H_THL_2023A 02/07/2023 01:30:41 PM Committee Summary

Mr. Ogborn talked
about the 12 freight and three excursion short line railroads in Colorado.
 He said that in Colorado there are 2,545 miles of rail lines and
mentioned that short lines are the first and last mile.  Mr. Ogborn
shared that there are 150 employees operating in Colorado.  

The railroad representatives
talked about their work with other transportation agencies, including the
Front Range Passenger Rail District.

The panelists responded to questions from committee members.

The panelists continued to respond to questions from committee members.

Representatives Lindstedt and Wilson, co-prime sponsors, talked about House Bill 23-1023 concerning the dollar amount of a special district contract that requires notice for bids. The bill changes the notice threshold for contracts from $60,000 to $120,000 and includes an adjustment for inflation every five years.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from committee members.

The witnesses responded to questions from committee members.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Parenti and Story, co-prime sponsors, outlined House Bill 23-1065 concerning the scope of the Independent Ethics Commission's jurisdiction over ethics complaints against local government officials and employees. Local governments include municipalities, counties, special districts, or school districts.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from committee members.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from committee members.

The bill sponsors continued to respond to questions from committee members.

Dr. Dar-Lon Chang, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. JD Lobue, representing Coloradans for Metro District Reform, testified in support of the bill. Mr. John Henderson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr Dino Ioannides, representing the Independent Ethics Commission, testified to amend the bill. Ms. Gail Bell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Brian Matise, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from committee members.

The witnesses continued to respond to questions from committee members.

The witnesses responded to questions from committee members.

The bill sponsors provided information about amendment L.002 (Attachment A).

Jed Franklin, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, testified about the bill.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.

Committee members made closing remarks.

The committee took a brief recess.

The bill sponsor responded to questions from committee members.

The witnesses responded to questions from committee members.

Mrs. Kristi Pollard, representing Metro District Education Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Kevin Walker, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Keith Simon, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Robert Rogers, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions from committee members.

The witness panel continued to respond to questions from committee members.

Kyle Thomas, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ted Leighty, representing Colorado Association of Home Builders, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jennifer Tanaka, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Lawrence Jacobson, representing Westside Investment Partners, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions from committee members.

The witness panel continued to respond to questions from committee members.

Charles Wolfersberger, representing several homeowner controlled metro districts, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Fayre Ruszczyk, representing Coloradans for Metro District Reform, testified in support of the bill. Karen Morgan, representing Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District, testified in support of the bill. Mr. John Henderson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel continued to respond to questions from committee members.

Mr. Mark Witkiewicz, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maryann McGeady, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Sarah Mercer, representing Sterling Ranch, testified in opposition to the bill. Stephanie Stanley, representing the Special District Association of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr Dave Davia, representing Homeownership Opportunity Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Andrea Cole, representing Dominion Water & Sanitation District, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. David Dazlich, representing Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions from committee members.

Mr. Gibson responded to questions from committee members.

Mr. Gibson continued to respond to questions from committee members.

The bill sponsor responded to questions from committee members.

The bill sponsor made closing remarks.

Committee members made closing remarks.