Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the public service of my Chief of Staff, Danielle Radovich Piper.

Danielle has served as my trusted adviser for more than two decades. She managed my first campaign for Congress in 2006 out of a former veterinarian's office in Golden and has been by my side ever since as my Chief of Staff. Together, we've served Colorado's 7th Congressional District for the last 16 years. Danielle expertly managed our team of dedicated public servants. She ensured a dual focus for our office on advancing legislation which would benefit the hard-working people of Colorado while simultaneously providing excellent constituent services. Danielle is a brilliant strategist and communicator. This has served us well during difficult times including natural disasters and devastating crises in our community. She is highly respected by her peers in both Colorado and Washington, D.C.

Danielle graduated from Colorado State University with a major in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Before serving as my Chief of Staff, Danielle was Chief of Staff for the Senate Majority in the Colorado General Assembly. She has been appointed to several state- level entities, including the Supreme Court Nominating Commission and the Census Outreach Grant Committee.

Danielle has done this all while raising two boys, Aiden who attends Golden High School and Liam who attends Manning Middle School, with her husband Chris. Danielle is a tremendous role model with a strong moral compass who checks every line of the Code of the West, especially ``Always finish what you start,'' ``Know where to draw the line,'' ``Be tough, but fair,'' and ``When you make a promise, keep it.'' Danielle's leadership and commitment to our community is remarkable and it is impossible to count the ways her work has impacted the State of Colorado. I am proud to see Danielle continue her public service next year at my alma mater, the University of Colorado, as the Senior Vice President for External Relations and Strategy.

On behalf of our friends, neighbors, and constituents from Colorado's 7th Congressional District and the entire Congress, I want to express sincere appreciation for the career and public service of my colleague and friend, Danielle Radovich Piper.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud Phil Nelson for his decades of service to the Citizens' Climate Lobby and to the State of Colorado.

Phil Nelson has been active in the environmental community for most of his life. In 1958, he started his education at MIT and received his B.S. in 1962 and Ph.D. in 1967; both in geophysics. After graduating from MIT, Phil worked at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (1977-1982) as well as the Sohio Petroleum, BP and Book Writing (1982- 1987) before finishing his career at the United States Geological Survey (1988-2014). Phil retired in 2014 and continued his passion for environmental issues through volunteer work.

In 2014, he joined the Citizens' for Climate Lobby (CCL) in Golden, Colorado where he served as chair until 2022. This group meets regularly with local, state and federal leaders

and staff members to advocate for and discuss environmental concerns and issues. Through his work, Phil has attended regional and national meetings, lobbied in Washington D.C., and raised awareness of the threat of climate change by making presentations to civic groups and providing information at public events. Phil and members of his CCL chapter have also been active in writing letters to the editor which have appeared in various Colorado news outlets and worked to obtain signatures for petitions, written public comment, and garnered support for various issues across the state. Throughout his time at CCL, Phil's hard work and dedication has proven to be a tremendous asset to the environmental community in Colorado.

I extend my deepest appreciation for Phil Nelson and his service and dedication to our community and the State of Colorado.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 2nd Time Sports of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's People's Choice of the Year Award.

The People's Choice of the Year Award recognizes one business that has been chosen through an online popular vote for having the best product or service and overall customer satisfaction. 2nd Time Sports is passionate about providing new and used sports equipment to consumers in the north metro area. With a focus on excellent customer service, 2nd Time Sports is a valued business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to 2nd Time Sports for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize KF Developers of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Business Investment Award.

The Business Investment award recognizes one established business or Northglenn property owner that has made major capital investments in equipment and/or facility improvements. KF Developers is passionate about transforming Karls Farm into a mixed-use development that commemorates the legacy of the dairy farm. With a focus on meeting the needs of the community, KF Developers is a valued developer in Northglenn.

Congratulations to KF Developers for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Yvette Klinger, The Anubis Emporium of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes one student with an established business who either lives in Northglenn or attends a Northglenn (K-12) school and exemplifies an entrepreneurial spirit. The Anubis Emporium, founded by Yvette Klinger, is passionate about sharing art that customers will resonate with. With a focus on providing unique, creative products that display her digital art, Yvette Klinger--The Anubis Emporium is a valued business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to Yvette Klinger--The Anubis Emporium for receiving this award and I wish her all the best in the future. I thank her for her contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ruby Jean Patisserie of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Home-Based Business of the Year Award.

The Home-Based Business of the Year Award recognizes a business operating from a Northglenn residence and exemplifies exceptional customer service and products. Ruby Jean Patisserie, owned and operated by Jennifer Essex, is dedicated to creating sweet delicacies with European techniques. With an emphasis on exceptional quality and giving back to the community, Ruby Jean Patisserie is a valued home-based business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to Ruby Jean Patisserie for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize MJ Better Books, Inc. of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Rookie Business of the Year Award.

The Rookie Business of the Year award recognizes a newly formed business that has been operating for less than two years and exemplifies innovation. MJ Better Books, Inc., founded by Miriam Nunez and Jamie Nunez, is passionate about helping small businesses and entrepreneurs be successful. With an emphasis on helping Hispanic and Spanish speaking businesses, MJ Better Books, Inc. is a valued newly established business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to MJ Better Books, Inc. for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Painted Tree Boutiques--Northglenn of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Small Business of the Year Award.

The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a local business with up to 20 employees that impacted the community with its entrepreneurial spirit. Painted Tree Boutiques--Northglenn exists to provide space for hundreds of other small businesses in its store. With its ability to create space for others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, Painted Tree Boutiques--Northglenn is a valued small business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to Painted Tree Boutiques--Northglenn for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Murray-Brown Laboratories of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Mid-Size Business of the Year Award.

The Mid-Size Business of the Year Award recognizes a local business with up to 50 employees that exemplifies a high level of business ethics and professionalism. Murray-Brown Laboratories, co-owned by John Murray and Brenda Brown, exists to provide testing to food and beverage companies that depend on the results to keep the products for consumers safe for consumption. With a passion for providing excellent customer service, Murray-Brown Laboratories is a valued mid-size business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to Murray-Brown Laboratories for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Large Business of the Year Award.

The Large Business of the Year Award recognizes a local business with over 50 employees and shows business growth and stability. Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse is dedicated to providing craveable food and beer served with uncommon hospitality. With its dedication to community commitment and involvement, Parry's Pizzeria is a valued large business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Animal Clinic North of Northglenn, Colorado for earning the City of Northglenn's Business Longevity Award.

The Business Longevity Award recognizes a local business that has existed in Northglenn as a business for over 20 years and provides exceptional customer service. Animal Clinic North, owned by Dr. Kerry Madole, is committed to providing comprehensive care for everyone who is seeking care for their pet. With a focus on small animal care, Animal Clinic North is a valued business in Northglenn.

Congratulations to Animal Clinic North for receiving this award and I wish them all the best in the future. I thank them for their contribution to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Cheryl Brungardt for receiving the Wheat Ridge Business Association's 2022 Mayor's Award.

The Mayor's Award is selected by Mayor Bud Starker to be awarded to an outstanding member of the community. A Wheat Ridge native, Cheryl was selected as this year's awardee for her tireless community service that she does with energy and dedication. She is passionate about every task she undertakes and often the first to volunteer to do the unglamorous but necessary tasks that help move the City of Wheat Ridge forward. Genuine and cheerful, she is a vital community member.

I thank Cheryl Brungardt, for her outstanding leadership, which helps make Wheat Ridge a wonderful place to live and work.'

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize New Image Brewery for receiving the Wheat Ridge Business Association's 2022 Reinvestment Award.

New Image Brewery is being recognized for their resilience in investing in our community despite opening a business at a challenging time. When New Image Brewery first came to Wheat Ridge, they were looking for a facility to produce their beers, however, due to zoning laws, they were required to open a tasting room. New Image Brewery agreed to this new vision, but as they began to open their doors, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Now, two years after their original opening, New Image Brewery was able to finally open the doors to their tasting room and has been met with great community support. Quickly, this brewery has become a popular spot in the community, featuring a wide array of brews inside and an onsite food truck outside.

I thank New Image Brewery for their ``reinvestment'' in our community. We are happy to have their tasting room's doors finally open.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Wheelie Bean for receiving the Wheat Ridge Business Association's 2022 Sustainability Green Business Award.

The Sustainability Green Business Award is given to a business in Wheat Ridge with a strong commitment to protecting the environment to help end the climate crisis facing our planet. I thank the Wheelie Bean for their continued work to help create a greener, more sustainable Wheat Ridge.