Hispanic Caucus forms to tackle varied issues
By CHARLES ASHBY

DENVER - The Colorado Legislature has long had its four major caucuses made up of the two separate chambers and the two major political parties.

Though at times the caucuses are used for purely political purposes, they are generally helpful for party leaders to help like-minded people think alike.

But in the last couple of years, lawmakers have started trying to build coalitions not only across party lines, but also the sometimes wide chasm between the two chambers.

So with the large number of Latino lawmakers in the Legislature, it's no surprise a handful of them have created the Colorado General Assembly Hispanic Caucus this session.

That bipartisan group of representatives and senators, which includes several from Southern Colorado, focuses on civil rights matters affecting Hispanics and Latinos living in the state.

And to that end, the group is preparing a letter to the rest of the Legislature to let them know they are watching, particularly when it comes to measures dealing with immigration, health care and education.

In a draft letter obtained by The Pueblo Chieftain, the final version of which is still being worked out, the group says:

"With this legislative session, we have become increasingly concerned with the additional statutory requirements that have been introduced into legislation," the letter reads. "These additional statutory requirements have had a negative impact on legal immigrants, as well as other Colorado citizens."

The caucus said it's particularly concerned with additional voting requirements enacted by the Legislature, saying it makes legal citizens less likely to vote because they have to show documentation to prove their legal status.

The group - which includes such regional lawmakers as Rep. Rafael Gallegos, D-Antonito, and Pueblo Democrats Sen. Abel Tapia and Rep. Dorothy Butcher - also said new documentation rules also may negatively impact the number of legal immigrants coming to the state.

The caucus wants the rest of the Legislature to make clear that the state welcomes legal immigrants.

"Colorado can also send a message that we welcome legal immigrants and their families by increasing the availability of health care services for this segment of Colorado's population," the letter continues. "We urge legislators to make available health, dental, and mental health care coverage for all children residing in Colorado."

The caucus, which plans to rewrite portions of the letter and deliver it to their fellow legislators soon, also addresses concerns about an increase in the number of Hispanics being sent to Colorado prisons.

The group calls on the Legislature to address that, in part, by helping reduce the state's high school dropout rate, and through early childhood development programs.

"These are issues that are identified as priorities to our Hispanic Caucus, and we will identify the bills that negatively affect the Hispanic/Latino community of Colorado," the draft letter concludes.

Charles Ashby is the Chieftain's Denver Bureau chief.


http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1174285063/5