Opinion Editorials
Opinion editorials written by Senators and staff do not necessarily reflect the position of the entire caucus.
Colorado’s creative economy needs a business structure that actually fits
I’ve seen it my whole life. I grew up on a farm in Montrose County, and I’ve spent my career working in agriculture, water, banking and small business. No matter the industry, the basics are the same. If you want something to last, you need a system that matches how...
Democrats are Proposing a Dangerous Income Tax Increase Under the Guise of Funding Education
Colorado families are being asked to believe a familiar lie; the only way to fund education is to let politicians take and keep more of your money — forever. Senate Bill 135 is disingenuous and is not a serious education plan. It is a backdoor attack on TABOR...
Colorado Deserves Better
The trajectory constructed over the last seven years is troubling By Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson Colorado has historically valued independence, controlled spending, and respect for limits on government. As Senate Minority Leader, let me be clear: our state...
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...
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...
LISTON: Colorado needs nuclear now
"Good ideas sometimes take a while to gain acceptance; but eventually the wisdom of their merits can no longer be ignored, and the good idea takes hold. So it might be, at long last, for the promise of nuclear energy in our state. HB25-1040 passed the Colorado House...
PELTON: After downtown stabbings, Polis must turn his rhetoric on crime to action
Governor Jared Polis declared in his State of the State address, “We have zero tolerance for those who commit violent crimes whether they are American citizens or not.” He continued, “We welcome more federal help to detain and deport dangerous criminals.” These are...
Colorado Senate Republicans will fight for relief for Coloradans in 2024
By: Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen The people of Colorado are crying out for relief: Relief from burdensome taxes. Relief from overwhelming regulations choking small businesses and chasing big employers out of the state. Relief from a growing reality that state...
Liston: Seniors and veterans deserve a tax break
By State Senator Larry Liston There is a lot of talk this legislative session at the State Capitol about making Colorado a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. I am committed to advancing solutions this session to address the rising cost of living...