I represent Colorado’s 13th House District in the Colorado legislature. House District 13 reaches from the northeast plains of Boulder County to the continental divide in western Clear Creek, Gilpin and Boulder Counties. It is a wonderful blend of rural and urban, mountains and plains. From major research institutions to quaint mountain towns, horse farms to hard rock mines, fourteen thousand foot peaks to white water, the land and people truly reflect the diversity of Colorado.
During the 2011 legislative session, I worked across party lines to enact laws that helped independent renewable energy companies compete with Xcel Energy, sponsored the Uniform Military and Overseas Voter Act to facilitate voting, brought more accountability to the use of solitary confinement in our prisons, worked to create more efficiency in higher education, and increased the safety of students and staff on our college campuses.
I worked hard to protect services for those most vulnerable in our state, such as hot breakfasts for low income school children and health care for children in poverty. Always mindful of the challenges families face during these challenging economic times, I fought tax give-aways to corporate interests, and worked for accountability and efficiency in state government.
While the state does not have the resources to create new jobs, it is our duty to create the conditions that allow businesses to thrive. That means we need a first class system of public education from early childhood to post-secondary education. We need a transportation system that offers mobility and multi-modal options. And we need to protect the environment and quality of life that attracts well educated workers.
As I continue to serve House District 13, I will be working to
strengthen education at all levels so our children and young adults have the opportunity to succeed in today's competitive environment. I will keep working to
make renewable energy more affordable and more widely available, and to foster energy efficiency . And I will support legislation that makes our government as efficient and transparent as possible so everyone has confidence their tax dollars are being spent wisely.
I will also continue to focus on criminal justice and criminal sentencing. Our sentencing structure should be cost-effective, hold offenders accountable and secure public safety. We should use alternatives to high-cost prison beds for those whose primary problem is mental health or substance abuse. I will also work to keep young people out of the justice system through early intervention programs and community-based alternatives.
You can read about some of the legislation I have sponsored during my five years in office by clicking on the 2011 and 2010 Legislative Session and Previous Sessions buttons to the left. I hope you believe my service in office has made a difference.
Claire
