Teamwork makes the dream work!

Today is Super Bowl Sunday where the best two football teams in America, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, will compete against each other to earn the title of NFL Champion. Neither team will be successful, however, unless they embrace teamwork. They must trust that each member will do their part, maximize collaboration, and encourage one another to stay focused on their goal.

I bring this up because I have been thinking about the concept of teamwork. You probably saw in this weekend's Denver Post an op-ed, Unveiling our bipartisan response to Colorado’s housing crisis, that my Republican colleague Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and I wrote together about our efforts to address the affordable housing crisis in Colorado. In the opinion piece, we noted that:

"We cheered during the recent State of the State address when Gov. Jared Polis used the word 'together' 13 times, most often in connection with Colorado’s desperate housing needs. 'Together' is the best description for the historical, bipartisan way we have worked with Gov. Polis to draft legislation that will incentivize cities and counties to design their futures and address affordable, sustainable housing needs."

This will not be easy work, and unlike the Super Bowl, addressing our affordable housing shortage in Colorado is not a game--it's a grave issue that demands a serious effort. As we say in our op-ed, we believe this legislative session is our best chance to advance the tireless work of housing advocates and local leaders who are committed to increasing housing options for all Coloradans. We must find a way to set aside differences and work together to find solutions to the housing shortages in our state. And I'm hopeful that if we are successful, the citizens of Colorado will be the real winners.

One final note: I would not be able to work successfully down at the Capitol without a team of folks supporting me. Below you can find two great features about the two interns that are working in my office this year, Paige Miller and Alayna Truxall. Enjoy!

I’m Paige, and I am a third-year student at the University of Colorado Denver majoring in Political Science. I grew up in Castle Rock, Colorado, and was mostly raised by my mother and her wife. Having gay parents introduced me to the issue of human rights at a very young age, and I quickly became interested in politics. Watching the rights of my family be debated almost constantly throughout the years is a major reason I hope to follow my internship with a career in public policy.

As someone working towards that career-path, an internship at the Capitol is the perfect opportunity for me to gain in-depth knowledge and insider information on the legislative process here in my home state. During my time at the capitol, I hope to not only gain experience for my future, but learn from Senator Zenzinger in whatever areas I can. Already I have witnessed Senator Zenzinger’s unwavering passion and dedication towards the people of Colorado. I am certain I will leave the capital with new goals, ideas, and a far deeper understanding of the work our legislators do.

I'm Alayna, and I was born in Colorado Springs, alongside my twin brother. My mother was 16 years old, and my father was 20. One kid per arm, my mom finished high school and continued her education, eventually receiving a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Growing up, money and food security were a struggle, but my mom always found a way. My mom taught me how to be strong-willed and a fighter, to shoot for what I want in my life. Nothing’s been easy–I didn’t have access to special tutors or extracurriculars because that was never in the budget, but I made sure to thrive in whatever I could get my hands on. The first time I ever received straight A’s was in 5th grade, where I received the Presidential Award from President Obama, and that was the first time I realized that school was where I could really succeed. From then on, I’ve strived to be the hardest-working student I could. I graduated high school with Honors and found myself wanting to go to the school that gave my mom the opportunities she needed to achieve her goals - Colorado State University.

I wanted to intern at the Capitol because the law and I have always had an interesting relationship. I’ve struggled sometimes with disappointment in the government for not doing the things they say they will, not fixing the problems that need to be fixed, or even punishing the people that shouldn’t be punished. My college career has been entrenched in political science, so I have a deeper understanding of why government can be so frustrating, and I’ve used this understanding to petition my local government to see the changes I want to see. I wanted to be an intern so I could see first-hand how legislating really gets done. Interning for Senator Zenzinger has been especially inspiring because she reminds me of all the women in my life who never stopped fighting for what they believe in. What I really hope to get out of the internship is inspiration and a newfound respect and understanding of the legislative process and how I might be able to play a part in it in my future capacities.

SB24-051 Adult Education: Concerning modifications to enhance adult education in Colorado. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate and went to the House.

SB24-008 Kinship Foster Care Homes: Concerning increasing support for kinship foster care homes. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Finance Committee and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB24-070 Remote Testing & Online Education Programs: Concerning allowing online education programs to offer remote state assessment testing to students who attend online education programs. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB24-106 Right to Remedy Construction Defects: Concerning legal actions based on claimed defects in construction projects. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee.

SB24-132 Evaluation Protections & Educators: Concerning extending evaluation protections to all educators. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

SB24-143 Credential Quality Apprenticeship Classification: Concerning credential assessment tools, and, in connection therewith, integrating frameworks for nondegree credential evaluation and classification into state education and workforce systems and aligning stackable credential pathways and apprenticeship programs with international classification standards. The bill was introduced and assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

The Denver Post: Opinion: Unveiling our bipartisan response to Colorado's housing crisis

Colorado Public Radio: Lawmakers eye fix so Colorado colleges can launch adult education diploma program

Aspen Times: Condo development could be streamlined in Roaring Fork Valley with new bill

The Denver Post: Why some Colorado lawmakers say funding for K-12 schools is at 1989 levels

The Colorado Sun: Colorado foster kids want their own bill of rights. So why are lawmakers fighting about pronouns?

Colorado Politics: Colorado Coalition of Cyberschool Families holds rally to support testing bill

BNN Breaking: Senate Bill 51: A Push for Adult Education Reform in Colorado

Chalkbeat Colorado: Lawmakers eye fix so Colorado colleges can launch adult education diploma program

Chalkbeat Colorado: Why some Colorado lawmakers say funding for K-12 schools is at 1989 levels

The Colorado Sun: Colorado lawmakers seek to boost condo development by reducing lawsuits over construction errors

The Colorado Sun: Colorado’s unused $8M in rental assistance funding could have been spent in a week, officials say

Monday, February 5: The JBC met for a presentation by JBC staff regarding mid-year ARPA adjustments, roll-forwards, and reductions.

Tuesday, February 6: The JBC did not meet.

Wednesday, February 7: The JBC met to consider figure setting recommendations for the Department of Labor & Employment. Also, member-Initiated, Funding for Migrant Students, approved 6-0, to send legislation to draft to address the influx of migrants, particularly school districts receiving students after the October 1 count that are straining budgets as districts attempt to manage class sizes and provide appropriate services for these new-to-the-country students. This legislation would attempt to address this with one-time funding that would establish a grant program in CDE, with details of how that program will operate to be worked out. The dollar amount is to be determined, but the hope is that the dollars for this program would not pull from the State Education Fund. The hope is that this legislation would run in the coming weeks, prior to the long bill.

Thursday, February 8: The JBC met for consideration of figure setting recommendations for the Treasury and the Department of Transportation, which had no R-decision items, as well as for discussion of ARPA Requests with the Department of Human Services and the Behavioral Health Administration.

Friday, February 9: The JBC did not meet.

The JBC will next meet Tuesday, February 13th for consideration of figure setting recommendations for the Departments of Military & Veterans Affairs and Natural Resources. To view the full JBC schedule, click HERE.

Legislative Town Hall Meeting: “Building A Brighter Future—Investing in Colorado’s Youth & Expanding Mental Health Services for All”



Please join us on Saturday, February 17 at 10:30 am for a legislative town hall focusing on the topic of healthcare. We'll focus on two topics: Investing in Colorado’s Youth and Expanding Mental Health Services for All. Our special guests will include Dr. Ricky Dhaliwal, MD, an emergency care physician, and representatives from the Colorado Children's Campaign & Healthier Colorado. Together, we will explore existing challenges facing youth and families across the state, as well as progress and potential solutions to build brighter futures.The location for the town hall will be the Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003 (and NOT the library). For more information, click HERE.

What's Brewing at the Capitol?

On Wednesday, February 28 at 6:30 pm, please join your me a for a casual conversation in a relaxed setting over a pint of your favorite craft beer. This month Odyssey Beerwerks will be our hosts, and YOU will set the agenda. Odyssey is located at 5535 West 56th Avenue #107, Arvada, CO, 80002. They are 21+ only, and they do not allow children in the Taproom (nor on the patio), so if you are younger, or have kiddos in tow, you should watch for our next Coffee with Constituents! For more information, click HERE.

Supplemental budget bills introduced: In January, the Joint Budget Committee considers department requests for adjustments to appropriations for the current fiscal year (FY 2023-24). These requests are known as "supplementals". The JBC reviews and approves of these requests, and then staff prepares supplemental appropriation bills for each department to reflect any mid-year appropriation adjustments approved by the JBC. Last week, the Supplemental package was introduced and successfully passed out of the House. This week, the bills will be introduced and debated in the Senate. Here are the bills:

HB24-1146 Medicaid Provider Suspension for Organized Fraud: Concerning authorizing the department of health care policy and financing to suspend a provider's enrollment if the provider is participating in an organized fraud scheme.

HB24-1180 Department of Agriculture Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of agriculture.

HB24-1181 Department of Corrections Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of corrections.

HB24-1182 Department of Early Childhood Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of early childhood.

HB24-1183 Department of Education Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of education.

HB24-1184 Department of Governor, Lt Governor, & OSPB Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and state planning and budgeting.

HB24-1185 Department of Health Care Policy & Financing Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of health care policy and financing.

HB24-1186 Department of Higher Education Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of higher education.

HB24-1187 Department of Human Services Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of human services.

HB24-1188 Judicial Department Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the judicial department.

HB24-1189 Department of Labor & Employment Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of labor and employment.

HB24-1190 Department of Law Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of law.

HB24-1191 Legislative Department Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of legislature.

HB24-1192 Department of Local Affairs Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of local affairs.

HB24-1193 Department of Military Affairs Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of military and veterans affairs.

HB24-1194 Department of Natural Resources Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of natural resources. 

HB24-1195 Department of Personnel Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of personnel.

HB24-1196 Department of Public Health & Environment Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of public health and environment.

HB24-1197 Department of Public Safety Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of public safety.

HB24-1198 Department of Regulatory Agencies Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of regulatory agencies.

HB24-1199 Department of Revenue Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of revenue.

HB24-1200 Department of State Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of state.

HB24-1201 Department of Transportation Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of transportation.

HB24-1202 Department of Treasury Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of the treasury.

HB24-1203 Capital Construction Supplemental: Concerning funding for capital construction, and making supplemental appropriations in connection therewith. 

HB24-1204 Capital Construction Information Technology: Concerning funding for capital construction information technology, and making supplemental appropriations in connection therewith.

HB24-1205 Colorado Imagination Library Program: Concerning modifications to the Colorado imagination library program to enhance early childhood literacy.

HB24-1206 School Food Authorities: Concerning including certain schools as types of school food authorities, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB24-1207 Adjustments to School Funding Budget Year 2023-24: Concerning adjustments to school funding for the 2023-24 budget year, and, in connection therewith, reducing an appropriation.

HB24-1208 Autism Treatment Fund: Concerning transfers to the autism treatment fund.

HB24-1209 America 250 - Colorado 150 Cash Fund: Concerning creation of the America 250 - Colorado 150 cash fund.

HB24-1210 Higher Education Longitudinal Data System Report Deadline: Concerning extending the deadline for the Colorado commission on higher education's statewide longitudinal data system report, and, in connection therewith, extending a related existing appropriation. 

HB24-1211 State Funding for Senior Services Contingency Fund: Concerning the establishment of the state funding for senior services contingency reserve fund, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB24-1212 Board & Committee of 23rd Judicial District: Concerning entities serving the new twenty-third judicial district.

SB24-1213 General Fund Transfer Judicial Collection Enhancement: Concerning a transfer from the general fund thttps://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1205o the judicial collection enhancement fund.

Mark McGoff endorses Zenzinger

“I wholeheartedly support Rachel Zenzinger for the office of Jefferson County Commissioner. Rachel has demonstrated leadership and commitment to public service as an outstanding member of Arvada city council and a highly effective member of the Colorado Senate. Her service as chair of the very powerful Joint Budget Committee has shown her ability and willingness to work productively across party lines. She is exceptionally well-qualified to serve the citizens of Jefferson County as our commissioner for District One.”

--Mark McGoff, former Arvada City Councilman

Endorsements of Rachel Zenzinger's campaign for Jeffco Commissioner are pouring in! To view the latest, click HERE. If you'd like to join the list of supporters, please send an email to: rachelforcolorado@gmail.com.