Taxpayer-Funded Preschool “Bonus Payments”  |  SB23-269

SB23-269 creates “bonus payments” to incentivize participation in the Colorado universal preschool provider program.

The Housed passed SB23-269 on May 6, 2023, by a vote of 50 to 14. We have assigned pluses to the noes because education is not the role of government. A child’s education is the responsibility of—and a fundamental right of choice retained by—his or her parents. Moreover, this bill’s “bonus payments” scheme threatens educational freedom by using a form of taxpayer-funded bribery to displace traditional private preschools in favor of the state’s universal preschool program. It exchanges public subsidies for curriculum control, effectively turning all participating preschools into government preschools. Coercing the citizens of Colorado to hand over more of their hard-earned tax dollars to further support a compulsory, government-run, and failing K-12 school system violates their individual liberties assured by U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment.

Virtual “Marriage or Civil Union” Licensing  |  HB23-1278

HB23-1278 lets a county clerk and recorder issue a “marriage” or “civil union” license without the applicants appearing in person.

The Senate passed HB23-1278 on May 2, 2023, by a vote of 25 to 8. We have assigned pluses to the noes because Colorado should protect “marriage,” rather than redefine or degrade it. This bill not only illegitimately recognizes same-sex “civil unions,” but wrongly assumes that “marriage” is to be determined exclusively, even frivolously, by the government. However, “marriage” is a God-ordained institution consisting of a sacred covenant between a man and a woman. It’s the foundation of the family and cannot be equated to “civil unions,” which are based on grossly illicit acts of sexual behavior contrary to the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” There can be no appeal to the “pursuit of Happiness” for anyone separate from the moral sanctions set forth by “their Creator” who grants them with “certain unalienable Rights.” No amount of consecration can make constitutional, much less holy, what is abominable and shameful. The state must defend “marriage” from mockery and disparagement by rejecting “civil unions.”

Limiting “No-Knock” Warrants  |  SB23-254

SB23-254 limits the issuance of a “no-knock search warrant” to a situation in which there is either probable cause for an arrest of a suspect or because of a “credible threat to the life of any person.”

The House passed SB23-254 on May 2, 2023, by a vote of 42 to 23. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because “no-knock” warrants undermine the rights of Americans ensured by the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. They violate the essential principle that law enforcement should not forcibly enter a premises without first providing notice of their authority and purpose of executing a warrant.

‘Morning-After’ Pill Mandate  |  SB23-284

SB23-284 requires health benefit plans to cover a continuous 12-month use of over-the-counter or prescription contraceptives.  

The House passed SB23-284 on April 29, 2023, by a vote of 58 to 5. We have assigned pluses to the noes because hormonal birth control drugs and devices, particularly high-dose ‘morning-after’ pills, can and do prevent uterine implantation of developing preborn children, causing them to function not only as “contraceptives,” but also as abortifacients, thereby resulting in ‘silent abortions.’ Given that the care of human life—not its destruction—is the greatest responsibility of government, Colorado ought to forbid all methods of abortion and secure the right to life for every preborn child. The right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the Fifth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Grandparent “Family Time” in Child Custody Cases  |  HB23-1026

HB23-1026 provides that a grandparent may overcome the presumption that any parental determination regarding “family time” is in the “best interests of the child” during a custody case, allowing a court to appoint a child’s legal representative.

The House passed HB23-1026 on April 26, 2023, by a vote of 51 to 13. We have assigned pluses  to the noes because final decision-making authority over the upbringing and care of a child belongs to the child’s parents—not their grandparents, the government, or anyone else. No law-abiding custodial parent should ever be compelled to relinquish their child under threat of the full weight and force of the judicial system. Opponents of traditional marriage and the family are also working tirelessly in each of the several States to proceed beyond “no-fault divorce” by advocating for “equal-shared parenting” and similar “best interests of the child” legislation that seeks to rewrite U.S. family law entirely, being modeled after the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. If these efforts are not opposed, they will have severe long-lasting consequences for parental rights in America. Colorado officials must stand firm against this intrusion. Parental rights, as with all other fundamental rights, are protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14^th Amendment. Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution notably requires that “Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”

Taxpayer-Funded Preschool “Bonus Payments”  |  SB23-269

SB23-269 creates “bonus payments” to incentivize participation in the Colorado universal preschool provider program.

The Senate passed SB23-269 on April 19, 2023, by a vote of 28 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the noes because education is not the role of government. A child’s education is the responsibility of—and a fundamental right of choice retained by—his or her parents. Moreover, this bill’s “bonus payments” scheme threatens educational freedom by using a form of taxpayer-funded bribery to displace traditional private preschools in favor of the state’s universal preschool program. It exchanges public subsidies for curriculum control, effectively turning all participating preschools into government preschools. Coercing the citizens of Colorado to hand over more of their hard-earned tax dollars to further support a compulsory, government-run, and failing K-12 school system violates their individual liberties assured by U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights and 14th Amendment.

Limiting “No-Knock” Warrants  |  SB23-254

SB23-254 limits the issuance of a “no-knock search warrant” to a situation in which there is either probable cause for an arrest of a suspect or because of a “credible threat to the life of any person.”

The Senate passed SB23-254 on April 17, 2023, by a vote of 27 to 7. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because “no-knock” warrants undermine the rights of Americans ensured by the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. They violate the essential principle that law enforcement should not forcibly enter a premises without first providing notice of their authority and purpose of executing a warrant.

Illegal Aliens as Law Enforcement Officers  |  HB23-1143

HB23-1143 permits recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to become law enforcement officers.

The Senate passed HB23-1143 on April 10, 2023, by a vote of 31 to 4. We have assigned pluses to the noes because persons who enter the United States illegally—which, by definition, is a crime—should not be permitted sanctuary or residency in Colorado, let alone be considered eligible for appointment as local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Rather than pursue a blatantly unconstitutional and anti-American policy that erodes both the rule of law and the value of citizenship, the General Assembly should use its powers reserved under the U.S. Constitution’s 10^th Amendment to end the crisis of illegal immigration and provide for the public safety.

State-Sponsored Abortion and Sex Mutilation  |  SB23-189

SB23-189 requires certain health benefit plans to cover “abortion care” and “sterilization services,” while allowing “contraceptive procedures, supplies, or information” to be offered to minors without parental notification or consent.

The Senate passed SB23-189 on April 4, 2023, by a vote of 22 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the noes because the care of human life—not its destruction—is the greatest responsibility of government. Colorado ought to forbid any method of abortion, including “contraceptives” that act as abortifacients, along with the anti-reproductive practice of sex mutilation, which involves “sterilization services” such as tubal ligation or vasectomy. Both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution affirm the fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right to life and limb of every person. Therefore, each of the several States has a duty to defend the basic humanity of all its citizens, especially preborn children and minors.

Equal Pay Day  |  HJR23-1018

HJR23-1018 designates March 14, 2023, as “Equal Pay Day,” due to “the persistent problem of wage disparity” among “women, trans women, gender-expansive people, and women of color.”    

The Senate passed HJR23-1018 on March 15, 2023, by a vote of 23 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the noes because the “wage disparity,” as it is presented by feminists, LGBTQIA+ activists, critical race theorists, etc., is a myth. The demands of “equal pay for equal work” suffer from the same poor arguments made by proponents of the minimum wage. The reality is that people make different career and hiring decisions for a variety of reasons, and some jobs are simply easier or harder for others to do. Legislation that calls for leveling the “wage gap” in society through implementation of “equal-pay policies” based on “race, ethnicity, and other intersections of identity” is immoral, unconstitutional, and damaging to the economy.  It forcibly denies the property rights of both employers and employees by violating their freedom of association, preventing individuals from entering into contracts voluntarily according to their own terms. The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment were intended to safeguard against undue deprivations of a person’s “property,” guaranteeing “equal protection of the laws” for all Americans. 

Illegal Aliens as Law Enforcement Officers  |  HB23-1143

HB23-1143 permits recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to become law enforcement officers.

The House passed HB23-1143 on March 6, 2023, by a vote of 46 to 18. We have assigned pluses to the noes because persons who enter the United States illegally—which, by definition, is a crime—should not be permitted sanctuary or residency in Colorado, let alone be considered eligible for appointment as local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Rather than pursue a blatantly unconstitutional and anti-American policy that erodes both the rule of law and the value of citizenship, the General Assembly should use its powers reserved under the U.S. Constitution’s 10^th Amendment to end the crisis of illegal immigration and provide for the public safety.  

Equal Rights Amendment  |  SJR23-006

SJR23-006 proclaims that “it is time for the United States Congress to pass the Equal Rights Amendment.”

The House passed SJR23-006 on March 2, 2023, by a vote of 52 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the noes because the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) would empower Congress to enforce radical feminist and anti-constitutional legislation on a potentially unlimited number of issues related to ‘sex discrimination,’ ranging anywhere from ‘bodily autonomy’ (e.g., abortion) to ‘gender equity’ (e.g., equal pay). It amounts to nothing less than an all-out declaration of war against women, and if its egalitarian proponents get their way, the ERA will have far-reaching policy implications. The underlying problem with the ERA is that it is based on the false premise of ‘gender equality.’ Neither ‘women’s rights’ nor ‘human rights’ can be defined apart from the fact that every person is born distinctly male or female. Although both men and women are made in the image of “their Creator,” they each, according to biological sex, have unique, but complementary, characteristics and roles in the family and in society. Whereas the Bill of Rights and the 14^th Amendment guarantee “equal protection” for the “certain unalienable Rights” of all individuals, consistent with the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God,” the ERA would alter the U.S. Constitution in a vain attempt to deny them and impose ‘equal outcomes.’

Rescind Con-Con  |  HJR1006

HJR1006 rescinds of all previous requests by the Colorado Legislature for a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution.

The Colorado State House of Representatives passed HJR1006 on April 21, 2021 by a vote of 64 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because a so-called “Convention of the States” would not be of “limited” purpose. Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials. This rescission is a great step at preserving the constitution. We need more precise, and immediate solutions that would restore power back to the states and to the people, such as clear-cut proposals in Congress to repeal bad amendments or state nullification of specific unauthorized federal laws.

Reproductive Health Equity Act  |  HB1279

HB1279 makes it illegal to impose restrictions on abortion and makes it legal to murder preborn babies up to the moment of birth.

The Colorado State House of Representatives passed HB1279 on March 14, 2022 by a vote of 40 to 24. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the U.S. Constitution and this legislation goes against that. Further, there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that would prevent states from passing well-constructed statutes or adopting amendments to their state constitutions that provide even greater and more specific protections for the right to life than those provided by the 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments.

Congressional Voting Rights  |  HR1004

HR1004 was sent to United States Congressional leaders, urging them to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation to protect the fundamental right to vote and pushing the federal government to get more involved in state elections. This resolution reassert the validity of the 2020 presidential election results, condones “conspiracies” and the January 6th “Insurrection”.

The Colorado State House of Representatives passed HR1004 on January 18, 2022 by a vote of 40 to 23. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this resolution urges congress to expand the federal government’s role in elections, which could mean eliminating voter ID and other rules that could be detrimental to election integrity. This resolution is an attack on people who have the right to question the legitimacy of an election.

Deceptive Tactics  |  SB023

SB23 prohibits deceptive tactics during custodial interrogation of a juvenile. Prohibits a law enforcement officer who facilitates a custodial interrogation with a juvenile from using deception and false facts or beliefs to obtain a statement or admission from a juvenile.

The Colorado State House of Representatives passed HB23 on May 11, 2022 by a vote of 50 to 12. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill protects our 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Amendments rights of the United States Constitution.

Building Green Codes  |  HB1362

HB1362 sets standards to reduce building greenhouse gas emissions and requires certain bureaucrats to appoint an energy code board that develops two model codes that require local governments and certain state agencies to adopt and enforce codes that are consistent with the model codes developed by the energy code board.

The Colorado State House of Representatives passed HB1362 on May 11, 2022 by a vote of 41 to 24. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation creates more government interference in the free market economy and advances the Marxist climate change agenda. Businesses should have the freedom to conduct business without the government meddling in their affairs. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” and government interference in entrepreneurship and private business is in violation of that belief.

Displaced Aurarian Scholarship  |  HB1393

HB1393 creates the Displaced Aurarian scholarship for the descendants of Aurarians, a neighborhood in Denver, displaced by the development of the Auraria Higher Education Center between 1955 and 1973.

The Colorado State House of Representatives passed HB1393 on April 29, 2022 by a vote of 51 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this is a form of reparation, which is a slippery slope to go down. Taxpayer dollars should not go to pay for a person’s college education.

Rescind Con-Con  |  HJR1006

HJR1006 rescinds of all previous requests by the Colorado Legislature for a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution.

The Colorado State Senate passed HJR1006 on April 23, 2021 by a vote of 29 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because a so-called “Convention of the States” would not be of “limited” purpose. Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials. This rescission is a great step at preserving the constitution. We need more precise, and immediate solutions that would restore power back to the states and to the people, such as clear-cut proposals in Congress to repeal bad amendments or state nullification of specific unauthorized federal laws.

Reproductive Health Equity Act  |  HB1279

HB1279 makes it illegal to impose restrictions on abortion and makes it legal to murder preborn babies up to the moment of birth.

The Colorado State Senate passed HB1279 on March 23, 2022 by a vote of 20 to 15. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the right to life is the most fundamental, God-given, and unalienable right asserted in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the U.S. Constitution and this legislation goes against that. Further, there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that would prevent states from passing well-constructed statutes or adopting amendments to their state constitutions that provide even greater and more specific protections for the right to life than those provided by the 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendments.

Congressional Voting Rights  |  SM001

SM001 was sent to United States Congressional leaders, urging them to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation to protect the fundamental right to vote and pushing the federal government to get more involved in state elections. This resolution reassert the validity of the 2020 presidential election results, condones “conspiracies” and the January 6th “Insurrection”.

The Colorado State Senate passed SM001 on January 18, 2022 by a vote of 20 to 13. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this resolution urges congress to expand the federal government’s role in elections, which could mean eliminating voter ID and other rules that could be detrimental to election integrity. This resolution is an attack on people who have the right to question the legitimacy of an election.

Jail Standards Commission  |  HB1063

HB1063 gives more rights to those who are incarcerated. Policy decisions and inputs are given to people that were former prisoners, LGBT representatives, and Race Relations Advocates in regards to those incarcerated in jails.

The Colorado State Senate passed HB1063 on May 6, 2022 by a vote of 27 to 5. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill is aimed to coddle criminals and is woke in nature, trying to be more inclusive by giving policy decision power to certain groups and individuals.

Building Green Codes  |  HB1362

HB1362 sets standards to reduce building greenhouse gas emissions and requires certain bureaucrats to appoint an energy code board that develops two model codes that require local governments and certain state agencies to adopt and enforce codes that are consistent with the model codes developed by the energy code board.

The Colorado State Senate passed HB1362 on May 9, 2022 by a vote of 21 to 24. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation creates more government interference in the free market economy and advances the Marxist climate change agenda. Businesses should have the freedom to conduct business without the government meddling in their affairs. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” and government interference in entrepreneurship and private business is in violation of that belief.

Displaced Aurarian Scholarship  |  HB1393

HB1393 creates the Displaced Aurarian scholarship for the descendants of Aurarians, a neighborhood in Denver, displaced by the development of the Auraria Higher Education Center between 1955 and 1973.

The Colorado State Senate passed HB1393 on May 9, 2022 by a vote of 24 to 11. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this is a form of reparation, which is a slippery slope to go down. Taxpayer dollars should not go to pay for a person’s college education.