Christine Scanlan
For State House
Blog
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Rep. Christine Scanlan Honored by Colorado Youth Corps Association
Posted Jan 28 at 9 PM
The Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) recognized Rep. Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County) today as one of two Legislators of the Year. Rep. Scanlan was honored at a ceremony this morning at the State Capitol for her support of the youth corps in providing effective solutions to critical land, water and energy issues in Colorado.“I am grateful to be honored by CYCA, an organization that values and recognizes that youth represents the best future for Colorado,” said Rep. Scanlan. “The Youth Corps is actually the one who should be honored: they continue to effectively engage young people in service to their communities and stewardship of their environment, and I am proud to be a supporter of such an important organization.
Last year, Rep. Scanlan, along with Sen. Kopp, sponsored legislation that encouraged the use of youth corps crews to complete forest restoration, fire mitigation, and beetle kill projects statewide, thereby providing jobs, training, and scholarships to many young people.
Also recognized today were Lieutenant Governor Barbara O’Brien as the 2009 Champion for Youth, Colorado State Parks as Partner of the Year, and Sen. Mike Kopp as the other Legislator of the Year.
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Scanlan: Education Reform: Doing More with Less
Posted Nov 09 at 2 PM
Scanlan: Education Reform: Doing More with Less
by State Rep. Christine Scanlan,
These are difficult times for Colorado families, and for our state. While we all understand the need to reduce our spending and balance the budget, we must make sure we are sharply focused on the issues that matter most as we prepare for the 2010 legislative session. For many of us, what matters most is education.As I go door to door this summer, every parent I've talked to wants an effective environment for their child to learn, to create and to receive help. It is clear that a quality education is pivotal in determining a child's future. Reforming our public schools must remain our top priority as Colorado rebuilds its labor force and its economy for the 21st century.
The key element to rebuilding Colorado's economy lies with our schools. Sadly, some are under-performing. Our state's graduation rate is about 74 percent — although Summit County's is considerably higher. And too many students continue on without the skills needed to compete in a global economy. In 2008, only about 70 percent of Colorado's 3rd through 10th graders were proficient in reading — and only half are proficient in math.
It's clear to me that our public schools need more and better tools to help our children succeed.
In just the few years that I have been in the Colorado Legislature, we have made some huge strides in education reform. We especially made education a priority during the 2009 session.
• We enacted a significant change that will allow high school students to be enrolled in both high school and community college, earning college credit, if they develop a plan of what they want to do and how they will get there;
• We streamlined systems to increase accountability and improve tracking to show how individual students, not just schools, improve, over time.
• Rather than punishing struggling schools, we changed accountability systems to help provide schools needing a turnaround extra resources and guidance;
• I sponsored the School Finance Act, which rewards low-income schools that boost student performance and allows districts to spend more on programs that work best in their areas;
• We are improving teacher quality by identifying the most effective teachers;
• We increased the amount of unpaid leave working parents are allowed in order to be more involved with their kids' education;
• We established a plan of action for dropout prevention and student reengagement;
• And we expanded the school lunch program for low-income kids.
While we made significant progress, there is still much work to be done.
President Obama recently established a $4.35 billion fund available from the U.S. Department of Education for preschool through post-secondary education reform. This is important for Colorado schools.
The program is called Race to the Top, and states interested in receiving a portion of the money must compete against each other to submit innovative proposals that establish assessment standards, improve teacher effectiveness, and provide intense support for low-performing schools. The reforms we enacted in the past have us well-positioned to win this Race.
Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien has created several public committees working on Race to the Top; we welcome your involvement. Your input is vital to our success, so please attend a committee meeting or submit your ideas in writing. You can find out more at http://www.colorado.gov/ or contact me directly.
I'm proud that I was asked to be a part of the team that will draft and submit the final proposal, so I will put your good ideas to good use.
I hope your children have a wonderful school year!
State Rep. Christine Scanlan represents Summit County in House District 56.
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New Wildfire-Plan Law Led by Gibbs and Scanlan Goes Into Effect
Posted Aug 13 at 12 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2009
For more information:
Katie Reinisch 303-866-2774
Rep. Scanlan 970-470-0397
Sen. Gibbs 303-866-4873COLORADO
MAJORITY COMMUNICATIONS
STATE CAPITOL
New Wildfire-Plan Law Led by Gibbs and Scanlan Goes Into Effect Tomorrow(DENVER) Wednesday, August 5 marks the day that a number of new laws spearheaded by Democratic legislators and signed by Governor Ritter go into effect. State Representative Christine Scanlan and Senator Dan Gibbs (both D-Summit County) led several vital forest-health bills through the legislative process and are proud to watch the cornerstone bill, Senate Bill 1, become law on Wednesday.
Senate Bill 1 was at the top of Gov. Ritter’s agenda. With his leadership, Sen. Gibbs and Rep. Scanlan crafted a law which will establish comprehensive, locally-led, community wildfire protection plans throughout the state.
"This is an aggressive step forward for Colorado," said Rep. Scanlan. "It's critical legislation, providing state entities, private landowners and local communities assistance in addressing wildfire threats using innovative strategies. This new law will facilitate market-based solutions to help Colorado effectively combat the bark beetle infestation.”“As a wildland firefighter I know how important community prevention plans are in terms public safety for the citizens of Colorado,” said Sen. Gibbs. “This law will help communities prioritize, prevent, and prepare for wildfires in their area."
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REP. SCANLAN & SEN. GIBBS TESTIFY IN FRONT OF CONGRESS
Posted Aug 13 at 12 PM
REP. SCANLAN & SEN. GIBBS TESTIFY IN FRONT OF CONGRESS
Lawmakers: “Federal government must act now to combat bark beetle devastation”
WASHINGTON DC - State Representative Christine Scanlan and State Senator Dan Gibbs, both Summit County legislators, called upon Congress to act immediately to combat Colorado’s mountain pine beetle epidemic. The two lawmakers were part of a historic hearing dedicated to raising awareness about the issue and developing solutions to combat the growing infestation. The hearing included the testimony of local, state and regional officials from across the west, as well as private business owners and representatives from various federal agencies.“Let us make no mistake: this is not just a local issue. The bark beetle epidemic poses an immediate threat to the United States’ overall security.” said Rep. Scanlan. “Tens of millions of people across the west depend on the water that flows downstream from Colorado, and the electricity that travels over impacted lands.”
Sen.Gibbs, who joined Rep. Scanlan at the hearing, echoed the testimony: “Colorado lawmakers are committed to fighting the fire threat and restoring our forests. However, the need has simply outpaced our financial resources on the state level. It is now incumbent upon the federal government to act.”
In her remarks before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Public Lands, Rep. Scanlan called on Congress to:
Increase funding for local, state and federal officials to apply toward fire prevention and suppression
Send President Obama a strong version of the FLAME Act, which would decouple fire prevention and suppression funding, and would continue the “good neighbor” policy that has been so effective
Follow Colorado’s lead to introduce legislation that removes barriers to cross-jurisdictional cooperation, and that encourages public-private collaboration.
Over the next two days, the pair also plan to meet with key members of Congress and their staffs to encourage expanding federal action and developing a viable market for “blue wood” beetle-killed products.# # #
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Rep. Scanlan Leads on Forest Health Issue
Posted Feb 18 at 1 PM
Rep. Scanlan Leads on Forest Health Issue
Rep. Scanlan will present two significant Wildfire/Bark Beetle bills to the
House Agriculture Committee at 1:30 in HCR 0107... And heads to DC to lobby next week(DENVER) Today, State Representative Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County) is leading two forest-health bills through the legislative process. And next Wednesday, she’ll lead a delegation to Washington, DC to urge the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Forest Service, Interior Secretary Salazar, the Colorado Congressional delegation and others to address the bark beetle epidemic and forest fire potential – before it’s too late.
Rep. Scanlan will present two bills to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee at 1:30 in House Committee Room 0107.
With Rep. Steve King (R-Grand Junction), she will present Senate Bill 1, The Community Wildfire Protection Plan. That bill, led through the Senate by Sen. Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County), helps local governments prepare for wildfires so they can respond effectively and efficiently in emergency situations.
Rep. Scanlan says that, “Having a plan and guidelines established before firefighters hit the ground will help save lives and property.”
House Bill 1199 is The Health Forests, Vibrant Communities Act, an omnibus bill which makes a number of significant changes and allocations regarding the management, protection, and use of Colorado's forests, particularly in response to the bark beetle de-forestation and resulting increased risk of forest fires.
Rep. Scanlan describes HB 1199 as “a good step for the state to assist private land owners and local communities address their own wildfire priorities.”
Rep. Scanlan said that she is looking forward to lobbying our federal partners in D.C.
“We must bring to Washington's attention the extreme risk Colorado faces for a catastrophic wildfire in the northern central Rockies,” Rep. Scanlan said. “This is an issue of urgent national importance. The vast majority of beetle kill acreage is on federal lands where critical infrastructure and essential watershed are located.”
Rep. Scanlan is paying for her trip.
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Why does gas cost more in Vail Valley?
Posted Feb 12 at 12 PM
VAIL, Colorado —When it comes to gas prices, residents in Colorado’s high country will be the first to admit they feel cheated, paying significantly more at the pump in the Vail Valley and in Summit County than they see in Denver.
To get to the root of the problem, local elected officials invited members of the Colorado Petroleum Marketers Association to the Dillon Town Hall to explain the process behind the pricing.
“Residents have always been concerned about the gas prices in Summit County, and those concerns have been exasperated by the current economy,” said state Rep. Christine Scanlan, a Democrat whose district includes Eagle County.
“I feel like I have never seen us within a nickel of the prices in Denver. ... Not everyone understands why gas would be that much more expensive,” Scanlan said at Monday’s meeting.
Tackling what can sometimes become a volatile topic for many locals, Bill Gallagher with the Petroleum Marketers Association explained that there are numerous factors that contribute to high prices.
“No one except the oil and gas companies, Wall Street and credit-card companies benefited from the recent spike in prices,” Gallagher said. “And while Colorado prices are traditionally lower than the national average, I understand that that is not always the case here in the high country.”
Gallagher went on to explain that while added federal and state taxes are felt nationwide, high country gas retailers have the added burden of paying a freight cost, which can add as much as to five cents a gallon.
Although some who attended the meeting contested that freight costs were nothing more than a worn-out excuse, Gallagher added that it typically costs about $400 per truckload to transport up to Summit County.
“When you consider the cost of the time and the driver, $400 is the value needed to get a return on what it takes to come over the hill,” Gallagher said.
The added cost of doing business in the mountains is another contributor to high gas prices, and it was pointed out that rent at a gas station in Breckenridge was close to $15,000 a month. An identical facility in Denver pays $4,400 a month for rent.
Gas retailers in the High County also have higher starting wages than down on the Front Range, as clerks and managers in Summit County typically make $2 to $4 more in the mountains than gas employees in Denver.
Gallagher also spoke at length about two additional cost contributors that drivers don’t usually consider: Credit-card fees and cold-weather shrinkage.
“Credit-card fees are a hidden cost to all of us,” Gallagher said, adding that 75 percent of gas sales include credit cards. “Last year, A-B Petroleum paid $1,162,00 in credit card fees. ...Those fees are fast becoming a huge burden for retailers.”
Gas retailers in the mountains also have to account for shrinkage when tanks are delivered. As a liquid, gas is delivered to local stations hot, but as it cools, the gas decreases in volume.
“In the winter, retailers lose hundreds of gallons a month,” Gallagher said. “Some is even lost in transit if the truck is traveling in very cold weather.”
Lack of competition within the county is another factor in how individual retailers set their prices, and Scanlan admitted that since Eagle and Summit counties are communities that rely on tourism, “the market will continue to bear the prices.”
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Thank You!
Posted Nov 18 at 11 AM
I want to extend a warm thank you to each and every one of you for all your hardwork and dedication to my campaign - I would not have won without your support!
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Summit County Builders Association Endorses Christine Scanlan
Posted Oct 24 at 1 PM
The Summit County Builders Association, in consideration of the thousands of working families living in Summit County, is proud to support the following candidates in their bid for election. The SCBA, through its Political Committee, Summit Builders Political Committee, has endorsed the following candidates for the 2008 General Election. Each candidate’s name is a hyperlink to their campaign website - we encourage you to learn more about each of these candidates and to contribute directly to their campaigns.
Colorado House
House District 56
Vote for Christine Scanlan
- Works hard to find solutions to tough problems.
- Strong position on construction defect legislation.
- Proponent of careful consideration of all I-70 traffic and funding solutions
- Strong proponent of pine beetle / wildfire mitigation efforts
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Don't call us crazy: Why RealVail.com feels you should vote for Christine Scanlan
Posted Oct 15 at 12 PM
At first I thought Thursday’s endorsement of Republican Ali Hasan for the House District 56 seat had to be an errant reprint of the Vail Daily’s hilarious annual April Fool’s edition. (See article here)
After first admitting their editorial board was deeply conflicted (as well they should be), the Daily then demonstrated it’s deeply confused about the qualities that constitute an effective lawmaker.
Despite incumbent Democrat Christine Scanlan of Dillon successfully passing 11 bills in her very short stint in the state House since replacing Rep. Dan Gibbs – most of them focused on educational and environmental issues, including beetle kill and water quality laws – the Daily said Scanlan fits into the “Denver woodwork.”
Huh? Those sound like pretty critical issues to mountain dwellers. Hasan’s big gimmick? Mountain monorail. I’m as supportive of mass transit along the I-70 corridor as the next guy, but his claim that he can pull it off with mostly private funding and fees assessed to lift tickets (oh, and maybe a little bit of a tax increase) is naïve at best.
Scanlan has been part of the coalition that has been working tirelessly for years to build consensus all along the corridor, and the plan that emerged from that group (some widening in bottlenecks critical to the trucking industry, more chain-up areas, a promise not to six-lane through Clear Creek County) actually put mass transit back on the table after the Owens’ administration steadfastly refused to even consider mountain rail.
Now a rail study is in the works by the Rocky Mountain Rail Authority that will lay out all the available technologies, potential ridership, optimal station and line layout and all the funding options.
To think Hasan, at age 28, will be able to waltz into the Capitol and get lawmakers to sign off on a massive funding package or ballot question asking voters statewide to build a multi-billion-dollar mass transit line that primarily benefits ski country (and, of course, Front Range skiers) is ludicrous.
Scanlan fought hard to defeat tolling measures that could have crippled tourism in the mountains, instead focusing on getting back to the state House and doing the hard work of putting a comprehensive transportation-funding package together that will provide money for I-70 fixes, statewide infrastructure needs and, down the road, a realistic mass transit plan.
The Daily also argued that Democrats have been ineffective since taking control of the Legislature in 2004 (remember, two of those years the obstructionist Owens was in the governor’s mansion), but I’m pleased with the direction the state is taking, developing a new-energy economy that will put us as the forefront of the renewable industry for decades to come and bringing environmental issues and climate change to the forefront of the state debate.
Meanwhile, conservatives’ main complaint is about the Legislature’s mill-levy freeze, which would have pumped increased property taxes (stemming, of course, from increased values) into our badly underfunded public-education system. A judge ruled that move constitutional but the case is being appealed, and Coloradans continue to enjoy some of the lowest property tax rates in the nation while our schools suffer.
Scanlan heads the Keystone Center in Summit County, a nonprofit environmental education and conflict-resolution organization. She and her husband have raised three daughters in the high-priced high country. She knows how hard it is to make ends meet up here; she knows the challenges of keeping our local schools not just afloat but competitive; and she has demonstrated good fiscal judgment and nonpartisan consensus-building skills in tough economic times.
Hasan has consistently demonstrated very poor judgment throughout his campaign, from his tumultuous relationship with his ex-girlfriend and publicist, a former Vail Daily reporter, to his selection of loose-cannon gadfly Kaye Ferry as his campaign manager to comments that he would remain celibate through the election.
The record amount of money Hasan has spent on the race, more than twice what the most expensive state House races typically cost, is another strike against his judgment and serves as a warning that working within tight state budgets might not be his strength.
Finally, the Vail Daily admits Hasan come across as “loony” and that their own endorsement could be construed as “crazy,” but what’s really crazy is the $71,000 the paper has collected from Hasan in advertising. The most expensive state House races of all time have come in around $100,000, and Hasan has spent more than two-thirds of that in one newspaper.
In the interest of full disclosure, Scanlan’s campaign is paying this site $1,200 for advertising (including building the ad you see on this site and on the Vail Daily site). We offered Hasan the opportunity to advertise, but he told us Ferry advised him not to.
That’s fine, but even if Hasan had outspent Scanlan 70 to 1 in advertising on our site, we wouldn’t have endorsed him. Consider this the official RealVail.com endorsement for Scanlan. No need to call us crazy. -
Bark Beetle - Doing real work
Posted Oct 15 at 12 PM
• I have become a leader on the bark beetle epidemic, sponsoring and passing bark-beetle bills SB71, SB221, and HB1269; I have convened an action-oriented task force which met with experts, toured affected sites, and quickly created 7 new legislative solutions to the problem; and recently, I led a delegation to Washington to get millions in federal funds and to demand action.
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Summit Daily Endorses Christine Scanlan
Posted Sep 25 at 12 PM
Editorial: Scanlan for House District 56The race for House District 56 - the winner of which will represent Summit, Lake and Eagle counties in the Colorado Legislature - has been one of the more unusual in recent history. It has pitted an appointed Democrat incumbent of modest means, Christine Scanlan, against Ali Hasan, a young Republican with what seems almost bottomless reserves of campaign cash. The campaign has also had its fair share of unusual stories, mostly emanating from the camp of Hasan.
But what’s of real concern to Summit County voters is which of the two candidates is best prepared to represent us at the state capitol. After careful review of both candidates’ qualifications and positions, the answer is clearly Christine Scanlan.
Ali Hasan has a great deal of energy, but he does not have the experience or grasp of the issues to be effective in the state House. Our district has serious issues: transportation, wildfire mitigation, watershed protection, education, affordable housing and our local long-term economy to name a few. We can’t tackle these issues alone. We need serious help from Denver and Washington. We simply cannot afford anything short of outstanding representation in the state house.
Christine Scanlan has excellent knowledge of the issues, and a warmth and style that allows her to get things done. She speaks fluidly and knowledgeably about the issues crucial to Summit County. As a long-time county resident, school board member, parent and small-business owner, Scanlan simply has a better understanding of the issues that affect us than a young man from Beaver Creek with little political or managerial experience.
In her first term, Scanlan has proven herself time and again to be an effective legislator who works across the aisle to get things done. She also has a strong bond with our State Sen. Dan Gibbs, and the two of them together at the capitol means Summit County has its best representation in years.
In short, Scanlan has earned another term, and she represents the best interests of Summit County on the state level. -
Christine Scanlan: Tips for school success
Posted Sep 09 at 9 PM
Check out these great tips!
Whether your child is a first-timer or a seasoned pro, back-to-school time can be stressful for families. In my work with educators in Summit County, I have witnessed how parental involvement and influence helps children succeed in school. Here are some ways you can help your child succeed this school year:
1. Homework haven
Help your child develop good homework and study habits by creating an area that is consistently used for doing homework. Set aside a regular time that is strictly for doing school work, far away from the television! If you don’t have a place at home free from distractions, become a regular at your nearest library.
2. Shut-eye
Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep. Research shows that kids who get enough sleep (10-11 hours for kids ages 5-12) are more successful in school. Re-establish a permanent bedtime if you became lax over the summer.
3. Brain food
Make sure your child eats a good breakfast and packs a nutritious lunch. Make lunches the night before, and use this time to talk about healthy foods. Younger children, in particular, need to adapt to new meal routines before the school day demands it of them.
4. Set a good example
Show your child how much you like reading, or talk about math and measuring when you’re making a recipe together. Read aloud to each other instead of watching television. Talk about the book each of you are reading, and show genuine enthusiasm for their comments. Remember that children can learn anywhere, anytime.
5. Talk to each other
Talk to your kids as much as you can about what they are learning in school. They may say they don’t like it, but it shows your child that you value their education. On a car ride home or on a family walk, take the time to show interest in their learning. You will soon find out what interests them most, and then encourage them to explore those subjects.
6. Organize
Ease back-to-school anxiety by being prepared. Help your child to lay out her clothes and pack her backpack the night before. Keep calendars with important dates in a place where everyone in the family can see.
7. Get your child involved
Encourage your child to register for fun and educational extracurricular programs. Find out if your school or community offers an after-school activity that would interest your child. From pottery and art classes to reading clubs and soccer practices, there are many opportunities for your child.
8. Get yourself involved
Evidence suggests that students’ success stems in part from their families’ involvement in their school. When parents and teachers are in touch, children are more likely to do well in school. And when parents are heavily involved with schools, children’s academic performance vastly improves. Involve yourself in the academic community: Volunteer, join the PTA and stay in touch with your child’s teacher.
9. Be flexible
Be flexible in the first weeks back. School can be a long day for a young person, and getting back into routine after a long summer break can be exhausting.
10. Get help
Offer your help if your child is struggling, but don’t do all the work for them. Tutors can be a good alternative.
Happy Learning! -
Eagle County Fair
Posted Jul 31 at 2 PM
Come Join Christine as she hangs out with the locals on Friday before and during the rodeo and then on Saturday at the dunk tank.
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Latest Campaign News
Posted Jul 21 at 5 PM
Our campaign participated in the fun filled parade in Gypsum. It was wonderful seeing all the residents, children and parade participants along the streets of Gypsum. Thank you to all of those who participated.
