Dan Gibbs
Candidate for County Commissioner
Blog
-
Article on Upcoming Legislative Update
Posted Jun 24 at 2 PM
The Summit Daily News has published an article on mine and Representative Scanlan's upcoming legislative update:
State budget and revenue constraints dominated the legislative session once again, but the legislature also addressed a wide variety of policy areas, including transportation, teacher tenure, child protection, standards for utility companies, health insurance, plus business-related matters. Sen. Gibbs and Rep. Scanlan will also discuss how the latest quarterly state revenue forecast — to be released today — might impact the legislature's 2011 session.
If you'd like to read the entire article, including information on the time and location of the meeting, click here.
-
ESPN Covers CMC Bill
Posted Jun 24 at 1 PM
In a recent article, ESPN wrote about the bill I passed down at the legislature this last session which would allow Colorado Mountain College to begin offering four-year degrees in the near future. Needless to say, the snow sport aficionados at ESPN seem excited about the idea:
We're talking about the ski bum's dream: getting your college degree at the base of a world-class mountain.
[...]
State Senator Dan Gibbs, 34, who went to CMC-Leadville and did his share of backcountry skiing around 14,000-foot peaks Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert while he was there, carried the bill through the state senate.
[...]
"I have friends in Summit and Eagle counties who moved to the state to go to college, maybe finished two years of school, fell in love with the mountains, got a job as a liftie, and never finished school -- but always wanted to," he said. "Now they can."
If you'd like to read the entire article, you may do so here.
-
Making Colorado Greener
Posted Jun 24 at 1 PM
In the most recent session of the General Assembly, I worked hard with legislators across the state to push Colorado further into the New Energy Economy. We worked to create new jobs and attract hundreds of new companies to the state. You can find a list of the energy bills we passed down at the Capitol here, including SB 177 - a bill I co-sponsored which promotes biomass energy development.
-
Colorado Wildfire Activity Update
Posted Jun 24 at 1 PM
The Colorado State Forest Service has released a June 22, 2010 update on major wildfire activity across the state. For your convenience, you may download and view the report: here.
-
We Want Your Input on Budget Priorities!
Posted Feb 18 at 6 PM
Friends,
The Colorado Senate Democratic Majority wants your input on what our state's budget priorities should be. If you'd like to voice an opinion on this issue, please take our survey here.
And, as always, if you'd like to contact me you can reach me at my office number, 303-866-4973 or by e-mail at dan.gibbs.senate@state.co.us.
-
FASTER on Colorado Pols
Posted Feb 03 at 11 PM
The always illumintating Colorado Pols has an article up on the importance of supporting the FASTER bill. Check it out:
Look, everybody knows the transportation funding crisis is real and won't be solved long-term by the federal stimulus package--it's just a question of how the state will respond. We think it's a cogent argument that anyone who values all the stuff in the budget besides transportation should try to preserve a funding channel from transportation-related sources, like the FASTER plan tries to do.
-
A FASTER Way to Create Jobs
Posted Feb 02 at 6 PM
Hello all,
You have probably been reading and hearing about the FASTER transportation bill which I am sponsoring with Representative Joe Rice this session. It's a vital bill that will fix our roads and bring jobs to Colorado. In order to explain the bill and cut to heart of the issue, I wrote a guest editorial which appeared in the February 2, 2009 edition of the Denver Post. Please feel free to read the editorial if you have any questions about FASTER and, of course, always feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
In the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, the economic test we face touches each of us in one way or another. These difficult times call for dramatic action. To be blunt, Colorado needs solutions, and quickly.
That's why last month, I introduced legislation known as "FASTER" (Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery). I intend to move this urgently needed bill through the process with all deliberate speed to start the process of rebuilding Colorado's economy and repairing our infrastructure.
The effects of this state-level economic recovery plan will be fast and far-reaching. By infusing millions of dollars into critical bridge and road projects in every corner of Colorado, FASTER will create tens of thousands of jobs.
The American Public Works Association estimates that an investment of $1 billion in transportation projects will create 37,000 jobs and $6 billion in additional gross domestic product. Over the course of four years, FASTER will do just that.
It will also address head-on a sprawling public safety problem: aging bridges and rutted roads.
Because of steadily declining gas-tax revenues, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is currently operating on the inflation-adjusted equivalent of its 1983 budget. As a result, maintenance has suffered.
Some portions of our highways are 75 to 100 years old, and 40 percent of Colorado's roads are rated in "poor" condition.
Most troubling of all, 126 of our state's bridges are rated "structurally deficient."
From massive, multi-lane viaducts in the metro area to small structures that span rivers or railroads in rural Colorado, these bridges carry nearly 2 million vehicles every day. Our children are driven over these bridges to school. Trucks deliver goods to grocery stores on them. Ambulances use them en route to the hospital.
A new revenue source is needed, and we no longer have the luxury of putting off this problem.
That's where FASTER can help. The bill includes immediate assistance, a medium-term approach, and a long-term vision for a sustainable source of transportation funding into the future.
The immediate fix consists of a modest investment in economic strength and public safety paid through bridge safety and road safety surcharges, phased in to reduce the impact to Coloradans during the recession. The driver of an average car will pay approximately $2.67 per month next year, and about $3.50 per month in following years.
Rental car surcharges, penalties for late vehicle registration, and fines for oversize or overweight trucks are also part the plan.
The medium-term approach involves the creation of a High Performance Transportation Enterprise, which will be authorized to create public-private partnerships. The goal is to leverage millions of dollars in private investor capital to get projects started right away.
Finally, a viable long-term vision for transportation funding will require us to wean ourselves off the outdated gas tax. This transition will not happen for five, 10 or 20 years, but we need to start looking at alternative funding options now. The bill establishes a commission to investigate potential alternatives, including a temporary, optional pilot program to examine a mileage-based revenue system. We need to think creatively to find fair, effective ways to sustain a healthy transportation grid for future generations.
In addition, we will establish an efficiency committee within the Department of Transportation. Legislators should not ask drivers to contribute even a small amount of additional revenue without increased accountability and oversight to ensure that the money is being spent wisely.
If we can generate jobs and create a safer environment for those who travel on our roads and bridges, let's do it.
I am expecting more debate on this bill before it becomes law, and I am open to new ideas. At the end of the day, I sincerely do not want this to be an exclusively Democratic or Republican proposal. Colorado needs a reliable, sustainable, responsible solution built on the best ideas that everyone has to offer.
State Sen. Dan Gibbs is a Democrat from Summit County.
-
Legislative Update #1
Posted Jan 22 at 3 PM
Greetings all!
The 2009 legislative session has been off to a great start down here at the Capitol. While our state faces some tremendous challenges this year, it has been inspiring to see so many citizens and legislators come together to try and find solutions to our various economic, environmental, and transportation challenges.
On that note, I have been working on some much needed legislation this session - particularly to deal with our transportation and forest health crises. We're hard at work down at the Capitol developing a bill that would infuse our state with needed dollars to help fix our badly decaying transportation infrastructure. We need to fix dangerous roads and bridges now, and I'm working hard to make sure we do.
Along with transportation, I am working on a host of bills that would bring needed dollars and support to fighting fires in Colorado. It is critical that we provide communities with the resources, tools, and guidelines needed to effectively protect lives and property.
For those wishing to peruse bills or search for particular legislation, I recommend check the Colorado General Assembly website: http://www.leg.state.co.us/. There you can find calendars for upcoming committees and floor work, search for bills, and find contact information for legislators around the capitol.
Finally, I will be holding a series of town hall meetings throughout my district and I would encourage everyone to periodically check this website for upcoming dates and times in their area. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you all throughout the session!
Best wishes,
Dan -
Dan Endorsed by Daily Camera
Posted Oct 22 at 5 PM
Dan was endorsed today by Boulder's Daily Camera. You can read about why they picked Dan, along with other relevant State Senate races, here. This is another in a long line of endorsements than Dan is honored to receive.
-
Dan Endorsed by Summit Daily News!
Posted Oct 21 at 1 PM
Dan was endorsed by the Summit Daily News today, marking another wonderful endorsement in a string of ednrosements from great organizations, papers, and people. You can find the endorsement here. Dan is, as always, honored by all the great support he has received from all over his district and hopes to keep working for folks in Senate District 16 as their elected State Senator.
-
The Daily Camera- Boulder Valley School District Education Forum
Posted Sep 21 at 11 PM
Dan weighs in on education issues facing Boulder County and the state http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/sep/17/parents-question-candidates-education/
-
Dan Featured on CBS 4
Posted Sep 09 at 7 PM
This Sunday Dan was featured on CBS Channel 4 News regarding colleague Representative Christine Scanlan's trip to Washington, D.C. to recruit Federal help in dealing with Colorado's pine beetle epidemic. You can see the video and read the article here.
-
Happy Labor Day!
Posted Sep 01 at 11 AM
Hello,
This is Kevin with a brief campaign and website update. Last week was a fantastic week to be a democract in Colorado, wasn't it? The DNC was certainly exciting and really marked the beginning of the major stretch run in the campaign. Dan and the campaign are now even more focused on walking doors, raising funds, and running the best campaign possible. As always, contributions are what fuels a campaign and every single donation is greatly appreciated. If you have alreadyd donated or can't afford to right now, consider signing up for the e-mail list and we'll be sure to let you know of volunteer opportunities as they arise.
You may have noticed a new page on the website - endorsements. Listed so far are just a few of the many endorsements Dan has recieved over the course of the summer. Look for the page to be extensively updated in the next couple of days and then continually updated with new endorsments as the campaign continues.
Happy Labor Day everyone!
Kevin Burns
-
An Update from the Campaign Trail
Posted Aug 18 at 11 AM
Hello,
This is Kevin, Dan's campaign manager. I just wanted to give you all a brief update on Dan's campaign. Things have been going well, throughout the summer Dan has been attending events, meeting with folks, and walking door to door around his district. From speaking at a Sportsmen for Obama event to meeting folks at festivals and barbeques, Dan has been actively working to make sure that voters know they can continue to count on him in office.
If you'd like to participate in Dan's election campaign, the best ways to do that are to sign up to receive newsletters and campaign updates via e-mail (you can do this at the top of this page), and/or to donate to the campaign. Every dollar is used to make sure that Dan and his message of common sense government is heard by all his constituents across Senate District 16.
Thanks, and we hope you've been enjoying your summer!
Kevin Burns
-
A News Roundup
Posted Aug 18 at 11 AM
Dan has been in the news a lot lately. Here is a roundup of some of the issues that have been covered in the press and Dan's involvment in particular stories.
Recently, Dan chaired a Legislative Interim Committee on Wildfire Preparedness. More on the committee and Dan's involvment can be found here and here.
Dan also sponsored a state law which went into effect earilier this month, requiring employers to accomodate breastfeeding mothers. More about the bill and Dan's work on it can be found here, here and here.
Other laws Dan sponsored have gone into effect as well, such a new BUI law (more about that bill and Dan's involvement here) and new requirements for healthy food standards at schools (more on that here).
Last but not least, Dan played an active role in reopening Summit County's Dam Road - a major road for that part of his district. Some articles on the issue and Dan's role in the reopening of the road can be found here, here and here.
-
Dan Featured in Summit Daily
Posted Jul 09 at 1 PM
Yesterday, an article appeard in the Summit Daily News regarding the visible results of House Bill 1130 - a bill which Dan co-sponsored. The bill funds, among other things, the Rocky Mountain Youth Corp to come into Senate District 16 and fight the pine beetle and help protect the health of our forests. You can read the entire article here.
-
Dan Featured on CBS News 4
Posted Jul 03 at 1 PM
With new laws taking effect this week, a few of Dan's sponsored bills on high country preservation were put into action as well. Laws to extend the inspection program on Colorado ski area chair lifts, fund wildfire management and bark beetle mitigation, and a law designed to make it clear what wilderness areas are designated for off-road vehicles and where off-roading is prohibited. CBS News 4 has coverage of the bills. You can find the news article here and watch video of Dan speaking about the bills and CBS' television story on the bills here.
-
Online Donations Up and Running!
Posted Jun 27 at 11 AM
HI there,
This is Kevin, Dan's campaign manager. i just wanted to give everyone a quick update that our online donations page is up and running! You can donate to Dan by clicking on the "Contribute" button at the top right of the page. If you'd like to donate but would prefer not to do it online, that link also has information on how to mail a check to the campaign.
When donating, be sure to fill out every required field, including the employment information and eligibility to donate checkbox.
Thanks so much for supporting Dan and making a difference in the future of our state!
-
Dan Appeared on Colorado Matters
Posted Jun 26 at 11 AM
Last week Dan was invited to discuss the pine beetle issue on Colorado Public Radio's "Colorado Matters" program. Dan talks about some of the bills he has successfully worked on as well as the challenges still facing Colorado when dealing with this epidemic. You can listen to the entire interview here and visit the Colorado Matters website for more information here.
-
Dan in the Longmont Times-Call
Posted Jun 10 at 5 PM
Dan was featured in an article on the signing into law of various forest-protection bills, several of which Dan co-sponsored. Says the Longmont Times-Call:
Silverthorne Democratic Sen. Dan Gibbs, who sponsored several of those bills, said in a statement that “Colorado’s forests and watersheds are among our most critical resources, and we must do all we can to protect them.”
You can read the entire article, including explanations of Dan's bills, here.
-
Bill Signings with Governor Ritter
Posted May 29 at 1 PM
Governor Bill Ritter appeared in Summit County, Colorado yesterday for a number of bill signings, including several of Dan's own bills (Senate Bills 71 and 221, as well as House Bill 1269) . Dan was there, and got to address the importance of this legislation:
"
You can read more here and here.
CBS News 4 has their television news report avilable to watch here and the Summit Daily News has footage of the bill signings including speeches given by Governor Ritter and Dan here.
-
Dan in the Vail Daily
Posted May 23 at 6 PM
Dan was recently featured in the Vail Daily for his work on fighting the bark beetle epidemic. Here's a little of what they said:
Melanie Wong
Vail, CO Colorado
May 23, 2008
EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — A year ago when Sen. Dan Gibbs told a fellow legislator about how beetles were hurting the pine forests, the legislator thought Gibbs was talking about the legendary rock band.
“We’ve come a long way in the last year as far as understanding,” said Gibbs, laughing. Now the bark beetle infestations that have left many mountain forests brown and dead, have finally caught the attention of Front Range lawmakers and residents, he said.
“It’s exciting for me to see people in Denver like (Sen.) Chris Romer really understand this, even though they don’t look out the window and see what I see in Silverthorne,” Gibbs said.
You can read the entire article here.
-
Updates from the Trail
Posted May 23 at 6 PM
Welcome to Dan Gibb's campaign blog. Here you can find updates on Dan in the news, recent and upcoming campaign activities, as well as Dan's thoughts on how the campaign is going! We're walking around in a lot of neigborhoods and meeting a lot of good folks here in District 16, so be sure to keep checking in on how everything is going.
