From the State House - The Durango Herald

McLachlan: Progress on clean water, housing, water storage

Two bills I am shepherding through the Legislature will have a positive impact on Southwest Colorado; a third was just signed into law. The first, HB18-1301, will help ensure our...

DATE: Apr 14, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

McLachlan: A responsible and bi-partisan budget effort

Colorado’s constitution requires the state of Colorado to balance its budget every year; that sounds easier than it is. Our strong 2018 economic forecast provided a boost to the b...

DATE: Mar 31, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

McLachlan: Broadband deployment in rural Colorado

People with broadband service get to fill out college applications at home, watch YouTube videos, email friends and research important topics. Those without have to work in coffee...

DATE: Mar 17, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

McLachlan: Keeping lands in agriculture

The average rancher or farmer in Colorado is 60 years old. Some are transitioning into handing over their property to family, who will carry on the work and traditions into the n...

DATE: Mar 3, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

McLachlan: Classroom lessons inform legislation

Not much is as fulfilling as a classroom of first graders giggling as they tell you how they want to change the world: Be nice. Listen to others. Lots of ice cream. More recess. It’s hard to...

DATE: Feb 17, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

McLachlan: Championing the next economic engine for Colorado’s communities

Gunnison and other mountain towns consistently run into a mutual problem: Guests leave early because they can’t acclimate to breathing in the high altitude. When resident Roanne ...

DATE: Feb 3, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

People, ideas help me serve 59th district

Like the parable of the blind men describing an elephant, it’s easy to forget that not everyone in our state is surrounded by the rugged mountains, green fields, charming small towns and rur...

DATE: Jan 20, 2018 | CATEGORY: From the State House

Busy session closes with positive results

I have had an exciting first year as your state representative. Several of my bills passed through the gantlet of the House, Senate and governor, all with bipartisan support. I am doing my b...

DATE: May 13, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House

State’s teacher shortage needs an effective plan for action

A superintendent from rural Colorado testified in the House a few weeks ago. She told a story of advertising for a math teacher for 18 months, without one applicant. Another woman told me sh...

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House

2017 brings new notices of property valuations

As an odd-numbered year, 2017 means that Colorado’s assessors report to property owners the value of all individual real estate properties in each county. Some time this month, t...

DATE: Apr 29, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House

Children should expect to have clean water at school

Lead can seriously change the trajectory of a child’s life. Studies show that lead is never safe in a child’s body. Exposure can seriously affect a child’s IQ, attention span and create nume...

DATE: Apr 15, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House

Keeping water policy flowing the right way

When it comes to the water battle in Colorado, the divide is much stronger between urban and rural than Democrat and Republican. We continually encourage urban areas to start cons...

DATE: Apr 1, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the State House