State of Colorado Archives: on Families & Children
Angela Williams:
Lemonade-stand law: legalize businesses of minors
We passed the lemonade-stand law, after someone called in two kids who are my constituents because they were selling lemonade in front of their home. I was appalled, so I introduced a piece of legislation about legalizing the businesses of minors.
Now, any type of business--not just a lemonade stand--that someone 17 or younger is running doesn't need to have a license if it's operating under 84 days out of the year. We're already seeing it duplicated at legislatures in other parts of the country.
Source: Westword.com on Colorado legislature voting record
Aug 15, 2019
Cary Kennedy:
Family adopted sister via faith-based organization
Cary's mother, a social worker, served hundreds of Denver's most vulnerable children and families, and taught Cary the importance of supporting the members of their community in times of need. Raised with three brothers and sisters who joined
her family through the foster care program and a sister who joined her family through a faith-based organization, Cary saw the power of giving children the opportunity to succeed--inspiring her exceptional career of service.
Source: Emily's List press release: 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2018
Cary Kennedy:
Supports foster care via faith-based organizations
I grew up in a family that was committed to service, to reaching out and helping others.
That's what inspired me to work in public service. I grew up in a family with three brothers and sisters who joined my family through the foster care program, and I also have a sister who joined my family through a faith-based organization.
So I grew up with kids who didn't have the same opportunities I had, and I saw firsthand how important it is that we provide opportunities for people--and to most of those kids growing up here in Colorado, the only opportunities they get is through
our public schools. It's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about making sure that every child in Colorado and every school in our state provides opportunities that give them the foundation for lifelong success.
Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race
Mar 30, 2017
Cory Gardner:
Correct family policies that promote divisions
We can strengthen our families by taking the bold step to correct policies and entitlements that promote divisions rather than family unity.
The family in its many forms is the center of every culture. If we want our culture to survive we must keep our families strong.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Colorado Senate race
Nov 30, 2010
Ellen Burnes:
Worked with youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA
The accomplishments of Dr. Ellen Burnes were proudly Made in America. Ellen is the product of a 20th Century America which supported a strong public education system, visionary legislation like Title IX, youth organizations such as
4-H and FFA, and affordable low-interest student loans. As a community leader, Ellen sees first-hand that the drastic erosion of safety nets which gave her opportunities are leaving young Americans barely hanging by a thread.
Source: 2020 Colorado Senate campaign website EllenBurnes.com
May 19, 2019
Greg Lopez:
Sex Ed Bill is a direct attack on parental rights
The Sex Ed Bill is nothing less than a direct attack on parental rights. It is the parent's right, not the government's,
to make decisions regarding their children's education. It is the parent's right, not the government's, to raise their children with the values they believe are in their children's best interest.
Source: 2022 Colorado governor race website LopezForGovernor2022.com
Feb 15, 2021
Heidi Ganahl:
Address mental health crisis/suicide rates among children
On day one I will get to work addressing the mental health crisis and rising suicide rates here in Colorado among our children. It's all hands-on deck.
We need parents, therapists, educators, non-profits, and others to build a robust early warning system that works to put our kids back on track and get them the support they need to keep them safe.
Source: 2022 Colorado Governor campaign website HeidiForGovernor.com
Dec 28, 2021
Jared Polis:
Will establish full-day Pre-K statewide
Within two years I will establish universal full day Kindergarten and Preschool in every community across our state. High-quality, full-day kindergarten and preschool promote school readiness, close achievement gaps, and support the healthy
development of all children. Access to preschool and kindergarten would also save parents' money on day-care and allow parents the flexibility to go back to work sooner, not only helping families pay rent and put food on the table.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial website PolisForColorado.com
Jared Polis:
Supports same-sex marriage
Q: Support LGBT rights?Jared Polis (D): Yes. Supports same-sex marriage & would be 1st openly gay governor in US.
Walker Stapleton (R): Unknown.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Jared Polis:
Establish statewide paid family and medical leave program
We must work to make Colorado as family-friendly as possible. As a first step, I will be including in our budget package a formal request to provide paid parental leave for all state employees. And together, we should take comprehensive action.
It's time to finally establish a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado--so that employees aren't having to choose between keeping their paycheck and caring for their child, a sick relative, an aging parent, or themselves.
Look, if all this were easy, it would have been done already. Progress is always hard, and overcoming these challenges will be a long journey.
But the people of Colorado need and deserve nothing less, and our work begins now.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
Jared Polis:
Wants "unique Colorado solution" to provide paid leave
We need to find a way to enact paid family and medical leave for more Coloradans. The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act allows for unpaid leave, but that still forces families to choose between getting a paycheck and caring for a newborn child, an
aging parent, or themselves. I'm hopeful we can construct a unique Colorado solution that provides paid time off to many more Coloradans as soon as possible, without straining state resources or forcing taxpayers to bear the financial risk.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
John Hickenlooper:
Consolidate 23 early childhood services under one roof
Even in difficult times, we need to right by our kids. We seek your support in consolidating early childhood services under one roof to more efficiently & effectively aid children & parents. Currently, there are 23 separate funding streams administered
through five different state agencies, each playing a role in early childhood support and services. Together, we are proposing a state-local strategy that integrates prevention and intervention, quality early learning and family support and engagement.
Our plan will consolidate early childhood services in a new office in the Department of Human Services. Abundant research demonstrates that if a child fails to learn how to read by the third grade, that child is more likely to drop out of high school
and faces an enormous uphill battle for the rest of his or her life. We must develop intervention strategies with parents and teachers to identify failing students long before they reach the third grade and keep them from an illiterate future.
Source: Colorado 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2012
John Hickenlooper:
Low-income women get long-acting reversible contraceptives
Our plan will consolidate early childhood services in a new office in the Department of Human Services. Abundant research demonstrates that if a child fails to learn how to read by the third grade, that child is more likely to drop out of high school
and faces an enormous uphill battle for the rest of his or her life. We must develop intervention strategies with parents and teachers to identify failing students long before they reach the third grade and keep them from an illiterate future.
The decline in births among young women served by these agencies accounted for three-quarters of the overall decline in the Colorado teen birth rate.
"This initiative has saved Colorado millions of dollars," said Gov. Hickenlooper. "But more
importantly, it has helped thousands of young Colorado women continue their education, pursue their professional goals and postpone pregnancy until they are ready to start a family."
Source: Colorado governor's office press release
Jul 3, 2014
Pat Buchanan:
Littleton due to poisoned culture declaring "God is dead"
What was it in the upbringing or education of these two boys that failed to instill in their souls a conscience that discerned right from wrong? What was it in our polluted and poisoned culture that suggested that violence, murder, and suicide was a
valid expression of their resentment? America got a glimpse of the last stop on that train to hell she boarded decades ago when we declared that God is dead, and that each of us is his or her own god who can make up the rules as we go along.
Source: www.GoPatGo.org/ "Press Release: Colorado Shootings"
Apr 21, 1999
Tom Strickland:
Expand children's health insurance coverage
Strickland supports expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover more of Colorado's uninsured kids.
He proposes to accelerate the enrollment of uninsured children in the SCHIP program, as well as making working parents eligible for the SCHIP program, which currently covers only their children.
Source: StricklandForColorado.com, "Issues: Children and Family"
Sep 25, 2002
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023