By Rep. Matt Soper | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Since arriving at the state capitol in 2019, I have prioritized policy over politics, and this session is no different. With that in mind, I wanted to highlight key policies on the horizon and the legislation I am working on.
Aside from our chamber work, I am currently the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, vice chair of the Committee on Legal Services, and a member of the Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Committee, as well as the year-round Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee.
Agriculture & water: Priorities for Colorado
Since arriving in the legislature, I have been committed to protecting our water, livestock, farmers and way of life, and I take great pride in carrying that responsibility as we shape policy.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s wolf reintroductions remains a widely debated issue across the state. While it is voter-mandated, it is critical that livestock producers have access to a framework that is free of burden, easy to navigate and offers fair compensation and mitigation resources. I am exploring all options up to and including legislation to ensure the burden of this program remains on CPW, and that it does not fall on the backs of producers.
As we endure a two-decade-long drought and face increasing demands from downstream and out-of-state water users, accurately measuring Colorado’s snowpack has never been more crucial. Reliable data is essential for meeting in-state and down-basin obligations. That’s why I am introducing legislation to authorize the use of LiDAR technology, to provide a more localized and precise approach to complement our current snowpack measurement methods. Currently, snowpack is measured using a manual “snow stake” approach which takes measurements from a few spots and then averages snow depth across an area. LiDAR technology, which would be affixed to state planes, uses an imaging tool that actively measures snow depth at a high spatial resolution, assessing far-wider areas. This advancement would allow for more areas to be measured and more accurately calculate the Snow Water Equivalent.
Improving rural cell phone coverage
There is no question that cell phone coverage in rural and underserved areas is an essential infrastructure issue that deserves immediate attention, as it is the foundation of our industries, communities and daily lives.
During the interim session, I served on a committee studying the state of cell phone coverage across Colorado. Out of that committee came a package of bills I am working on to incentivize critical infrastructure improvements. My proposed measures would:
- Streamline the cellular permitting process by implementing shot clocks for approvals.
- Authorize local governments to offer property tax incentives for telecom investment.
Expanding geothermal energy
Additionally, I am sponsoring legislation to streamline regulatory oversight on geothermal energy projects and carbon capture & storage (CCS).
As it stands now, regulatory liability for CCS projects lies on the private entity conducting the operations. Companies may be sold, leave the industry, or go out of business during the regulatory lifetime of the project, even after the physical operations have ceased. This creates situations where the company that is responsible for the regulation is no longer in existence. My bill would shift the regulation back onto the state, which would encourage companies to invest into CCS projects, while ensuring safety and oversight for our environment for generations.
Criminal justice: Strengthening public safety
During my time in the legislature, criminal justice reform has been a major issue across the state.
One such reform bill this year is my Personal Recognizance Bond Reform bill, which empowers judges to rein in repeat offenders who take advantage of personal recognizance bonds and then repeatedly fail to appear in court. Under this bill, a judge could enforce a cash-only surety bond after an individual repeatedly fails to appear in court. This would ensure that offenders resolve their legal case while maintaining fairness in the justice system.
Furthermore, I am working to hold the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) accountable for systemic lab misconduct and data corruption by a CBI analyst. This scandal has impacted at least 1,000 criminal cases statewide and has contributed to a backlog of rape-kit testing exceeding 500 days. I am committed to ensuring that all affected defendants, victims and cases are properly notified, and that new safeguards are implemented to prevent such failures in the future.
Fiscal responsibility & final thoughts
Although the session is flying by, there is still a lot of work ahead. I remain committed to fair representation for my constituents and maintaining strong fiscal responsibility, especially as Colorado faces a billion-dollar state budget deficit. It is crucial that we prioritize core government functions, ensuring they remain operational, just and efficient.
Just as I serve those who elect me, I will ensure that Colorado’s government serves the best interests of the people.
Republican Rep. Matt Soper serves Delta and Mesa counties in Colorado House District 54. Follow more of his commentary at the Western Slope Statesman.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.