Recent News
Colorado single-payer study lacks transparency
By Senator Lisa Frizell Coloradans have a right to expect transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility from public institutions. Unfortunately, the ongoing single-payer health care study commissioned last year under SB25-45 is raising more questions than...
Colorado is turning its back on agriculture
By Senator Byron Pelton Colorado’s farmers and ranchers already face significant challenges, including volatile commodity prices, rising input costs, labor shortages and unpredictable weather. They should not also have to contend with a state legislature that...
Clearing the path to modernize mental health care in Colorado
By Janice Rich and Matt Soper There is a mental health crisis unfolding in Colorado — a microcosm of a larger issue that is going on in America. According to Mental Health America, 26% of Colorado adults struggle with mental illness. Over the past 20 years, the...
Colorado House and Senate Republicans Open 2026 Legislative Session Focused on Affordability, Safety, and Opportunity
(Denver, CO – January 14, 2026) – Colorado House and Senate Republicans today opened the 2026 legislative session by outlining a unified vision centered on restoring affordability, strengthening public safety, protecting parental rights, and expanding...
Opening Day Speech by Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson
Mister President, members of the Senate, distinguished guests, and the people of Colorado: As we open the 2026 legislative session, we do so at a remarkable crossroads in Colorado’s story. This year marks Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood, a milestone that...
Senate Republicans Announce Updated 2026 Committee Appointments
DENVER – Today, Minority Leader Simpson announced updated committee assignments for the Second Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly. Bold denotes ranking member Agriculture & Natural Resources, 7 members (4-3) Senator Rod Pelton (R – Cheyenne Wells) ...
Former Colorado State Senator Lewis H. Entz passed away at the age of 94.
Denver, Colorado — It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Lewis H. Entz, a respected public servant who dedicated decades of his life to the State of Colorado and served his community with distinction in both legislative and civic roles. Senator...
Rural Colorado health care receives the attention it deserves
By Senator Marc Catlin A $50 billion investment to fund rural health care was in jeopardy in mid-October, when members of the U.S. Senate attempted to strip out the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program in exchange for opening the U.S. government. The RHT program...
Rich: Fund It or Fix It—Where government meets the people
By Senator Rich, Representative Taggart, and Representative Soper When lawmakers pass a new bill, there’s one question we should all ask before we vote: Who’s going to pay for it? Too often, that question goes unanswered. Across Colorado, local governments are being...
Senate Republicans Reveal 2026 Committee Appointments
DENVER – Today, Minority Leader Simpson announced new committee assignments for the Second Regular Session of the 75th General Assembly. Bold denotes ranking member Agriculture & Natural Resources, 7 members (4-3) Senator Rod Pelton (R – Cheyenne Wells) ...
Republican Leaders Condemn Democrats’ Mismanagement of Budget Crisis
Denver, CO – September 4, 2025 – Republican legislative leaders pushed back against the Democratic claims found in the Executive Committee memo that the state’s fiscal challenges stem from H.R. 1, emphasizing instead that Colorado’s budget instability is the direct...
Senate Republicans Slam Governor Polis for Putting Politics Over People
DENVER – Governor Polis has once again proved that when faced with tough choices, he’ll sacrifice Colorado’s most vulnerable before reigning in his own politically-charged, wasteful spending. Today, with the stroke of a pen, Governor Polis issued an executive order...