Catlin: Protecting our water, fixing the healthcare worker pipeline, making Colorado more affordable

I spent most of my adult life focused on my community and the water of Western Colorado. These two ideas compelled me to seek the Colorado House of Representatives. These two ideas have driven me to seek the Colorado State Senate. I believe that my experience in water and my understanding of the communities of the Western Slope are the best fit to represent the 5th Senate District in the state Senate. In my travels of the district and my experience as a legislator the three priorities I will pursue in the Senate are protecting our water for our productive agriculturists and recreational users; working on our cost-of-living and attainable housing issues; and fixing our healthcare worker pipeline.

Priority No. 1: Protecting our water resources

Every one of us in this district is aware that water is currently in the most troubled time in the history of our state. The state of Colorado must make the correct policy moves in the next few years for the sake of our future and for the sake of the future of the West. I believe that my experience as a water resource manager has prepared me to lead those discussions and decisions in this next term like I have as the vice chairman of the Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Committee in the House of Representatives. When I was appointed that position for the second time by Speaker Julie McCluskie she stated, “Marc has proven to put people over politics time and time again.” The Speaker and I are not in the same party, but I believe that water and the future of water is greater than party. I will continue to lead on water, because if Colorado doesn’t, Colorado will have failed the people of this state.

Priority No. 2: Making Colorado more affordable 

It is said that water is our most precious resource, but that isn’t true. Our kids are our most precious resource. This state’s cost-of-living has skyrocketed to the point where our kids cannot afford to come back to live in the place where they call home. This is not right. Currently, our communities are struggling to recruit individuals and families to fill open positions because applicants cannot find an affordable place to live within the community or within a commutable distance from the listed job. Our families are struggling to enter the property-equity ladder, where they can attain the house of their dreams. This dream is not dead, but the state of Colorado needs to focus to move back this dream into reach for our Western Slope communities. For instance, in the legislature, I sponsored and passed a bipartisan bill that appropriated $25 million into affordable housing and a home ownership cash fund. This money is actively being utilized to actually help our people secure the dream of home ownership. Not all solutions for attainable housing will originate at the state level, but I am committed to helping our communities achieve attainable housing.

Priority No. 3: Improving our state’s health care

Housing is not the only piece to solving our cost-of-living issues in the 5th District, healthcare is another major component. It is no secret that Colorado is struggling to attract and retain healthcare workers, often referred to as the healthcare worker pipeline. I am dedicated to continuing to solve the pipeline issues that we face, whether that be doctors, nurses, mental health specialists, or other healthcare technicians. Last year’s Funding for Rural Health Care (SB24-221), which I sponsored with Senator Dylan Roberts (D-SD8), will not only push more funding toward rural hospitals, but it gives funds to rural schools to further develop healthcare worker training. Most importantly, this law brings medical and other healthcare students to rural areas to train and practice while they are in school. Obviously, this law does not completely fix the pipeline, but I am prepared to advance more bills that look to better our healthcare system.

Rep. Marc Catlin currently represents Colorado House of Representatives District 58