Two state lawmakers representing areas of Longmont outlined their plans for the 2022 Legislative Session for the Longmont City Council Monday night during a virtual session.
State Rep. Tracey Bernett told council members she is working on bills aimed at improving air quality including better monitoring, permits, reporting and enforcing of air quality issues.
Bernett said Colorado is facing continued problems with ozone pollution as the Front Range is about to be downgraded for the fifth time for zone nonattainment . ”... The wildfires we have had over the last several years have only exacerbated the problem,” she said.
Mayor Joan Peck said enforcement is the key, telling Bernett there is already a lack of oil and gas oversight, even after oil and gas legislation passed last year.
After the bill passes, “who do we contact?” Peck said. “Who do we work with?”
Bernett said she is also working on a bill to advance energy codes for buildings and to improve the resilience of Colorado’s electric grid. “Right now, everything from wildfires to squirrels can cause a disruption in the grid,” Bernett said.
State Rep. Karen McCormick, in responding to a question from Councilor Aren Rodriguez, told the council several task forces this week will be presenting ideas to manage homelessness in Colorado.
McCormick, a veterinarian, told the council she is working on a bill that would allow physical therapists who use horses to help their clients get Medicaid reimbursements. Colorado, she said, is one of only 13 states that does not give those therapists access to Medicaid reimbursements.
“I am writing a bill to correct that because it’s super beneficial,” McCormick said.
