Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 085

Ball, excuse. Benavidez, Bridges. Bridges, excuse. Bright, Carson. Carson. Excuse. Katlin, Cutter, Danielson, Doherty, Exum, Frizzell, Gonzales, Gonzales, excuse, Henrickson, Judah, Judah. Excuse. Kip. Kirkmeyer. Kolker. Lindstedt. Liston. Marchman. Mullica. Pelton B. Pelton R. Rich. Roberts. Rodriguez. Simpson. Snyder. Sullivan. Wallace. Weissman. Zamora Wilson. Mr. President. And Senator Bridges.

Senator Bridges.

There we go.

Mr. President. Let's do this. The morning roll call is 32 present, zero absent, three excused. We have a quorum. Senator Bright, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the journal. Senator Snyder.

You've heard the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Oppose, no. The ayes have it. That motion is adopted.

recommendation. Third reading of bills. Consent calendar. Mr. Schaffler, please view the titles of all the bills on the consent calendar.

Mr. Majority Leader. Thank you Mr. President. I move for the passage of all the bills on third reading of bills final passage consent calendar which are House Bill 1237, House Bill 1239, and Senate Bill 136. Any discussion on any of the bills? Seeing none, the motions to passage of all

Wilson. Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to be a no vote for House Bill 1239. Senator Samora Wilson

would also like to be counted as a no vote on House Bill 1239. Senator Baisley recorded as a no vote

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish to be recorded as a no vote on 1-2-3-9.

please add Senators Judah and Carson to the roll

the motion is lay over Senate Bill 66 to Thursday April the 9th all those in favor say aye opposed no what the ayes have it and Senate Bill 66 will be laid over to Thursday, April the 9th. Mr. Schaffer, please read the title of Senate Bill 144.

Senator Frizzell.

Add a third reading amendment?

Please tell us why you would like to offer a third reading amendment.

The motion is for Senator Feazell and Senator Lindstedt to offer a third reading amendment. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed no. The ayes have it, and that motion is adopted. There's an amendment at the desk.

Senator Frizzell.

To the amendment. We're just... Further discussion?

Seeing no further discussion, the motion is the adoption of L-007 to Senate Bill 144. Are there any no votes? With a vote of 34-I-0-0-0 absent and one excused, L-007 is adopted. Further discussion? Senator Frizzell.

Very good. The motion is the passage of Senate Bill 144 as amended. Are there any no votes? I think so. with a vote of 34 I 0 0 0 absent and one excuse Senate bill 144 is passed co-sponsors senators Kip Marchman Roberts Snyder please add the president. Mr. Schaffler, please your title of House Bill 1081.

Senator Roberts.

Further discussion? Seeing none, the motion is the passage of House Bill 1081. Are there any no votes? What? Senators Rich, Zamora Wilson, Baisley, Carson. With a vote of 30 ayes, 4 no, 0 absent, 1 excused, House Bill 1081 is passed. Cosponsors, Senators Kip, Judah, Wallace, Cutter, Gonzalez, Amabile, Mr. Minority Leader, Weissman, Mullica, Bridges, Lindstedt. Please add the President. Mr. Schauffler, please read the title of House Bill 1208.

Senator Lindstedt.

Further discussion? Seeing none. The motion is the passage of House Bill 1208. Are there any aye votes? Are there any no votes? Senators, Mr. Minority Leader, Frizzell, Kirkmeyer, Zamora Wilson, Rich, Baisley, Pelton B, Liston, Bright, Pelton R, Carson Catlin With a vote of 22 eyes, 12 no, 0 absent and 1 excuse, House Bill 1208 is passed. Co-sponsors Senators Amabile Wallace Kip Gonzalez Cutter Judah Weissman Please add the president. Mr. Schaffler, please read the title of Senate Bill 103.

Senator Colker.

Further discussion? Seen under motion is the passage of Senate Bill 103. Are there any? No votes. Senators, Mr. Minority Leader, Rich, Kirkmeyer, Frizzell, Zamora Wilson, Pelton B, Baisley, Bright, Liston, Catlin, Pelton R, Carson. with a vote of 22 eyes, 12 no, 0 absent, 1 excused. Senate Bill 103 is passed. Co-sponsors, Senators Kip, Judah, Wallace, Gonzalez, Sullivan, Cutter. Exum. Benavidez. Snyder. Please add Senator Henriksen as well as a co-sponsor. Please add the president. That's correct. Mr. Majority Leader.

Please forgive me. And the president? Senator Weissman is the co-sponsor on 103. He's not here. Eventually, you'll get added to the roll. Mr. Majority Leader.

The motion is to lay over Senate Bill 90 until Thursday, April the 9th. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Polls no. The ayes have it. And Senator Bill 90 will be laid over to Thursday, April the 9th. Mr. Schaffler, please add Senator Ball to the roll. General orders. Second reading of Bill's consent calendar.

Second reading of Bill's consent calendar. You vote the motion. All those in favor, say aye. Opposed, no. The ayes have it and the motion is adopted. The Senate will resolve and sell to the community the whole for the General Secretary of the Bill's Consent Council and Senator Lindstedt will take the chair. Amen.

House Bill 1229 by Representatives Taggart and Furray and Senators Amabile and Ritz concerning authorizing the health disparities and community grant program to consider the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health. House Bill 1244 by Representatives Law and Joseph and Senators Frizzell and Exum concerning considerations for the Department of Public Health and Environment to use as a basis for making district decisions. from the nursing home penalty cash fund. Senate Bill 153 by Senators Colker and Simpson and Representatives Bacon and Martinez. Concerning graduate academic requirements for a licensed school counselor and in connection therewith, establishing a minimum number of credit hours required for special services licensure with a school counselor endorsement.

discussion. Seeing none, the motion before the body is the adoption of all the bills on the general order's second reading of bill's consent calendar. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. The ayes have it. The bills on the consent calendar are adopted. Mr. Majority Leader.

and report. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say no. The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. The committee will rise and report.

Thank you, Mr. President. The committee heard a number of bills. Will the clerk please read the report?

Senator Lindstedt.

The motion is the adoption of the Committee of the Whole report. Are there any no votes? With a vote of 35 ayes, 0 no, 0 abs, 0 excuse, committee, the whole report is adopted.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move to lay over general order, second reading of bills until Thursday, April the 9th.

Will the clerk please read the title of HJR 1024? House Trout Resolution 1024 by Representatives Soper and McCluskey and Senators Catlin and Coleman concerning the designation of State Highway 92 in Delta County from Mile Marker 3 to Mile Marker 7 as the Educators and Teachers Memorial Highway.

Thank you, Madam President. We move HJR 1024, ask it to be read at length, and also encourage members to please take your seats because it's a long one.

at length. Whereas across the state, educators and teachers work tirelessly to foster the curiosity of all, instill essential values and skills in, and encourage the aspirations of Colorado's children and youth. And whereas beyond the teaching that occurs in a classroom, educators and teachers fill a variety of roles in students' lives, including role model, mentor, listener, and motivator, keep democracy alive by laying the foundation for good citizenship, and often profoundly influence their students in ways that remain with students long after their school days are over. And whereas in 1861, one of the first acts of the territorial Colorado legislature was to call for the election of county superintendents of schools and tax-supported districts, public schools immediately began to color Colorado's landscape, demonstrating the value of education and of learning about the world beyond our great mountains. In 1882, the first school opened in what would become Delta County, and the school's first teacher was Mrs. A.W. Carr. And whereas the construction of a school building in a community reflects the community's belief in the importance of education, symbolizing the spirit of progress and societal advancement and from frontier times to modern day colorado schools and teachers have been considered pillar entities and community members and whereas by 1930 delta county contained 18 school districts and in 1950 plans to organize delta county and several outlying areas into one district were presented a new school board was elected on october 2nd 1950 and on january 1st 1951 delta county joint school district 50 j assumed complete responsibility for all operations of those schools. And whereas running for 73 miles from Delta to Saponero, State Highway 92 winds along the rim of the Black Canyon, passing over Blue Mesa Dam and the Aspinall unit. And whereas before crossing the Gunnison River, a stretch of State Highway 92 travels through an unincorporated portion of Delta County, colloquially known as Reed, Colorado, which was where one of the earliest schools was built, along with a general store and post office to support the families of local farmers and ranchers. And whereas aptly named Reed Colorado housed the original headquarters for Delta County Joint School District 50J before it was relocated to Delta, Colorado in August 2018. And whereas today, District 50J operates 17 schools that together, due to the incredible efforts of more than 250 teachers and 450 education support professionals, currently serve just shy of 4,500 students. And whereas the presence of schools continues to be an important symbol of community pride in rural areas of the state. Teachers and education support professionals do not just educate the next generation of Coloradans. They also inspire lifelong learning, a passion to achieve dreams and values that drive success. And these lasting contributions to a grateful state should be remembered. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 75th General Assembly, the state of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein, one that the Colorado General Assembly recognizes our educators and teachers for their invaluable labor to lay the foundation of life lifelong learning in the students of our state. Two, that it is fitting and proper to designate the portion of State Highway 92 from Mile Marker 3 to Mile Marker 7 and that travels through Reed, Colorado as the Educators and Teachers Memorial Highway. And three, that the Colorado Department of Transportation may accept and expend gifts, grants and donations for the purposes of the initial placement of signs to mark State Highway 92 from Mile Marker 3 to Mile Marker 7 as the Educators and Teachers Memorial Highway. Be it further resolved that copies of this joint resolution be sent to the Colorado Education Association, the Delta County School District 50J School Board, the Delta County Board of County Commissioners, the Delta County Historical Society, the Colorado State School Board, and the Colorado

This resolution is not about any one person, but the countless women and men who have dedicated their lives around our great state to instilling the skills and knowledge to be well-rounded citizens ready for the workforce, college, or the military.

Thank you very much, Madam President. In 2025, Delta County lost several notable teaching legends, including Mrs. Betty Howard Soper, 40-year-old veteran of Lincoln Elementary and mother of Representative Matt Soper, and Mr. Norman Smith, legendary longtime music teacher who was the father of former Senator Rachel Zinzinger. This resolution is a meaningful recognition of the profound impact educators have on the lives of Colorado students and our communities.

Thank you, Madam President. As our state celebrates its 150th and the nation celebrates its 250th, it is altogether proper for us to recognize and celebrate educators and teachers in our great state, both past and present. From pioneer days to present, teachers are the reason that Colorado is a leader in science, technology, agritech, horticulture, aerospace, and national defense.

Thank you very much, Madam President. While there are many highways across America dedicated to military, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, this will be the first segment of highway honoring educators and teachers, and the location is most appropriate as it's called Reed, Colorado. in an unincorporated area of the county, which was home of one of the oldest schools, but also headquarters of School District 50J for over half a century. Colorado has long valued the importance of education of our youth. In fact, the establishment of public schools was among the very first acts of the territorial legislature in 1861. It is our hope that when drivers pass by the area known as red in Delta County, they will see the sign which will read, which will read educators and teachers Memorial Highway and think about their favorite teacher or one that motivated them or the one that taught them a life lesson or the one that kept in touch long after graduation. Members, we urge your support for HGR 261024 as a simple but meaningful way to say thank you to educators who make a difference in every corner of our state. and we renew our motion for support.

Thank you, Madam President. We request the current roll call be added as co-sponsors.

Senate Bill 87 by Senators Wallace and Pelton Bee and Representatives Winn and Lindsay concerning authorizing legislative leave from employment during a legislative session for certain members of the General Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate reject the House amendments to Senate Bill 87 and that the Senate adhere to its position.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. In the House, they put an amendment onto this bill that will make the provisions within it entirely opt-in to go. So basically, if you want to approach your employer and ask them to give you this leave, you will be able to do that under this bill, which is also what you can do right now. It's not an effective law if it can't be enforced, if there's nothing to it. So we are asking that we reject that amendment and ensure that all employers are subject to this bill.

Members of the Commission on Aging, effective September 2, 2025, for terms ending September 1, 2028. Danelle Hubbard of Centennial, Colorado, to serve as a member with expertise in dementia, appointed. Peter Hines of Glendale, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the housing sector, appointed. Laura Kinder of Boulder, Colorado, to serve as a representative of the 2nd Congressional District 2 appointed Jake McGuire of Denver Colorado serves as a member with knowledge of transportation reappointed LLF Taxman of Boulder Colorado serves as a representative of an organization providing home and community services reappointed Jody Waterhouse of Denver Colorado serves as a representative of higher education reappointed For a term ending September 1st, 2028, Aaron Ault of Wellington, Colorado, serves as director of an area agency on aging, occasioned by the resignation of Christine Vogel, Boulder, Colorado, appointed. For a term ending September 1st, 2027, Kate McGloglin of Bond of Denver, Colorado, serves as a representative of the workforce, occasioned by the resignation of Barbara Kreisman of Freesia, Colorado. appointed. Members of the Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission for terms expiring August 1st, 2028, Josh Radhoff of Boulder, Colorado to represent the academic community appointed, Aaron Byrne of Dillon, Colorado to represent the government community appointed, effective August 2nd, 2025 for terms expiring August 1st, 2028, Joe Shifflin of Wheat Ridge, Colorado to represent the public at large appointed, John Brees to Parker, Colorado to serve the public

Any discussion? Seeing none of the motions of confirmation of all the appointments on the consent calendar. Are there any no votes? With a vote of 35 ayes, zero no, zero absent, and zero excuse, those appointments are confirmed. Announcements. You got an announcement? Look at you. Come on. Senator Colker beat you to it. It's all good.

Very good. And Senator Colker. Can I have a moment of personal privilege, please?

Wasn't able to get up there quick enough during the resolution.

I did this for Mr. Bruce Bryant. He was my speech and composition teacher back in 2001. He wrote me back because he was still teaching, and he had a really rough year that year. And he said that letter was what kept him going for that year. So teachers need to be heard. They need to hear you. They need to hear that they're appreciated. So let's not wait for a memorial. Let's tell them now. Write that letter to your teachers. After my first year of teaching, I had two students come up to me at the end of the year. Cully Brumwell and Jeremy Folk. I'll never forget them. Jeremy, a couple years later, went to the Marines and died in training. So that put an extra special meaning for it to me. But on the last day of school, they came up to me and thanked me for being their teacher and handed me Alanis Morissette Jagged Little Pill CD as a thank you. They didn't write it out. They said it personally and gave me that gift. And so it still resonates for me 30 years later. And I'm just asking students who might be watching, listening, tell your teacher, tell your favorite teacher, thank you. Tell all your teachers, thank you. It means the world to them. Very good. Mrs. Kennedy, my high school literature teacher, if you're watching this, thank you. and Senator Mulligan.

one dollar for being silly and acknowledging people in the chamber even though they're in the gallery. But yes, welcome. And Senator Mullica will pay a dollar fine for that. Senator Lister.

Very good. Senator Pelton R.

Granted.

very good, welcome thank you for being here that's right, thank you for being here

There we go.

Very good. Further announcements. Mr. Majority Leader.

You're on the motion.

Aye.

The ayes have it. The Senate will stand in recess until 12 p.m. today. Thank you. Thank you. .