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Senator Wallace urges lawmakers to prioritize HIV and harm-reduction policies during advocacy day
Summary
Senator Wallace recognized advocates for HIV and harm reduction at the Capitol and urged the General Assembly to prioritize policies supporting people living with HIV, saying nearly 16,000 Coloradans live with HIV and more than 430 are diagnosed annually.
Senator Wallace used a moment of personal privilege on March 6 to recognize advocates visiting the Capitol for HIV and harm-reduction advocacy day and urged the General Assembly to prioritize policies that support the health and well-being of people living with HIV and the providers who serve them.
Wallace named participating organizations, including Colorado Organizations Responding to HIV/AIDS, Positive Women’s Network Colorado, Crazy Love Africa and the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition. She cited statistics she said underscore the stakes: "Nearly 16,000 Coloradans are living with HIV, and over 430 additional Coloradans are diagnosed with HIV each year," Wallace said, and she noted the disproportionate impact on Black, Latino, Indigenous and other Coloradans of color, low-income Coloradans, LGBTQ Coloradans and people experiencing homelessness.
The senator framed the appeal as a public-health and equity issue rather than a partisan matter, calling for policies to reduce stigma and to support both prevention and care. The visit brought advocates and providers from across the state to the Capitol to meet lawmakers and press for action.
The Senate also recognized other nonprofits during the session — the Urban Leadership Foundation in Colorado was honored for leadership development work, and the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance was acknowledged on its 130th anniversary — but Wallace’s remarks focused on public-health priorities and the immediate needs of the groups she named.
Next steps: The remarks mark advocacy priorities for visitors and provide context for upcoming legislative work; specific bills or funding proposals addressing the concerns Wallace raised were not specified on the floor during this session.
