Saturday, April 28; 10:00 a.m. 
Community Issues Forum with Rep. Fischer, Rep. Kefalas & Sen. Bacon 
Main Street Banking: Creating Jobs by Investing in Local Economies and Small Businesses 



WHAT:           Join Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer and Sen. Bob Bacon for our monthly community issues forum about Main Street, community-based banking and local investing that supports small businesses and creates jobs. The presentations will highlight ideas and best practices for creating opportunities to help small businesses and entrepreneurs access capital and create jobs. Topics will include establishing main street partnerships or public banks at the state and local levels, investing more of our public dollars in Colorado, partnering with private-sector community lending institutions, gap funding for entrepreneurs, and collective community investment. The panel will include entrepreneurs, academics, lenders, economic developers and legislative business advisors. Following the presentations there will be an open and stimulating community dialogue.   


WHO:                     Rep. Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins) 
Rep. John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) 
Sen. Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) 

Panelists:        Karl Dakin, Executive Director, Sullivan Endowed Chair for Free Enterprise, Regis University 
Mike Freeman, CEO, Rocky Mountain Innosphere
McCabe Callahan, business owner and co-founder, Communityfunded.com 
Elizabeth Mozer, business owner, LoCo Food Distribution 
Monisha Merchant, Sr. Business Advisor, Office of Senator Michael Bennet  
Nancy Patton, Business Development Officer, Public Service Credit Union 

WHERE:          Harmony Library (map)
FRCC Campus 
4616 South Shields Street 
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526 

WHEN:           Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon

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By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

I hope you'll take a moment to read this newsletter about upcoming opportunities to participate in your state government, engage in civic activities, and learn about resources available for kinship care families.   I especially hope you'll take advantage of the opportunity to provide your input at my monthly town-hall on April 14. Please read on for more information!

 

Town-hall Meeting Scheduled, April 14, 2012

Share Your Ideas and Input on the 2012 Legislative Session

 

I want to hear from community members, like you! That's why each month I host one town-hall style meeting and one issue-specific community forum as a service to the residents of Fort Collins. I host these meetings along with Representative John Kefalas and Senator Bob Bacon as an opportunity for you to provide your input into our legislative agendas and priorities.

 

Our next town-hall meeting is coming up on Saturday, April 14th. I hope you will join us for this community dialogue and that you will bring your questions and ideas! 

WHAT:

Town-Hall Meeting

 

WHEN:   Saturday, April 14, 2012
9:30 A.M. - 10:45 A.M.

WHERE:   Reader's Cove Bookstore (Map)

1001 E Harmony Rd #C

Fort Collins, CO 80525

(Wheel-chair accessible)

 

WHO:

Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)

Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)

Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins, SD-14)

 

Invitation to Grandfamilies:Resources for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

 

On Wednesday, April 18^th, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado, and CSU- Larimer County Extension will present a special program for Grandfamilies entitled "Dealing with Today's Legal and Financial Stressors." This special event will be held at The Ranch (5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, Co. 80538)map, McKee 4-H Youth Community Building in Loveland from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. The program will focus on social support resources available to grandparents and other family members who are charged with raising children and the legal and financial realities facing these families. There will also be a question and answer session, making this a great opportunity for connecting with programs and resources.

 

The evening will include a question and answer session with the presenter, Dr. Tammy Henderson, Ph.D. Dr. Henderson is an Associate Professor in Human Development and Family Sciences at Oklahoma State University where she conducts research in the area of family policy, law, and diversity. As a family policy and law scholar, Dr. Henderson has published over 32 articles and book chapters focused on grandparent rights and responsibilities, foster care, mentoring, diversity, and policies.

 

Light refreshments will be served and child care will be provided for the presentation. Registration for this event is free. To register, send an email with your name, address, and numbers/ages of any children requiring care during the presentation tofmcclanahan@larimer.org.

 

Participate in Health District Board Elections on May 8

 

Elections for the Board of the Health District of Northern Larimer County are coming up on May 8, 2012. This is an important election in which every vote counts. During the last election Health District Board election, a total of only 800 votes were cast in the entire northern part of Larimer County, including Fort Collins. The Health District provides critical health services to the community, focusing on dental health, mental health, nutrition, and smoking cessation.

 

Five people have declared their candidacy for the Health District board of directors and are competing for two open seats. They are Dr. Bernard J. Birnbaum, family physician; Matt Fries, financial services professional; Debbie Healy, registered nurse; Jack Irving, retired pharmaceutical marketing and sales manager; and Dr.Steven J. Thorson, family physician. Read the candidate profiles and their responses to a Health District questionnaire. Election information.

 

Mail-in ballots must be requested by May 1, 2012, or you can vote in person from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on May 8 at the Health District Offices, 120 Bristlecone Dr., Fort Collins, or at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church located at 4501 South Lemay, Fort Collins.

 

The Larimer County League of Women Voters will host a Health District candidates forum Thursday, April 12, from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M., at Fort Collins City Council chambers, 300 Laporte Ave. The public is invited to attend. It also will be carried live on City Cable 14 and replayed afterward.

 

The form to request mail-in ballots and profiles on running board members are available at the Health District's website: http://healthdistrict.org.

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Saturday, April 14; 9:30 a.m. 
Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Fischer, Rep. Kefalas & Sen. Bacon 



WHAT:           Please come join Reps. Fischer and Kefalas and Sen. Bacon for one of their last Town Hall meetings of this legislative session. They will be updating constituents with legislation progress and news from the Capitol. This is also an opportunity for constituents to openly share their ideas, questions and comments with their local citizen legislators in a dynamic discussion.


WHO:                     Rep. Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins) 
Rep. John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) 
Sen. Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) 


WHERE:          Reader’s Cove Bookstore
1001 East Harmony Road #C
Ft. Collins, Colorado 80525

WHEN:           Saturday, April 14, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

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STATE CAPITOL UPDATE – March 20, 2012
By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

On March 19, the legislature received the revenue forecast for the 4th quarter of the current fiscal year.  The forecast indicates that the economy continues to strengthen which is good news for the state budget.  This revenue forecast also signals the beginning of the debate on the “Long” budget bill for the coming fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2012.  I anticipate that the Long Bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives perhaps as early as next week.  The budget debate and consideration of amendments will likely last most of the week.  

As a service to my constituents, I will be providing an opportunity to learn more about Colorado’s budgeting process as well as to unlock some of the mysteries regarding the financial constraints on the state budget.  I hope you’ll continue to read this newsletter for more information about this upcoming opportunity and other news items from the Capitol.

YOU’RE INVITED: COMMUNITY FORUM SATURDAY, MARCH 24
The State Budget as a Moral Document: Balancing Colorado’s Financial Priorities in a Fiscally Constrained Environment

Join Rep. John Kefalas, Sen. Bob Bacon, and me for a community issues forum focused on Colorado’s 2012/2013 state budget.  The forum will feature a panel of experts who will describe the key points of the coming year’s budget. The panel will also discuss the short-term and long-term fiscal impacts of Colorado’s constitutionally constrained finances and the structural imbalances revealed in recent reports prepared by the University of Denver’s Center for Colorado’s Economic Future.  This is a great opportunity to learn where and how taxpayer dollars are used and the state services they fund.   The panelists’ opening presentations will be followed by a robust community dialogue.

What:
Community Forum
The State Budget as a Moral Document: Balancing Colorado’s Financial Priorities in a Fiscally Constrained Environment

When:
Saturday, March 24, 2012
10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

Where:
Council Tree Library (map)
2733 Council Tree Ave.
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525

Who:  
Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)
Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)
Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins SD-14)
Plus Panelists:
Phyllis Resnick, Chief Economist, Center for Colorado's Economic Future at the University of Denver
Wade Buchanan, President, Bell Policy Center
I hope to see you there!  

Adjunct Faculty Bill Advances

Last week my bill, HB-1144, which helps provide greater job stability and academic freedom to non-tenure track instructors at Colorado colleges and universities PASSED out of the Senate Education Committee and is headed for the Senate floor!   Sometimes referred to as adjuncts or contingent faculty, non-tenure track faculty have few, if any, due process rights and lack even the most basic rights around academic freedom.  Yet, these highly qualified, skilled, and dedicated professionals are carrying the majority of the teaching loads at many, perhaps most, of our higher education institutions in Colorado and nationwide.   

I have worked to improve working conditions and job stability for non-tenure track faculty for several years.  I am very proud to be associated with the instructors who have helped me write and pass this bill and who came to testify at the committee hearings at the Capitol.  Their testimony in the committees was truly inspiring and compelling.  They demonstrated political courage by speaking out with eloquence about the harsh realities of contingency on our college campuses.   

Non-tenure track instructors deserve our gratitude for the work they do to maintain the quality of higher education.  One way to thank them is to provide greater job stability, reasonable due-process rights, and academic freedom.  With the passage of HB-1144 in the Senate Education Committee, I am cautiously optimistic that the bill will pass the Senate and be signed by the Governor.   

Alpine Robotics Team 159

This week, Alpine Robotics Team 159 from Poudre High School will be competing in the FIRST Robotics Denver Regional competition at the University of Denver’s Magness Arena.  The competition runs from March 22 through March 24, and is free and open to the public.  If you have never witnessed a FIRST Robotics competition, I’m certain you would be amazed at the energy, creativity, and technological skills of the teams and the difficulty of the challenges their robots are designed to meet.  (FIRST = For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).

More information about the FIRST competition can be found at www.coloradofirst.org/coloradoregional.htm or at www.alpinerobotics.com.  I wish Alpine Robotics, Team 159, the best of luck at the regional competition.  I also encourage everyone to attend and cheer on the team in the blue shirts!  Good luck, Alpine Robotics Team 159!

TBD Colorado

I would like to make you aware of a new initiative from the Governor’s office called TBD Colorado.  TBD is an acronym for “To Be Determined” and refers to the intended outcome of this effort – it’s to be determined.
TBD Colorado is a nonpartisan, collaborative effort designed to create informed and constructive conversations among Coloradans about some of the biggest issues facing the state.  The program was initiated by the TBD Colorado Board of Directors, Governor John Hickenlooper, and a group of nonpartisan advisors.
TBD Colorado will begin hosting community meetings throughout Colorado in April and May. Several public summits will be held in June.  No state dollars will be spent on TBD Colorado.
All Coloradans can participate in TBD Colorado by going to the website www.TBDColorado.org, hosting community and home meetings, attending regional meetings as a participant or observer, and attending public summits.
At the TBD Colorado Website, you may nominate yourself to participate in regional meetings, read regional conversation summaries, and review accompanying materials.  Beginning in June, you may also comment using interactive online tools.  Individuals can host their own events using TBD Colorado materials downloaded from the website, beginning April 1.
Regional meetings will be held in 40 communities throughout the state. Participants must commit to attending two monthly meetings of 3 hours each for a total of 6 hours.  In addition, participants will be asked to read background materials before each meeting.  TBD Colorado intends for each regional meeting group to reflect the uniqueness and special characteristics of each community. The goal is a balanced representation of age, gender, background, ethnicity and perspectives.
For more information, please refer to the TBD Colorado Website, http://www.TBDColorado.org.

Sincerely,     

Randy Fischer, State Representative
House District 53

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Saturday, March 24; 10:00 a.m. 
Community Issues Forum with Rep. Fischer, Rep. Kefalas & Sen. Bacon 
The State Budget as a Moral Document: Balancing Colorado’s Financial Priorities in a Fiscally Constrained Environment


WHAT:           Join Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer, and Sen. Bob Bacon for a community issues forum focused on Colorado’s 2012/2013 state budget.  The forum will feature a panel of experts who will describe the key points of the coming year’s budget. The panel will also discuss the short-term and long-term fiscal impacts of Colorado’s constitutionally constrained finances and the structural imbalances revealed in recent reports prepared by the University of Denver’s Center for Colorado’s Economic Future.  This is a great opportunity to learn where and how taxpayer dollars are used and the state services they fund.    The panelists’ opening presentations will be followed by a community dialogue.   


WHO:                     Rep. Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins) 
Rep. John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) 
Sen. Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) 

Panelists:        Phyllis Resnick, Chief Economist, Center for Colorado's Economic Future at the University of Denver
Wade Buchanan, President, Bell Policy Center
Other Panel Members Pending 


WHERE:          Council Tree Library (map)
2733 Council Tree Ave. 
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 

WHEN:           Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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STATE CAPITOL UPDATE – February 20, 2012
By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

It’s hard to believe but we are already a third of the way through the 2012 legislative session!  The time seems to have really flown during this fast-paced session.  

This week is yet another busy time at the Capitol because February 23 is the deadline for committee action on all bills originating in the House.  I anticipate late nights in committee meetings this week as we work to process all the bills that remain on the committee calendars.   

Despite the busy schedule this week, I feel it’s important to stay in contact with people in my district.  I hope you’ll take a few minutes to look over my e-newsletter and let me know if you have any thoughts, suggestions, questions, or concerns.  I especially hope you will take time to attend my community issues forum on the cost of higher education coming up this Saturday.  Please read below for details.  

YOU’RE INVITED: COMMUNITY FORUM
Ensuring Access to an Affordable and Quality College Education: How Do We Address Increasing Student Costs?
Saturday, February 25

Please join Rep. John Kefalas, Senator Bob Bacon, and me for a community issues forum focused on higher education access, affordability, and quality in the face of rising student costs. The event will feature six panelists, including Colorado State University and Front Range Community College students, administrators, faculty members, and a local business person.  Panelists will share their perspectives on the importance of an affordable and high quality post-secondary education as well as their ideas for addressing the barriers to access caused by increasing costs.  

The forum will explore the intersection of state funding of public colleges and universities and increasing tuition and fees; global workforce development and technology transfer; classroom instruction and faculty; research and development; and the missions of community colleges and land-grant institutions.  Presentations will be followed by a robust community dialogue intended to focus on identifying solutions to these complex issues.

What:
Community Forum
Ensuring Access to an Affordable and Quality College Education: How Do We Address Increasing Student Costs?  

When:
Saturday, February 25, 2012
2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Where:
Colorado State University (map)
Lory Student Center, ASCSU Senate Chambers
1101 Center Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523

Who:  
Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)
Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)
Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins SD-14)

Panelists:
Chase Eckerdt, Director of Governmental Affairs, Associated Students of Colorado State University;
Marissa Slezak, Student Government Vice President,  Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus;
Bruce Walthers, Vice President, Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus;
Mary Ontiveros, Vice President for Diversity, Colorado State University;
Bill Timpson, Ph.D, Faculty Member, Colorado State University;
Local business person, to be determined

I hope to see you there!  

Adjunct Faculty Job Stability Bill Advances

Last week my bill to help provide greater job stability and academic freedom to non-tenure track instructors at Colorado colleges and universities PASSED out of the House State Affairs Committee on a favorable vote of 5 yes to 4 no!   Sometimes referred to as adjuncts or contingent faculty, non-tenure track faculty have few, if any, due process rights and lack even the most basic rights around academic freedom.  Yet, these highly qualified, skilled, and dedicated professionals are carrying the majority of the teaching loads at many, perhaps most, of our higher education institutions in Colorado and nationwide.   

I have worked to improve working conditions and job stability for non-tenure track faculty for several years.  I am so proud to be associated with the instructors who came to testify at the committee hearing this past week.  Their testimony was truly inspiring and compelling.  They demonstrated political courage by speaking out with eloquence about the harsh realities of contingency on our college campuses.   The committee hearing on HB-1144 was one of the highlights of my legislative career. It was a thrill to stand up for the rights of adjuncts.  I am honored to be on the correct side of such an important issue and hopefully to succeed in making good public policy.   My work on HB-1144 now turns to the House floor.  Wish me and all of Colorado’s non-tenure track faculty luck! 

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Saturday, Feb. 11; 10:00 a.m. 
Town Hall Meeting with Rep. Fischer, Rep. Kefalas & Sen. Bacon 



WHAT:           Please come join Reps. Fischer and Kefalas and Sen. Bacon for their second Town Hall Meeting of the 2012 legislative session. They will be sharing their latest legislative news and openly taking your questions. In addition, they will be seeking feedback and questions from those in attendance about any issues that constituents might have.


WHO:                     Rep. Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins) 
Rep. John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) 
Sen. Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) 


WHERE:          Harmony Library (map) 
4616 South Shields Street
Ft. Collins, Colorado 80526

WHEN:           Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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STATE CAPITOL UPDATE – January 25, 2012
By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

Colorado’s 2012 legislative session is off and running.   I’ve been spending most evenings burning the midnight oil down at the Capitol, away from home, missing my wife.  No matter how well prepared I try to be, I always find the first few weeks of the session overwhelming.  Still, I feel it’s important to stay in contact with people in my district.  I hope you’ll take a few minutes to look over my e-newsletter and let me know if you have any thoughts, suggestions, questions, or concerns.  

YOU’RE INVITED: COMMUNITY FORUM
Mobile Home Parks: A Vanishing Source of Affordable Housing?
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28

Join Rep. Kefalas, Sen. Bacon, and me for a community issues forum discussing mobile home parks as a vanishing source of affordable housing. The event will feature panelists representing mobile home park residents, community organizations, local and state government, affordable housing developers, and a national manufactured housing homeowners association. Topics of discussion will include the human impacts of mobile home park dislocation, current policy on mobile home parks in the context of affordable housing, and potential reforms and community solutions.  An open forum for community questions and discussion will follow.  Feedback and ideas are always appreciated.
Please see the details below.  I hope to see you there!  

What:
Community Forum
Mobile Home Parks: A Vanishing Source of Affordable Housing?

When:
Saturday, January 28, 2012
2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Where:
Fort Collins Coloradoan
Community Room
1300 Riverside Avenue
Fort Collins, CO

Who:  
Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)
Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)
Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins SD-14)
Plus Panelists:
Debra Goodson, former resident, Bender Mobile Home Park
Cheryl Distaso, Coordinator, Fort Collins Community Action Network and the Open Communities Collective
Gerry Horak, City Council Member, City of Fort Collins
Isabel Dickens, Executive Director, Manufactured Home Owners Association of America
Joe Rowan, Executive Director, Funding Partners
Pat Coyle, Executive Director, Colorado Division of Housing

SB 12-003 - THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT
 
Damaged consumer credit scores resulting from the economic meltdown represent a little known but huge impact on workers’ abilities to find and keep jobs and receive job promotions.  Most people who have been laid off or lost their jobs in the recession have seen a dip in their credit score.  

In these tough times when so many credit scores have suffered as a result of the economic downturn, it would seem reasonable that employers would reduce their reliance on credit scores in their hiring and job-related decisions.  Yet, the trend is for greater use of credit scores as a basis for personnel decisions by employers.  Estimates are that over 60 percent of employers use private consumer credit information as part of their evaluations of their existing employees’ job performance as well as in hiring new employees.  In addition, the credit reports of an estimated 20 million Americans contain significant material errors that may cause devastating consequences for existing and prospective employees.  

So here’s the current situation.  The loss of a job can easily result in a bad credit score, then a bad credit score can result in real problems finding a new job.  This seems like a modern-day “Catch 22”.  Using credit scores for purposes they were not designed for is wrong and unjust.  Evidence supports the fact that credit scores are a poor measure of an employee's merit.  The increasing use of credit data is structurally prolonging the ability of people to become re-employed and back to work.  

That’s why I am proud to be the House sponsor of Senate Bill 12-003, The Employment Opportunity Act of 2012, along with Senator Morgan Carroll.  This bill prohibits use of credit scoring in hiring unless relevant for the job position and gives disclosure to the employees or applicants if their credit was an adverse factor in the decision.  

For more information about the uses and misuses of credit scores you may be interested in reading the following document:  http://

www.demos.org/sites/default/files/publications/Discrediting_America_Demos.pdf

I hope you will feel free to contact me at any time with comments, issues, or concerns about state government.  

Sincerely,     

Randy Fischer, State Representative
House District 53
3007 Moore Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80526
970-215-7898

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STATE CAPITOL UPDATE – January 9, 2012
By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

On January 11, 2012, I will begin my sixth year in the Colorado General Assembly.  The start of a new legislative session offers a point of beginning from which to measure progress for the citizens of Colorado.  The first few days will offer a brief opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities and expectations for the new session with speeches by the Governor, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, and the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.   Quickly, though, we will get to work doing the people’s business in the people’s house.  
Serving as State Representative for House District 53 is one of the greatest privileges of my life.  I resolve to never take my constituents for granted and to always be humbled by the trust they have conveyed in me.   I hope you might take a moment to read below about upcoming opportunities to participate in your state government and about ways that I’m helping to make state government work for you.

Session Kickoff Town-hall Meeting Scheduled
Share Your Ideas and Input for the 2012 Legislative Session

With the start of the 2012 legislative session, I want to hear from community members, like you!  Please join Representative John Kefalas, Senator Bob Bacon, and me for an opportunity to provide your input as we refine our legislative agendas and priorities.  Bring your questions and ideas!

WHAT:  
Town-Hall Meeting for the 2012 Legislative Kick-Off

WHEN:
Saturday, January 14, 2012
10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.

WHERE:
Harmony Branch Library
Community Room
4616 South Shields Street
Fort Collins, Colorado 80526
(Wheel-chair accessible)

WHO:  
Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)
Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)
Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins, SD-14)

Opening of the 2012 Legislative Session

Please consider experiencing the opening ceremonies in the Colorado House of Representatives this year.  Opening day at the legislature is Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. speeches that will outline the legislative agenda for the coming session.  The next day, Governor John Hickenlooper will deliver his second State of the State address on Thursday, January 12 at 11:00 A.M.  

You may attend these ceremonies or any other events at the State Capitol in person at 200 E. Colfax Ave, Denver.  Please feel free to contact me at 303-866-2917 if you are planning to be at the Capitol anytime during the legislative session.  I would enjoy meeting with you to help make your visit as enjoyable and informative as possible.  

Can’t or don’t want to drive to Denver?  You can listen to legislative sessions and committee hearings on-line.  Please visit the state legislative website at http://www.leg.state.co.us and click on the link for “Audio Broadcasts” at the very top of the page.  In addition, you can now watch the House proceedings on the Colorado Channel on your TV at Comcast Channel 165 or on your computer at www.coloradochannel.net.    A tremendous variety of information about pending legislation, member biographies, photos, district maps, and other items is available at the www.leg.state.co.us website.  

Connecting with My District

One of my most important responsibilities is to help make state government work for people.   That’s why I’ve worked hard to be open and accessible, to listen to my constituents’ issues and questions, and to do my best to address people’s concerns.   I hope you will feel free to contact me at any time with comments, issues, or concerns about state government.  
Have a safe, prosperous, and happy new year!  
Sincerely,

Randy Fischer, State Representative
House District 53
3007 Moore Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80526
970-215-7898

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STATE CAPITOL UPDATE – December 5, 2011
By Representative Randy Fischer, Colorado House District 53

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the warmth of home, friends, and family as the first really cold weather of the season sets in.   

The start of the 2012 legislative session is now just a little more than 5 weeks away.  I’ve been working for the past several months preparing for the coming session.  I’d like to chat with you about what to expect when the legislature reconvenes on January 11.  That’s why I am continuing my series of town hall meetings this coming Saturday.  Information on this meeting is provided below.  I hope to see you there.  

YOU’RE INVITED:  TOWN HALL MEETING

I will hold an open town hall meeting this coming Saturday, December 10, 2011.  I hope you’ll take this opportunity to join Senator Bob Bacon, Representative John Kefalas, and me for an update on our preparations for the upcoming legislative session.   We will have some updated information regarding the State budget, legislative district boundaries, and anticipated legislative initiatives.  

Business owner Charles Kaine has graciously offered to host this town hall at Reader’s Cove Bookshop and Half Moon Coffee located on the southwest corner of Harmony Road and Lemay Avenue.  Please help us thank Charles by supporting these two local businesses.  

What:
TOWN HALL MEETING
Legislative Update and Look Forward

When:
Saturday, December 10, 2011
10:00 - 11:30 A.M.

Where:
Reader’s Cove Bookstore
1001 East Harmony Road, Unit C
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Wheelchair Accessible

Who:  
Representative Randy Fischer (Fort Collins HD-53)
Representative John Kefalas (Fort Collins HD-52)
Senator Bob Bacon (Fort Collins SD-14)

Please bring your questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions; and please do a little shopping at Reader’s Cove!  


Family Leadership Training Institute Now Accepting Applications

I am pleased to support the Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI).  The FLTI offers amazing growth opportunities for those ready to share their voices for children, youth, and families.  

The FLTI is currently recruiting parents and family members for the Class of 2012.  There is a simple on-line application at www.coloradofamilyleadership.com or one can request a hard copy application from Larimer County extension agent, Jacque Miller.   The deadline for applications is December 16 followed by interviews conducted on December 19th and 21st.

For more information about the 2012 FLTI, please contact Jacque.  

Jacque L. Miller, Community Development Agent
Colorado State University Extension - Larimer County
1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO  80524
Phone: 970-498-6014
Fax: 970-498-6025
Email: millerj@co.larimer.co.us

CONNECTING WITH MY DISTRICT

Although the Colorado General Assembly meets for 120 days each year, I consider the responsibility of representing House District 53 a full-time job.  That’s why I strive to remain open and accessible to my constituents year round.   Even when I’m not at the Capitol, I continue to work on legislation, meet with constituents, help Fort Collins residents navigate state government, and participate in two interim committees – the interim water review committee and transportation legislative review committee.  

I hope you will feel free to contact me at any time with comments, issues, or concerns about state government.

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