Policy Positions
Pro 15, through its membership, takes positions and stands on various issues that affect Northeast Colorado. Pro 15 also takes positions on various state and federal amendments up for a vote. Pro 15 does not take positions or support individual candidates. Pro 15 is a nonpartisan organization, and all are welcome at the table that supports the organization’s mission. The following are positions our membership has taken to date.
Policy Committee Meetings 2024
April 15, 2024
2nd Wednesday Only
– Ag, Bus, Energy at 10 am https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83177322429
Ed, Trans and HHS at 12 noon is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87062659925
pro-15-BillTracker-04-15-2024.xls2
April 3, 2024
1st Wednesday Only
10 am Ag, Business, Energy: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89433321724
12 Noon HHS, Education, Transportation https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85198067273
Bill List: Policy Meeting April 3 2024
March 20th
2nd Wednesday Only
10 am Ag, Business, Energy https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83177322429
12 noon HHS, Education, Transportation https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87062659925
pro-15-BillTracker-03-18-2024.xls
Back up materials:
AHCA Issue Brief unfunded staffing mandate.pdf
March 6th, 2024
1st Wednesday Only
10 am – Ag, Bus, Energy https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89433321724
12 Noon – HHS, Ed, Trans https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85198067273
Bills List 3-1-24 Policy Committee Bills for Mar 6 1924
Backup Materials:
HB24-1235
The aviation bill I mentioned to you is going to a hearing in House Transportation starting at 1:30 pm on March 6: Transportation, Housing & Local Government | Colorado General Assembly
Here’s a link to this bill: Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities | Colorado General Assembly
This bill would be terrible for aviation and terrible for airports that are such critical resources for rural Colorado. Please contact your representatives and senators and urge them to oppose this bill.
Some specific concerns include:
- Pivots the composition of the Colorado Aeronautical Board (CAB) and focus of the Division away from a statewide perspective to one that’s highly localized on front range general aviation (GA) airports, notably Centennial Airport and Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) by indirect definition.
- It would force the Division of Aeronautics to completely change the way it currently prioritizes statewide airport grant funding and prioritize essentially front range general aviation airports with noise/land use issues.
- Does not appear to recognize that the two airports that account for 1/3 of all of the aviation gasoline sold in the state (Centennial and RMMA) either already have unleaded fuel infrastructure in place (Centennial) or have federal funds programmed to add the infrastructure in 2024 (RMMA).
- It would require the Division to develop standards for “voluntary” airport noise mitigation programs for airports that want our funding, which must be “enforced”. Voluntary programs by definition cannot be “enforced”, either by airports or state agencies , and airport noise issues are local issues for local jurisdictions.
- Proposed new non-aviation CAB members are still structured to only represent a very specific set of local front range area airports.
- Adds language that existing CAB members be appointed to be representative of communities that are disproportionately impacted by GA traffic, diluting the CAB’s statewide representation and focus.
- Requires the installation of costly noise monitoring systems and lead level testing of individuals by the Division at certain airports.
- Creates a very small new enterprise within the Division and levies up to a $0.50 per gallon fee on leaded avgas with a focus on unleaded avgas infrastructure and incentives.
- There currently is no approved unleaded avgas that works safely in all piston powered aircraft. Several are in development, but they are not yet approved nor in production at this time.
Thank you!
Kent
Kent Holsinger
Holsinger Law, LLC
lands, wildlife and water law
www.holsingerlaw.com
1800 Glenarm Place, Suite 500 | Denver, Colorado 80202
O: (303) 722-2828 | D: (720) 330-8243 | F: (303) 496-1025
E: kholsinger@holsingerlaw.com | Vcard
HB 1172 CRA_FactSheet_FIN
HB 1129 One Pager_ Colorado HB 1129 (2024).pdfFebruary 7, 2024
Policy Committee Meetings 2023
1st Wednesday of the Month starting February 1st and ending May 3rd
10:30 – 11:30 am Ag, Energy, Transportation https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88168955211
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Health/Human Services, Education, Business – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81334353
3rd Wednesday of the Month starting January 18th and ending April 19th
Pro 15 April 19, 2023, Policy Committee Bills
10:30 – 11:30 am Ag, Energy, Transportation – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83691604292
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Health/Human Services, Education, Business – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84891637054
Prop 110 – Let’s Go Colorado
Proposed City and County Revenue Distribution (3)
Resolution for Cities, Counties, Organizations
Supporters of Prop 110: Don Ament, Jack Keever; Mayor Orville Tonsing, Holyoke; Maggie Metzler; Yuma County EDC; Cheyenne County BOCC; Town of Julesburg; Cathy Shull; Randy Grauberger; Joe Kiely; Barry Gore; Terry Hofmeister; Julie Wiebke; Linda L. Statz; Doug Kamery; Dean Michael; Joshua Young; Steve Young; Kayla Kafta; Milton Hunholz; Mayor BobLeGare, Aurora; Mayor Royce Pindell, Bennett; Senator Dominick Moreno; Senator Kevin Priola; Senator Nancy Todd; Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio, Adams County; Commissioner Bill Holen, Arapahoe County; Commissioner Nancy Jackson, Arapahoe County; Commissioner Rod Pelton, Cheyenne County (Candidate HD65); Bethleen McCall, City County, Yuma (Candidate HD65); Deb Gustafson (candidate SD1); Town of Limon; Ports to Plains; Colorado Municipal League; North Area Transit Alliance; Move Colorado; Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association; Colorado Association of Wheat Growers; Colorado Cattlemen’s Association; Colorado Dairy Farmers; Colorado Farm Bureau; Adams County Economic Development; Lincoln County Economic Development; Sage Strategies; Discover Northeast Colorado; Morgan County Democrats; Gerry Horak, Mayor ProTem Fort Collins; Colorado Corn Growers; Mountain View Electric
2018 Colorado Ballot
- A setback measure for oil and gas would mandate that new oil and gas development, including fracking, be a minimum distance of 2,500 feet from occupied buildings and other areas designated as “vulnerable.” Pro 15 opposes
- Payday loans would restrict the charges on payday loans to a yearly rate of 36 percent and would eliminate all other finance charges and fees associated with payday lending.
- A transportation measure that would increase sales tax, and Pro 15 supports
- Another transportation measure that would authorize bonds. Pro 15 opposes
- changes campaign-finance limitations Pro 15 supports
- One amendment requires that property owners be compensated for any reduction in property value caused by state laws or regulations.
- The other amendment boosts income taxes to raise money for education. Pro 15 supports
- Amendment V, age requirement for legislators,
- Amendment W, election ballot format for judicial retention elections,
- Amendment X, industrial hemp definition,
- Amendment Y, congressional redistricting, Pro 15 supports
- Amendment Z, legislative redistricting, and Pro 15 supports
- Amendment A, prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude
General Positions & Letters of Support
Pro 15 Resolutions, Policy Statements & Principles
Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
Resolutions
2016
Policy Statements
PS-2007-1
Progressive 15 urges the Governor and the Commissioner of Agriculture to be actively involved in promoting and defending Colorado’s agriculture interest in international trade negotiations and engage Colorado’s agriculture organizations in developing a strategy to this end.
PS-2007-2
Progressive 15 believes that agriculture is an integral part of its economic base and urges the Governor to convene a task force to assess the future of agriculture in Colorado and make appropriate recommendations as to what the State of Colorado can do to ensure a viable future for this important industry.
PS-2007-3
Progressive 15 urges any changes in policies or laws on use of chemicals in agriculture, mining, etc. are based on sound scientific evidence.
PS-2007-4
Progressive 15 supports protection of personal property rights
PS-2007-5
Progressive 15 believes agriculture land condemnation for economic development should not be allowed
Principles
Business and Labor
Resolutions
State Boards and Commissions 2001
Colorado First and Existing Industry Training Program 2001
Statewide Growth Limitation Initiative 2001
Advocate Affordable High Speed Broadband Access for the Region 2001
Telecommunications Infrastructure 2001
Support for The Development of Renewable Energy 2003
Biopharmaceutical Economic Impact 2003
Supporting the Equitable Distribution of Universal Service Support 2003
Policy Statements
PS-2007-6
Progressive 15 urges the Colorado Tourism Office and the Colorado Tourism Board to promote agri-tourism, agriculture, cultural tourism, by-ways, heritage tourism, the Eastern Plains and the entire State of Colorado in its photography and marketing.
PS-2007-9
Progressive 15 believes water impacts economic development
Principles
Education
Resolutions
Health & Human Services
Resolutions
Principles
Local Government
Resolutions
Policy Statements
PS-2007-7
Progressive 15 believes that fiscal limits should be statutory in nature and opposes the placement of additional fiscal limitations within the state constitution.
PS-2007-8
Progressive 15 supports retaining the opportunity for voters to approve proposed tax increases
Transportation & Energy
Resolutions
Colorado Department of Transportation Project Priority Planning Process 2001
2003 Strategic Investment Plan by the Transportation Commission of the State of Colorado 2002
National Highway Designation for Highway 71 2002
2035 StatewideTransportation Plan of the Transportation Commission of the State of Colorado 2007
Eastern Plains Transmission Project 2007
Opposing Expanded Oversight by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission Over Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc 2009
Hydraulic Fracking
2016
Rural Freight Cooridors
Transportation Bonding Guidelines
Policy Statements
PS-2007-10
Progressive 15 requests CDOT to adopt rules (consistent with USDOT) which provide year around opportunity for ag producers to advertise on-farm products
PS-2007-11
Progressive 15 supports a comprehensive study of existing regulations and associated impacts to
state and local roadways and movement of goods within, to from and through Colorado
regarding vehicle weights and configuration including those affecting agriculture commodities
PS-2007-12
Progressive 15 supports efforts to fund and develop the federally designated North / South Trade
corridors affecting Colorado; Ports to Plains and Heartland Express
PS-2007-13
Progressive 15 supports efforts to fund and develop North / South Trade Corridor High
Plains Highway 385
PS-2007-14
Progressive 15 urges, encourages and support efforts within Northeast Colorado to direct the
State of Colorado to secure additional funding through innovative and creative methods to
address the maintenance and repair of the transportation infrastructure of the region.
PS-2007-15
Progressive 15 urges collaborative efforts to expand federal and state funding options to improve
the state wide transportation system.
Principles
Other
Resolutions
2016 Ballot Positions
Subject |
Position |
Text |
Health Care | Oppose | Amendment 69 |
Oil & Gas | Oppose | Initiative 78 Setback |
Oil & Gas | Oppose | Initiative 75 local gvt control |
Raise The Bar | Support | Initiative 96 More difficult to amend constitution |
Let Colorado Vote | Support | Initiative 98 Primaries |
Raising Min Wage | Oppose | Initiative 101 State Minimum Wage |
Presidential Primary – 1st in West | Support | Initiative 140 Presidential Primaries |
No Position | Initiative 143 Tobacco Tax | |
No Position | Initiative 145 Medical Aid in Dying |
Policy Committee Meetings August 20-21, 2020 Study Materials
Log In for Thursday, August 20th
Cathy Shull is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Pro 15 Policy Committee Meetings – Education, Business, Energy
Time: Aug 20, 2020 09:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82321588224
Meeting ID: 823 2158 8224
Log In for Friday, August 21st
Cathy Shull is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Pro 15 Policy Committee Meetings – Transportation – HHS – Agriculture
Time: Aug 21, 2020 09:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85381311204
Meeting ID: 853 8131 1204
Need decision on Extend for 5 years, Archive or Revise RESOLUTION REGARDING Oil & Gas Regulatory Framework
2020 Ballot:
76Final Citizenship Qualifications
295OriginalFinal fee based enterprises
SB19-042FinalBill National Popular Vote
Outside Resources Pro/Con:
Pro Gallagher Amendment
summary of Gallagher Repeal ballot proposal and impacts, 2020