I've made this an annual tradition for 5 years now. The weekend of the Ac ademy Awards I compile my own list of Oscar winners, all drawn from the c urrent session of the Colorado General Assembly. I have fun with this. Some of the content is inside baseball, some tongue-in-cheek. It's all meant to be fu n and informative, highlighting the best, the best of the worst and some int eresting things in between. I hope everyone enjoys the awards!

 

Envelope please!  And without further aideu, the winners are:

BEST SET DECORATION

Colorado Senate Chamber 

Renovation of the House & Senate Chambers at the Capitol were completed last fall and this is the first session in the fully restored splendor of the original style of the Chambers. The deep red clay color of the walls in the Senate is trimmed lovingly in peach and cream details on columns and capitals. The gilded cupola with skylight above is dazzling and sets off the massive chandelier to impressive effect. Anyone who wants to visit us at the Capitol and be invited into the Chamber for a peek, please let us know. If you haven't been the to Capitol for a while, my set is amazing. You should come see this year's award winner.

This is the Senate's second nomination and second award in this category. 

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

Rainbarrels 2

Rep. Daneya Esgar and Rep. Jessie Danielson are back with a renewed drive to legalize residential rainbarrels in Colorado. HB 1005 is supported by conservation groups but opposed by some agricultural and other water interests. For some reason the idea of collecting the rain that falls on the roof of your house is controversial, but we're the only state that doesn't allow the practice. It's a lively and animated debate at the Capitol, making it this year's winner. I'm hoping I get to vote for rainbarrels this year. 

This is Rainbarrels' second nomination and first award in this category.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sen. Lucia Guzman

The Senate Minority Leader is a shepherd to her flock, supporting them as they each find their moments to shine. She plays a key link to the Republican leadership, negotiating scheduling, toes that have been stepped on, and opportunities for Democratic values to be heard. At the center of it all, her diplomatic approach has kept doors open and relationships cordial. Perfectly cast for her leadership role, the Reverend Lucia Guzman speaks for so many, calling for justice, equality and dignity for all. Her contributions have been critical to the success of the Democratic Caucus, turning in a surprisingly strong performance this year and making her a crowd pleaser.

This is Sen. Guzman's first nomination and first award in this category.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sen. Jessie Ulibarri

He serves as Caucus Chair for the Senate Democrats and is one of the team's strongest advocates for the civil rights of low-income people, communities of color and other marginalized groups. He's also the brains behind much of the messaging and strategy for the caucus, reflective of his experience as a political organizer. A growing chorus cheered loudly, lustily and long last Friday to acknowledge his many accomplishments as news spread of Sen. Jessie Ulibarri's surprise announcement that he would not seek reelection to a second term this November. He's got a young family, he explained, and he's taking a big promotion at Wellstone Action, a national political organizing force. Widely expected to have been the next Senate Majority Leader if Democrats win back control of the chamber, he pushed an aggressive progressive agenda that made him a nuisance to some and the champion of many. He's going to leave big shoes to fill, but Rep. Domenick Moreno has stepped up to run for the SD 21 seat. Sen. Ulibarri has been a dedicated and effective advocate for the working-class values and people of the Adams County neighborhoods he represents. He will win lots of awards.

This is Sen. Ulibarri's first nomination and first award in this category.

BEST COMEDY SERIES

Hummers

They're all going to laugh at you! And that's the point this year-end annual tradition played out on the House floor without the cameras running. Part spoof, part send-up, with healthy doses of camp and snark on the side, Hummers is a production of the House Minority Caucus, usually about an hour-long and filled with song, dance and bawdy humor at the majority party's expense. Most of all, I love it when Republican men do drag, and it seems almost every year they can't help themselves. Often styled loosely on a popular musical, the costumes are sad, the props made of cardboard and the screenplay not ready for prime time, but it's the spirit that counts, and the occasional zinger. We have a winner!

BEST TRAGEDY SERIES 

Transparency Bills Fail

Access to digital records of government data is a hotly debated issue, as technology moves faster than the law. SB 37 tried to address these gaps in the Colorado Open Records Act, but it failed in the Senate kill committee. Another high-profile transparency bill has also stalled in that same committee. SB 38 would make Community Centered Boards, nonprofit providers of government services, subject to audits and open record requests under CORA. Transparency and accountability are victims in this tragic turn of events.

BEST HORROR STORY

The Zombie Bills

They may be appear to be alive, making their way through the process, still walking the hallways of the Capitol, but everyone knows these bills are already dead. Partisan legislation that comes hurling out of one chamber only to immediately be defeated in the other, now nicknamed "Zombie Bills" by astute Capitol bureau reporters. Such is the sport of a divided legislature. These walking dead zombie bills bleed both red and blue. Examples include Republican bills SB 112 (reduce voting access), SB 70 (right to work for less), and SB 17 (liberalize concealed weapon permits); and Democratic bills like HB 1274 (immigrant drivers licenses), HB 1275 (close off-shore tax havens) and  HB 1001 (equal pay). 

The Zombie Bills get nominated every year in this category.

BEST EDITING

Sen. Mark Scheffel

Careful editing helps focus attention on the message of a production. It makes the action flow, cuts out unnecessary scenes and keeps us on time. One of many responsibilities of the Senate Majority Leader is to manage the calendar, controlling what happens on the Senate floor. Much has been left on the cutting room floor that is his corner office with a west-facing view. His deft editing skills have ironed-out many a wrinkle, his motions to proceed out of order have avoided pitfalls and hurt feelings, his hand is all over the print of the film. Proper editing improves everyone's performances.

This is Sen. Scheffel's first nomination and first award in this category.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

The Wedding of John and Robin Hickenlooper

Like most short films, if you don't catch it right when it's happening you probably didn't know that it did. And perhaps that's maybe their point. Some stories play best to smaller audiences, which is how this private nuptial became a contender in this category. It's here, it flares up and burns hot, and then it's gone. A tidy little story with a satisfying ending. The official wedding portrait is beautiful and the handsome couple both look very happy. Congratulations to the winners!

BEST LOGO

Scientific & Cultural Facilities District

That adorable polar bear shows up in all the right places. Popsicle the Polar Bear is everywhere: your favorite community theatre, sponsoring programs for kids, on the door of the museum, printed on the program you saved and took home. SCFD wins kid's hearts and imaginations and brings vibrancy and tourists to our economy. The polar bear logo embodies the spirit and appeal of the 7-county taxing district. It's been a winner for a long time. SB 16 is also a winner - it passed the Senate last week on a vote of 28 to 6. Special thanks to Senate President Bill Cadman for his co-sponsorship of this important bill.

THE LESS IS MORE AWARD

Rep. Kim Ransom

Each year I recognize a legislator that uses one of their bills to repeal something. I've repealed many things during my years in the Senate, and I've given this award to myself in the past. This year's award goes to Rep. Kim Ransom for her sponsorship of HB 1081, repealing obsolete sections of the Medicaid laws. Honorable mention to co-sponsor Rep. Daneya Esgar.  

This is Rep. Ransom's first nomination and first award in this category. Careful though - turns out last year's winner had a one-year repeal clause.

BEST SONG

Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt

For the second year in a row the House has heard a clever rendition of a Beatles tune fashioned into the motion to approve the Journal. This routine bit of legislative business takes place each morning, affirming the official record of votes and actions of the Colorado House of Representatives of the previous day. Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt, who isn't a bad singer, has changed the lyrics to popular Beatles songs when it was his turn to make the motion for the Journal and then belted it out. His funny and endearing take on " Yellow Submarine" amused and delighted members and visitors alike. His performance of "Yesterday" in 2015 came too late for the awards cut-off, but this year he didn't get snubbed, he's a winner.

This is Rep. Klingenschmitt's first nomination and first award in this category. Last year he won the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. 

 

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A REPUBLICAN ACTING LIKE A DEMOCRAT

Senator Larry Crowder

You've gotta love Sen. Larry Crowder. His voting record, his sentiment, his thoughtfulness, all carefully studied from the Democratic playbook. But his performance (@SenatorCrowder) this year in an impromptu Twitter war is awarding winning. His demeanor was authentic, with clear disdain for the 1%, his tone and delivery perfect for the medium. "Go home AFP" he tweeted on Thursday evening after he was the subject of a barbed, venomous tweet from the Koch Brothers' propaganda machine questioning not only his position on taxes but also his ethics. What ensued was classic Crowder, firing back by calling AFP "a puppet for out of state billionaires." But he wins the award for this: "All politicians have 2 choices, side with the people or special interest. Sorry AFP, I choose the people."

This is Sen. Crowder's first nomination and first award in this category.
 

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A DEMOCRAT ACTING LIKE A REPUBLICAN

Rep. Angela Williams  

Chair of the influential House Business Affairs & Labor Committee, Rep. Angela Williams, is the winner of this year's coveted award. Critics called her performance "brilliant, vivid, something made of music and fire." Whether it's telecommunications or banking, Rep. Williams is taking care of business. "I am the business champion at the statehouse now," she recently told the Colorado Statesman. Her fondness for cigars makes her right at home on the swankiest locations. A casting director's favorite, she moves with ease through a tangle of Republican lobbyists. Yet her strong positions on police accountability, civil rights, equal pay and living wages allow her Democratic values to shine through. Bravo!

This is Rep. Williams' fourth nomination and first award in this category. 

 

BEST DIRECTOR
Americans for Prosperity

All the world's a stage, but not all dramas are equally well directed. The ability to conjure up emotions and draw audiences to unbelievable conclusions is something we admire in directors. They can take us to far away places and back to the days of lore. This is the craftsmanship in AFP and their demanding control of the Colorado Senate. Speaking at a recent rally at the Capitol with dozens of AFP activists in attendance Senate President Bill Cadman thanked AFP and credited them for his one-seat Republican majority: 

"I don't think I would be the president of the Senate if it wasn't for the efforts you and yours did over the previous elections. And we look forward to continuing our partnership with you." 

It's clear who's calling the shots, framing the scene and keeping the producers happy. And despite a penchant for attacking their own and a ham-handed performance alongside Sen. Crowder in his award winning turn, AFP is an industry powerhouse deserving of this year's award.

This is AFP's third nomination and first award in this category.
 

BEST PICTURE 

I took this picture from the window of my office in the Legislative Services Building just a week or so ago. A fantastic Colorado sunset, custom-made for Bronco fans. The sky was absolutely glowing, the colors dazzling and bright. It's worth sharing, and I hope you enjoyed the awards!

• Morey Middle School, 840 E. 14th Ave., Denver
• DCIS, 574 W. 6th Ave., Denver
• Hill Middle School, 451 Clermont St., Denver
• Bromwell Elementary School, 2500 E. 4th Ave., Denver
• Lowry Elementary School, 8001 E. Cedar Ave., Denver
• George Washington High School, 655 S.Monaco Pkwy, Denver
• Windsor Gardens Centerpoint, 595 S. Clinton St., Denver
• Denver Green School, 6700 E. Virginia Ave., Denver
• East High School, 1600 City Park Esplanade, Denver
• Hamilton Middle School, 8600 E. Dartmouth Ave., Denver
• Thomas Jefferson High School, 3950 S. Holly St., Denver

IN THE NEWS

Corpse Tampering Bill Survives the Senate

by Marianne Goodland, The Colorado Independent, February 25, 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS 

  

STAY IN TOUCH   

  

Thanks for reading this update, and please don't hesitate to drop me a line with any questions or concerns you may have. You can use the links below to follow me on Twitter or like my page on Facebook. Let's stay in touch!

 

Pat Steadman