There is more than one way to protect the environment. Clearing up some things on Assembly procedures. And inform yourself to be a better advocate.
When the Progressive Democrats running this state say that they want to protect the environment, what they mean is that they have decided the best way to do this and are not open to other alternatives.
The above is a pretty sweeping claim, but I want you to understand why I make it because I (and I hope you've read this page long enough to see this) do not make such claims lightly.
There are two links below. The first is a Sun article about the bill that forces home warranty providers to offer people a chance to replace their warrantied, malfunctioning natural gas equipment with electric equipment (but, to be fair it should be note that this would be done on a cost for cost basis: the bill doesn't require warranty companies to pay extra).
The second is an op ed about Assembly Democrats killing yet another attempt to get even the barest discussion of nuclear energy on the table.
I could care less about someone asking to have an electric stove replace (on a dollar for dollar basis) their broken gas stove. I recognize too that nuclear energy is not without risk.
The point I make here is not one of whether or not we should have gas or electric stoves. It's not about renewables vs. coal. It is one about control. The Progressive Democrats running this state, despite their rhetoric to the contrary, are not wanting to (quoting Gov Polis here), "take the best ideas from all sides that work".
They are, rather, seeking to make sure that what they want gets done, regardless of the effects of such a path. And certainly regardless of reasoned objections by people who disagree.
The two screenshots I've attached are an example of just the kind of thinking I mean. We have Democrats unwilling to countenance someone (gasp!) choosing to replace electric with gas. They're unwilling to concede that in parts of this state (such as the rural area I live in), electrification is not really a viable option right now. And we have Democrats that do not heed a 12-1 differential in positive vs. negative comment on a bill.
Worth remembering and worth pointing out.
https://coloradosun.com/2023/02/27/colorado-home-appliance-warranty-clean-energy-switch-bill/
https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2023/02/27/fogleman-colorado-democrats-ignore-the-facts-on-nuclear-energy/
***Related
Caldara op ed on the clear arrogance of one-party political domination in this state.
https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2023/02/22/caldara-arrogance-of-colorados-one-party-rule-showing-through/
Let's clear the record on a couple of things about Assembly procedures.
The Colorado Sun article below is BADLY in need of some context, and I'm not talking anything at all about the bills therein.
I'm talking about the ignorance the reporter seems to show about the procedures of the Assembly. This despite the fact that she's the politics reporter.
Look at the screenshot.
#1. Democrat leadership is powerless against bills getting a hearing (see #2 below), but they're not powerless to stop bills. Believe me. There are plenty of things that they can do to make sure bills that the majority don't like are done away with quickly. There is a committee in both the House and Senate called the "kill committee" whose job it is to permanently end bills.
#2. It is explicitly written in the Colorado Constitution (and not a function of the magnanimity of Democrats) that bills go before a committee. Every bill gets a committee hearing regardless of party, sponsor, etc. It is also your right to comment (and, again, not a function of how nice the Democrats are).
https://coloradosun.com/2023/02/28/colorado-republicans-doomed-bills-legislature/
Inform yourself so you will be a better advocate for your rights.
If you are concerned about the Assembly Democrats eating into your Second Amendment rights, I have a three things for you.
The first is a reminder that you can speak up on bills. It is your right in this state. I highly recommend you do so. Speak up for your rights before you lose them. Watch this page, join www.cssa.org and sign up for the mailing list, watch the bills themselves, but watch for their committee hearings.
The second thing I have for you is the written testimony that Mr. Kopel from the Independence Institute is sending in re. bill for a 3 day waiting period on gun purchases in Colorado.
The third is a radio interview between Mr. Kopel and George Brauchler. This one does cover the bill in the testimony but also touches on the others that have been released. Unfortunately, I couldn't just link the specific episode I wanted, so I put in a screengrab which shows which episode you want. You just have to scroll down.
These second two are for the people who might not testify because they don't know what to say. That is, if you've not ever written an email or testified in front of a committee because you think that you don't have any good arguments to make, you'll find plenty in either of the two.
I urge you to speak up. Write an email, sign up to testify remotely, call your rep or senator, contribute to a gun rights organization like CSSA (see link above).
https://pagetwo.completecolorado.com/2023/03/01/kopel-colorado-bill-forcing-delay-of-firearms-acquisition-on-shaky-constitutional-ground/
https://710knus.com/radioshow/the-george-brauchler-show