Recognizing legislative sponsors of CoPIRG-backed legislation in 2022

Every vote is important at the legislature. This year, CoPIRG released our 2022 Legislative Scorecard, educating the public on how their legislator voted on 23 bills CoPIRG endorsed in the 2022 session. 

However, some legislators played a particularly important role this session as bill sponsors. I want to emphasize the important role that sponsors play in Colorado. Legislators get limited bills that they are allowed to sponsor. A sponsor must present and defend the bill to their colleagues in committees and on the floor. They are bottomline responsible for shepherding their bill through the legislative process. Sponsoring a bill is not an easy task and I want to recognize and applaud the work of those legislators that sponsored a CoPIRG-backed bill this session. 

Legislators who sponsored three or more CoPIRG-endorsed bills in the 2022 session:

Senator Kevin Priola championed seven CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to improve recycling and reduce waste, fund the 2-1-1 consumer information call system, end the sale of flavored tobacco products, protect the health of pollinators, and improve energy efficiency in buildings. 

Senator Julie Gonzales championed six CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to eliminate PFAS chemicals in products, improve recycling and reduce packaging, improve air quality, protect residents from toxic air pollutants, tackle predatory towing practices, and limit contributions to school board candidates.

Senator Faith Winter championed four CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to test and remediate lead-contaminated water in schools and daycares, improve energy efficiency in new buildings, increase electric vehicle capabilities in new construction, and rescue ozone pollution through increased public transit options.  

Representative Brianna Titone championed three CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to allow people the right to repair their own wheelchairs, reduce waste from single-use meal accessories, and facilitate wheelchair repairs under Medicaid.

Representative Jennifer Bacon championed three CoPIRG-backed bills including ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, reducing ozone through improved public transit, and a program to expand affordable small dollar loans to Colorado families. 

Representative Alex Valdez championed three CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to improve energy efficiency in new buildings, increase electric vehicle capabilities in new construction, and improve air quality. 

Senator Rachel Zenzinger championed three CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to stop online counterfeiters, allow people the right to repair their own wheelchairs, and facilitate wheelchair repairs under Medicaid.

Senator Chris Hanson championed three CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to fund a front range passenger rail system, improve energy efficiency in new buildings, and fund the 2-1-1 information call system. 

Representative Meg Froelich championed three CoPIRG-backed bills including policies to improve air quality, and to protect the health of pollinators.

There were a total of 36 Colorado legislators who sponsored CoPIRG-backed bills. In addition to the names above, the following legislators also sponsored one or two CoPIRG-backed bills:

Representatives: Tracey Bernett, Mary Bradfield, Terri Carver, Marc Catlin, Lisa Cutter, Daneya Esgar, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Matt Gray, Edie Hooton, Chris Kennedy, Cathy Kipp, Julie McCluskie, Kyle Mullica, David Ortiz, Perry Will, Naquetta Ricks, Janice Rich, Dylan Roberts, Emily Sirota, Marc Snyder, Mike Weissman.

Senators: John Cooke, Don Coram, Jessie Danielson, Steve Fenberg, Rhonda Fields, Bob Gardner, Nick Hinrichsen, Pete Lee, Sonya Jacquez Lewis, Brittany Pettersen, Bob Rankin, Robert Rodriguez, Tammy Story, Jerry Sonnenberg, Rob Woodward.

Thank you to these legislators for leading the way on a number of important public interest issues.