HB 1272 connects the jobless with training to work for a Colorado employer or start a business

House Bill 1272 is simple: if you teach a man to fish, you’ll feed him for a lifetime. This bill ensures that Coloradans receiving unemployment insurance are eligible to receive training from a Colorado employer or receive training to start their own business.

As Colorado’s economy recovers, it is crucial that elected officials offer creative solutions and put all options on the table to help put Coloradans back to work. In making the investment in our workforce, we can lower long-term unemployment and help out-of-work Coloradans get back on their feet.

We are desperately in need of a qualified workforce in the state of Colorado to meet the needs of Colorado business. You heard that right: in the time where we have record-high unemployment there are Colorado businesses that are in dire need of skilled workers. The only problem is that many of the unemployed don’t have the resources to participate in training programs and Colorado employers may lack the necessary funds to provide such training. This bill will directly connect job-seekers with necessary training to obtain a steady income and is a meaningful step to getting our economy back on track.

With the increase in specialization required for manufacturing jobs, there is a nationwide shortage of nearly 600,000 skilled workers, according to the Manufacturing Institute. They also found that over 60% of U.S. manufacturers say they are facing a moderate to severe shortage of skilled workers.

Further, Colorado employers paid nearly $20 million in 2010 to bring a total of 5,761 workers from other locations to Colorado because we did not have the skilled workers to fill those vacancies according to the Department of Labor and Employment. The majority of these jobs were filled by computer science and IT professionals—these jobs are in high-demand and their pay is well-above average. Companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and IBM have all participated in worker training programs in Colorado, and House Bill 1272 will bring quality job-training programs to Coloradans who need work, but lack the necessary skills to fill these excellent positions.

HB 1272 is supported by the National Federation of Independent Business, CACI and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

By: Crisanta Duran

State Representative in House District 5

If you are a Denver business that would like to participate in this program, please contact Crisanta.Duran.House@State.Co.Us or call 303.866.2925.

Promises Made, Promises Kept

In November of 2009, I kicked off my campaign to serve as the next state Representative of HD 5. After raising funds from hundreds of donors and knocking on literally thousands of doors, I was grateful to win the vote of an overwhelming majority of the electorate.

Going into the legislative session, I was guided by the principle that the best change comes from the bottom up, and I worked hard to build strong coalitions to pass legislation to encourage economic opportunity. My first legislative session was a learning experience, to be sure, and I'm proud of the work we accomplished in my freshman year. Along the way, I earned a 100% rating on the Colorado Conservation Voters' scorecard for my votes and enjoyed serving on the Finance and Judiciary Committees!

Legislation passed this session included:

• Government Efficiency in Affordable Housing: HB1230 consolidates duplicate affordable housing programs and is expected to save taxpayers $1.5 million.
• Parent Involvement in K-12 Public Schools: HB1126 recognizes that parents have the right to know if their child's K-12 public school is low performing. Parents will receive written notice and an opportunity to attend a public hearing.
• Student Representation at the Auraria Campus: HB1017 will ensure there is student representation on the Board of the Advisory Committee for the Auraria Higher Education Center.
• Give Universities the Tools they Need to Compete Nationally: SB265 allowed Mesa State College to change its name to Colorado Mesa University.

Also on the political front, I was pleased to see Governor Hickenlooper veto SB213 that posed adverse consequences to children's access to health insurance through the CHP+ program. When this bill came to the House Floor, I argued that to balance our state's budget on the backs of poor children is immoral.

On a more personal level, I was humbled during the session to receive The Denver Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" Award. This recognition was given to dynamic business leaders whose efforts in office and in the community are shaping the future of the Denver area. I was also recognized in a Denver Post article titled, "Women Who Broke Political Barriers." I was invited to the White House to honor the Colorado Rapids in Washington D.C. for their championship victory! And I loved teasing the Republicans at the annual Hummers event where I sang "I Am A Tea Party Girl" to the tune of Madonna's "Material Girl," to impersonate House Majority Leader Amy Stephens!

All in, it's been a terrific first year and I'm eager to carry on our good work. Please help me continue to deliver and serve our community.

Hope to see you soon,

President Barack Obama honors the Colorado Rapids for their championship victory at the White House! Click here to see video!

Me and former Congresswoman Betsy Markey

Event at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to celebrate the signing of HB1230 which will save taxpayers an estimated $1.5 million and make government more efficient!