Local legislators update Conifer on SNAP distribution, public-safety and bills under consideration

Two state legislators who represent the Conifer area gave constituents a legislative update that ranged from SNAP distribution to proposed bills addressing school and public-safety concerns.

Rep. Tammy Story said the Legislature is in its interim session and remains active on policy work. She highlighted food insecurity and SNAP distribution in Colorado, saying "about 1 in 8 people here in Colorado are food insecure and utilize SNAP benefits, and 1 in 4 children utilize those benefits." Story said SNAP benefits have been distributed and encouraged donations to local food banks and the Mountain Resource Center.

Story said she is working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife on human–bear interaction policies and other public-education efforts to reduce property damage and safety risks.

Senator Mark Bazely summarized five bills he plans to file in the upcoming session. He described measures ranging from an education bill and a pavement bill to a bill aiming to limit pharmaceutical-industry incentives for prescribers. Bazely also proposes a technical mechanism to allow officers to direct people to resolve outstanding warrants online immediately to avoid arrest and said he is pursuing a registry for students with serious misconduct so receiving schools can be aware of prior incidents; he said he will extend the idea to employees in response to misconduct concerns in Jefferson County schools.

Both legislators invited attendees to follow up and contact their offices; Rep. Story noted she will be at meetings and town halls and can be reached via the General Assembly website.