Dear friends and neighbors,

I want to take a moment to update you on some significant changes happening here in Colorado regarding gun safety and community well-being. This year, our state legislature passed a dozen new laws aimed at strengthening gun regulations — all signed into law by Governor Jared Polis.

These laws represent some of the most comprehensive firearm reforms Colorado has seen in years, reflecting a commitment to protecting our families and communities.

Key highlights include:

 Senate Bill 3: Beginning August 1, 2026, the manufacture, sale, and purchase of certain semiautomatic firearms (including AR-15 and AK-47 style rifles) that accept detachable magazines will be banned unless the purchaser completes a thorough vetting process with their county sheriff, completes up to 12 hours of training, and passes a safety test. This law also bans rapid-fire trigger devices like bump stocks immediately.

 Raising the Minimum Age for Ammunition Purchases: This change helps ensure responsible gun ownership and limits youth access to ammunition.

 Improved Mass Shooting Response: New measures are designed to enhance how Colorado prepares for and responds to mass shooting incidents.

These laws balance the rights of responsible gun owners with the urgent need to reduce gun violence and improve public safety. Importantly, if you already own firearms covered under these new laws, you can keep them — the legislation does not affect existing possessions.

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Legislative Victories Beyond Gun Safety:

Our progress doesn’t stop there. I’m proud to share several important laws recently signed that will benefit Colorado families, students, and communities:

Education

SB25-206: Provides $2 million to support Ninth Grade Success programs.

HB25-1320: Increases funding for schools and implements a new student-focused funding formula.

HB25-1192: Expands financial literacy opportunities for high school students.

Criminal Justice Reform

HB25-1146: Allocates $7 million to trauma-informed youth deflection and diversion services.

HB25-1116: Resolves legal hurdles to ensure timely reentry into society after incarceration.

HB25-1081: Enhances data collection on restitution demographics.

SB25-208: Reduces prison phone costs to help keep families connected.

HB25-1294: Eliminates juvenile court fees, easing burdens on families.

Family Support

Successfully passed a bill extending paid family leave to parents with newborns in the NICU — a first in the nation, providing critical support at no extra cost to employers or employees.

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Urgent Call to Action: Protect the Aurora Reservoir

Our community faces a serious threat from the State-approved "Lowry Ranch CAP" plan, which includes drilling and fracking over 150 new oil and gas wells around and underneath the Aurora Reservoir. One of the most concerning developments is the recent administrative approval of the massive Sunlight-Long well pad — a 35-acre site with 32+ wells located dangerously close to homes, schools, wildlife habitats, and the reservoir itself.

Despite over 57 days of public deliberation and thousands of public comments opposing this project, Arapahoe County officials declined to hold a formal public hearing and approved the site without fully addressing community concerns.

Why this matters:

The well pad sits just 3,300 feet from the Aurora Reservoir, threatening our vital water supply.

It’s only 3,000 feet from nearby homes — less than the one-mile setback we fought hard to establish.

The project will generate 17,000 vehicle trips, increasing pollution and traffic risks.

Fire risk is high, and emergency services are stretched thin in this remote area.

Research links proximity to drilling with increased childhood cancer risk.

Here’s how you can help protect our community and water:

Email and call Arapahoe County officials TODAY to demand:

Strict enforcement of all conditions set out in the approval.

Immediate prohibition of any construction if conditions are not fully met.

A formal public hearing to address ongoing community concerns.

Key contacts:

Bryan D. Weimer, Director, Dept. of Public Works & Development

  720-874-6500 | BWeimer@arapahoegov.com

Martin Lohmann, Energy Program Manager

  720-874-6751 | MLohmann@arapahoegov.com | energy@arapahoegov.com

Jason Reynolds, Planning Division Manager

  720-874-6650 | Planning@ArapahoeGov.com

Ava Pecherzewski, Development Review Planning Manager

  720-874-6650 | apecherzewski@arapahoegov.com

Michelle Halstead, Director of the Commissioners' Office

  303-795-4530 | mhalstead@arapahoegov.com

Carrie Warren-Gully, Commissioner, District 1

  303-795-4285 | cwarrengully@arapahoegov.com

Jessica Campbell, Commissioner, District 2

  303-795-4630 | jcampbell@arapahoegov.com

Jeff Baker, Commissioner, District 3

  303-795-4630 | jbaker@arapahoegov.com

Leslie Summey, Commissioner, District 4

  303-795-4630 | lsummey@arapahoegov.com

Rhonda Fields, Commissioner, District 5

  303-795-4630 | rfields2@arapahoegov.com

Your voice matters — together we can protect our homes, our water, and our future. Please take action today to hold our county officials accountable and ensure they prioritize the health and safety of our community over risky drilling projects.

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Thank you for staying engaged and committed. With your support, we can continue to make meaningful progress on gun safety, environmental protection, education, criminal justice reform, and family support across Colorado.

In solidarity and service,

Eric