After nearly every tragedy where innocent people lose their lives due to senseless gun violence, you will hear people say they are shocked and overwhelmed with grief. While I was sympathetic to these accounts, I don't believe I ever truly understood what they were saying. Nothing compares to what it actually feels like when tragedies like the shooting in Olde Town Arvada happen in your own backyard. I cannot overstate how heavy it feels to lose a member of your community--someone I knew personally--in a popular shopping area, in a place I call home.

I am deeply saddened by the death of Officer Gordon Beesley, the officer who was killed in the line of duty, as well as the death of John Hurley, the gentleman who was also killed while attempting to stop the shooter. It is a new sadness, though, one that I have never experienced before. I wasn't even at the incident when it happened, yet it feels so personal. Perhaps it feels this way because of my former connection to the Arvada City Council, or because I used to teach and still substitute at Oberon Middle School, or maybe it's because I am deeply familiar with the names of the people and places mentioned in the news stories. Whatever the reason, this kind of grief and trauma will take time to heal.

Currently, the investigation into the shooting event is ongoing. For news and information on the investigation, you may go to the City of Arvada's website HERE. For more information concerning Officer Gordon Beesley, including donation information and memorials, visit Arvada Line of Duty Death. According to the latest information, the Good Samaritan, John Hurley, goes by "Johnny" and is from Denver, Colorado. The family has authorized a GoFundMe site in his honor. Please be careful about contributing to non-authorized sites, as they are likely fake.

If you are in need of support during this difficult time, there are a few resources that I'd like to recommend. For immediate assistance, contact the Colorado Crisis and Support Line at 844-983-8255 or text "TALK" to 38255. Also, the Jefferson Center for Mental Health walk-in center at 4643 Wadsworth, Arvada, or by calling 303-425-0300. Second, the Arvada Chamber and the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce have partnered together and have provided this list of #ArvadaStrong Business and Community Resources as well.

Like many of you, my heart feels unbearably heavy this week. I am devastated by the events that took the life of one of Arvada's finest, as well as an innocent bystander. I extend my deepest sympathies to their families, friends and colleagues. The only solace I can offer at this time is that we will get through it together. Healing takes time. Please feel free to lean on me if needed, and in the meantime, be strong Arvada.

RTD hosts telephone town hall: The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will host a district-wide telephone town hall on Wednesday, June 30 at 6 pm to discuss the launch of their fare study and to discuss how transit equity will be a central focus to the overall study. To -participate, dial 855-543-3425 or pre-register on listen online at: www.RTD-Denver.com/TownHall.

Independent Redistricting Commissions announce public hearings: The Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions will hold public hearings on the preliminary maps for the state's eight congressional districts, as well as the 65 state house and 35 state senate districts. These hearings will provide residents the opportunity to testify about their communities and communicate directly with the Commissions. The schedule of public hearings for the current District 7 is as follows: July 13, 2021: Arvada; July 20, 2021: Lakewood; August 4, 2021: Golden; August 24, 2021 Commerce City. Start times and venues will be announced at a later date. To learn more about how to make public comment in-person at the hearings or while attending virtually, go HERE.

Arvada Chamber of Commerce postpones Annual Dinner: Due to the incident in Olde Town, the Chamber has postponed their Annual Chamber Dinner and Awards program to August 6. For questions contact Samantha Geerdes at samantha@arvadachamber.org. Also, during this difficult time, the Chamber and the Arvada Resiliency Taskforce assembled some resources to assist that can be accessed HERE.

June economic forecast shows Colorado Comeback underway: The June economic forecasts released by the Office of State Planning and Budgeting and the Legislative Council staff, both show higher General Fund revenue compared to earlier estimates. These persistent improvements in the state's economic outlook are due in large part to federal and state stimulus dollars, which have elevated personal incomes through the pandemic while allowing Colorado to invest in stabilizing the industries and individuals most severely impacted by COVID-19. Despite the positive projections, the analysts warn of continued budget challenges in years to come and uncertainty as the economy rebuilds from the pandemic. For more information on the forecasts, click HERE.

Senator Michael Bennet's office offers assistance: Do you need help dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs, IRS, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency? If so, you are welcome to connect with Mike Washington, our Regional Representative for the Denver Metro area. Mike will meet with you one-on-one over the phone on Thursday afternoons, 1 pm - 5 pm from June 24 - July 30. To schedule an appointment, email Denver_Office@bennet.senate.gov or call 303-455-7600.

While the 2021 legislative session concluded on June 8, many of my bills were actually signed into law at bill signing ceremonies hosted by the Governor throughout the month of June. For example, SB21-268 on Public School Finance and HB21-1164 on the Uniform Mill Levy, were both signed on June 11 at the Carriage House at the Governor's Mansion. Two more bills, SB21-185 on Supporting the Educator Workforce, and HB21-1104 on Educator Licensure Renewal, were both signed on June 16 in district at the Red Rocks Community College Arvada campus. HB21-1274 on Unused State-owned Real Property Beneficial Use was signed at the Governor's Office at the Capitol on June 18, and SB21-239 on the 2-1-1 Statewide Human Services Referral System was signed at the Children's Hospital on the same day. And HB21-1094 on Foster Youth Transitions was signed at the Governor's Mansion last Friday.

A few more bills will be signed later this week: SB21-262 on Special District Transparency will be signed on Monday, June 28 at the Jefferson County Administration building. HB21-1325 which re-established the Interim School Finance Committee, and HB21-1330 on Higher Education Student Success, will both be signed on Tuesday somewhere in Aurora. And on Wednesday, June 30, SB21-238 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District will be signed in Pueblo, Colorado. All the remaining bills I sponsored will likely be signed administratively. Per our constitution, the Governor has 30 days to either sign or veto legislation, otherwise it becomes law without his signature.

SB21-268 Public School Finance: Concerning the financing of public schools, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

SB21-265 Transfer from General Fund to State Highway Fund: Concerning a transfer from the general fund to the state highway fund.

SB21-263 Outdoor Advertising Act: Concerning the regulation of outdoor advertising.

SB21-262 Special District Transparency: Concerning transparency for special districts.

SB21-257 Mobile Machinery Registration Exemption: Concerning an exemption from motor vehicle registration requirements for certain special mobile machinery.

SB21-254 Eliminate Obsolete Committee Child Care Licensing: Concerning the elimination of the obsolete advisory committee on the licensing of child care facilities.

SB21-253 Women Veterans With Disabilities License Plate: Concerning license plates for veterans who have disabilities, and, in connection therewith, creating a license plate to honor women veterans with disabilities.

SB21-239 2-1-1 Statewide Human Services Referral System: Concerning the statewide communication system for referral to behavioral health services, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

SB21-238 Create Front Range Passenger Rail District: Concerning the front range passenger rail district, and, in connection therewith, creating the district for the purpose of planning, designing, developing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining a passenger rail system and specifying the territory, governing structure, powers, and duties of the district.

SB21-232 Displaced Workers Grant: Concerning an appropriation to the department of higher education for the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative's displaced workers grant.

SB21-185 Supporting Educator Workforce in Colorado: Concerning supporting the educator workforce in Colorado.

SB21-180 Recycling and Composting Enterprise Grant Program: Concerning a report to be submitted to the general assembly by the department of public health and environment regarding post-consumer recycled content recommendations for packaging, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. Postponed indefinitely in the House.

SB21-179 Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Advisory Board: Concerning the composition of the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative advisory board.

SB21-135 Prohibit Certain Animals in Traveling Animal Act: Concerning a prohibition of the use of certain animals in a traveling animal act.

SB21-115 Annual Funding for Talking Book Library Services: Concerning the use of money in the Colorado telephone users with disabilities fund to support talking book library services for certain persons with disabilities.

SB21-110 Fund Safe Revitalization of Main Streets: Concerning funding for the safe revitalization of Colorado's main streets.

SB21-104 Sunset Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee: Concerning the continuation of the special education fiscal advisory committee, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations contained in the 2020 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies.

SB21-053 Adjustments to School Funding Fiscal Year 2020-21: Concerning adjustments to school funding for the 2020-21 budget year, and, in connection therewith, making appropriations.

SB21-039 Elimination of Subminimum Wage Employment: Concerning the elimination of subminimum wage employment by providing supports to ensure successful transitions for individuals (with an intellectual or developmental disability) currently working in subminimum wage jobs.

SB21-038 Expansion of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Concerning an expansion of the complementary or alternative medicine pilot program for a person with a primary condition resulting in the total inability for independent ambulation and/or spinal cord injury.

SB21-017 Sexual Contact by and Educator: Concerning sexual contact between a student and an educator in violation of the public trust.

HB21-1330 Higher Education Student Success: Concerning measures to support student success in obtaining postsecondary credentials, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB21-1330 Higher Education Student Success: Concerning measures to support student success in obtaining postsecondary credentials, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB21-1325 Funding Public Schools Formula: Concerning changes to the method for funding public schools, and, in connection therewith, amending the "Public School Finance Act of 1994" and establishing a school finance legislative interim committee.

HB21-1300 Health-care Provider Liens For Injured Persons: Concerning health-care provider liens related to charges for health care provided to a person injured as a result of the negligence or wrongful acts of another person.

HB21-1274 Unused State-owned Real Property Beneficial Use: Concerning the beneficial use of unused state-owned real property, and, in connection therewith, directing the department of personnel to inventory such property and use such property to promote affordable housing and renewable energy development.

HB21-1230 Create User-friendly State Internet Rules Portal: Concerning creation of a user-friendly state internet portal relating to state agency rules.

HB21-1196 Update Senate Bill 19-263 Effective Date: Concerning the updating of the effective date clause of Senate Bill 19-263.

HB21-1178 Correcting Errors in the CO Marijuana Code: Concerning correcting nonsubstantive errors in the Colorado marijuana code.

HB21-1164 Total Program Mill Levy Tax Credit: Concerning reductions in the property tax credits that apply to school districts' total program mill levies for purposes of funding the "Public School Finance Act of 1994". The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Education Committee.

HB21-1161 Suspend Statewide Assessments for Select Grades: Concerning suspending required statewide assessments for selected grade levels for the 2021-21 school year.

HB21-1156 Fix Defects Related to Severance Withholdings: Concerning the correction of statutory defects related to severance tax withholdings from a disbursement to an oil and gas interest owner.

HB21-1155 Sales Tax Statute Modifications to Address Defects: Concerning modifications to the sales and use tax statutes in order to address certain defects and anachronisms.

HB21-1152 Repeal Obsolete Capitol Dome Restoration Fund: Concerning the repeal of statutes related to the obsolete capitol dome restoration fund.

HB21-1146 Auricular Acudetox Professional Practice: Concerning the practice of auricular acudetox by a professional, and, in connection therewith clarifying that in order to perform auricular acudetox, a person does not need to be licensed, certified, or registered as a mental health professional.

HB21-1144 Bingo-Raffle Licenses & New Equipment: Concerning the conduct of charitable gaming activity, and, in connection therewith, requiring additional disclosures from license applicants and modernizing the "Bingo and Raffles Law" to accommodate the use of improved electronic aids and devices in the conduct of games of chance. The bill has been assigned to House Business Affairs and Labor on March 24. Postponed Indefinitely in the House.

HB21-1125 Suspend State Assessments In 2020-21 School Year: Concerning suspending the administration of state assessments for the 2020-21 school year. Postponed Indefinitely in the House.

HB21-1104 Professional Educator Licensure Renewal Period: Concerning extending the renewal period for professional educator licenses from five to seven years, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing an appropriation.

HB21-1099 Policies And Procedures To Identify Domestic Abuse: Concerning authorization to implement best practices for child welfare caseworkers to recognize domestic abuse, and, in connection therewith, addressing domestic abuse as a form of child abuse or neglect.

HB21-1094 Foster Youth In Transition Program: Concerning the transition of youth in Colorado's foster care system to successful adulthood.

HB21-1083 State Board Assessment Appeals Valuation Adjustment: Concerning the modification on appeal of property valuation set by the county board of equalization.

HB21-1021 Peer Support Professionals Behavioral Health: Concerning supporting the peer support professional workforce, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

SJR21-006 Interrogatory Regarding School Dist Mill Levies: Concerning a request to the supreme court of the state of Colorado to render its opinion upon a question regarding House Bill 21-1164.

You can find a full list of all my bills on my website HERE or the state's legislative website HERE.

Here are the latest press articles from this past week that touch on legislation I am sponsoring. Also, you can view the full list on my website by clicking HERE.

EIN News: SIGNED! Bill to Support Foster Youth in Transition Becomes Law

EIN News: Jefferson County Senators Respond to Arvada Shooting, Death of Officer Gordon Beesley

Fox31 Denver: Tributes pour in for officer, 'Samaritan,' killed in Olde Town Arvada shooting

Denver Westword: What We Know About the Olde Town Arvada Triple Shooting So Far

Denver Gazette: Colorado’s policy makers unite on mental health

EIN News: SIGNED! Colorado Comeback Bills to Expand Mental Health Access for Kids Increase Access to State Resources Become Law

Colorado Politics: Polis puts his signature on mental health legislation

Colorado Springs Gazette: Polis puts his signature on mental health legislation

EdSurge News: Many University Students Don’t Graduate. Why Not Give Them an Associate Degree?

Denver Business Journal: Colorado creating portal to allow more business-friendly access to state rule-making

EIN News: SIGNED! Colorado Comeback bills to address student learning loss & support educator workforce become law

Colorado Politics: Polis signs six more state stimulus bills into law

Colorado Springs Gazette: Polis signs legislation seeking to drive down cost of health insurance, prescription drugs

Colorado Politics: Polis signs legislation seeking to drive down cost of health insurance, prescription drugs

We hope you can join us at our next legislative town hall meeting for a legislative wrap-up on Saturday, July 17 at 10:30 am. The topic and the location are still TBD, but we will let you know soon!