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 invites reflection, gratitude, and resolve.

One hundred and fifty years ago, the First General Assembly of the State of Colorado convened with a Senate made up of just 26 members. They came from mining camps, farming communities, frontier towns, and vast rural counties. Among them was Alva Adams of Rio Grande County (although he represented the House), a man who would become one of the youngest Colorado governors at age 36 and whose legacy lives on today as the namesake of Adams County. That first Senate was smaller in number, but large in vision. They faced uncertainty, scarce resources, and a rapidly growing population, yet they believed Colorado was worth building.

That belief did not exist in isolation. It was fueled by enterprise, grit, and institutions that helped shape our state. This year also marks the 120th anniversary of the National Western Stock Show, an event that has long celebrated Colorado’s agricultural roots and the ranchers, farmers, and producers who feed this state and much of the nation. For generations, the Stock Show has been a meeting place of tradition and innovation, where heritage is honored, and the future of agriculture is imagined.

We also recognize the 150th anniversary of the Colorado Mining Association, an organization that played a crucial role in shaping our state. Mining was not just an industry; it was a catalyst. It built towns, funded schools, laid railroads, and drew people from around the world who were willing to risk everything for opportunity. Mining helped turn a territory into a state and a rugged landscape into a thriving economy.

Behind these institutions were pioneers whose determination still inspires us today. One such pioneer was Otto Mears, often called the “Pathfinder of the San Juans.” Mears understood that prosperity depended on connection, on roads, bridges, and access. When the original copper sheathing of this Capitol dome tarnished under Colorado’s unforgiving weather, it was Otto Mears who convinced the Colorado Mining Association to donate 200 ounces of gold to re-cover the dome. That gold, still shining above us today, is more than decoration; it is a symbol of ingenuity, cooperation, and pride in this state.

Some of those stories are not just historical footnotes; they are lived experiences passed down through generations.  Those roads were challenging, yes, but they connected communities, opened markets, and proved that bold ideas paired with hard work can overcome even the most challenging terrain.

As we celebrate 150 years of statehood, we honor the men and women who shaped Colorado, beginning with the Indigenous tribes who first stewarded this land and continuing with the diverse generations of Coloradans who brought vision, courage, and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of something better.

Part II: New Horizons for Colorado

While history grounds us, it does not confine us. Colorado’s story has always been one of new horizons, and today, new changes are coming with a new direction.

The people of Colorado are clear about what they need from us. They want a state that is affordable, safe, and full of opportunity, but are concerned about how divided we have become. They want a government that listens, that respects their work, and that understands the pressures facing families, small businesses, and communities, urban and rural alike.

Our responsibility this session is to chart a roadmap to a new horizon, one that reflects Colorado’s pioneering spirit while responding to today’s realities.

At the heart of that roadmap is a simple but urgent priority: lowering costs. Coloradans should not have to work harder just to stand still. Housing costs, energy prices, insurance premiums, and everyday necessities are stretching household budgets across this state. Lowering costs means making responsible decisions with taxpayer dollars. It means scrutinizing spending, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, and recognizing that every policy choice we make has real consequences for real people. Government should be a partner in affordability, not an obstacle to it.

Lowering costs also requires us to restore balance between regulation and innovation, between ambition and accountability. Colorado thrives when individuals and businesses are free to create, invest, and grow without excessive barriers. When we get government out of the way, opportunity moves forward.

Just as important is opening new opportunities for every Coloradan. Opportunity is the reason pioneers crossed mountains, the reason industries took root, and the reason families continue to choose Colorado as their home. Opening opportunities today means ensuring access to good-paying jobs, quality education, and reliable infrastructure. It means supporting workforce training that aligns with the needs of modern industries. It means recognizing that opportunity looks different in Denver than it does in the Eastern Plains, the Western Slope, or the San Luis Valley, and crafting policies that respect those differences.

Opportunity also means fostering an economy where innovation is welcomed, where entrepreneurs are encouraged to take risks, and where success is rewarded, not punished. Colorado’s future depends on our ability to attract investment, retain talent, and empower the next generation to build their lives here.

As Leader of the Republican Senate, I stand ready to work with anyone, regardless of party, who is serious about solutions. We will bring forward ideas rooted in freedom, accountability, and respect for the people we serve. We will advocate for policies that empower individuals rather than expand bureaucracy, that encourage work rather than dependency, and that trust communities to know what works best for them.

Just as Otto Mears built roads into places others thought unreachable, we must be willing to build pathways into Colorado’s future, paths that may be challenging but that lead to growth, resilience, and shared prosperity.

Mister President and colleagues, the gold above us on this Capitol reminds us of where we have been. The work before us will determine where we are going. Let us honor 150 years of Colorado history not just with words, but with action, by choosing a new horizon worthy of the next generation.

Thank you, and may this session serve the people of Colorado well.