June 19, 2013 DENVER—After destroying more than 500 homes and taking two lives, the Black Forest Fire is Colorado’s most destructive fire in history. Since the fire began, state Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Monument, has worked with first responders, aid organizations and volunteers to assist evacuees from the fire.   “Our community has suffered huge losses and has received even greater support from people across Colorado,” Stephens said. “Thank you to everyone, for your thoughts, prayers and generous support for those affected by this horrible tragedy.”   Stephens added:   “Gift cards greatly help as people move into temporary housing and need those everyday things we take for granted. Any amount helps.”   Stephens released the following information to assist families who have been affected by the fire—   Gift cards to supermarkets, fast food restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations and stores … Read entire article »

June 13, 2013 Waller reacts to Quinnipiac Poll DENVER—A Quinnipiac University Poll released today found that 49 percent of Coloradans disapprove of the way the Democrat-controlled state legislature handled its business this year, while only 36 percent approve. The poll also showed Gov. John Hickenlooper’s approval ratings suffered a major setback, with voters now divided in their opinion of the Democrat head of state.   House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, released the following statement today reacting to the poll’s findings:   “This poll confirms what we already knew: Democrats aren’t listening. They’ve consistently shown that they think they know what’s better for you than you do.   “Time and time again this session, they pursued a partisan agenda without seeking any cooperation from Republicans or soliciting any input from the Colorado families and business owners their … Read entire article »

June 12, 2013 DENVER—Colorado suffered its most destructive day of the year from fires yesterday, as four fires located in El Paso County, at the Royal Gorge, in Rocky Mountain National Park and in Huerfano County burn across the state. At the Black Forest Fire in El Paso County, the fire has already damaged or destroyed 40 to 60 homes.   Republican lawmakers representing the affected areas released the following statements today expressing their condolences for victims of the fire and cautioning other residents in the area to stay alert and prepared.   Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Monument, said:   “My thoughts and prayers are with every family affected by the fires burning in Colorado, and especially those who have been affected by the devastation the Black Forest Fire has brought to my district. I want to thank … Read entire article »

June 11, 2013 DENVER—Yesterday, state Rep. Amy Stephens sent a request under the Freedom of Information Act to the Internal Revenue Service seeking information regarding the organization’s correspondence and interaction with local organizations that have recently applied for tax exempt status.   Stephens made her request after hearing from a local organization based in her district that was concerned they were inappropriately targeted by the IRS.   “The IRS isn’t the President’s attack dog,” Stephens, R-Monument, said. “It’s an ‘independent’ organization that should remain unbiased, impartial and judicious with its authority. We have a responsibility to ensure it’s held accountable for any abuse of its power.”   Stephens sent letters to the Internal Revenue Service Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, and also to the IRS Disclosure Scanning Operation in Atlanta, Ga. She is … Read entire article »

June 6, 2013 DENVER—A bill to create a merit-based scholarship fund for Colorado’s best and brightest students was one of the dozens of bills signed into law yesterday.   The bipartisan measure, sponsored by House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, and Majority Leader Dickey Lee Hullinghorst, D-Boulder, creates new guidelines for how state-supported colleges and universities maintain their ratio of resident-student admissions to non-resident admissions. Without impacting resident admissions, the bill allows for more nonresidents to be admitted and directs the funds from their higher tuition costs into the state’s Colorado Scholar Program.   “This will strengthen Colorado,” Waller said. “We’re rewarding the hard work of our most talented students so they can continue their education in Colorado and strengthen our workforce.”   Today, Colorado competes with national and international institutions of higher learning for recruiting … Read entire article »

June 5, 2013 DENVER—A bill sponsored by state Rep. Frank McNulty to eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits in Colorado was signed into law today. Rape kits are used in all sexual assault investigations to preserve evidence from victims, but under current law, many kits in Colorado are never tested after they are collected.   McNulty’s measure, House Bill 1020, requires the Department of Public Safety to adopt standards for when evidence collected after a sexual assault is submitted and when it must be analyzed and compared to DNA databases. Consent of the victim is required prior to the release of any evidence.   “Signing this measure into law will help provide justice for women who have been victimized,” McNulty said. “Now, we can finally get to work on eliminating the rape kit backlog.”   A … Read entire article »

June 5, 2013 DENVER—Today, the Governor signed state Rep. Bob Gardner’s Senate Bill 245 to create the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps and help the state respond faster to the threat of wildfire. State Sens. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, and Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsored the measure in the Senate.   “The cost of being unprepared for wildfires is exorbitant. This measure will save us resources and lives,” said Gardner. “We simply cannot afford to see a repeat of last summer.”   Since 2002, more than 38,000 damaging wildfires occurred in Colorado, and in 2011, there were 4,300 wildfires reported. Last year, more than 5,000 wildfires occurred including the High Park Wildfire, the Lower North Fork Wildfire and the Waldo Canyon Wildfire.   Senate Bill 245 allows the Division of Fire Prevention and Control within the Department of … Read entire article »

Jun. 5, 2013 Governor signs multi-billion dollar renewable energy mandate DENVER—Gov. John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 252 today, thus giving the go-ahead to increase Colorado’s renewable energy mandate by 100 percent and raise the cost of providing electricity to rural Coloradans by up to $4 billion.   House Republicans released the following statements today in response to the Governor’s decision to sign SB 252 into law.   House Minority Leader Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, said:   “Today, the Governor put special interests above Colorado’s working families and business owners. Senate Bill 252 was rammed through the legislature, without any bipartisan support, by urban lawmakers who do not understand the devastating impacts this bill will have on rural Colorado families and business owners. Coloradans shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and keeping the lights on.”   State … Read entire article »

Jun. 4, 2013 DENVER—Governor John Hickenlooper has until the end of the day on Friday, June 7, to veto Senate Bill 252. If it goes into effect, the bill will double the state’s renewable energy mandate, raise consumer electricity rates and shoulder rural electric associations with billions of dollars in compliance costs. One estimate reports the bill will cost the average farm family $16,000 per year while another projects the bill will increase the statewide unemployment rate 15 percent above the national average, which Colorado currently sits below.   Senate Bill 252 will become law by the end of the week with or without the Governor’s signature.   Today, state Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, a Republican farmer and rancher from Sterling, released the following statement calling on the Governor to veto SB 252:   “The time has come … Read entire article »

Wilson’s advanced manufacturing career pathway becomes law May 29, 2013 DENVER—A bill that will connect Colorado students with prospective employers and good-paying jobs in Colorado was signed into law yesterday. House Bill 1165, sponsored by state Rep. Jim Wilson, creates a sustainable career path for developing a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of Colorado’s growing advanced manufacturing industry.   “Colorado is home to a fast growing advanced manufacturing industry and the demand for skilled labor is high,” said Wilson, R-Salida. “Connecting students with employers and developing our workforce makes Colorado a more attractive place to do business and helps create opportunity for Coloradans.”   House Bill 1165 funds the development of an educational pathway process that better aligns educational systems with industry competencies. The bill connects school districts, community colleges, and 4-year institutions of … Read entire article »