Each member of the general assembly has permission to introduce up to five bills per session, so long as we follow the introduction guidelines and deadlines. Our first bill, known as a pre-file bill, must be submitted prior to the start of session. Our next two bills, known as regular bills, are usually due soon after session starts. The last two regular bills are typically due toward the end of the month. If a member is unable to meet those deadlines, they must seek permission to delay introduction.

Here is a list of my first five bills introduced this session and where they are in the proccess:

You may wonder why it seems as if legislators sponsor more than five bills each session. That's because legislators may also seek permission to sponsor additional bills, known as a late bill. Also, we are allowed to sponsor bills that are sponsored by a committee, such as the Interim Committee on School Finance or the Joint Budget Committee. We are also permitted to sponsor legislation that originates in the opposite chamber without it counting toward our allowable five. So stay tuned for more updates on my late bills, committee bills, and House bills! For a full list of bills introduced to date, see the bottom of this newsletter or by clicking HERE.

Joint Budget Committee Public Testimony: On Wednesday, February 1 at 1:30 pm, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) will hear public testimony on the FY 2023-24 State Budget. Open and transparent government that is accessible to the public is a key priority for us, especially when it comes to something as big and important as our state’s budget. We are encouraging Coloradans who wish to share their views with the committee to participate in person or virtually. To participate in person, come to the first floor of the Legislative Services Building, 200 E 14th Ave (Hearing Room B). Remote participants have two options: Click HERE for a Zoom link during the time of the hearing, or submit written testimony ahead of the hearing. The link to participate can also be found on the General Assembly’s webpage by selecting the drop down for “Committees”, then “Public Testimony Options."

National Unclaimed Property Day on February 1: National Unclaimed Property Day is on February 1. Unclaimed property is any kind of property, excluding real estate or anything with a property title, that is separated from the owner and then remitted to the state as unclaimed. Common examples are forgotten bank accounts, safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, unused rebate cards, uncashed checks, etc. The Department of the Treasury is the custodian of unclaimed property in Colorado, and Treasurer Young has made it a priority to return unclaimed property to its rightful owners. You can search our state’s unclaimed property database at colorado.findyourunclaimedproperty.com. For questions, contact the Unclaimed Property Director, Bianca Gardelli, at bianca.gardelli@state.co.us.

Heat Pumps for Your Home Webinar: With natural gas prices high and federal and state tax credits in place, 2023 is a great year to explore adding a new heat pump to your home. In this free webinar, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) will highlight the key points to consider in electrifying both new and existing homes — for homeowners, new homebuyers, and HVAC contractors, as well as utilities, local governments, and new homebuilders. They will also discuss the federal and state tax credits and utility rebates, which will more than cover the cost of replacing/upgrading your central AC to a heat pump system to deliver heating and cooling to your home. For questions, contact jvalentine@swnenergy.org, or to register, click HERE.

February is Black History Month: Black History Month is a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made, but also to recognize how much we still have to accomplish. The fight for civil rights continues as we work to expand voting rights and ensure every Coloradan has the ability to fully participate in our democracy. Celebrate Black History Month in Senate District 19 by supporting Black Owned Businesses right here in our community: https://www.supportblackowned.com/states/co.

JBC Recap for the week of January 23: On Monday, the JBC continued working through the Supplemental Process. The JBC heard requests coming from the Department of Higher Education and Health Care Policy and Financing (Exec. Director's Office, Med. Services Premiums, Indigent Care, Other Med. Services), and a comeback from the Department of Early Childhood.

On Tuesday, the JBC continued working through the Supplemental process hearing requests from the Departments of Health Care Policy and Financing (behavioral health), HCPF (office of community living), the Department of Personnel, Department of Education (school finance only), Department of Human Services, and Department of Corrections.

On Wednesday, the JBC heard supplemental comebacks, which is when a department "comesback" to the committee to urge reversal of a previous decision. Comebacks included: the Department of Revenue, Capital Construction, and several from the Office of State Planning and Budgeting.

On Thursday, the JBC considered supplemental bill drafts and continued with the comeback portion of the supplemental process, and considered potential legislation.

And on Friday, the JBC heard supplemental comebacks from the Departments of Corrections and Revenue and began the figure setting process for the FY23-24 long bill, considering Statewide Compensation Policies and Common Policy for Community Provider Rates.

Coming Up This Week: The JBC will next meet Wednesday, February 1 upon adjournment of the House and Senate for consideration of potential legislation, review of bill drafts, general fund overview based on JBC action to date, consideration of the JBC Operating Budget, and consideration of public testimony concerning the FY23-24 Budget Requests. For more information, click HERE to see the schedule.

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.

SB23-001 Authority Of Public-private Collaboration Unit For Housing: Concerning additional functions of the public-private collaboration unit for public projects that provide housing. The bill passed the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee 6-1 and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB23-007 Adult Education: Concerning enhancing adult education in Colorado. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee 7-0 and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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 was introduced and assigned to the Senate Finance Committee.

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.

HB23-1001 Expanding Assistance For Educator Programs: Concerning expanding financial assistance for educator programs. The bill passed the House Education Committee 10-0 and will be heard on the House floor on Monday, January 30.

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 the House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee and will be heard on the House floor on Monday, January 30.

HB23-1061 Alcohol Beverage Retail Establishment Permit: Concerning permitting a retail establishment to serve complementary alcohol beverages at a place of business. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Business and Labor 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 the House Education Committee.

For constituents who prefer a more relaxed setting, we are resuming our monthly ‘Brewing’ event where constituents can hang out and chat about what’s on your mind while sipping a craft beer. Mark your calendar now for January, 31 at 7 pm at the Denver Beer Company in Olde Town Arvada. For more information, click HERE.

The Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, known as the Jeffco EDC, has resumed their monthly "Caffeinated Conversations With the Delegation." The Jeffco EDC is excited to host Senator Zenzinger for their next event on Thursday, February 2 at 7:15 am at Corvus Coffee Roasters, 9528 W 58th Ave, Arvada. This event is open to all EDC investors. For more information, send a message to Jansen at jtidmore@jeffcoedc.org.

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.

KDVR Colorado Point of View: Lawmakers work to find solutions to Colorado’s auto theft problem

Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado school finance committee backs special ed increase, won't vote on new formula

Chalkbeat Colorado: Digital literacy, high school diplomas for adults may get boost in Colorado

KDVR: Exclusive: Colorado bill would make all auto theft a felony | FOX31 Denver

Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado would expand financial aid, loan forgiveness for student teachers

Patch: Bill To Make Colorado Housing Development Easier On State-Owned Land Clears Committee

The Denver Business Journal: Affordable housing debate kicks off at Colorado Capitol with contrasting bills

Colorado Newsline: Bill to make Colorado housing development easier on state-owned land clears committee

Colorado Politics: Colorado panel advances proposal to earmark $13 million for housing via public-private partnerships

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

January 24, 2023 RELEASE: Roberts & Zenzinger's Bill to Accelerate Affordable Workforce Housing Projects Clears Committee

January 23, 2023 RELEASE: Zenzinger’s Bipartisan Bill to Enhance Adult Education in Colorado Unanimously Clears 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: