GOVERNOR'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEWSLETTER

334 BILLS SIGNED IN 30 DAYS

GOVERNOR'S PRESS RELEASES

COLORADO BILL TRACKER

GOVERNOR'S WEBSITE

LIST OF BILLS SIGNED

STATE OF COLORADO JOBS

FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION FOR ALL COLORADANS

Education has been a top priority of mine since day one, and this year we’ve built upon our historic investments, fully funding education, making the first two years of college free for qualified students, and updating the school finance formula for the first time in 30 years. I signed these bills in the presence of some of the students and teachers who will benefit from this important progress, including the increase of over $17,000 in additional funding per classroom.

Educators, students, and legislators look on as Governor Polis signs HB24-1340 at Mountain Range High School.

At Mountain Range High School in Westminster, I signed a bipartisan new law to create the Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expand ed initiative, which will make two years at a four-year public college, community or trade school free for qualified students. I am especially excited about the progress made this legislative session to cut costs of higher education for students in Colorado.

REINTRODUCING WOLVERINES TO COLORADO

Governor Polis gestures towards a stuffed wolverine while speaking on SB24-171. There are snow-covered mountain peaks in the background.

I am thrilled to have signed the bipartisan SB24-171, to authorize the reintroduction of wolverines to Colorado’s mountain slopes. Reintroducing wolverines to Colorado returns a missing native species to alpine and subalpine ecosystems and is one for the history books - it makes Colorado the first state in the nation to initiate such a reintroduction.

Until 1919, Colorado sustained a viable population of wolverines as the species historically thrived in the rocky, high-elevation habitat found in the Rocky Mountains. Colorado has the largest estimated wolverine habitat in the lower 48 states, which makes our state a perfect candidate for the reintroduction of wolverines.

I signed this bipartisan bill in potential wolverine habitat at the top of Loveland Pass. Thank you to the bipartisan sponsors of SB24-171 and the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Dan Gibbs, for joining me for this scenic bill signing.

Governor Polis signs SB24-171 seated at a table on a mountain top.

DELIVERING REAL RESULTS FOR THE WESTERN SLOPE

Over the last two weeks, I was in Paonia, Gypsum, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Alamosa, Hayden, Craig, Steamboat Springs, and Grand Junction meeting with Coloradans, signing new laws, and visiting small businesses that are the backbone of our strong economy. Thank you to all of the legislators, business owners, and state agencies for hosting these bill signings.

Governor Polis speaks at a podium with Senators Will and Roberts and Representative Velasco. State Patrol and CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew are also present.

Governor Polis speaks at a podium with Senators Will and Caitlin behind him.

On May 20, one of my favorite days of travel on this tour, I signed HB24-1135 and SB24-100 at Bair Ranch Rest Area next to the passage of I-70 running through Glenwood Canyon, where these bills will ensure safer interstate travel for drivers in Colorado. I then traveled to Colorado River Fire Rescue Station in New Castle to sign into law measures aimed at strengthening wildfire mitigation and response in Colorado. The Bradley family hosted me at the beautiful Orchard Valley Farms and Market in Paonia.

Governor Polis poses with a large group of Alamosa County first responders in front of a row of ambulances.

While in Alamosa, I met with dedicated and hardworking Alamosa County and Conejos County first responders. I was proud to thank them for their hard work to keep Coloradans and communities safe.

BUILDING A COLORADO FOR ALL

I signed two bills financially supporting the Native American and African American communities in their respective efforts to shed light on racial discrimination in Colorado. On May 24, I signed HB24-1444 at the Denver Indian Center. This bill will recreate an updated federal Indian boarding school research program. At the Martin Luther King Memorial in City Park, I signed SB24-053, which will establish the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission to conduct an important study on racial inequity in Colorado.

Governor Polis signs SB24-053 while seated at a table in front the Martin Luther King memorial in City Park. A crowd of advocates and legislators from the African American community surround him.

Governor Polis signs HB24-1444 at the Denver Indian Center at a table surrounded by advocates and legislators from the Native American community.

THE GOVERNOR’S ART SHOW

In between bill signings, I was able to stop by the Governor’s Art Show hosted by the Loveland and Thompson Valley Rotary Clubs at the Loveland Museum. I grew up in a family of artists, and elevating Colorado’s talented artists is important to me as Governor. This show is a great opportunity to celebrate Colorado’s thriving, talented art community. This year, the show ran from May 11 through June 9. I recommend putting the Governor’s Art Show on your calendar for next year.

Governor Polis discusses a painting of flowers on glass with the local artist at the Governor's Art Show.

EVENTS CORNER

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SOCIAL MEDIA

AGENCY HIGHLIGHT

Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is the state's umbrella regulatory agency. DORA licenses and registers professions and businesses, regulates Colorado industries, and protects consumers. DORA’s ten divisions and over 600 employees are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and promoting a fair and competitive business environment throughout Colorado.

JOB OPENINGS AT THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Recovery Project Manager and Management Assistant, Application Closing on 7/2/2024

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