Lukens: Delivering results for the Western Slope
As the 2025 legislative session comes to a close, I am proud to report that we have made significant strides in addressing the needs of our Western Slope communities. From enhancing education to improving health care access, increasing affordability, and protecting our natural resources, your input has guided our work at the Capitol and focused on practical solutions that make a difference in Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties.
Investments in education
As chair of the House Education Committee, improving our education system remained my top priority. I sponsored HB25-1320, the School Finance Act, which significantly increases funding for Colorado’s public schools. This investment will benefit our rural schools and ensure districts across the state can provide students with the necessary resources to succeed. The bill prioritizes sustainable funding for years to come, with a focus on supporting our most vulnerable students.
I also sponsored HB25-1135, which empowers school districts to establish policies on cell phone use during school hours. This law addresses a concern I’ve heard repeatedly from educators and parents across our district. By allowing local solutions to this challenge, we’re helping students focus on learning while supporting their mental health.
Another education priority I championed was SB25-167, which addresses housing costs for educators by offering accessible mortgages and down payments to help teachers live in the communities where they teach. This initiative aims to support approximately 2,500 educators, strengthening our local districts and improving student outcomes.
Making Colorado more affordable
As I travel throughout the Western Slope, affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns I hear from constituents. That’s why I am proud of the work we have done this session to ease financial burdens on Colorado families.
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We took action to eliminate hidden costs that impact your budget by passing HB25-1090, which requires businesses to be transparent about pricing and eliminates deceptive “junk fees” that often surprise consumers at checkout. We also tackled price gouging during emergencies through HB25-1010, which prevents businesses from exploiting disasters to inflate prices on essential items like groceries and diapers.
For renters, we passed HB25-1004 to regulate how algorithms are used in setting rental prices, preventing coordinated increases among landlords. For everyone dealing with the frustration of unwanted subscriptions, SB25-145 now makes it simpler to cancel recurring charges.
We also protected vital health care access in our state budget this year by preserving Medicaid coverage, dental services, and health programs for children. For families with young children, we maintained support for child care assistance and school meals, ensuring that no child goes hungry during the school day.
Health and safety
This session, we built upon our progress to protect your fundamental right to reproductive health care. Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 79, which enshrined the right to abortion care in the Colorado Constitution. We passed legislation to implement the ballot measure and remove the state’s prohibition on using public funds to cover abortion care.
We also passed legislation to strengthen our shield law and protect providers and out-of-state patients from hostile out-of-state investigations related to legally protected health care. Additionally, we passed legislation to ensure emergency access to abortion and miscarriage care by creating a state-level version of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
Health care access remains crucial for our rural communities.
During this session, I sponsored HB25-1222, ensuring that rural independent pharmacies can use private couriers for prescriptions and receive fair reimbursement. The bill also defines “flex pharmacies” that can operate both in-person and remotely, bringing essential services closer to home for many rural residents.
I also sponsored HB25-1223, which initiates a comprehensive study of capital needs for rural and frontier hospitals throughout the state. This bipartisan effort will help us understand what our healthcare facilities need to meet current standards.
I know how scary and challenging it is to drive on our mountain roads during the winter months. I sponsored SB25-069, which authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue permits to qualified vendors who can help install or remove tire chains or other traction devices for both commercial drivers and passenger vehicles. These vendors will operate at designated highway locations, making winter travel safer and more efficient for everyone who travels our mountain roads.
Moving forward together
As we look ahead, I remain committed to bipartisan solutions that make Colorado more affordable, protect our natural resources, support quality education, and ensure health care access for all residents. It’s truly an honor to represent the people of Eagle, Routt, Moffat, and Rio Blanco counties.
I welcome your thoughts on our accomplishments and your priorities for the future. Don’t hesitate to contact me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov with ideas, comments, or concerns. I invite you to join one of our upcoming town halls this summer to discuss these legislative achievements in person and share your thoughts on issues important to our communities. You can also join my newsletter for more regular updates by emailing me.
Let’s keep in touch and continue making a difference in House District 26. Onward!
Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties.
