CCW

Siblings in foster care experience tremendous emotional hardship, according to new Senator Linda Newell (D), but one of the traumas shouldn’t be permanent separation if children are adopted by different families.  SB09-079 helps siblings find each other once they reach 18 using information from the state’s Confidential Intermediaries program.

Bill helps children find each other when 18 or older

The state currently tries to keep siblings in foster care together, but it’s not always possible. The challenge then becomes helping the children maintain their sibling relationships.  If the children lose contact with each other, the bill allows confidential mediators to search files and allows individuals 18 years or older to gather information to reunite with their brothers or sisters.

Sibling minors not covered by bill

The bill does not address the issue of separated minors and enabling them to remain connected when adoptive parents object.  Pamela Clifton of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition cited her own case as an example.  She went to prison on drug charges after her husband died.  Her children were taken from her and put into foster care.  Her son was adopted and her daughter eventually rejoined Clifton when she was released from prison.  Her son’s adoptive parents refused visitation between brother and sister, even though both desired a reunion.

Senator Morgan Carroll (D) asked Newell to add an amendment to address the separation and reunion of minor children.  Newell acknowledged the importance of the issue, but stated that adoptive parents also have concerns that need to be considered.

The bill was unanimously referred to the Senate Committee as a Whole.

Colorado often competes with other western states to bring in businesses and jobs, but unlike other states, Colorado doesn’t give over $25 million to attract industry.  The state relies on its educated work force, attractive business environment, and quality of life. 

Competition for job creation hot and heavy among states

State Representative Joe Rice’s bill, HB09-1001, tries to even the playing field in the intense cross-state competition for jobs.  “In aerospace, Texas has thrown $10million to bring in new business, and New Mexico put up $25million to nail a deal,“ said Tom Clark of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.  Preston Gibson of the Jefferson County Economic Council cited the case of an aerospace company that picked up and left because another state “gave them a building with keys to the door.“

Strict controls on tax credits mean state won’t toss money around

Both Clark and Gibson cited tight controls on tax credits as a strength of the bill.  Businesses must first apply to get the credits, stating how many jobs they intend to bring into the state, with up to a five year time frame.  The businesses must then document that the jobs wouldn’t have occurred anyway.  Finally, they must prove that the jobs actually materialized.  Companies don’t receive the credit until the jobs have existed for a year.  The credit amounts to about 3.825 of the total payroll cost of the new position. 

The bill offers the tax credit to companies with more than 20 employees.  Clark Becker of the Rural Development Council asked that that number be dropped to 10 so the credit could apply to more businesses in small towns throughout the state.  “If a company brings jobs to one of our small towns, that’s a big deal to us.“

$16million cost doesn’t include offset from new employees

The $16million cost estimate to the state comes in part from the results of similar programs in other states, including Illinois, Iowa, and Oregon.  This amount does not reflect offsets from revenue from the new employees.  Carol Hedges of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute testified against the bill.  She argued that public spending has a quicker and more dramatic multiplier effect on economic development than tax credits. “Movement of money is the heart of our economic debate.  When recessions come and revenues fall, the legislature faces the problem of job creation.  The price of this bill will mean further hardship for Colorado families.“

The bill was unanimously passed to the House Finance Committee where it’s likely to face some tough sledding.

“Make My Day” would apply to businesses as well as homes with SB09-008 introduced by State Senator Ted Harvey (R) on Wednesday.   Senator Harvey compared the bill to the 1985 Colorado Castle Law which states that the owner of a home is protected from criminal and civil suit if the homeowner defends himself against an intruder.

Police Chiefs cite danger to public in business owner-crimical shoot out

Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified against “Make My Day” in the workplace. Beckner cited current laws already in effect in Colorado that allow people to protect themselves. Beckner testified that the current “Make My Day” statute has a lower standard for determining the use of deadly force because it deals strictly in the home, a private place not open to the public.  A public place has people lawfully coming and going, a situation far more complex than when at home, when one is aware who should be there and who shouldn’t.

Sheriffs say business owners can benefit from the Make My Day protection

Rebecca West, a junior from the University of Colorado, testified on behalf of her organization, Against Concealed Carry on Campus.  West believes that the wording of the bill allows for too much discretion in the the law.  Peg Ackerman, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, threw the sheriffs’ support behind the bill. Ackerman testified that all but one of Colorado’s sheriff’s voted for the bill.  She stated that Colorado’s citizens are responsible.  “Many people thought that the “Make My Day” law would create lots of trigger happy homeowners, which has not been the case.“

Make My Day stickers on business windows entertained

Ken Buck, from the Weld County District Attorney’s Office, though not representing the DA, supported SB00-008. Buck stated that the passage of the bill would send a clear message to both criminals and business owners of their rights and the potential consequences of their actions.  A proposal of stickers in business windows with a “This Is A Make My Day Business” was discussed.  If a potential criminal viewed this sticker on the window before smashing it in, the insurance company may not need to fix the broken glass. The bill was postponed indefinitely by a vote of 3-2. by Jesse Willis

Everyone agrees that Colorado’s infrastructure needs a serious face lift to improve safety and create jobs.  The question is over who will pay the piper.

SB09-108, presented to the Senate Transportation Committee by Senator Dan Gibbs (D), increases fees on trucks, rental cars, and late car registrations to help pay for road safety and bridge repair projects.  The bill also creates a transportation enterprise to pursue public-private partnerships to fund road projects, abolishing the current tolling enterprise, with the transportation enterprise as its successor.

SB09-108 takes on crumbling infrastructure and job losses

The 84 page bill raises many questions as it attempts to solve two major problems for the state:  a crumbling transportation infrastructure and thousands of lost jobs from the recession.  Its revenue sources will gore the truckers’ ox while providing thousands of jobs for the construction industry.

Truckers get better roads but lots of expense with bill

Greg Fulton of the Colorado Trucking Association cited problems the bill will create for truckers.  The trucking industry is already suffering business losses from the 11% downturn in freight traffic in ‘08, which is expected to get worse in ‘09.  Putting a significant fee burden on trucks will place additional pressure on trucking companies already suffering.  “Colorado used to have numerous national trucking firms, but firms have left Colorado because other states offer a better environment,“ said Fulton.  “If Colorado goes forward with indexing registration, it will affect the cost that Colorado truckers pay for moving goods, putting them in an unfair and unpredictable competitive situation.“  Toll roads would be another onerous cost for truckers, said Fulton.  “President Obama’s Secretary of Transportation does not support putting tolls on roads that now exist, only on new roads.“  The state is considering putting a toll on State Highway 93 between Golden and Boulder, as an example.

Municipalities worry about where toll money will go

Jacob Smith, mayor of Golden, also questioned certain elements of the bill.  His main concern is the lack of represesentation of members of affected communities on the transportation commission that would have oversight of tolling partnerships and construction projects.  “We need safeguards to protect the public’s interest,“ said Smith.  Senator Scott Renfroe asked what kind of representation a municipality should have when the roadway is a state highway and paid for by the state, not the local government.  Smith answered that while the roadway may be a state highway, if the road becomes a toll road, some traffic will inevitably move to secondary roads causing congestion on city streets.

Denver Chamber endorses bill for road improvements and job expansion

Joe Blake, president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, vigorously supports SB09-108.  “We need to move Colorado’s infrastructure to the next phase,“ he said.  “Our members agreed that they would pay $60/year for safer roads.“  The Chamber also supports the jobs that would come with these construction efforts, aiding in the state’s economic recovery.  Senator Renfroe asked if this is the time for the state to put additional expenses on businesses and taxpayers already stressed by the recession.  “The Chamber supports stable and sustainable sources of funding for transportation as we see the nexus between funding and safety.“

Renfroe asked if a better solution wouldn’t be finding sustainable revenue from the General Fund.  Blake replied that with a $600million+ deficit, he couldn’t see where such a large amount of money could be carved out of the general fund. 

Romer sees road improvements as 2009 replay of DIA investment

Senator Chris Romer (D) stated that in the early 1990’s the state built Denver International Airport to improve its infrastructure and to help the economy.  The initiatives in SB09-108 show the same kind of visionary outlook.  “We support DIA with a $16 fee we pay today.  This bill would have a similar positive impact on Colorado’s economy.“  Romer estimates that over 50,000 jobs can ultimately be created when all the elements of the bill are enacted. He advocates moving forward quickly on public-private partnerships to get projects moving to improve transportation safety and create jobs.  “We need to bring people together immediately to take advantage of the public-private partnerships, the P3s, to get construction going by April or May.“

DRCOG wants I70 viaduct improvements

Nancy McNally of Denver Regional Council of Governments says that DRCOG has not yet decided how it stands on the bill.  It wants more Denver metro area representation on the commission.  It also wants to ensure that if a toll road goes through a municipality, the revenue from the toll is returned to that municipality and not spread to other areas of the state.  Finally, she stated that the I70 viaduct through Denver should be included in the projects, even though it’s the most expensive of projects.  Other metro area mayors concurred that the I70 viaduct project is critical.  No discussion occurred over whether that project would be paid for by a toll.

The recession wreaks havoc on poor families, according to social services agencies across the state, and while more money may not be available to help, improved services can happen.  Representative John Kefalas’ bill, HB09-1064, establishes a task force to figure out ways to coordinate and streamline social services for the poor.  The ultimate goal of the bill is to give families of four with under $21,000 in annual income the tools to become self sufficient and independent of social services.

Number of poor has significantly increased with the recession

Mary Atchison of Larimer County, Vice President of Community Investment, represented Pathways Past Poverty which supports the bill.  “Being poor is a full time job.  It takes a great amount of time to navigate services, to determine what benefits a poor person qualifies for and when a person doesn’t qualify, getting transportation to service agencies and child care.  There are so many conflicting demands on the poor.“

Over 100,000 Coloradans live below the poverty line of $21,000 for family of four

According to Char Robert of All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition, over 100,000 Colorado families live below the poverty line.  Herb Covey of Adams County Social Services says that they have experienced a 10 percent increase in Medicaid enrollments from ‘07 to ‘08, but no commensurate increase in funding from the state.  Everyone is in a pinch.

Patricia Ramirez of 9 to 5, a working women’s group, described her own experience with poverty.  “There’s the cliff effect.  I would improve my situation at work just enough to get dropped from child care support, so that I would go forward one step and back two steps.“  She said that poverty is a balancing act, because often more money means less money for critical support services.

Children hit hard with hunger, no health insurance, and huge academic achievement gap

Perhaps the most serious problem with poverty is the effect on children.  According to the Colorado Children’s Campaign, the complicated issues around poverty contribute to its intractable impacts.  A working mom can find a job, but child care and transportation may fall apart causing problems at work.  Children in poverty are 10 times more likely to be hungry, will be much more likely to drop out of school, will not have health insurance, and on average experience a 30% achievement gap with the average white child. 

The task force will analyze the interrelated issues around poverty, examine programs, and make policy recommendations to the legislature.  The bill passed the House State, Veterans Affairs, and Military Committee on a 9-2 vote and will move to Appropriations.

Jay Marvin at AM760 started the ruckus on his morning radio show when he gave time to HB09-1032, objecting to having to show ID to a pharmacist to pick up a prescription.  The debate carried on in the House Health and Human Services Committee where Larry Liston (R) presented his bill to require pharmacists to check ID when people pick up schedule II to schedule IV drugs.  These drugs are often pain killers or addictive drugs that are easily sold illegally on the streets.

State-issued ID hard to get for certain vulnerable communities

Principal objections to the bill included the difficulty for some people to get state-issued ID, especially developmentally disabled and elderly communities.  Cathy Hazuri with the American Civil Liberties Union said that it took her three months to get state-issued identification.  For those with no records, it becomes extremely difficult.

The National Pain Foundation noted that criminal observers at a pharmacy can quickly see whom the pharmacist asks for identification.  That person can easily become a target for the criminal.  This bill “targets the person in pain.“ 

Bill would make it harder to get addictive drugs to sell on streets

Detective Rhonda Young of the Colorado Springs Police Department testified in favor of the bill.  She was a pharmacy tech before joining the police department and asked Representative Liston to sponsor the bill.  She stated that the law placing certain allergy and cold medications behind the pharmacist’s counter had greatly reduced methamphetamine production in Colorado.  She anticipated that an ID law would have a similar effect on illegal acquisition of schedule II-IV drugs.  Margaret Ackerman, representing Colorado sheriffs, endorsed Young’s argument, stating that Colorado sheriffs universally support the bill.

Pharmacy ID treats problem with hammer

Representative Anne McGihon objected to HB1032.  “It’s like a guy with a hammer who only sees nails.  This bill treats a problem with a hammer when we need to be more creative in how we address the issue.“  Liston agreed to insert two amendments.  One would allow any person with identification to pick up a prescription.  The other would allow a pharmacist who knows the purchaser to provide the prescription without checking identification.  Even so, McGihon feels the bill is too heavy-handed and would not solve the problem of kids taking their parents’ drugs out of the home medicine cabinet and selling them on the street.

The bill was postponed indefinitely.

State Senator Greg Brophy (R) went after gun safe-storage laws in the cities of Denver and Boulder with SB09-074, a bill that would prohibit safe gun storage laws anywhere in the state.  Brophy presented the bill as a response to the US Supreme Court’s ruling on gun laws in the District of Columbia.  He also cited extreme nervousness in the gun owning community since the November election.

Bill allows in-state manufacturers to sell any kind of firearm to CO residents

The bill would also permit intra-state sales of firearms and accessories, from manufacturer to buyer, regardless of federal laws regulating those sales.  Brophy acknowledged that that section of the bill would likely produce a law suit between the state and the federal government over which entity had jurisdiction over intra-state gun sales.

The Association of Police Chiefs, Colorado Ceasefire, and the Coalition against Domestic Violence testified against the bill on the grounds that safe storage is important to protecting juveniles from loaded guns and potential victims of domestic abuse.  The Firearms Coalition of Colorado supported the bill on the grounds that unfettered access to guns is a consitutional right.  David Kopel of the Independence Institute cited reports that show that violent crime actually increases when safe gun storage laws are in place.

Question:  does gun storage prevent or increase crime

Denise Washington of the Coalition against Domestic Violence cited the instance of a violent domestic dispute with a party going for a safely stored gun.  The time it takes to unlock and load the gun can actually save a victim’s life.  Senator Dave Schultheis (R) cited an opposing instance in which a young woman in a college dormitory is threatened with rape.  If her gun is in safe storage, she would have no chance against the rapist.  Washington countered that in most such instances, the woman is physically overcome and the gun is used against her.  Schultheis noted the lack of statistical evidence that safe storage prevents crime, stating that “we need to make our decisions on facts and statistics, not emotion.“

The bill was postponed indefinitely on a 3-2 vote, with Democrats voting for postponement and Republicans voting against.

Minority House leader Mike May (R) and State Senator Ted Harvey (R) want to prevent law enforcement from accepting guilty pleas from illegal immigrants if the plea allows the defendant to stay in the US.  HB09-1049 may increase Department of Corrections expenses by $7,759,132 through FY 2013-14.

Corrections cost will increase $7MM+ over 5 years

The fiscal note for the bill premises 17 additional prisoners for the Department of Corrections over a five year period.  Each prisoner costs $150,773 for the construction of an inmate bed and $30,386 per bed per year as operations cost, or $21,637 per private prison bed per year. Depending on the severity of the case, defendants will be sent to either state corrections or a private institution. According to the fiscal note, the state must transfer $1,957,034 from the General Fund to the Capital Construction Fund in FY 2009-10, then appropriate the money to the Corrections Expansion Reserve Fund.  That amount will not  be available for General Fund appropriations.

Judges will receive additional training

The bill will require additional training for judges to evaluate the reason for plea deals, a task which they do not currently perform.  They will decide

• the motivation for reaching such an agreement.
• the factual basis for the criminal charges.
• the defendant’s legal status. 

An exception to the bill will occur if a judge determines that the plea is a result of the prosecutor’s inability to prove the original charges against the illegal immigrant. Scott Stephens

State Senator Bob Bacon will attend a meeting with President Barack Obama’s education team next week.  The rumor is that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will not be reauthorized.  If NCLB is ditched, education legislation at the statehouse may significantly change.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, the State Board of Education (BOE) reported on progress on House bills 1370, 1386, 1204, 1384 and Senate bills 212, 130, 38, 129.  Newly elected chair of the BOE, Bob Schaffer, worked with members of the State Department of Education to assess progress of the legislation and on funding needs. 

HB 1386 is scheduled to receive government assistance with private funding and donations attached, making up the first $50,000 of the promised funds.  Some programs have received some grant money already and are looking to raise the rest soon.  Senate Committee chair Bacon has been personally involved in raising funds, particularly for the grants that established $25,000 towards the $50,000 needed before the government will step in and fund the rest of the program.  Some of the other programsl based on last year’s legislation have the ability to receive grant money also, so the grants portion still applies to those bills.  Given the state’s tight budget circumstances, every dollar will be carefully watched by the legislature.  Jesse Willis

Municipalities in Colorado are supposed to develop water conservation plans.  Small towns receive help for these plans from a fund managed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.  HB09-1017 allows the CWCB to roll over unused funds from year to year to support communities needing financial help to develop their plans.  The bill, sponsored by new representative Sal Pace (D), passed unanimously.

Harris Sherman, director of the Department of Natural Resources, supported the blll as necessary to the long-term, strategic water planning efforts of the state.  “This is an important bill to help the interbasin compact commission get through the 50 year planning process.  It will help us see what the state will look like in 50 years, in three of four river basins, when our population has increased by another 5 million people.“  Sherman stated that Colorado is moving from water abundance to water scarcity and we need to figure out better ways to share between geographic regions.

The bill provides financial support to small and medium size communities who don’t have the financial resources to develop the plans.  The bill will direct funds to communities in the planning queue, including Castle Pines, home of the renowned Castle Pines Golf Club, and the Town of Firestone, one of the fastest growing municipalities in the front range.

The bill doesn’t address implementation of the water conservation plans, as Colorado has no conservation requirements for municipalities, which use about 15% of the state water supply, or for agriculture, which uses 85% of the state water supply.

Representative Wes McKinley (D) did his best to warn citizens of the plutonium danger at Rocky Flats, but the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources committee will leave the warning signs to the federal government.  Scientists from University of Colorado and University of Denver think the state should go ahead and put up its own signs because they don’t trust the feds to do the job right, but the committee voted 7-5 to postpone the bill.

McKinley had support from Dr. Leroy Moore, a CU and DU scientist, Dr. Harvey Nichols, a CU biologist, and Dr. Mark Johnson, Director of Jefferson County Health and Environment, among others.  Jeanette Hillary of The League of Women Voters and Lorraine Anderson, Mayor pro tem of Arvada, testified against the bill on the grounds that local communities have worked with the federal Environmental Protection Agency to develop signage to use on Rocky Flats before it opens to the public as a wildlife refuge.

Representative McKinley wants to make sure that the public knows that plutonium, the most toxic element on earth, will pollute the site for centuries.  Dr. Nichols conducted studies in the ‘70s and ‘80s that showed that plutonium was in the air and in surface snow.  The current worry is that earth digging animals, such as worms, ants, and prairie dogs, will disturb the plutonium buried 6 feet down and bring small plutonium particles to the soil surface, which can then be breathed or internalized through a wound from a scratch.  Even the smallest particles can cause cancer and other diseases.  A primary user of the wildlife refuge would be school children.  Dr. Nichols worries that the EPA will not use the principle of maximum caution to protect the public.

Another worry is that current plutonium standards may not be adequate, as scientific studies have caused standards to become more restrictive through the years.

Governor Bill Ritter (D) did not support the bill, according to Representative Scott Tipton (R).

“My intentions are good but my timing is bad,“ said House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources chair, Kathleen Curry, about her bill, HB09-1062, to study water quality in the Piceance oil and gas field.  The bill would support Phase 2 of the study undertaken by the USGS and local partnerships. 

Her vision was too far-sighted, though, as phase 1 is still ongoing with a $1 million budget.  The purpose of phase 1 is to get a base for future water quality studies in the area.  The bill was postponed indefinitely with a unanimous committee vote.  Representative Curry commented, “I hope everyone’s happy now.“  She stated she would be back next year for the funds.

A Message from the Nation’s Capitol

Wow!!!!!  Where to begin?
 
It was a very early, very cold, very windy day in Washington DC.  I started out walking the 3 miles to the Washington Monument (my choice of viewing area) just as the sky was turning gray, about 7am.  There were throngs of people already at the Capitol building at that time, and hundreds, if not thousands walking down 17Th Ave.
 
The jumbo trons were set up and started showing a re-run about 8:30 of the Sunday concert at Lincoln Memorial, and just as Bruce Springsteen sang the opening song, “Rising”, the sun rose over the buildings and lit up the Capitol building.  The people kept coming and coming and there was literally standing room only.   People who didn’t know each other  were leaning against one another to keep  warm and because they had no choice.  I was backed up against the security railing encircling the Washington Monument, so I could jump up and sit on it.  The railing was uncomfortable and cold but it was the only way I could see the screens.  I helped some women up so they could see and take pictures.
 
Everyone was in great spirits and so happy and friendly.  The atmosphere in the city was so loving and we WERE all one.  I can’t describe it.  I met people from Ireland, England, Holland, Belgium, and Tasmania.  There were people from Kenya and Indonesia and of course from every state and territory of the U.S.  People traveled thousands and thousands of miles and all said it was worth it.
 
People didn’t make a sound when Bush Sr. was introduced, but they booed Dick Cheney and George W.  The band played louder so you couldn’t hear it on the television.  I never did hear the canons.  Either I was too far away, or there was too  much noise around me.

The National Mall is 2 miles long from the Capitol building to the Lincoln Memorial and I was in the middle at the Washington Monument on a small rise (about 1 mile from the capitol building and 1 mile from the Lincoln Memorial) so I  had an expansive view and could see them both.  The mall was closed around 11am because it was too full.  I saw a sea of people in front of me to the Capitol, and I could turn around and see another sea of people all the way to, and covering, the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  Had to have been at least 2 million.  The people in front of me were the people you see on the news waving all the little American flags.
 
The people who were turned away didn’t go away.  They went down side streets, between office buildings where they could not see or hear anything and gathered around cars where people had opened up the doors and turned on their radios.  They stood in front of anyplace that had a television, or they just stood in the cold  with no visual or audio but just to be a part of this day.  Thousands of people who had tickets, but because of some sort of mix-up with security equipment, could not get in,  joined the folks on the streets.
The wind was unbelievably cold, and yet people stood for hours just to be a part of it!

A woman at the B&B told the story of standing by a man with a cell phone, and just after Obama was sworn in that man received a text message from a friend in Switzerland saying,  “I am so proud to know an American.“!
 
I must rest now.
 
Kate

Two higher education bills will cut military and newly arrived high school seniors some tuition slack to keep them in-state for college.  Representative Frank McNulty(R) and Senator Mike Kopp(R) are sponsoring HB09-1039 that will allow military in the state, their spouses and children, to receive in-state tuition if they decide to pursue higher education in Colorado.  Representative Ken Summers(R) and Senator Josh Penry(R), with HB09-1063, want to give a similar break to high school seniors whose parents have moved to the state within the previous year.

Tuition break for military and their famiies will better Colorado classrooms

Both bills strive to make it easier for people living in the state to pursue higher education.  “How do we do our best to help our military advance their careers but by offering a small but meaningful benefit  to help the soldiers, their husbands, wives, sons, and daughters,“ asked McNulty.  Representative Jeanne Labuda(D) expressed support but questioned the impact on higher ed budgets.  “We’ll be cutting higher ed budgets so much.  And will they be losing money from this bill too?“  Republicans Tom Massey and Kent Lambert ardued that schools may actually come out ahead when students stay enrolled for the full four years.

High school grads recently moved to Colorado lose out when have to pay out-of-state tuition

Similar arguments for HB09-1063 arose.  Summers stated that students who come to Colorado because their parents move here shouldn’t be penalized and potentially forced to go out of state for cheaper educations.  Currently, students must be a resident of Colorado for at least a year before receiving in-state tuition.  The bill removes that requirement for colleges and universities that choose to accept students who haven’t lived here more than a year.  The bill will affect approximately 1000 students, according to former legislator Victor Mitchell, who ran the bill in 2008.

Bills face tough challenge in Appropriations

HB09-1039 was amended to allow colleges and universities decide whether to give military the tuition break.  Both bills were passed unanimously to the Appropriations Committees where sponsors will argue that the bills are revenue neutral.  Support for an upcoming bill sponsored by Senator Chris Romer on allowing undocumented students who have been in Colorado for more than a year to receive in-state college tuition is unknown at this time.

Coyotes are overrunning the front range, feasting on dogs and cats and occasionally taking a nip from a person’s arm or leg.  Today, a coyote attacked a woman and her loose dog in Broomfield; that incident framed the coyote discussion on SB09-027 in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.  The bill is postponed indefinitely, but it certainly caught the attention of the State Division of Wildlife and city of Denver.

Rural Senators control coyotes old fashioned way

New Denver Senator Joyce Foster presented her first bill to mostly rural senators who take care of coyotes the old fashioned way, with a Remington or Winchester rifle shot from the front porch.  Senator Greg Brophy, a farmer from Wray and champion high school wrestler, threw some take down moves on the Division of Wildlife, indicating that they have not been responsive to citizens or Senators in their wildlife management efforts.  “Now the Division of Wildlife gets it that coyotes are important,“ Brophy told Foster.  “You have to be aggressive with the Division of Wildlife to get their attention.  And there’s only one way to deal with coyotes.“ 

Senator Jim Isgar from Durango also has had lots of experience with coyotes.  “We wake up to coyotes every morning, and we don’t have sheep anymore.  People from the city have told us how to control them, and now the coyotes are in the city.“

Coyote attacks in metro area increasing as is coyote population

Senator Foster brought the bill because of the recent increase in coyote attacks on pets and humans.  According to Ashley DeLaup, wildlife ecologist for the city of Denver, more than 45 coyote attacks have been reported in the metro area in the last month.  The attacks involved cats and dogs, mostly.  DeLaup says that pets are easy prey for coyotes because, unlike squirrels and rabbits, they don’t fear the dog-like animals. 

DeLaup also pointed out that lethal control methods don’t work well on coyotes in urban areas.  “Maine attempted to kill its coyote population, and now they have more than ever.“  Trapping doesn’t work either because coyotes are too smart.  “One city spent $60,000 on traps and caught two coyotes.“

Tom Remington, Director of the Division of Wildlife, and DeLaup both believe the best method of urban coyote control is people education.  It’s important to keep pets under control, and not leave food or garbage out where it’s easy for coyotes to access.  “Coyotes adapt easily, and they get used to being around people.“  Hazing coyotes with loud noise and rubber pellets can be effective, but it’s not a long term solution.

Look big and brave when coyote approaches

If approached by a coyote, the best method of chasing the animal off is to raise hands and arms, make loud noises, and look big.  Rural senators have their own worries and control methods.  They’re concerned that if the Division of Wildlife relocates urban coyotes, the animals will become the problem of farmers and ranchers, threatening their children, livestock, and pets.  Senator Ted Harvey commented that there are no small animals left in Douglas County.  “We need a make my day law for coyotes.“

The Senators encouraged the Division of Wildlife to begin working more affirmatively with counties and municipalities to come up with control methods.  Denver now has its coyote specialist, but other cities need education and support.  Remington stated that the Division of Wildlife has 4 officers in the metro area to respond to wildlife calls and that the agency needs to build more support from communities to address the coyote invasion.

Ever wondered how much carbon dioxide you create in your house in a month?  Under HB09-1055 sponsored by Representative Gwen Green (D), your utility bill will give you that information.  Much like the Miles Per Gallon sticker on a car, the carbon disclosure would provide a number, monthly, telling you about how much carbon dioxide your residence has sent up to the atmosphere.

Utility companies objected to the bill.  Margie Christenson of Source Gas opposed the bill saying most people don’t read the fine print on their utility bills, so the effort to calculate and present the number would be a waste of time.  It’s also difficult to figure how much of energy usage is from “dirty” power such as coal.  The grid uses energy from many sources, including wind and water, that are not polluting. 

Xcel Energy explained that it is developing a more robust method to let its customers know their energy usage through a web-based tool.  The objective of this bill, however, is to make sure that everyone gets the necessary information.  If the state is going to reduce its carbon usage by 20%, people need information, according to Tim Rieder, an environmental scientist.  “This is a new piece of common terminology that will become common currency.  We need it to build an understanding of how to measure building efficiency.“

Who wants to wait behind a bus in a car?  Apparently no one, according to Lee Kemp, Chair of the RTD Board for the Denver metro area.  When cars cut in front of a bus just as the bus is about to move forward, it’s dangerous for the bus driver and passengers, says Kemp, as well as for the car driver.

“We solve problems,“ is the motto of the House Transportation and Energy Committee, led by Representative Buffie McFadyen(D).  So, Representative Joe Rice (D) surely has brought his solution to the “car yield to bus” issue to the right committee.  His bill, HB09-1027, will allow transit districts to place a “Yield to Bus in Traffic” sign on buses to tell car drivers when the buses are about to move. 

The sign will help traffic run more smoothly, help buses keep to their schedules, and reduce traffic incidents, according to Representative Rice.  The signs cost roughly $400 per bus and will be installed as transit districts can afford them.

The bill will not change current law relating to cars yielding to buses.  The bill was moved to the committee as a whole.

Carbon monoxide has been a real killer in Colorado since cold weather hit the state in December.  The Lofgren family of four, Kelly Murphy, a 22-year-old Manitou Springs mother, and Lauren Johnson, a University of Denver student, have all recently died from carbon monoxide poisoning in their residences due to faulty heating systems.

Don Johnson, father of Lauren Johnson, 23, spoke movingly of his daughter’s great promise and her planned trip to Israel to work on human rights and peace in Palestine.  He raised a $20 bill, stating that with such a small amount of money, his daughter’s life could have been spared by a carbon monoxide detector.

State Representative John Soper(D), a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, and State Represntative Lois Court (D) have sponsored HB09-1091, The Lofgren Family Home Safety Act, along with State Senator Chris Romer (D).  The bill requires that all residences sold after July 1, 2009, and all multi family residences that come up for rent after July 1, must have carbon monoxide detectors placed within 10 feet of bedrooms.  Apartment renters, not landlords, will be responsible for maintaining the detector.

New State Representative Laura Bradford(R) said that her current residence for the legislative session will not be covered by the bill, which excludes dormitories, prisons, homeless shelters, and assisted-living type residences.

Almost everyone has lined up to support the bill, including the Colorado Association of Realtors and the Rocky Mountain Home Association.  Representative Larry Liston(R) commented earlier that he was reluctant to impose more regulations on business.  Friends and relatives of the poisoning victims seemed to carry the day, however, as State Representative Joe Rice indicated that the bill would probably pass. 

The following is from a press release distributed by the office of Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.:

Gov. Ritter is proud that his Economic Development Office (Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade) is leading the charge to bring Companies to Watch to Colorado, and urges communities, businesses, and organizations to learn about the program and nominate high impact companies in Colorado.

“Colorado Companies to Watch fits perfectly with our dynamic economic strategy for Colorado” said Gov. Ritter. “These high-growth second-stage companies are extremely valuable to our state’s economy and we encourage others to get involved in making this program a great success.“

Companies to Watch (CTW) is a unique awards program developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation to honor second-stage companies that demonstrate high performance in the marketplace, exhibit innovative products or processes, or otherwise make those companies “worth watching.“ This national program has demonstrated success in Michigan, Arizona, Indiana, and is being implemented in Jacksonville, Florida. Colorado will be the 5th program in the nation with this unique, high impact goal.

Colorado Companies to Watch is a dynamic program honoring second-stage companies that are developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and building new industries throughout Colorado. It is truly a statewide effort, seeking nominations from every community; and it is not industry specific, the winners will represent a broad range of economic sectors.

Gov. Ritter urges everyone to nominate companies, and companies to apply.  Visit www.Colorado.CompaniestoWatch.org to learn more about the program, nominate a second-stage company, or apply today.  Due to incredible response, the nomination deadline has been extended to January 16, 2009.

Click here to read the entire press release.