State military. During this time, we the Senate usually joins our House colleagues in offering a series of Resolutions that help us acknowledge and pay tribute to our nation's heroes. This year, I was honored to sponsor HJR22-1006 which recognized those members of the military who are Missing in Action and/or held as Prisoners of War. We also considered:

Jeffco Public Health rescinds orders: The Jefferson County Board of Health met last week to discuss the future of Public Health order 006, the requirement of wearing masks in all public, indoor settings. They voted to rescind that order, effective February 18, 2022. Following that decision, Jefferson Public Schools decided to no longer require masks in schools, also effective February 18. Furthermore, the school district announced that they also support an earlier recission of masks should JCPH decide to do so. For more information, click HERE.

For a full list of active bills, visit www.rachelforcolorado.com/capitol or the Colorado General Assembly's website.

SB22-008 Higher Education Support For Foster Youth: Concerning postsecondary education support for certain students who have been in out-of-home placement. Passed on a vote of 5 -2 and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB22-011 America 250 - Colorado 150 Commission: Concerning the establishment of the America 250 - Colorado 150 commission. Passed unanimously out of State Affairs and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB22-017 Fluid Milk Products Not Divisible Load: Concerning the determination that a load of fluid milk products hauled by a vehicle is not a divisible load under the vehicle weight limits permitted by law. Passed unanimously out of the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee and referred the Committee of the Whole Consent Calendar.

SB22-054 Recommend Community School For Turnaround Plan: Concerning the addition of a recommendation that a district public school be converted to a community school if the district public school fails to make substantial progress under its turnaround plan. Will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Thursday, February 9 at 1:30 pm.

SB22-064 Neighborhood Youth Organizations: Concerning requirements for neighborhood youth organizations that provide services designed for the development of youth. Due to the snow closure, the bill was rescheduled for Wednesday, February 9 Upon Adjournment.

SB22-121 Tuition Revenue Pledged by Institution Higher Education: Concerning increasing the amount of tuition revenues pledged by an institution of higher education. Will be heard in Senate Education Committee on Thursday, February 17 at 1:30 pm.

HB22-1057 Public Employees' Retirement Association Employment After Teacher Retirement: Concerning public employees' retirement association employment after retirement limitations. Will be heard in the House Education Committee on Thursday, February 10 at 1:30 pm.

HB22-1099 Online Marketplaces And Third-party Sellers: Concerning mandatory disclosures of third-party sellers selling through online marketplaces. Will be heard in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Thursday, February 10 at 1:30 pm.

HJR22-1006 Military, Veterans, Missing in Action/Prisoner of War Appreciation Day: Concerning recognition of military, veterans, and MIA/POW Appreciation Day. Passed unanimously.

I hope you will join us for the next legislative town hall meeting. We will be discussing the final Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health task force recommendations. We will meet virtually on February 19 at 10:30 am. For more information, including the Zoom link, click HERE.