Colorado-State-HouseColorado House Republicans released their agenda recently with their focus less on pushing a divisive agenda, and more on passing common-sense legislation, some of which was shot down by Colorado state Senate Democrats last year.  Among the many bills they will introduce are specific ones aimed at increasing the punishment for repeat drunk drivers, better protections for foster children, and increased security for the personal information of domestic violence victims.  As they wrote in a released statement:

House Republicans announced their 2015 agenda of bills focusing on public safety and protecting victims.

… Representative Lori Saine (R-Firestone) will be introducing legislation allowing district attorneys to charge a third DUI within seven years or a fourth DUI in a lifetime as a felony.

“House Republicans have tried to increase penalties for habitual DUI offenders three times in the past five years and each time Democrats have blocked this important public safety measure,” said Saine. “This year, I hope Democrats will finally realize habitual drunk drivers threaten everyone on Colorado roads and help give our district attorneys the tools needed to get these offenders off our roads.”

… Representative-elect JoAnn Windholz (R-Commerce City) will be introducing a bill banning powdered alcohol in Colorado until such time as the Food and Drug administration approves it for consumption in the United States

…“A statewide ban pending FDA approval will allow Colorado to proactively establish a regulatory framework limiting powdered alcohol’s risks to our kids.” [the Peak’s emphasis]

It was quite shocking last year when state Senate Democrats voted down such a common-sense bill as Saine’s.  The bill wasn’t about punishing someone for a youthful mistake or being overly vindictive, it was about giving prosecutors just the option of ensuring someone who has repeatedly and flagrantly shown extreme disregard for their fellow citizens to be punished accordingly.

Likewise, the Windholz bill is a prudent one that just says Colorado will sit out this round of being the guinea pigs when it comes to testing out new things.

Following their theme of protecting society as a whole, a few other bills look to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Representative Dan Nordberg (R-Colorado Springs) will be introducing a bill mandating requirements for reporting missing children in the foster care system.

…Representative-elect Terri Carver (R-Colorado Springs) will be introducing a bill that will protect domestic violence victims.

“Victims of domestic violence may have their home addresses readily available on the internet, which can put them at risk for further abuse or retaliation from their abuser. This bill will help protect victims by shielding access to information about their residence,” said Carver.

After the extreme overreach by Democrats in 2013, we’re glad to see that more carefully thought out legislation has returned.  Colorado House Republicans have set an admirable tone for the upcoming session.