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A Message from Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera | |
As another calendar year comes to a close, I’m continually grateful for another 12 months getting to serve the people of Colorado and work alongside a dynamic and talented team that is making our state a stronger, healthier, and a more equitable place for all.
It’s been a busy year, filled to the brim with moments of celebration, including raising a glass in honor of Colorado winemakers at the 2023 Governors Cup last month, returning to my alma mater Regis University in Denver to welcome their new president, Salvador Aceves, in September, and honoring Mikaela Shiffrin as she became the most decorated skier in World Cup alpine history this past spring. It’s been an honor getting to connect with so many Coloradans and pay tribute to this amazing state we call home.
Since our last newsletter, we’ve had several important months of recognition. July was Disability Pride Month, where we are reminded that disability is a common experience with over 61 millions Americans currently living with a disability. People with disabilities continue to make an impact across our state and deserve the same opportunities to live and work as they choose. October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know that I wouldn’t be here today without the immense support of doctors, nurses, family, and friends who helped me overcome what at the time seemed insurmountable. In November we celebrated Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the culture and achievements of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. While each of these months of recognition are limited to 30 or so calendar days, we know that these messages need to be shared year-round. So keep talking about the importance of expanding accessibility, scheduling routine mammograms, and learning about the powerful role AI/AN communities continue to make across our state.
As Lieutenant Governor, I have the privilege of leading a diverse portfolio of programs, including: Aerospace, Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs (CCIA), Colorado Disability Funding Committee and Disability Policy, Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI), Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, and Serve Colorado. While each program is unique, we are all united by the mission to create a stronger, more equitable state where people of all backgrounds are able to thrive. Together, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot.
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2023 was another exciting year for Aerospace in Colorado! Colorado remains the largest private Aerospace economy per capita in the country, and it continues to grow. Further demonstrating Colorado’s position as the epicenter of national security space, we were thrilled by President Biden’s decision to name Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs as the permanent home of U.S. Space Command! The Polis-Primavera administration has worked tirelessly for over three years with our partners at the Federal and local levels to advocate for keeping U.S. Space Command in its rightful home at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. This decision is critical to our national security and military readiness.
As the National Chair of the Aerospace States Association, I was also proud to host my colleagues from across the country at the 2023 Aerospace States Association Annual Meeting and Policy Summit this past July in Boulder. During the event, participants had the opportunity to experience firsthand what makes Colorado Aerospace so special. We also honored Colonel Nicole Mann, the first Indigenous woman in space, as the 2023 Hobson-Davis Award winner. Her presentation truly showcased that there is space for everyone in space.
|  | Lt. Governor Primavera providing remarks at an event in Colorado Springs celebrating the announcement that Peterson Space Force Base would be the permanent home for U.S. Space Command. Lt. Governor is joined by Mayor Yemi Moboade, El Paso County Commissioner Stan VanderWerf, Governor Jared Polis, Senator Michael Bennet, Senator John Hickenlooper, Congressman Doug Lamborn, and Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC President and CEO Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer (left to right). | Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs | |
According to the 2020 Census, over 74,000 individuals identifying exclusively as American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) live in Colorado. Through Tribal consultation, quarterly meetings, recurring engagements with AI/AN serving organizations, and community events, the CCIA team continues to strengthen our government-to-government relationships as well as our partnerships with AI/AN communities, ensuring Tribal and Native communities in Colorado are supported.
Over the past few months, the team facilitated Tribal consultations with the Colorado Broadband Office and both the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in efforts to expand internet access. CCIA also partnered with History Colorado in the release of the state’s Indian Boarding School Report and subsequent AI/AN community listening session, which explored the history around the Indian Boarding School system deployed by the federal government between 1880 - 1920. As we continue to investigate the past atrocities and work to further understand the truth surrounding our state’s and country’s history, we must keep in mind that this painful history still impacts families across Colorado. Hatred, racism, fear, and violence have no place in Colorado’s future.
Throughout November, the CCIA team and I joined several events including the Denver Indian Health and Family Services’ Rock Your Mocs 5k event, Lakota language classes at Denver North High School, and a Denver Nuggets game where I read a proclamation declaring November as Native American Heritage Month. Finally, the team welcomed Dominique Talahaftewa as the team’s second Interagency Tribal Liaison.
|  | I joined the CCIA staff at Rock Your Mocs (moccasins) 5k hosted by Denver Indian Health and Family Services in November. | Colorado Disability Funding Committee & Disability Policy | |
As we look ahead to the 2024 legislative session, which will start up in January, work is already underway on the Task Force on the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities which was made possible by House Bill 23-1296 and signed into law earlier this year. I am honored to serve as Chair of the Task Force which is working to investigate current issues Coloradans with disabilities face and make recommendations to improve inclusivity and accessibility across our state. The Task Force will explore a variety of issue areas including modernization of the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning civils rights of persons with disabilities, basic accessibility of outdoor spaces, the affordability, accessibility, and attainability of housing, and basic physical and programmatic accessibility within state and local government.
In October, I joined the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on their podcast Livewire to talk about my early work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of Colorado and the importance of making workplaces more inclusive to the approximately 1 in 4 Coloradans living with a disability. One way we’re investing in people with disabilities is through the Colorado Disability Funding Committee which provides grants to organizations improving outcomes for Coloradans with disabilities. Since staffing for this Committee was moved to my office in 2020, they have raised more than $270,000 from the sale of the right to use reserved license plate configurations, $3.7 million from the sale of historic license plate backgrounds, and awarded $461,500 in grants. The Committee launched a $500,000 grant round which will run through January 31. Learn more about the grant program and their specialty license plate configuration program at the Colorado Disability Funding Committee website.
|  | Senior Policy Advisor on Disability Josh Winkler helped kick off the Colorado National Federation of the Blind Convention speaking about the Polis-Primavera administration’s guiding mission to create a Colorado for All and continued investments in expanding opportunities and resources for people with disabilities. | Office of eHealth Innovation | |
The Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) is dedicated to improving digital access, health
equity, and technology throughout the state. OeHI is working with the Colorado State Library to fund 23 rural libraries to support more access to virtual services. Libraries in this pilot can use funding to implement private spaces within their building that patrons can use to have a telehealth or other virtual service appointment, so that patients have the connectivity, equipment, and support they might need to have a successful telehealth visit.
Additionally, they are in the process of implementing Colorado’s inaugural statewide Social Health Information Exchange (SHIE) data sharing network to make it easier for health care providers to connect people to the services they need to lead healthy lives such as food, transportation, and safe housing. All roads lead to health, and this program helps provide a holistic approach to getting Coloradoans the support they need. Thanks to the team’s innovative work, this year, they were able to award more than 100 Home and Community Based Services and Behavioral Health providers serving Health First Colorado members with resources to support their digital transformation of patient health records.
|  | Office of eHealth Director Stephanie Pugliese and I presented at the Social Determinants of Health Summit in San Diego to discuss what Colorado is doing to support wellness statewide. Targeting health influencers such as housing, education, and employment not only leads to a better quality of life for Coloradans, it also correlates with better health outcomes. It was great getting to connect with peers, including El Paso County Public Health Director Susan Wheelan. | Office of Saving People Money on Health Care | |
Our Office of Saving People Money on Health Care team continues to ensure that all Coloradans have access to high quality and affordable healthcare. This year brought important firsts for Colorado health care. In September, Colorado was chosen as one of nine grantees by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to improve access to care for patients with Long COVID. This was the result of a collaboration between the Office of the Lt. Governor, CU Anschutz, National Jewish Health, Family Health West and Kaiser Permanente through the Long COVID Community of Practice Working Group formed earlier this year by the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care team.
In July, Colorado’s first Medical-Financial Partnership (MFP) pilot launched in southwest Colorado. MFPs are collaborative arrangements made between health care providers and community-based organizations that provide a variety of financial services alongside health care services aimed at improving financial security for patients and families. Colorado’s grantees include Axis Health and the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. The pilot resulted from advocacy by the Office of the Lt. Governor to address financial toxicity for Coloradans following a report issued in 2021. The report illustrates the critical importance of addressing out-of-pocket expenses for patients experiencing chronic illness, which can cause significant financial challenges and emotional distress, especially for those living with chronic diseases. Explore the fact sheet and read the report.
|  | I joined the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care for a meeting of Long Covid patients, researchers, and practitioners at the University of Colorado Anschutz health campus. | |
Serve Colorado, which leads the state’s AmeriCorps programs, is wrapping up another successful year. One new program they launched this year is the Digital Navigator pilot program which is being implemented in 23 locations across 10 counties in the state! The program, led by Serve Colorado grantees, Learning Source and the Loveland Public Library, is actively recruiting part-time and full-time Digital Navigators, including bilingual English and Spanish speakers and speakers of additional languages. Digital Navigators help community members identify affordable and effective internet services, provide digital skills training, and offer guidance on obtaining affordable computers. As part of this initiative, AmeriCorps members serving as Digital Navigators earn a living allowance and are eligible for an education award upon the completion of their service. They also receive various benefits, including housing stipends, transportation support, and health insurance.
In November, Serve was awarded America’s Service Commission award for Innovation in Partnerships. Serve Colorado’s recognition in the Innovation and Partnerships category signifies its exceptional work in forging collaborations to advance career opportunities, empower members statewide, and leverage national service to make significant impacts in our communities. Between 2019 and 2023, Serve Colorado has doubled their operational programs from 11 to 24. In the last three years alone, Serve Colorado has secured $23.5 million in external funds through their partnerships, amplifying their impact and empowering them to serve communities with heightened efficacy.
Serve Colorado continues to advance the Polis-Primavera administration's bold priorities.
Notably, our workforce development efforts are helping achieve some of the administration's bold workforce development goals included in the Governor's Executive Order earlier this year.
In November 2023, Serve Colorado affirmed its position as an innovative national leader, publishing their new Quality Credentialing Framework. To better serve communities and members across the state, Serve Colorado is providing members with an opportunity to give back to their communities while receiving skills and training that will help them find higher paying jobs. With the current demand for skilled workers, these members will be better prepared to enter the workforce. As part of this effort, Serve Colorado is incorporating “stackable credentials” into AmeriCorps members’ service terms, credentials that can be used to advance one's career. Serve Colorado also provides funding to organizations and will prioritize giving grants to those who demonstrate that members will earn stackable credentials.
|  | Members of my staff and I volunteered at Denver Urban Gardens. DUG operates 193 gardens in the Denver Metro area and is one of many places AmeriCorps members are leading. | |
Thank you for your support and partnership this year. May you be able to find moments of joy and light during this season of short days and long nights. Best wishes to you and your loved ones, and I hope great things are around the corner for you in 2024.
Cheers,
Dianne Primavera
Lt. Governor of Colorado
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P.S. While December brings a lot of talk of holiday cheer, we know it can also be an emotionally challenging time. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health, substance use, or emotional support, call Colorado Crisis Services at 844- 493-TALK (8255), or text TALK to 38255. Trained professionals provide free, immediate, and confidential help, 24/7/365. Everyone deserves someone who will listen and care, including you and your loved ones. Learn more at
ColoradoCrisisServices.org. To locate additional behavioral health resources close to you, check out the OwnPath Colorado tool.
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