The Final Sprint: Three Weeks Left
Last week, we sent the $46.6 Billion State budget to the Senate. There were cuts of approximately $1.5 Billion from the original proposed budget. A couple key provisions that we fought to include in the budget were maintaining the senior exemption tax credit, and support services for our veterans, watch my speech here.
We still need to do more to reduce the structural deficit for next year. Cost of living, housing affordability, and taxes, are the top three issues in the state (See poll here). Cutting wasteful government spending is helpful, but we also need to support businesses to generate more jobs and income. A great example is the recent accomplishment of the Artemis II mission around the Moon. Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance were two major companies that participated in the mission (See a Denver Gazette article here).
Crime and public safety are also important issues. This session, I have sponsored two crime bills to help reduce domestic violence and assault. I am pleased to be a Prime Sponser of HB26-1290 to increase the penalty for assault and strangulation to a second-degree felony. SB26-090, clarifies the coordination between local law enforcement and military law enforcement for assault in domestic violence cases. In 2024, I was also the Prime sponsor for HB24-1371, to require background checks on all personnel involved in massage parlors to reduce the human trafficking. This year, I supported HB26-1257, which provided local municipalities more enforcement mechanisms to combat human trafficking.
This week, we passed the 2026 Holocaust Memorial Resolution to commemorate the Holocaust and to call for an end to antisemitism. There has been a rise in antisemitism across the country and here in Colorado. I will continue to work to eliminate antisemitism.
I was also able to participate in an event to support veterans with the YMCA and Wounded Warriors Project. We did a variety of martial arts and flexibility training with veterans to build their confidence and show them ways to stay engaged in their communities. We had a small group, but there is significant interest in having additional events around the Denver Metro area and Colorado Springs. Thank you to everyone that supported and participated.
I will continue working for families and small businesses to lower costs, expand opportunities, and reduce crime.
It was amazing to watch the Artemis II splashdown. The room was filled with excitement and pride. People started chanting “USA”.
I was pleased to pass SB26-090 out of committee. This bill will clarify coordination between local law enforcement and military law enforcement for assault in domestic violence cases.
I was honored to stand alongside for the passage of the 2026 Holocaust Memorial Resolution to commemorate the Holocaust and to call for an end to antisemitism.
Thank you to the YMCA and the Wounded Warrior Project for creating opportunities for Veterans to stay involved in the community and engage in strength training.