Democracy. Parks we had head to colorado is serving a second term as governor. Back in january he spoke before a joint session of the legislature and denver to discuss environmental issues, Workforce DevelopmentReproductive Health plant care prior to become governor he was a member of congress. Serving 10 years in the u. S. House of representatives. His speech is about an hour. [applause] [applause] [applause] it is my pleasure and honor to present to you the honorable jared polis and governor of the best state in the nation. Colorado. [cheering] will be happy to know the escort came they did their job. I was not able to escape i tried between the first and second floor they fully contained me and did their job. Speaker, president , majority leader, majority leader rodrigues, minority leader lynch, minority leader, lieutenant governor, treasurer young, attorney general weiser, secretary of state griswold, first gentleman reese, members of the state board of education, justices of the Colorado Supreme Court tribal treasurer turtle, members of the cabinet, denver mayor mike johnston, aurora mayor mike coffman, Colorado Springs mayor, fort collins mayor, u. S. Attorney and of course all of the members of the colorado General Assembly, there is a guide here for me because there is a few of you if you do and im not met yet. Welcome. Over the last year ive been thinking a lot about who we want to beat when our great state terns wonder to 50 years old, and just two years. As we envision our future together often a writer president kennedys speech at Rice University in 1962 it was there that he articulate his whole vision saying we choose to go to the moonsa in this decade not because it is easy. But because it is hard. He took a seemingly impossible goal. Who would think going to the moon something never attempted in Human History and he made it a mission the moonshot goal as it came to be known to set a standard not just for the United States before the world. It ushered in a new era of american success and innovation. Seven years later Neil Armstrong spoke those famous words one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. During the moonshot goal into mission accomplished. It was not easy. It was a vision to guide the way in the famous American Work ethic, they got it done. Throughout colorados history we have often been the ones leading the change, blazing the trail, turning our dreams into reality. We have literally moved mountains using roads, tunnels, railroads of the seemingly an tenable rockies where the very first date in america to pass Voting Rights for women through a vote of the people. [applause] that helped Paul Reynolds place is a state that not only cherishes and upholds rights and freedoms of its people but expands those rights in pursuit of a more perfect state and a more perfect nation. Colorados republican governor ralph carr stood virtually alone on highranking elected officials and opposing the forced relocation of japanese americans during world war ii on condemning racial prejudice. [applause] over the last five years with blaze new trails in colorado in Early Childhood education with the creation of free kindergarten and free universal preschool saving families thousands of dollars. We have helped give more children a strong start in life. Colorado was the first state to legalize Recreational Use of cannabis setting the standard for innovation, safety and economic mobility that is been replicated by state took across the nation andnd countries acros the world who come here to learn what colorado did write too. Now, thanks to our voters we are once again leading the nation on Natural Medicine unfreezing 50 plus years of stifled research to learn about the potential benefits for the people of our state and beyond. We are hub for groundbreaking quantum industry with computing capabilities and job creation some of the most futuristic movies and novels of which i read and could not imagine at long last colorado is the rightful permanent home of usbased commands. [cheering] and the ongoing presence of u. S. Space command and Colorado Springs will help support and ensure our National Security and the increasingly important space domain. All of this work at one point seemed hard. Even pie in the sky. But we have proven that we can accomplish anything when we Work Together. As i look around this room i see a few of you who might have announced campaigns for other offices, we are sorry we risk losing you we want to keep you busy or whether its congress, county commission mayor, city council i would to thank you for yourr, continued serve theres a bus about what might be next to me as well i dont pay much credence to it but nevertheless im ready to put an end to the speculation with the competition gearing up the next few weeks ii want to announce i am ready to try out for the Colorado Rockies the spring. Who needs legislation when you can have home runs and frankly we all know they could use the help. [laughter] all kidding aside together we can ensure our state remains the very best place to rate live a family to launch a business we can strengthen our dynamicic economy, create jobs to make colorado safer and we all know because the voters know and have told us we need to work to make colorado more affordable. [applause] together were can create more housing for colorado and increase access to convenient lowcost transit opportunities to improve our quality of life. Make the future of our o state brighter and more livable. A better environment cleaner air and water a Strong Economy and better transportation the reallife situations that families face on a rent or mortgage need no introduction or explanation to any of us because they loom large. We have our own personal friends and Family Network are colorado ands who are struggling to make the rent or mortgage every month. Its truly a matter of statewide concern. Simply put we must create more housing in our state that colorado ends at all income levels can rent or buy and the in thecommunities where people o live near Job Opportunities that pay well. Reducing housing costs we will also help decrease homelessness in our communities and you want to thank the mayors who were on the front lines of this issue and have joined us here today denver mayor mike johnson Colorado Springs mayor and fort collins mayor lets welcome them. [applause] i have been spending a lot of time listening to colorado ands across the state. From it is no surprise that everywhere in our state the top issue is housing costs. I hear from parents who fear their children will never own a home in colorado and they are not alone 83 of colorado parents were their children will not be able to afford to live here. Hear from boulder colorado and to feel that they wont be able to age in the communities that they call home will not be able to downsize because even though the house might increase in value, high Interest Rate and property taxes prevent them from affording even a smaller home. That is why i hope this session we can work to finally make the senior homestead exemption affordable. [applause] i also hear from young parents who want to raise their children in a home of their own front line workers to teachers, firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers. I think our exceptional state workforce many of them cannot afford to live near the community they work they spent significant time andnd cost on e road getting to their jobs. I hear from Business Owners who cannot have a difficulty recruiting the talent they need. College students who sadly have lost hope and do not believe in Home Ownership will ever be a pt of the future. In our state this sense of hopelessness and despair around housing. Its someways how they feel about ourut divisiveness of National Politics princes start at 2022 higher Interest Rates and home values have driven the typical mortgage payment up by over 70 in income is simply not kept up. To do nothing would be, as spock would say highly illogical. Last year we took an important step in banning growth caps that outlawed new housing in our communities thanks to the leadership of representative and senator gonzales. I also signed executive order to remove bureaucratic barriers and cut through red tape reducing turnaround time on contracts and grants from the department of local affairs and the division of housing to 90 days. The state is putting our skin in the game doing our part to solve the housing crisis. And with your partnership we can and we will build on that progress together we can create a colorado where homeowners have the Property Rights and financial tools they need to build accessory dwelling unit also known as a granny flat or a motherinlaw cottage or an aging parent or longterm renter putting more housing supply thats inherently affordable feeling critical gaps in our communities near job centers. According to recent survey more than 80 of colorado inns are supportive of allowing use in their communities. Today were joined by somebody who showed success of accessory dwelling units. A colorado and who directly explains the benefit of adus the ability to build and adu on his property with the Denver Housing authority has been a game changer for his family. Increases Property Value created another lower cost housing option for the family of foy he is now renting to please join me in welcoming joseph is here today with his family. [applause] together we can help more colorado and make decisions that work best on for themselves and their families but create more housing opportunities for others and i look forward to work with the sponsors who are leading the way in this exciting legislative effort. This session ill be supportive of bills that reduce the cost of housing encourage innovative approaches like new financing strategies, easing the parking restrictions, tackling a liabily costs for multifamily condos reducing the cost of Fire Insurance especially in the face of increasing climate related disasters like the marshall fire which we just observe the second anniversary of i will be very skeptical of bills that would increase the cost of housing. As youco might be able to tell housing policy creates more affordable choices for colorado inns. In some ways its might roman empire if you dont get the joke ask someone from generation z. Any discriminatory occupancy on this especially hurt renters is another important way we can break down harmful barriers to housing and create more equity and i would think representatives for taking on this important housing and civil rights issue. [applause] when it comes down to creating a colorado were people from all backgrounds can live in homes they can afford near accessible and Reliable Transportation options, buses, biking, walkable neighborhoods imagine leaving your home heading to the train supper but bus station a few blocks away maybe walker rager bike from there you right to work and iu know some of you do this you write to work in style because a schedule is reliable you know exactly whatle time you will catch the train or bus to come home later that day you can catch up on your favorite reading or get ahead of your work on the way. You dont have to worry whether you have enough gas for the roads are icy if you choose to drive a car there is less traffic. On the weekends use the same transit stop to head downtown to see me play for the world series champion rockies or for dinner with your friends. Because you live in a home you can afford your saving money on gas and car repairs and you can put that money towards other priorities. What a wonderful day and mr. Rogers neighborhood and soon more neighborhoods across colorado. [applause] this is already happening communis like old town and downtown fort collins thriving Downtown Centers are built around business and commerce and transportation and housing. But we need more shining examples acrosshi our state. Transit oriented communities can create a Better Future for our states and drive our prosperity and our enjoyments with less traffic, more housing people can actually afford, better air quality that we want to provide the tools to help communities to make it happen. This year i am excited about a proposal in our budget that will help local governments build housing infrastructure and transit oriented neighborhoods by addressing construction hurdlesti like access to water, aging sewage and stormwater systems and by increasing opportunities for walking and biking, busting all forms of transportation. Its a start but we need a wellrounded approach that includes goals for housing that every community can work towards in their own way. These goals should consider jobs and costs in zoning capacity and transit areas in housing density and of course the factors like Regional Equity and infrastructure and water efficiency. We also need transit oriented housing policies and incentivize communities to notze only meet goals and provide accountability but rewards jurisdictions for going above and beyond. Excited my budget also expands estate Affordable Housing tax credit providing crucial financial incentives for transit areas that will help with affordability and built out this compelling division for quality of life. I want to think representatives judah t and woodrow, senator hanson sender winter for their t worked outk more colorado and live in transit oriented communities and achieve this powerful vision of more Affordable Housing and transit that works in our great state. [applause] this work is important. But in order to build more housing and have reliable transit we need you guessed it, transit that t works better. The distance the average colorado and drives for years increase more than 20 last three decades recent data shows commuters in denver were stuck in traffic for an average of 54 hours a year thats more than an entire work week just stuck in traffic i have experienced it and i know you have two. Time is not the only thing getting wasted. Colorado winds are spent too much on gas to the tune of roughly 1800 per year per driver on average not to mention maintenance and depreciation costs. Thanks to set it up to 60 from 2020 supercharged transportation funding for the state significant federal funding roads are finally Getting Better across the state of colorado but we are not done yet. We have the planes have the automobiles now we just need the trains. For too long Passenger Rail has been another moon shot out of reach foror too many people in r state. Colorado inns love the idea but often many people believe it is not something youll see in our lifetime. Yes it is big and yes it is bold but i am here to tell you Passenger Rail service that works is within reach. Agatha christie wrote to travel by train and seat nature and human beings and infect twoseat life. We have a vision for delivering front range and mountain rail that will create Access Points across the states that connect people to more housing, more businesses, more jobs getting People Places quicker and less expensivelyop. We are going to get it done. After years of waiting the pieces are falling into place the federal government has approved more than 66 billion thats billion with the be to create a worldclass rail system for the country so it is not a question of if the United States will see a massive expansion of Passenger Rail but simply a question of whether colorado will seize this opportunity and get our share of the federal dollars to deliver Passenger Rail to the residents of our states. [applause] with existing tracks now utilized mostly for commercial rail we have an opportunity to extend it daily schedule Passenger Rail service through the Rocky Mountains we need to take action to ensure we get Train Service from Union Station to West Jefferson county winter park, Steamboat Springs and on a leadingn traffic intermountain quarter supporting more housing that is for affordable for the local workforce open coal dependent communities strengthen and diversify their economies. To gather wey must also deliver on the unfulfilled fast track promise with service from Union Station to boulder. [applause] and not 2040, not 2030 something and of course unto loveland ink fort collins this is not pieinthesky we can do this through a joint effort between sida, the front range rail district we can start that a wok now. The problem of unfinished Public Transit in our state is simply going on far too long taxpayers are sick and tired of paying for serviceser that they are not getting. If we move boldly this session to seize unprecedented federal investments we can lock in transformational Passenger Rail opportunity in time for 150th birthday in 2026. The story of our state founding an hour early economic success is