SENTINEL EXPRESS C O M M E R C E
VOLUME 33 32
C I T Y
50cI
ISSUE48 5 ISSUE
WEEK ,OFNJOVEMBER ANUARY 27, TUESDAY 24,2022 2020
New COVID-19 restrictionsState will prohibit indoorbill dining, gatherings ‘Personal choices’ consider on personal whether to let
behind surge in traffic deaths
Officials study statewide increase, with total for 2021 likely to top 700 BY PAOLO ZIALCITA CPR NEWS
local public workers unionize
Prospective bill could grant thousands more public employees a seat at the negotiating table BY THY VO COLORADO SUN
A bill that would grant more public employees in Colorado the right to unionize is shaping up to be the next big labor fight at the state Capitol. The proposal, sponsored by House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, a Pueblo Democrat, would allow people working for cities, counties, schools, public hospitals and other local government entities the right to collectively bargain. It would be a major expansion of labor rights for those workers, who can currently form unions but don’t have negotiating power over their work conditions, unless they are recognized by voters or the
Preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation shows 672 people died on Colorado roads in 2021, the Lawmakers are seen at the Capitol’s House floor on Jan. 12, 2022 in Denver at state’s most since 2002. PHOTO BY OLIVIA SUN the start of Colorado’s General Assembly’s 2022 session. That number is expected to exceed 700 ers passed a measure allowing organization they work for. once final tallies come in, according to “We want to make sure it doesn’t the union for nearly 28,000 state Colorado State Patrol chief Matthew workers to collectively bargain. matter where you live, you have Packard. During a Jan. 19 press conferLabor advocates had another win the right to bargain,” Esgar said. ence announcing the record, Packard last year when they passed a conAlthough the measure has not urged people to take personal responsibilbeen introduced and many details ity for reducing traffic deaths. He said too tentious law granting agricultural are still in flux, labor groups say many people get behind the wheel while workers minimum wage, collective it’s the last major piece in their impaired, or are distracted when on the bargaining and other protections. long effort to expand collective road. “This is the unfinished business bargaining for workers in Colo“It’s appalling to me to think that that rado. In 2020, Democratic lawmakmany people senselessly lose their lives in SEE UNIONIZE, P4 something that we do every day,” Packard said. Overall, the state has seen a 50 percent increase in traffic deaths since 2011, and deaths on Colorado roadways increased by 8 percent last year compared to 2020. The early count shows 432 crashes involved people in cars and trucks, while 145 were motorcycle or bicycle riders. In nextisyear. requires boldArnold action by our addition, 87 pedestrians were killed by county required to follow based on the By Ellis Colorado lawmakers have not legislature,” Colorado Education severity incoming c. outside the city of Brighton’s rapid testing site at A long linetraffi of cars of a county’s local virus spread. Colorado Community Media Association President Amie Baca- kept up with increasing educaColorado Springs and greater El Paso Riverdale Regional Park. The site has had to close early many days in recent Thetion dial funding grew out of at the thestate’s level safer-atthe Oehlert told The Colorado Sun County had the most road fatalities in the weeks due to high County’s 14-day test positivity rate As in Denver metro counties continue to home order — therequires, policy thatleaving came after constitution an interview ahead of the 2022 state last year, with demand. 77. DenverAdams reported 65 inch closer to localsession, stay-at-home orders andthis holdstatewideshortchanged stay-at-home order legislative which began thedistricts fatal15.9 crashes during same17,period. was percent, as the of Nov. according to Tri-County Health Department. ing and a nearly $10 billion IOU 12. system of coronavirusPolice offi cials from around thetest state underJan. Colorado’s spring allowed numerous typesfrom of Brighton and Commerce City’s positivity rates were both higher than the state. The unionthe is asking for a major businesses said they plan to expand enforcement in related restrictions, state announced to reopen. 13 percent. Forty-five people in Brighton and 29 in Commerce City have The state’s coffers are flush investment in schools and it plans areas with a disproportionate share of BY DANIEL DUCASSI AND ERICA BREUNLIN a new to level of rules that districts prohibits indoor The state recently died fromBut COVID-19 related health issues. To limit the spreadCOLORADO of COVID-19, with cash at theswitched momentto–color so lobby school to spend fatalities. they argued during TuesSUN dining and personal gatherings — a identifiers — levels blue, yelloware andexmuch so that taxpayers their share of any budgetary inday’s briefi ng that amoved systemic at least 15 counties tocrackdown tighter restrictions that prohibits indoor and that applies to the majority of thepay, orange rather than numbered levels to on improving teacher on traffic safety is not the solution. Colorado will continue to facechangecrease pected to receive refunds for — each personal gatherings. said. a critical teacher shortage un- DenverBaca-Oehlert of the next three fi scal years. And “The causations we’ve talked about metro area and many counties in avoid confusion. Until Nov. 17, level red The push to restore education meant less state leaders make good on other regions. today that cause accidents, those are perthe astate also hasorder. billions stay-at-home Now,more level funding and improve pay for their constitutional obligation sonal choices,” Colorado Springs Police in one-time federal aid it received The state’s COVID-19 dial, which has red — “severe risk” — is the secondteachers comes as lawmakers are toPhoto increaseby education Department chief Vincent Niski said. during the pandemic, giving state Belen funding, Ward effect since September, is the the set gearing up to debate in comthe head of Colorado’s largest been in “It’s not infrastructure, a lot of it’s not of different levels of just restrictions that each ing months how much state teacher union says. SEE SHORTAGE, P3 Please see RESTRICTIONS, Page 2 money to give school districts “We’re at a crisis point that SEE INCREASE, P4
Colo. teacher shortage highlights need for more school funding, union boss says
Lawmakers to start debating how much state money to give school districts next year
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