As the Colorado Legislature prepares for its next regular session in January, some lawmakers are coming prepared with bills they drafted since the finish of this year’s session.
Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose, serves southwest Colorado in the state Senate. His district, which includes Montezuma and Dolores counties, is at the root of his key legislation for 2020: improving school bus safety in Colorado.
Coram joined KSJD’s Daniel Rayzel for a closer look at his legislative priorities and to share his view on working with a Democratic majority.
Interview Highlights
On whether Republicans have a fair say in a Democratic majority
I’ve spent half the time in the majority and half of the time in the minority and, frankly, it hasn’t made a big difference. I’m kind of a middle-of-the-road person that realizes that this is a long-term game and you have to build relationships and trust. I have not personally been through that [feeling silenced]. I have witnessed it, though, and probably on both sides. Probably when I was in the majority, I think there were some situations … Power is a strange thing. And some people don’t manage it well.
On legislation he’d like to pass to consider the session a success
We’re crafting legislation that will basically put technology on the bus, where we know where it is at all times. There’ll be silent alarms, there’ll be communications. There’s also an app available that goes with it so parents will be able to know if and when their children got off the bus.
Rachel Zenzinger … is my co-prime [sponsor] on this. She’s actually a Montrose High School graduate. So, this is a hometown, southwest Colorado deal that we’re very excited about.
Highlights have been edited for clarity and length.
