July 27, 2012
R.I.P.
Jessica Ghawi, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, John T. Larimer, Alexander J. Boik, Jesse E. Childress, Jonathan T. Blunk, Rebecca Wingo, Alex M. Sullivan, Gordon Cowden, Micayla Medek and Alexander Teves
We will remember and honor you.
We are beginning to learn more about the people whose lives have been forever impacted by the tragic and violent actions of one individual on July 20, 2012.
For our district this has hit particularly close to home. Not only do we represent Aurora, but we also represent the areas incuding the Aurora Century 16 theatre (where it occurred), the Community College of Aurora (where 4 victims attended) , Buckley Air Force Base (4 victims with military service), and the Lead Valley Gun Range (where membership to the suspect was denied), Gateway High School (where one of the victim's attended), Aurora Central Highschool (where evacuees around suspect's apartment were taken), and part of the Anschutz Medical Campus (where the suspect studied).
But everyone has been impacted in some way by the tragedy of what occurred here in Aurora. At some level, we all realize that this could occur anywhere. Even if you didn't know someone immediately involved you know this could have been you, your kids, your grandkids, your parents, your coworkers, or your friends.
As I have listened to the responses of others around me, I have found the most common responses to be:
- we need to honor and remember the victims of this tragedy
- telling the people you love that you love them
- appreciating the people in your life more
- recognition that life can be so fragile and fleeting
- love inspires bravery and courage in others
- gratitude to the Aurora Police Department for their swift response
- gratitude to the medical personnel who have saved lives
- concern that the victim's families are not stuck with unpaid medical bills
Every day we learn a little more about the talents, dreams, service, sacrifice and human side of each of the people who were victims of this tragedy. The survivors face real and ongoing challenges and they need our help. Several victims are still in critical care and are fighting for their lives or for the possibility to regain function.
Please consider donating through the Community First Foundation where a fund has been set up for the victims of the shooting at: https://www.givingfirst.org/.
Behind every person we encounter every day is a whole series of stories of their humanity, hopes, and dreams. Good people who will go on to do good things, possibly without any credit or recognition at all. In a strange way, this has made me want to know more about the stories behind the people I now see everyday.
How different would our culture be if we celebrated what we cherish in each other as much when we are alive as when we pass?
Violence is only made possible when we dehumanize others, either through indifference or antipathy. Every time we extend empathy or kindness, we make violence a little less likely. I liked what Governor Hickenlooper said at the City of Aurora vigil that we honor the victims by living our lives a little bit better.
We should think about that. How can we each best honor these victims by living our lives a little bit better? What would we do differently? Could their legacy be to force us to live up to what is best in us? If all of us lived our lives just a little bit better, in their honor, the world would be transformed.
In the meantime, we should make sure that the families of those who died and those who survived get all of the support they need so they can focus their energy and strength on healing.
Below are photos I took of the community-inspired makeshift memorial in tribute to the victims in Aurora. Thank you to everyone who has shared your love and support.
A View of the City of Aurora Vigil - People Sharing Their Support
Photo: City of Aurora
Photo: The Denver Post
July 25, 2012
Colorado Wildfire Update
About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents.
Conway Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: BLM land
Location/County: Moffat County: The fire is 2.5 miles southeast of Gates of Ladore and is 1.5 miles east of Dinosaur National Monument.
Cause: Lightning
Acres/Land Ownership: 213 acres
Containment: 95%
Evacuations: None
Closures: None
Fatalities/Injuries to Date: None reported
Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
Significant Events: Crews continue to build and secure lines. Current cost approximately $206,050
Resources: 2 Type I crews, 1 Type II crew, 1 helicopter, 3 engines, 67 personnel, Type IV Incident Management Team
Source(s): Inciweb.org, Follow us on Twitter at @NWCOFireUnit (General Information), RMACC
Brush Creek Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: BLM
Location/County: Garfield County
Cause: Lightning
Acres/Land Ownership: 514 acres
Containment: 100% contained
Evacuations: None reported
Closures: None reported
Fatalities/Injuries to Date: 3 injuries
Structures Lost/Damaged to Date: None
Significant Events: Cost approximately $700,000.
Resources: 4 Type II crews, 1 helicopter, 1 engine, 1 dozer, 85 personnel, Type III IMT
Source(s): Twitter @NWCOFireUnit, RMACC
Powell Complex Fire (Powell Fire and Little Duck Fire)
Fire Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Location/County: Rio Blanco County: The fire is located 5 miles northwest of Meeker.
Cause: Lightning
Acres/Land Ownership: 1,639 acres
Containment: 100 percent
Evacuations: None
Closures: None
Injuries to Date: None
Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
Significant Events: Cost approximately $1,008,000
Resources: 4 Type I crews, 2 Type II crews, 2 helicopters, 12 engines, 1 dozer, 284 personnel, Type II IMT
Source(s): Twitter @NWCOFireUnit or @RM_InciTeamA, RMACC
Airport Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: Southern Ute Agency
Location/County: South of Durango, one mile South West of Animas Airpark
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 600 acres
Containment: 5 percent
Evacuations: None at this time, pre-evacuations lifted
Closures: None reported
Injuries/Fatalities: None reported
Structures lost/damaged: None reported
Significant Events: Cost approximately $145,000
Resources: 4 Type II crews, 3 helicopters, 1 engine, 1 dozer, 112 personnel, Type III IMT
Follow us on Twitter at @NWCOFireUnit, RMACC, La Plata County OEM
Long Mesa Fire
Fire Jurisdiction: BLM
Location/County: Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness Area, 21 miles west of Grand Junction
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 150 acres (Better visibility and more accurate mapping capabilities reduced the size of the affected area of the fire from yesterday)
Containment: 30 percent
Evacuations: None
Closures: None reported
Injuries/Fatalities: None reported
Structures lost/damaged: None reported
Resources: Follow us on Twitter at @NWCOFireUnit (General Information) and @RM_InciTeamA, RMACC
Today’s Fire Outlook
The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area remains at Preparedness Level 4, the highest level possible is 5. This rating indicates highly complex large fire activity is occurring, with multiple large fires in the zone. Fire severity is extreme as reported in multiple areas, and fires are escaping initial attack, as evident by the number of large fires. Multiple regional dispatch centers are experiencing an incident requiring type-1 or type-2 teams, and a majority of zone resources are committed.
View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4
There are no active watches, warnings or advisories for Colorado.
For more information go to http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.
Resources for updates on wildfires:
• INCIWEB: www.inciweb.org - Select the State in the drop down in upper right hand corner
• Colorado Office of Emergency Management: www.COEmergency.com
o Contains incident updates
o Contains Current Colorado Fires Map link(right hand side of page)
o Contains information on fire restrictions in the state
• US Forest Service Active Fire Map: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php
• Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/
This report is also available online at www.coemergency.com.
Micki Trost, Public Information Officer
Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Assisting the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
micki.trost@state.co.us
303-472-4087
June 07, 2012
TOWNHALLS & COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Please join us this Monday June 4, 2012, 7:15 AM - 8:30 AM for Coffee with Carroll, Ryden, Fields at Mimi's Cafet, 205 S. Abilene, Aurora, to review a legislative re-cap and for open topic to discuss the issues you want addressed. ALL welcome!
While not one of our usual townhalls, I also wanted to let you know about an Aurora Fracking townhall (Don't Frack Our Schools!) that will be hosted by Clean Water Action Tuesday June 5, 2012 at Vista Peak Prep School, 24500 E. 6th Ave, Aurora, CO, in the main gym (enter through the front entrance), 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
Thursday June 21, 2012, 7:00 - 8:30PM Meetings with Morgan, Su, Rhonda & Nancy, Community College of Aurora, 16000 E. Centreteck Pkwy, Aurora. TOPIC: Substance Abuse & Addiction -- What we should all know.
RECAP OF MORGAN'S BILLS IN THE 2012 SESSION
JOBS & ECONOMIC RECOVERY
SB 3 Employment Opportunity Act (M. Carroll - Fischer): 60% of employers are now using credit scores in hiring decisions. Workers who lost their job in the recent recession clearly have had negative impacts to their credit. This practice is making it harder for them to get back to work. The bill limits use of credit scoring in hiring and employment decision to when it is relevant to the job. 20 million Americans have material errors on their reports. Lose your job = bad credit. Bad credit = no job. For more information see recent report Discrediting America PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 20:15. KILLED GOP HOUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 03/19/12.
SB 143 Local Business Database & App (M. Carroll - Pabon): Because buying from local businesses in our community returns three times impact to our local economy, this bill creates a database and smart phone app through the Office of Economic Development where customers can search by type of good or service or by location if they want to help support buying local. The project is funding by a $10 annual listing fee for businesses and will help increase customer traffic to local businesses, and create jobs for Colorado. PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 20:15; KILLED GOP HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 03/28/12.
FAMILY & CIVIL JUSTICE
SB 56 Judicial Appointments in Family Cases (M. Carroll - Holbert): Courts appoint a variety of people in cases involving children's best interests or child custody. This bill ensures that those appointees are independent, neutral and do not have conflicts of interest or existing relationships with any of the parties. PASSED 3RD READING SENATE 35-0; PASSED HOUSE JUDICIARY 62:0:3. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
HB 1233 Legal Separation Simplified Court Proceeding (Labuda - M. Carroll): This bill extends the option of parties completing a legal separation without the need for a court appearance if no children are involved and will save an estimated 1,000 hearings per year. It will also save time and money for parties involved. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 33:2; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
GOOD GOVERNMENT
SJR 34 Reverse Citizens United (M. Carroll - Jones): This resolution was introduced in order to draw attention to the new staggering influx of corporate spending on elections in the wake of Citizen's United and to call for the reversal of Citizens United and the doctrine of corporate personhood for the sake of preventing corruption of our elections. INTRODUCED; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING; KILLED GOP HOUSE ON THE CALENDAR.
HEALTH CARE
SB 93 Hospital Disclosure of Services Refused on Religious Grounds (M. Carroll - Duran): This bill gives patients notice of any medical services refused on the basis of religious grounds by a hospital and notifies a patient of their right to get those services elsewhere. Hospital mergers are increasing and depending on who owns what hospital may decide what services or care will or won't be provided for end of life care, contraception, AIDs counseling, reproductive services, including tubal ligations or vasectomies. PASSED 3RD READING SENATE 20:14; KILLED GOP HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 03/21/12.
FRACKING: ENVIRONMENT & PROPERTY RIGHTS
SB 107 Water Rights Protection Act (M. Carroll - Wilson). This bill requires the COGCC to promultate rules addressing drilling around: (a) radioactive materials; (b) superfund sites; and (c) explosives and munitions. It also directs rule-making around best practices for pressure drops that indicate leaks. The bill requires before and after reporting of the quantity of water used and the where the water right was acquired. The bill prohibits injecting known carcinogens into the ground, requires environmental bonding around high-risk drilling operations. It also requires water quality testing before and after drilling to detect possible contamination by fracking fluids, diesel or gas. INTRODUCED; PASSED SENATE JUDICIARY 4:3; KILLED SENATE APPROPRIATIONS.
HB 1110 Appraisal Management Companies (A. Williams - M. Carroll). This bill regulates appraisal management companies consistent with the recommendations of the Dept of Regulatory Agencies given the role of appraisal problems in the housing crisis. INTRODUCED; PASSED HOUSE 3rd READING 35-29; SENATE 3RD READING 21-14; PENDING ACTION BY GOVERNOR.
HB 1239 Special District Approval (Vaad - M. Carroll). This requires county approval before a water or sanitation district can expland their current boundaries and cannot expand into to property areas without the approval of the residents. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 65-0; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 34-1; HOUSE CONCURRED; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES
HB 1085 Hearsay Exception Developmental Disabilities (Fields - M. Carroll). This bil creates a hearsay exception for victim's with developmental disabilities when they are victims of a crime. Prosecuting crimes against victims with developmental disabilities can be difficult because it is often one person's word against another and statements made pertaining to the crime are often made out of court. This mirrors the children's hearsay exception and still requires the declarant to be available for cross-examination in Court. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 56-8-1; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 34-0-1; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
HB 1310 Omnibus Criminal Bill (B. Gardner - M. Carroll). This is series of changes throughout the code arrived at by consensus from both the district attorneys and defense attorneys. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 64-0; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING; PENDING ACTION BY GOVERNOR.
LEGAL PROCESS
HB 1209 Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (B. Gardner - M. Carroll). This bill enacts UELMA which creates a systematic archiving system for tracking the increasing volume of electronic materials that are stored online to ensure we do not lose important historical legal archives. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 63-0; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 32-0; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
SB 175 Update Court Deadlines (B. Gardner - M. Carroll). This bill makes conforming statutory changes to court deadlines after Supreme Court rules committee modified amendments to be multiples of 7 rather than 10. INTRODUCED; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 34:0; ?PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING; PENDING ACTION BY GOVERNOR.
SOME OTHER KEY BILLS
SB 2 Civil Unions (Steadman - Ferrandino) - This bill was defeated twice on procedural maneuver's despite have enough votes to pass the Senate and the House and a commitment from Governor Hickenlooper that he would have signed the bill. KiLLED by House.
SB 48 Local Foods, Local Jobs (Schwartz): This bill eases impediments for local food growers and home-made food to get products to market. SIGNED By Governor.
HB 1127 Unemployment Insurance Rate Reduction (Jahn): This bill helps start up companies with lower rates of payment into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, freeing up funds for additional hiriing. SIGNED By Governor.
SB 157 Telecomm Reform (Scheffel / Tochtrop) - This bill would have ended a subsidy for rural landlines, removed a requirement to serve rural Colorado, reallocate the funding the of the "high cost fund" among different providers and removed some of PUC oversight. KiLLED by Senate.
May 06, 2012
REMINDER!
Coffee Townhall with Carroll, Ryden & Fields
Monday May 7, 2012 7:15AM - 8:30AM
Mimi's Cafe 205 S Abilene, Aurora
SOME KEY BILLS THIS SESSION
SB 2 Civil Unions (Steadman - Ferrandino) passed the Senate again this year but has had some surprise successes and support from some courageous Republicans (Rep. Nikkel, Rep. Beezley) siding with equality so that it has passed for the first time out of House Judiciary and House Finance. Rep. Gerou has also indicated that she will vote for Civil Unions to get it out of House Appropriations committee. While Democrats are in the minority in the House there are is enough Republican support that if it goes to a vote, it will pass, be signed by the Governor and become law this year in Colorado. However, it is also possible that with GOP leadership in the House opposing the measure that they could "kill it on the calendar" and not bring it up timely for a floor vote. History is happening here -- and let's hope for a happy ending.
SB 157 Telecommunications Reform (Tochtrop/Scheffel) this bill would have removed a landline subsidy for areas that no longer need it and would refunded some of those funds to rate payers, but it also would have significantly deregulated telecomm and removed the requirement to provide service to rural areas, removed rate protections, reduced PUC oversight, and decreased transparency. This measure was laid over (defeated) at the sponsors' request.
War on Women Hits Home: We have seen several several bills this session to create personhood, criminalize abortion, and urging adoption of the "Blunt Amendment", that allows any employer, any insurer or any health care provider to deny any service at any time based on an undefined moral objection without notice to the patient. While this has the potential to impact all people (organ transplants, blood transfusion, HIV / AIDS counseling, substance abuse treatment), the examples given by the proponents have ALL by services that only impact women (i.e. contraception). The Senate defeated these measures and stood on the side of guaranteed patient access to health care.
STATUS OF MY BILLS THIS SESSION
JOBS & ECONOMIC RECOVERY
SB 3 Employment Opportunity Act (M. Carroll - Fischer): 60% of employers are now using credit scores in hiring decisions. Workers who lost their job in the recent recession clearly have had negative impacts to their credit. This practice is making it harder for them to get back to work. The bill limits use of credit scoring in hiring and employment decision to when it is relevant to the job. 20 million Americans have material errors on their reports. Lose your job = bad credit. Bad credit = no job. For more information see recent report Discrediting America PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 20:15. KILLED GOP HOUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE 03/19/12.
SB 143 Local Business Database & App (M. Carroll - Pabon): Because buying from local businesses in our community returns three times impact to our local economy, this bill creates a database and smart phone app through the Office of Economic Development where customers can search by type of good or service or by location if they want to help support buying local. The project is funding by a $10 annual listing fee for businesses and will help increase customer traffic to local businesses, and create jobs for Colorado. PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 20:15; KILLED GOP HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 03/28/12.
FAMILY & CIVIL JUSTICE
SB 56 Judicial Appointments in Family Cases (M. Carroll - Holbert): Courts appoint a variety of people in cases involving children's best interests or child custody. This bill ensures that those appointees are independent, neutral and do not have conflicts of interest or existing relationships with any of the parties. PASSED 3RD READING SENATE 35-0; PASSED HOUSE JUDICIARY 62:0:3. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
HB 1233 Legal Separation Simplified Court Proceeding (Labuda - M. Carroll): This bill extends the option of parties completing a legal separation without the need for a court appearance if no children are involved and will save an estimated 1,000 hearings per year. It will also save time and money for parties involved. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 33:2; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
GOOD GOVERNMENT
SJR 34 Reverse Citizens United (M. Carroll - Jones): This resolution was introduced in order to draw attention to the new staggering influx of corporate spending on elections in the wake of Citizen's United and to call for the reversal of Citizens United and the doctrine of corporate personhood for the sake of preventing corruption of our elections. INTRODUCED; PENDING SENATE FLOOR.
HEALTH CARE
SB 93 Hospital Disclosure of Services Refused on Religious Grounds (M. Carroll - Duran): This bill gives patients notice of any medical services refused on the basis of religious grounds by a hospital and notifies a patient of their right to get those services elsewhere. Hospital mergers are increasing and depending on who owns what hospital may decide what services or care will or won't be provided for end of life care, contraception, AIDs counseling, reproductive services, including tubal ligations or vasectomies. PASSED 3RD READING SENATE 20:14; KILLED GOP HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 03/21/12.
FRACKING: ENVIRONMENT & PROPERTY RIGHTS
SB 107 Water Rights Protection Act (M. Carroll - Wilson). This bill requires the COGCC to promultate rules addressing drilling around: (a) radioactive materials; (b) superfund sites; and (c) explosives and munitions. It also directs rule-making around best practices for pressure drops that indicate leaks. The bill requires before and after reporting of the quantity of water used and the where the water right was acquired. The bill prohibits injecting known carcinogens into the ground, requires environmental bonding around high-risk drilling operations. It also requires water quality testing before and after drilling to detect possible contamination by fracking fluids, diesel or gas. INTRODUCED; PASSED SENATE JUDICIARY 4:3; PENDING SENATE APPROPRIATIONS.
HB 1110 Appraisal Management Companies (A. Williams - M. Carroll). This bill regulates appraisal management companies consistent with the recommendations of the Dept of Regulatory Agencies given the role of appraisal problems in the housing crisis. INTRODUCED; PASSED HOUSE 3rd READING 35-29; SENATE BUSINESS, LABOR & TECHNOLOGY; SENATE FINANCE; SENATE APPROPRIATIONS PENDING SENATE 2ND READING.
HB 1239 Special District Approval (Vaad - M. Carroll). This requires county approval before a water or sanitation district can expland their current boundaries and cannot expand into to property areas without the approval of the residents. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 65-0; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 34-1; HOUSE CONCURRED; PENDING ACTION BY GOVERNOR.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES
HB 1085 Hearsay Exception Developmental Disabilities (Fields - M. Carroll). This bil creates a hearsay exception for victim's with developmental disabilities when they are victims of a crime. Prosecuting crimes against victims with developmental disabilities can be difficult because it is often one person's word against another and statements made pertaining to the crime are often made out of court. This mirrors the children's hearsay exception and still requires the declarant to be available for cross-examination in Court. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 56-8-1; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 34-0-1; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
HB 1310 Omnibus Criminal Bill (B. Gardner - M. Carroll). This is series of changes throughout the code arrived at by consensus from both the district attorneys and defense attorneys. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 64-0; PASSED SENATE JUDICIARY; SENATE FINANCE; SENATE APPROPRIATIONS; PENDING SENATE 2ND READING.
LEGAL PROCESS
HB 1209 Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (B. Gardner - M. Carroll). This bill enacts UELMA which creates a systematic archiving system for tracking the increasing volume of electronic materials that are stored online to ensure we do not lose important historical legal archives. PASSED HOUSE 3RD READING 63-0; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 32-0; SIGNED BY GOVERNOR.
SB 175 Update Court Deadlines (B. Gardner - M. Carroll). This bill makes conforming statutory changes to court deadlines after Supreme Court rules committee modified amendments to be multiples of 7 rather than 10. INTRODUCED; PASSED SENATE 3RD READING 34:0; PENDING HOUSE 2ND READING.
BOOK STATUS
Some of you may know that I have published my first book, Take Back Your Government: A Citizen's Guide to Grassroots Change. This was written to give a straight-forward glimpse into what I have learned since being elected that I feel all people have a right to know on how to participate and impact state government and state law. We made the local Best Seller's list. If you are interested, they are sold at Tattered Cover, Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
RECENT HONORS
This session I have received the Joseph Award from the faith advocacy community for work for the poor, disenfranchised and Legislator of the Year Award from the Colorado Social Legislation committee for consumer protections bills.
I also found out that I was voted as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in Colorado by the readers of the Denver Post.
http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_20543815/colorados-10-most-influential-women
Thank you for everything you do to stay informed, be engaged, and make a difference in Colorado!
March 25, 2012
The oil & gas lobby has killed all other legislation introduced to date pertaining to oil & gas drilling, or fracking. SB 107 is the last remaining fracking bill alive this session. If you or anyone you know is interesting in the potential impacts of fracking on our water supply, our property values and on our public health and safety, please sign and circulate this petition:
http://signon.org/sign/support-sb-107-vote-yes
Signing here will contact the members of the Colorado General Assembly and the Governor.
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