At the risk of tempting fate, I’d dare to say that just one month in, I’m feeling hopeful about 2021.
The challenges we face are great: the COVID-19 pandemic still rages on, countless small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, educators and students are tentatively finding their way, agriculture’s economy is suffering and far too many Coloradans have been left unemployed by the pandemic-induced economic chaos.
But with health care workers, first responders and older Coloradans starting to receive the vaccine, Washington working overtime to get relief out to hardworking Americans, and our work in the state legislature about to begin in full, I can’t help but feel that change is just around the corner.
My colleagues in the Colorado Assembly and I met Jan. 13, as required by the state constitution. We took our oaths, swore to do right by the people who elected us into office, took care of certain urgent matters of state business, and then began a monthlong temporary adjournment. While I am eager and ready to begin my work on behalf of the people of Colorado, I understand that taking this pause is the responsible public health decision. We’ll return to the capitol Feb. 16, ready to hit the ground running, when more Coloradans have been vaccinated and the holiday COVID-19 spike is long behind us.
As soon as we return to the building, we will focus on crafting a swift and robust economic recovery for our state that makes sure no one is left behind. I’ll work hard to ensure that rural Colorado’s unique economic needs are taken into account and addressed accordingly. It’s not enough to simply repair the damage done by COVID-19. We have to build back a stronger Colorado and create a more just economy for all.
The pandemic exposed systemic issues that have plagued low-income and rural communities for decades. Even before COVID-19 hit, far too many of my friends and neighbors in House District 59 felt abandoned by Colorado’s economic growth. It’s time to address these issues to guarantee that everyone truly has a fair shot at success. Getting “back to normal” just isn’t enough.
In many districts, our educators are preparing to offer in-person teaching through the end of the school year. Being rural has had its advantages for student learning. A majority of rural schools in the state stayed open during the pandemic, unlike most urban districts. The advantage of having fewer students and more space to socially distance may be very helpful in the long run. Students were able to maintain friendships, have in-person lessons from their teachers, receive counseling and tutoring, and remain safe.
In last year’s legislative session and the emergency special session we were called into in December, my colleagues and I invested in our state’s struggling small businesses and provided direct relief to families having a hard time keeping food on the table, a roof over their heads and the heat going. We also invested in rural broadband infrastructure and childcare, so rural students could connect with their teachers and working parents could return to the workforce.
This session, I´ll work to build on that progress to ensure greater economic and personal opportunities for all Coloradans. During the past several weeks, I have been meeting with legislators, stakeholders and constituents to help solve some of the problems we all face.
Times are tough right now, but Coloradans are tougher. I’m hopeful that in 2021 we’ll turn the tide of this pandemic and start building back a more prosperous future for all.
