Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eden Rayne Nehls for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Eden Rayne has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Eden Rayne, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Eden Rayne's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Eden Rayne Nehls on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Evelyn Luna Avalos for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Evelyn has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Evelyn, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Evelyn's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Evelyn Luna Avalos on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ira Arora for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ira has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Ira, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Ira's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Drake Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Ira Arora on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ivan Rangel for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ivan has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Ivan, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Ivan's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Ivan Rangel on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Aldin Mednolucanin for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Aldin has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Aldin, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Aldin's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Aldin Mednolucanin on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I missed two votes in the vote series on April 27, 2026. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 139, final passage of H.R. 227, the Clergy Act, and YEA on Roll Call No. 138, final passage of H.R. 7959, the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mr. John Covert of Aurora, Colorado, for over seven years of service as Chief Capital Campaign Officer to The Action Center and to congratulate him on his retirement.

John served for more than seven years on the executive board of The Action Center, a Lakewood-based non-profit providing family services and financial support to community members. Throughout his time on the board, John's dedication, expertise, and skilled leadership helped to provide financial stability for the organization by increasing funding to fulfill 75 percent of the Action Center's fundraising goal. With John's help, the Action Center supported thousands of community members with free clothing, food, family services, and financial coaching.

Before serving at The Action Center, John spent 25 years volunteering at other community organizations, including as Director of Marketing and Development at the Glory Center, Director of Development at Families of Character, and Divisional Director of Development of the Salvation Army. Throughout his years of service, John has improved the lives of thousands of Coloradans. Although his departure from The Action Center will be felt deeply by those he served, John's lasting contributions to the organization and our community are invaluable and will continue to impact Coloradans for years to come.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Mr. John Covert on his retirement and thank him for his service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Dr. Walter C. Copan for his years of service to our state and country and to congratulate him on his retirement.

Dr. Copan began his distinguished career in the mid-1970s, spending nearly three decades in private-sector research and technology leadership. From 2003 to 2005, he advanced America's energy innovation efforts at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he served in key technology transfer and commercialization roles. In 2017, he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he worked tirelessly to strengthen America's innovation and technology transfer policies.

In 2021, he joined the Colorado School of Mines as Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer, helping the university grow as a leading public research institution. Known for his warmth and generosity, Dr. Copan has often reminded colleagues that ``it's a great day to be an Oredigger.''

Though he is retiring from his formal role at Mines, Dr. Copan will continue his longstanding commitment to public service and scientific advancement through his leadership with a number of national medical and scientific research organizations.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Dr. Walter G. Copan on his retirement and thank him for his service to our country and our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Professor Crisosto Apache of Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design for being named Colorado's Poet Laureate.

Crisosto is an accomplished multimedia artist, writer, poet, educator, and advocate for the Native American Indigenous LGBTQ/Two- spirit identity. Their recognition by the Governor of Colorado reflects Crisosto's extraordinary talent and distinguished achievements as a poet, as well as their enduring commitment to the arts, to education, and to literary expression across diverse communities. As Colorado's Poet Laureate, Crisosto will continue to amplify the voices and stories of all people who have called Colorado home, and spread the transformative and connective powers of poetry across public spaces.

Crisosto is originally from the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico and is Colorado's first Indigenous Poet Laureate. They have published two poetry collections and received accolades, including the Betty Berzon Emerging Writers Award for their achievements in creative writing. As a longtime Lakewood resident and respected professor at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Cristoso exemplifies creative excellence and outstanding service to students.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Crisosto Apache for being named Colorado's Poet Laureate and thank them for their contribution and commitment to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities for its 50th anniversary.

Since opening in 1976, the Arvada Center has been an important cultural institution in Colorado, enriching our community through theatre, visual arts, arts education, and public programs that engage and inspire people of all ages.

For fifty years, the Arvada Center has brought artists, students, audiences, and families together--sparking creativity, nurturing learning, and building lasting connections. It has become a cornerstone of the cultural life of Arvada, Jefferson County, and the greater Denver metro area, offering high-quality artistic experiences while remaining committed to broad community access and participation. The Arvada Center's lasting success reflects the dedication of its staff, educators, performers, volunteers, and supporters, all of whom have helped build a vibrant and welcoming place for the arts to thrive. Its impact extends well beyond its campus, strengthening our region through artistic excellence, education, and civic engagement.

On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities on its 50th anniversary and thank them for their contribution to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tegain Boley for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Tegain has overcome many challenges along their journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Tegain, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Tegain's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Tegain Boley on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Darrien O'Reilly for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Darrien has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Darrien, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Darrien's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Darrien O'Reilly on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Elianna Boening for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Elianna has overcome many challenges along their journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Elianna, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Elianna's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Elianna Boening on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Angel Cova Rojas for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Angel has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Angel, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Angel's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Angel Cova Rojas on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sienna Kittles for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Sienna has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating

perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Sienna, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Sienna's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Arvada West High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future.

It is my honor to congratulate Sienna Kittles on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.