Lukens: Getting to work for the Western Slope
As we begin the 2025 legislative session, I am honored to continue serving as your voice at the Capitol in Denver, where my colleagues and I will spend the next 120 days tackling issues facing Coloradans. I am thrilled to share that Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie appointed me as chair of the House Education Committee, which holds special significance for me as both a teacher and legislator. I believe every Colorado student deserves the opportunity to thrive in safe, well-resourced schools. Additionally, I am excited to serve on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Water Committee, where I will ensure rural Colorado’s voice is heard.
After spending months meeting with community members, leaders, and organizations, I am introducing several bills that address key challenges facing our communities. Building on last session’s achievements — which increased total education funding for K-12 schools by over $560 million and modernized our School Finance Act — my legislative priorities focus on education, rural health care, housing and making Colorado more affordable.
Upcoming legislation
I am introducing several bills this legislative session, one of which was included in the first 10 House bills. The idea behind HB25-1006 came directly from the Eagle County School District and will help maximize resources by removing the current 10-year lease limitation on district properties when used for solar gardens or affordable housing. It is a win-win for meeting our climate goals and creating more housing in the high country.
Across House District 26, I heard time and again concerns from educators regarding student cell phone use in schools. In my classroom, I have experienced how smartphones can impact student learning and mental health. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, I am championing legislation in this session that would empower school districts to establish their policies to help with student achievement and address mental health needs.
Another bill I am working on will streamline the Division of Water Resources processes to improve water management across Colorado. The goal of this bill is to cut red tape while properly utilizing our valuable water resources.
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I am also working to strengthen protections for survivors of sexual assault by expanding the Civil Rape Shield Law which prevents unrelated details about a victim’s past to be included in civil court proceedings.
Our focus for 2025
From housing to child care, we have made important progress at the Capitol to lower costs for working families. As we dive into this session, our focus remains clear — we are building upon our progress to make Colorado more affordable and safer while protecting your rights and freedoms, our investments in public education, and access to quality health care. With a tight budget year ahead, I’m committed to protecting our most vulnerable community members while maintaining crucial investments in education, health care, and public safety. These priorities directly align with what I have heard from community members across House District 26, and I am excited to work alongside my colleagues to deliver results for our rural communities while ensuring Colorado remains a place where everyone can not only get by but thrive.
Please reach out
As we dive into this legislative session, I remain committed to bringing our community’s pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach to the Capitol. The next four months will be filled with important decisions that impact our Western Slope communities. Your voice matters in this process, and I want to hear from you. Please reach out to my office at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov with your thoughts, concerns, or ideas, or join me at one of my upcoming town halls. Together, we can continue making our Western Slope communities even stronger.
Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties.
