It’s been a month since the end of the legislative session, and it’s been great to be home more often.
Driving over Red Mountain Pass last week to attend two town-hall meetings in Montrose, I stopped frequently to take pictures of the emerald-green alpine meadows and the still-snowcapped mountains. We may not be out of our historic drought yet, but the moisture we’ve been getting lately is a welcome gift.
The governor has finished signing my bills that were before him. I’m pleased to report that I had 14 bills signed this year on a variety of topics important to my district such as reducing the tax burden on agricultural land destroyed by natural causes, supporting volunteer fire departments and promoting water conservation in local land-use planning.
Other bills of mine passed into law included preserving the state’s wildfire risk-reduction grant program used heavily in forested parts of my district, as well as establishing funding for a wildfire prediction and decision support system to aid first responders statewide as they step into harm’s way to protect Colorado’s residents.
The bipartisan package of bills I sponsored moves forward several reforms in law enforcement to strengthen the trust between communities and those who serve to protect them. Working closely with law-enforcement agencies that needed no prodding to engage in these important topics, I initiated negotiations with Denver-area legislators to make sure these laws with statewide impact would appropriately fit the whole state. Together, we found ways to promote meaningful change to begin to address community concerns while protecting those charged with public safety.
In the area of land conservation, a bill of mine made improvements to the conservation easement tax-credit program by reducing landowner costs and time delays. Another bill now provides local governments with technical assistance when seeking a stronger negotiating position on neighboring federal land-management issues. My favorite bill this session established state support for conservation corps that employ post-Sept. 11 veterans to use their skills in fighting wildfires, while providing the veterans with new career training and experiences as they transition into civilian life.
Being in the Senate majority this year gave me the chance to serve in several leadership roles, which was a new challenge I enjoyed and gave the Western Slope a long-absent voice at that level in the legislature. As chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I found the extra work rewarding and well worth it. The strong non-partisan legislative staff members at the Capitol and our capable caucus support team helped me work our way through the committee’s heavy bill calendar before the session’s end.
Being the first woman president pro tempore of the Senate from my district, and the first from the district in many decades, is exciting and a privilege. It was an honor to be elected to that position unanimously by the entire Senate chamber, and this leadership role gives me a chance to learn new skills in managing debate and voting on the Senate floor.
My interim-committee schedule has already begun by chairing the health-exchange oversight committee, and my duties as chairwoman of the water committee will expand as we begin meeting in July. I’m also looking forward to constituent meetings around the district. As always, it’s great to be home. Enjoy summer!
Ellen Roberts represents Senate District 6 in Colorado’s General Assembly. The district encompasses Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, Archuleta, Montrose, San Miguel, San Juan and Ouray counties. Call Sen. Roberts at (303) 866-4884 or email ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us.
