Colorado Insights

Colorado Insights is the Colorado Prosperity Project Newsletter published at least quarterly. 

Governor Signs Executive Order to Cut Government Red Tape

Thursday, January 19th, Governor John Hickenlooper signed an Executive Order directing state agencies to review rules and regulations in an effort to increase efficiency and effectiveness of state government, at the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry (CACI) luncheon before a crowd of 400 business leaders. 

The executive order directs agencies to review rules to determine the need, appropriateness and effectiveness.  

The executive order is a recommendation from the six month series of “Pits and Peeves” roundtable meetings held across the state.  Click here for the "Pits and Peeves" report.

The governor and his Cabinet crafted the order in consultation with various labor and business groups, including CACI. 

D 2012-002
EXECUTIVE ORDER
Regulatory Efficiency Reviews

 

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of Colorado, and in particular section 2 of Article IV of the Colorado Constitution, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state rules.

 
I. Background and Purpose

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of Colorado, and in particular section 2 of Article IV of the Colorado Constitution, I, John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state rules.
Background and Purpose Colorado is committed to making its rulemaking process among the most effective and transparent in the nation. State agencies are required to comply with the State Administrative Procedure Act (C.R.S. § 24-4-101, et seq.) in promulgating rules and involve the public, stakeholders, and the regulated community in that process. The rules promulgated through this process are designed to implement laws and achieve a variety of goals such as protecting consumers, promoting responsible business practices, ensuring public safety, and protecting public health and the environment.

After rules are duly promulgated, state agencies should continue to review all rules to ensure that they are effective, efficient, and essential. In that regard, state agencies have already initiated efforts to identify, modify, or repeal unnecessarily cumbersome or obsolete rules. Nevertheless, a periodic review and evaluation of rules should become a core component of an agency's administrative processes. Such a process can help ensure that existing rules identify and use the best, most innovative and least burdensome tools for achieving their goals. The directives in this Executive Order are intended to support those processes.

At the same time, predictability and certainty regarding agency rules are important to provide clarity on what is expected by and required of the regulated community. In order to address this need while performing ongoing review of rules, state agencies should provide early notice and information to the public, regulated entities, and other stakeholders about such reviews and potential changes to rules. As importantly, this notice and outreach will provide the opportunity for earlier consultation and input in the review and evaluation process.

II. Directives
I hereby order state agencies to achieve these actions:
A. As used in this Executive Order, the term "rule" or "rules" has the meaning as defined in the State Administrative Procedure Act at C.R.S. §24-4-102(15).

B. Each principal department and state agency shall conduct a review of all of its rules to
assess the continuing need for, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of its rules to determine if they should be continued in their current form, modified or repealed.

Agencies shall consider whether each rule:
 
1. Is necessary and does not duplicate existing rules;
2. Is written in plain language and is easy to understand;
3. Has achieved the desired intent and whether more or less regulation is necessary;
4. Can be amended to reduce any regulatory burdens while maintaining its benefits; and
5. Is implemented in an efficient and effective manner, including the requirements for the issuance of any permits or licenses.

C. Each principal department and agency shall provide public notification of its review of rules under paragraph B of this Order and shall provide an appropriate opportunity for the public to provide input, and shall notify other state agencies that may have jurisdiction over the subject matter of the rules to allow for collaboration.

D. Based on this review, agencies, in consultation with relevant boards and commissions, shall determine whether the existing rules should be continued in their current form, be amended or repealed. If the agency determines that a rule should be amended or repealed, the agency shall comply with the relevant and appropriate provisions of the State Administrative Procedure Act for the amendment or repeal of rules.

E. The Department of Regulatory Agencies is tasked with the development of implementation guidance for this Executive Order.

F. Nothing in this Executive Order shall contravene the requirements of the State Administrative Procedure Act or any other state statute.

III. Duration

This Executive Order will remain in force until further modification or rescission by the Governor.

GIVEN under my hand and the
Executive Seal of the State of
Colorado, this nineteenth day of
January, 2012.

John W. Hickenlooper
Governor


Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Delivers 2nd State of the State Address - January 12, 2012

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper delivered his second State of the State address on January 12, 2012 before a joint session of the House and Senate.  He reminded the state faces continued budget challenges but is in a stronger position for recovery today than a year ago.  The state’s general fund revenue is $1 billion less than it was five years ago and demands for government services has surged.   

The Governor’s initiatives included:

Focus state aid on the poorest seniors by giving assistance to rent and heating bills rather than allowing a senior property tax break that costs the state nearly $100 million a year to take effect.

Scrub every state agency to eliminate red tape, such as transportation rules that are out of date and personnel rules that prevent smart hiring and protect inept workers.

Review the potential to privatize the state-chartered worker’s compensation insurance fund, Pinnacol Assurance.  Potential revenues could assist funding economic development and higher education scholarships. 

Ensure PERA is stable and sustainable.

Create a climate of innovation to attract entrepreneurship.

Colorado established the Colorado Innovation Network (COIN) to foster collaboration and idea-sharing across private sector, academic and public lines, including the 29 research laboratories in Colorado.  COIN provides an opportunity to incubate entrepreneurship and facilitate the transfer of new ideas to the marketplace. The Governor requested the legislature allot $6 million in state support.  COIN also has private funding. 

The Governor mentioned, 2011 legislation SB200 setting the structure to create a statewide health benefits exchange to allow access to health care for 300,000 who do not currently have coverage.

The Governor touched on the move of Fortune 500 companies moving to Colorado, energy, improvements to the I70 corridor, sustainability of Medicaid and moving away from fee for service model, the success of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, plans for a bike tour across the Eastern Plains and the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Click Here for the full copy of the Governors State of the State Address

Colorado Reapportionment and Redistricting is Underway - Be Sure Your Voice is Heard
June 2011

The Colorado Reapportionment Commission convenes once every 10 years after the decennial federal census. The job of the commission is to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts for the state Senate and House of Representatives in compliance with the “one person, one vote” principle. The commission’s composition, schedule, and legal criteria that must be applied are found in article V, sections 46 through 48 of the Colorado Constitution.

Commission Members

The Reapportionment Commission consists of 11 members.  Pursuant to the Colorado Constitution, the Senate Majority Leader, House Speaker, Senate Minority Leader, and House Minority Leader all designated one person to serve on the commission.  The Governor appointed three members to the commission. The Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court appointed the final four members of the commission. The appointments are below:

Mario Carrera, Chair
Wellington Webb, Vice Chair

Dolores Atencio
Gayle Berry
Senator Morgan Carroll
Robert Loevy
Representative Matt Jones
Mario Nicolais
Arnold Salazar
Steve Tool
Rob Witwer

Commission Plan & Meetings – Be sure your voice is heard

The commissions with meet throughout the summer and, with public input, develop a preliminary plan outlining the proposed legislative districts.  The commission will hold public hearings before finalizing the plan.  The plan is then submitted to the Colorado Supreme Court to determine if all state and federal laws have been followed.  The court can approve the plan or require the commission to change part or the entire plan. 
Commission Meetings

All commission meetings are held 11 am – 5 pm at the Legislative Services Building, Hearing Room A, 200 E. 14th Ave. Denver, CO.  Public testimony portion of each meeting is expected to begin at 2:00 p.m.
Commission Meetings & City / County of Focus:

• May 31st – Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano, Las Animas, Mineral, Pueblo, Rio Grande, & Saguache
• June 6th – Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Elbert, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Phillips, Prowers, Sedgwick, Washington & Yuma
• June 13th – Archuleta, Chaffee, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Jackson, Lake, La Plata, Mesa, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, San Juan, San Miguel, & Summit
• June 20th – Custer, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Park & Teller
• June 27th – Larimer & Weld
• July 5th – Adams, Boulder, Broomfield & Jefferson
• July 11th – Arapahoe & Denver

Additional Commission Meetings:
July 18th
July 25th
August 1st

For more information regarding the Colorado Reapportionment Commission, including current legislative maps, population changes and agendas for meetings, click here

For information regarding Colorado Congressional Redistricting, click here 

For an overview of Redistricting and Reapportionment in Colorado, click here

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Signs Bill for Earlier Primary, Earlier Petition Dates
May 27, 2011

Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 2011-189 on May 27th, changing the dates for some elections in Colorado so the state complies with a federal "Military & Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act" aimed at giving military and others living overseas enough time to vote.

The bill makes Colorado's primary elections and precinct caucuses happen earlier on even-numbered years. The bill also requires that mail-in ballots be delivered or mailed to military personnel serving overseas 45 days before an election, instead of the current 30 days.

The bill sets Colorado's primary election as the last Tuesday in June, as opposed to the second Tuesday in August. Precinct caucuses would happen the first Tuesday in March, instead of the third Tuesday in March.

Click Here to link to SB11-189

Click Here for a full list of Bills the Governor has signed - 2011 Legislative Session

Colorado State of the State – Governor John Hickenlooper
January 13, 2011

Governor John Hickenlooper gave his first State of the State address to the General Assembly.  Governor Hickenlooper (D), elected in November 2010, was sworn in Tuesday as the 42nd Governor of Colorado.  The Governor’s speech focused largely on the state economy and creating jobs, stating our top priority must be jobs.

Governor Hickenlooper referenced his Executive Order D2011-003 Implementing a Statewide Economic Development Strategy.  Click here to link the executive order.

Colorado is facing a state budget deficit of approximately $1 billion.  Governor Hickenlooper recognizes that difficult decisions necessary to balance the budget and will work with the Joint Budget Committee to balance the budget.  The Governor has directed his cabinet to look for savings, redundancies and efficiencies in each department.
 
The Governor focuses comments on jobs, budget, education, health care and the environment.  He set a theme of efficiency saying government and services will be measured on effective, efficient and elegant standard, stating:

“Effective. Let’s measure every aspect of government to be sure it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. Let’s look at outcomes to judge whether our programs are successful.

Efficient. Services should be delivered in ways that are timely and effective. We will review every program, identify waste and duplication and measure for efficiency.

Elegant. When I say elegant, I’m not talking about fashion – you can tell that, just look at me. I’m talking about the delivery of state services in a way that elevates both the state employee and the person receiving state services. When someone applies for a driver’s license or inspection they shouldn’t feel disrespected by the interaction, and neither should the state employee. This is the essence of customer service.

All of these changes require a fundamental shift in the culture of government, and we have no more important partner in this effort than our state employees. Making government more effective, efficient and elegant means listening to our state employees and learning from them how we can do better.”

The Governor concluded his speech vowing to work with the legislature in a non-partisan manner. 

A full copy of the Governor’s State of the State Address is available, click here.


Colorado Insights: November 15, 2010
State House and Senate Leadership - 68th General Assembly (2011) 

Republicans will control the House chamber in 2011 by a 33-32 margin.

House Republicans elected:

• Representative Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch) as Speaker
• Speaker McNulty appointed Kevin Priola (R-Henderson) as Speaker Pro-Tem
• Representative Amy Stephens (R-Colorado Springs) as Majority Leader
• Representative Mark Waller (R-Colorado Springs) as Assistant Majority Leader
• Representative Carole Murray (R-Castle Rock) as Caucus Chair
• Representative BJ Nikkel (R-Loveland) as Caucus Whip

House Republicans will keep Representative Cheri Gerou (R-Evergreen) on the Joint Budget Committee and the Speaker appointed freshman Jon Becker (R-Fort Morgan) to join. 

House Democrats elected:

• Representative Sal Pace (D-Pueblo) as Minority Leader
• Representative Nancy Todd (D-Aurora) as Assistant Minority Leader
• Representative Lois Court (D-Denver) as Caucus Chair
• Representative Sue Ryden (D-Aurora) as Assistant Caucus Chair
• Representative Claire Levy (D-Nederland)  as Democratic Whip
• Representative Dicky Lee Hullinghorst (D-Boulder) as Assistant Democratic Whip

House Democrats kept Representative Mark Ferrandino (D-Denver) as their representative on the Joint Budget Committee.          

In the Senate, the Democrats retain control by a margin of 20-15. 

Senate Democrats elected:

• Senator Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) as President
• Senator Betty Boyd (D-Lakewood) as President Pro Tem
• Senator John Morse (D-Colorado Springs) as Majority Leader
• Senator  Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton) as Assistant Majority Leader
• Senator Morgan Carroll (D-Aurora) as Majority Caucus Chair

Senate Democrats on the Joint Budget Committee will be Senator Mary Hodge (D-Brighton) and Senator Pat Steadman (D-Denver)

Senate Republicans elected:

• Senator Mike Kopp (R-Littleton) as Minority Leader
• Senator Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs) as Assistant Minority Leader
• Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Parker) Caucus Chair
• Senator Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley) Minority Whip

The Senate Republicans replaced Senator Al White (R-Hayden) on the Joint Budget Committee with Senator Kent Lambert (R-Colorado Springs).  

Colorado Insights: November 5, 2010
Colorado Election Results

Colorado Election Results:
Colorado elected John Hickenlooper (D-Denver Mayor) as Governor, defeating Dan Maes (R) and Tom Tancredo (AC).  The State House of Representatives will be controlled by the Republicans (assuming the Ramirez race is not over turned in the recount) and the State Senate will be continued to be controlled by the Democrats. 

Please Note:
There are two races still in flux – HD 61 between Kathleen Curry (I) and Roger Wilson (D) and HD 29 between Robert Ramirez (R) and Debbie Benfield (D).  The State Democratic Party is challenging the HD29 race but the Republicans have stated that they are confident that Ramirez has won the seat and the R’s will remain in the majority. 

National Races in Colorado:

• Michael Bennet (D) won over Ken Buck (R) US Senate
• Scott Tipton (R) defeated incumbent John Salazar (D), CD3
• Cory Gardner (R) defeated incumbent Betsy Markey (D), CD4
• Diana DeGette (D) CD1, Jarod Polis (D) CD2, Doug Lamborn (R) CD5, Mike Coffman (R) CD6, and Ed Perlmutter (D) CD7 were re-elected. 

Colorado Insights: January 14, 2010
Colorado Governor Ritter State of the State Address – Colorado Prosperity Project Update 

Colorado’s Governor, Bill Ritter, delivered his fourth and final State of the State Address before a joint session of the House and Senate on January 15th.  He called on lawmakers to set aside weaker impulses of partisanship and to remain focused on job creation, economic recovery and balancing the state budget.

The Governor indicated the state has made progress and has one of the best economic climates and outlooks in the country.  Colorado is making the New Energy Economy our calling card, growing other Industries of the Future, cutting taxes to small businesses, expanding access to healthcare and bringing new sustainable funding to transportation.  Efforts have helped stabilize the economy and while economic recovery is underway, a revenue recovery is still a year away.

The Governor outlined his top priorities for the legislative session, including:

• Keeping the state budget balanced while saving money and making government more effective, such as proposals to the Medicaid Efficiency Act. 
• Creating jobs and growing Colorado’s New Energy Economy through proposals such as an increase to the state’s renewable energy standard, boosting it from the current 20 percent by 2020 requirement to 30 percent by 2020, and increasing demand for Colorado’s cleaner-burning natural gas.
• Making the Colorado State Park system the first in the country to use zero net energy.
• Modernizing teacher and student assessments, including replacing the CSAP test with a new assessment tool by 2011 or 2012.
• Strengthening public safety through legislation to regulate and rein in abuses in Colorado’s voter-approved medical marijuana program, toughen penalties for drunk driving offenses, and improve the state’s child-protection system. 
• Shoring up the state’s Public Employee Retirement Association pension fund.

The Governor called on Coloradoans to unite against Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61 that he felt would shut down colleges, and prisons, increase class sizes, put thousands of teachers out of work, and prevent the repair of unsafe roads and bridges.

Click Here to link to the full text of Governor Ritter's State of the State Address