When I was teaching at Steamboat Springs High School, one of the things that we covered in my social studies classes was the concept of a representative democracy. My students and I would discuss the importance of leaders reflecting the wants and needs of their constituents. A truly representative democracy means that the power is held by the citizens who exercise their voice and vote to hold leaders accountable to the needs of their community.
As a legislator for House District 26, I want to amplify the voices of our community members. I was elected to represent you.
Colorado State Representatives can each draft at least five potential bills that will be introduced during the legislative session. Last year, I was a prime sponsor of 20 bills that I believe have the potential to positively impact all of Colorado, especially our rural communities. It is not lost on me that it is an incredible honor to have the opportunity to carry these bills through our political process.
During the interim, I am busy preparing for the 2024 Legislative Session, in which I will be guaranteed the introduction of at least five more of these bills. Right now, I am researching policy ideas and chatting with Coloradans across my district to improve the lives of you and the rest of your community, but I need your help.
As a resident of Northwest Colorado, I understand the obstacles that we face on a day-to-day basis. We need more affordable housing, protections for our water systems, better funding for our schools, and greater support for communities in need.
I need to hear from you. Each and every perspective is unique, and hearing from you will help me understand issues and solutions that I had not previously considered.
Last year, a number of bills that I was a prime sponsor of came directly from the members of our community. Ranchers, farmers, hunters, and agriculturalists shared their concerns about the reintroduction of wolves, so I worked with other rural legislators to sponsor SB23-256, SB23-255, and HB23-1265. Together, this package of bills took constituent concerns and made policy solutions to address the ramifications of wolf reintroduction.
Similarly, SB23-094 was a bill that originated from community members like you. Across Colorado, our school transportation systems are falling short of the needs of our communities, which is why I sponsored this bill to create a School Transportation Task Force. After hearing from bus drivers, students, school administrators, and parents, and having had first-hand experience as a teacher, my colleagues and I knew that action had to be taken. Thanks to those who spoke out, we were able to pass legislation that creates a task force to research how we can address the shortfalls of school transportation systems.
HB23-1051 will increase broadband access in rural communities like our own in House District 26. The technology gap between urban and rural communities has grown over time, and this bill is a step in the direction of closing the digital divide. Teachers, remote workers, small businesses, emergency services, and countless other community members shared that reliable internet access is not a want, but a need. In a bipartisan manner, we, as rural legislators, took that need and found a policy solution.
In each of these scenarios and in many more, your voices were heard, and action was taken. So, let’s work together to brainstorm, troubleshoot, and create policy that can and will make a difference! At the State Capitol, I have access to researchers, policy experts, and attorneys who draft legislation who can all help us solve problems. However, I need your ideas and experiences to get the ball rolling.
Please contact me at [email protected] to share your ideas, issues, and experiences. Also, send me an email if you would like to be added to my newsletter for more frequent legislative updates. Follow me on social media to be the first to know when I will be hosting town halls to answer your questions in person.
Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward!
By MEGHAN LUKENS
STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 26 REPRESENTATIVE
